Tucked away on the north coast of County Donegal in Ireland is the Portsalon Golf Club, occupying the Fanad Peninsula along the Ballymastocker Beach. The Golf Club’s history extends back to 1891, making it one of Ireland’s oldest golf courses and clubs. Portsalon was one of nine founding clubs comprising the Golf Union of Ireland: the oldest golfing union in the world. Some other founding members include Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, among others. The golf course was upgraded in 2000 by the skilled architect Pat Ruddy, who improved other courses in Ireland including County Sligo and Donegal Golf Club; the result was a modern links golf course with an old heritage that continues to attract golfers from afar today. Portsalon Golf Club is just 25-minutes’ drive from Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, 2 hours from Belfast and one hour from Londonderry. The Golf Club’s location is set along the Wild Atlantic Way, and well worth a visit during your Ireland golf holiday.
The Portsalon golf course has a unique layout in regards to its challenges and features. Its structure and style is pure links, set next to the Atlantic Ocean with undulating dunes framing one side of the golf course and many of the holes. The uniquely-Portsalon features include a river running through the course, rock formations forming a backdrop to some greens, a sandy estuary coming into play, and a covered archway running through the golf course that allows locals access to the beach without being hit by errant golf balls. In terms of value for money, Portsalon is one of Ireland’s best golf courses as it flies under the radar of other Irish links courses, but it is well worth a visit.
The golf holes at Portsalon weave through sand dunes, over water features and sandy banks, making it an exhilarating 18-holes. Pat Ruddy’s remodel in 2000 saw nine new holes added to the course and significant rerouting including lengthening the golf course. If you are visiting Donegal, Portsalon is one of the county’s best golf courses and a hidden gem. The golf course is framed by magnificent backdrops including the Lough Swilly and Ballymastocker Beach, the hills of the Inishowen Peninsula across the Lough, and the Konckalla Mountains to the west. The Portsalon Golf Club occupies an area of outstanding natural beauty, and deserves its place among one of Ireland’s great golf experiences.
Practice Facilities
Due to the Portsalon Golf Club’s position at the end of a bay, wedged between a town and the ocean, golf practice facilities are not expansive. This is often the case at older Irish and UK golf clubs; the original links golf courses did not have driving ranges to warm up. As such, Portsalon Golf Club has a putting green adjacent to the Clubhouse, where you can also practice your short-game before play; there is no driving range.
Clubhouse
The Clubhouse at Portsalon houses the golf shop on the ground floor. Be sure to stop by and pick up some Portsalon-branded merchandise before or after your round. The golf shop is well-stocked though a little on the small side. Upstairs in the Clubhouse, you will find a traditional wood-bench bar serving a wide array of beverages to relax after your round. The bar and dining area feature dramatic views over Ballymastocker Bay. The Clubhouse also features ladies and gentlemen’s locker rooms with shower facilities.
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