Portstewart or Portrush?

[shaneyank]

I'm visiting home (Donegal) next week and already have rounds at Ballyliffin and Rosapenna lined up.

 

When I make my annual trek to Bushmills to stock up, I'd like to play either Portstewart or Portrush while I'm in the area.

 

Both are similarly priced and seem to offer a similar challenge. Since I can only play one, which shall I choose?

 

Also, are there any ways to find a better rate? Online bookings or Ulster local's rates I'm not aware of? I'll pay £200 if necessary but it sure would be nice to find something more favorable.

 

Any fellow Ulster WRXers interested in a round?

[imakaveli]

Portrush over Portstuart any day

[alfriday]

Portrush.

 

Oh, did I say Portrush?

 

Yeah, Portrush. No doubt.

[shaneyank]

I don't know guys, those are pretty cryptic answers

 

Thanks for the input. Now I have to reconcile the price, weather and limited visitor tee times.

 

Since I'm playing alone, I'll call and see if they might be accommodating before booking anything online.

[puttnforthe8]

Portrush and it is not even close!!!

 

PS has 9 good holes and 9 average. PR has 36 holes...18 holes being towards the tops anywhere.

[duffer987]

If someone said Portrush was their favorite course in the world, I'd not blink an eye.

If someone said Portstewart was their favorite course in the world, I'd assume they were members at Portstewart.

 

Portrush 4/5, maybe 9/10 times for me.

Love the Inishowen Peninsula. Enjoy your trip home.

[Trugravity]

Just got back from a 2 week trip to Ireland...didn't play Portstewart but Portrush was my favorite course of the trip, enjoyed it more than Royal County Down! And, having played Portrush, it will make for great theater when watching next year's Open Championship. If you can get him, Jinxsie Lamont was my caddie and he was fantastic, tons of knowledge, loads of stories and just a great guy!

[fredstar]

Played both, Portrush without question!

[eboettne]

Not to derail the thread but I have the choice of playing either of these next April when they'll be prepping for The Open.

 

Portstewart or Portrush with the caveat that you must hit off of a mat?

[duffer987]

Not to derail the thread but I have the choice of playing either of these next April when they'll be prepping for The Open.

 

Portstewart or Portrush with the caveat that you must hit off of a mat?

I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself/play well hitting off a mousepad. I know others wouldn't be bothered by it, but I'd take a hard pass.

[puttnforthe8]

Not to derail the thread but I have the choice of playing either of these next April when they'll be prepping for The Open.

 

Portstewart or Portrush with the caveat that you must hit off of a mat?

 

I personally would play Portrush hitting off a mat 8 out of 10 times v. playing PS. You can always go back. :)

[AuldPLO Swiss Golftrotter]

Opening holes in Portstewart is really great, but Portrush is globally way better, without question !

[eboettne]

Not to derail the thread but I have the choice of playing either of these next April when they'll be prepping for The Open.

 

Portstewart or Portrush with the caveat that you must hit off of a mat?

I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself/play well hitting off a mousepad. I know others wouldn't be bothered by it, but I'd take a hard pass.

 

Kind of my feelings, did you even really play the course if you're hitting off a mat and not the ground?

[duffer987]

Not to derail the thread but I have the choice of playing either of these next April when they'll be prepping for The Open.

 

Portstewart or Portrush with the caveat that you must hit off of a mat?

I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself/play well hitting off a mousepad. I know others wouldn't be bothered by it, but I'd take a hard pass.

 

Kind of my feelings, did you even really play the course if you're hitting off a mat and not the ground?

Off the tee yes it's still Portrush, but after that it would just be too weird for me.

My mental-midgetry would just keep seeing this patch of astroturf. More importantly for me one of the great joys of links golf is compressing that well struck iron shot into/off of that firm links turf.

[thecraw]

I think a few are painting an unfair picture of Portstewart, it is a wonderful links and didn't hold the Irish Open for nothing, the front 9 in amongst the towering sand dunes is absolutely immense. As good as anywhere is my honest opinion. Yes it "tails off" on the homeward 9 but still a wonderful golf course.

 

Portrush, WOW, just WOW. It is amazing and doesn't tail off. Certainly in my top 3, probably top 2 links in the UK that I have played.

 

This is the deciding factor for me. The opening post states that there isn't much between them price wise, I can't understand that and can't help but feel if that is the case then Portstewart have got "greedy". As much as I enjoyed Portstewart its not on the same level as Portrush.

