World’s Best was privileged to play the Mussenden Links at Castlerock Golf Club in 2023. Castlerock is part of a must play trio of links courses on the Antrim coastline in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The other two course are Royal Portrush, soon to host the 2025 Open Championship and the Strand course at Portstewart Golf Club.
You can read our articles about the experience of playing these three classic championship links courses here
When we visited Castlerock GC previously, we promised to return to play the 9 hole course and we have now made good on the promise. Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. When we met Robert Irvine, the PGA Professional at Castlerock, his advice was to leave the driver in the car. All we can say is that we should have listened to Robert, as you will find out later in the article.
The Bann Course
Tucked beside its more celebrated sibling, the Bann Course at Castlerock Golf Club offers a different but equally memorable golfing experience. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the River Bann estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, this 9-hole layout might be shorter and less heralded than the championship course, but it holds its own in terms of charm, challenge, and natural beauty.
The course measures only 2446 yards and has three par 3’s, five par 4’s and a par 5. From the start, it’s clear that the Bann Course isn’t just a warm-up track. It’s a thoughtfully designed layout that makes full use of the dunes, swales, and seaside breeze. Though it’s short, it demands smart shot-making, especially when the wind rolls in off the Atlantic — as it often does on this stretch of Northern Ireland’s coast.
Our Favourite Holes
After a very gentle opening par 4 of 301 yards, the 2nd hole, aptly name “Everest” is the hardest hole on the course at 367 yards. Heeding Robert’s advice, we went with 3 wood off the tee. As you would expect from the name, the hole plays uphill and for us was into the wind.
The approach shot to the 2nd green
As our tee shot only went just over 200 yards, we were left with a 5 iron to the tiny green at the top of the hill. Unfortunately we pulled it slightly into a small gully below the green. We couldn’t even see the pin for our 3rd shot but the Irish Golfing Gods were smiling on us. I cut my sand wedge up over the slope onto the green, my wife Sandra let out a shriek as the ball rolled into the hole for a birdie. I didn’t even get to see it.
Short Par 3 Heaven
Hit the green, or else!
The third and fourth holes have a combined yardage of 245 yards. The third is the shortest hole on the course at a measly 92 yards but miss this green at your peril. Luckily, our gap wedge found the putting surface and we were happy to two putt and walk away with a par.
The picturesque and inviting 4th hole
The 4th hole is the “longest” par 3 at 153 yards but again you have to hit the green. It plays downhill and for us it was a well struck 9 iron as the pin was at the front. We left our uphill 10 footer short but again we were happy to make a par.
Why You Should Always Listen to the Pro
The daunting tee shot on the 5th hole
The 5th hole is the only par 5 and measures 491 yards. We should have taken Robert’s advice about not hitting driver… as we lost one ball right, and then another one left. Eventually, we hit a 3 wood, five off the tee, down the middle of the fairway.
The second shot to the 5th green
Our sixth shot, again with the 3 wood finished 20 yards short of the green and we managed to get up and down from there to finish with an EIGHT…Robert, my apologies again for not listening to your advice. It cost me two new balls and no end of aggravation.
Can We Recover?
Our approach into the 6th green
The tee shot on the 6th hole is over a hill so you can’t see it land. As the hole only measured 337 yards, we went with 5 wood off the tee and still ran through the fairway. Once we went over the hill we realised that the hole moves right to left and downhill. Again it’s a small green which we found with an 8 iron. Beware, what looks like a bunker front left is a marshy pond, You won’t find your ball if you end up in there.
The 8th green
The 8th hole is another short par 4 of 276 yards but forget about hitting driver. We hit 3 wood to the left side of the fairway and it left us just under 80 yards to the pin. We chickened out on taking on that left pin and aimed for the centre of the green. Happy we did so and waked off with another par.
A Blind Par 3, Anyone?
Where is the pin?
In all our travels, it’s not often we play a blind par 3. The last hole measured 141 yards. The green is an upturned reversed L shape with the long part on the left and the hidden part over behind the dune to the right. From the elevated tee, we went with 8 iron over the dune to a pin we couldn’t see. Again, the Irish Golfing Gods smiled on us.
So close to a hole in one
Some would say it was a lucky shot, others….well, the tee shot finished about 18 inches just past the hole. On the line it might have been close to going in. Who knows? All we know is that we finished with a two. A very happy ending to a fun filled (apart from the 5th) nine holes, played in 75 minutes. How often does that happen?
In Our Opinion
One of the defining features of the Bann Course is its routing through true linksland. The greens are smaller than those on the Mussenden, but often trickier, with subtle slopes and deceptive run-offs that punish even a momentary lapse in focus. That and it is immense fun to play and will test your short game time and again.
It’s especially appealing is its playable for golfers of all abilities. While the Mussenden may daunt higher handicappers with its championship pedigree, the Bann provides a more relaxed, yet still authentic, links experience. It’s ideal for families, shorter rounds, or for anyone wanting to work on their game in the kinds of conditions you’ll find on the links courses of Ireland.
At a Glance
- Castlerock GC has 27 holes, The 18 hole Mussenden championship course and the 9 hole Bann Course
- Large practice area and indoor teaching studio
- Well stocked pro shop with friendly attentive staff
- Welcoming clubhouse with great views over the courses
- 20 minutes drive from Portrush and Portstewart
- Visit the Castlerock Golf Club Website here
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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