[shaneyank]

I think a few are painting an unfair picture of Portstewart, it is a wonderful links and didn't hold the Irish Open for nothing, the front 9 in amongst the towering sand dunes is absolutely immense. As good as anywhere is my honest opinion. Yes it "tails off" on the homeward 9 but still a wonderful golf course.

 

Thanks everyone for you input! With the trip over, I can finally give you my limited impression. Based on the comments, I really wanted to play Portrush. However, due to inclement weather, course construction and difficulty securing a decent tee-time, I ended up playing Portstewart. I was not disappointed in any way!

 

As @thecraw stated above, Portstewart did not host the 2017 Irish Open for no reason. It's also true that the front nine is significantly more impressive than the back nine. It's a brilliant course with a good practice area and we got a big discount as members of Ballyliffin GC. Next year you probably won't be able to play Portrush, so don't miss your chance to play Portstewart if you're in the area.

 

The wind was howling and the rain came and went, but I was able to play all 18 holes with the same ball. The course is not very well marked in terms or yardage, so buy a yardage book or have your GPS app ready. The rough is not very punishing. I can't say the same about Rosapenna and Ballyliffin, where hitting the rough simply means you have to reload. I lost several balls on those courses with mildly bad shots.

 

I must tip my cap to the outstanding welcome we received in the pro shop and bar. They went out of their way to show us around the clubhouse and get us ready for our round and the facilities are superb. I am very eager to go back and consider myself insanely lucky to have played the courses that hosted the 2017 and 2018 Irish Opens, respectively.

 

Here are some pictures and video from Royal Portstewart. Sorry they are so washed out due to the poor weather/lighting.

 

Looking down the 1st:

 

 

Looking down the 2nd:

 

 

Looking back at town from the 2nd:

 

 

My tee shot on the the 2nd:

[media=]

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My playing partner's tee shot on the 12th:

 

[imakaveli]

Royal Portstewart?

[shaneyank]

Royal Portstewart?

 

Yes.

[fredstar]

Royal Portstewart?

 

Yes.

 

Nice of you to bestow the Royal designation upon them.

[coco78]

U heading to Rosapenna? we are there this week for Mid Amatuer championship.

[shaneyank]

U heading to Rosapenna? we are there this week for Mid Amatuer championship.

 

I'm afraid not. My trip is over :(

[golfday]

Reviving an ancient thread, but I didn't see this question asked anywhere else:

Which town do you prefer staying in between Portrush and Portstewart and does anyone have a recommended hotel or other rental lodging?

I will be traveling with a friend, spending two nights in the area, and playing both courses - so logistically, they are equal. We'll play golf during the day and looking for the town that has more character, pubs, coffee shops, shops, etc. From what I can find online there is very little difference between the two towns - so hoping someone here had been to both before and has some insight. 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, golfday said:

Reviving an ancient thread, but I didn't see this question asked anywhere else:

Which town do you prefer staying in between Portrush and Portstewart and does anyone have a recommended hotel or other rental lodging?

I will be traveling with a friend, spending two nights in the area, and playing both courses - so logistically, they are equal. We'll play golf during the day and looking for the town that has more character, pubs, coffee shops, shops, etc. From what I can find online there is very little difference between the two towns - so hoping someone here had been to both before and has some insight. 

Portrush is bigger and has more amenities. If you want a little quieter, Portstewart is good as well. You can’t go wrong with either, but I prefer Portrush. I rent an Airbnb there that is great!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/711402531030121868?source_impression_id=p3_1684970805_%2F%2BFWvAbmi4yw3l4n

 

Edited May 24, 2023 by hammergolf

[Chanceman]

We stayed in Bushmills which  is nearby and has the added attraction of a classic whisky distillery. It’s also closer to the giants causeway.

[El Gringo]

15 hours ago, golfday said:

Reviving an ancient thread, but I didn't see this question asked anywhere else:

Which town do you prefer staying in between Portrush and Portstewart and does anyone have a recommended hotel or other rental lodging?

I will be traveling with a friend, spending two nights in the area, and playing both courses - so logistically, they are equal. We'll play golf during the day and looking for the town that has more character, pubs, coffee shops, shops, etc. From what I can find online there is very little difference between the two towns - so hoping someone here had been to both before and has some insight. 

Adelphi in Portrush is good. Miniscule Harbour Bar is good for a drink.