Castlerock Golf Club - Bann

This course is nine holes and was a very affordable way to play links golf without breaking the bank. Although the course is relatively short it is challenging particularly when you play it for the first time as there are several blind shots and shots needing careful placement. Any ball reaching the rough was challenging to find and escaping from the rough when (or if) you found it also proved difficult at times. Playing the nine holes for the second time around made it easier to navigate. A thoroughly enjoyable course with a friendly reception. Thoroughly recommended

Stumbling upon the Bann course might have been the most enjoyable discovery of my career. My playing partner and I had just finished a chilly round on the Mussenden Links at Castlerock and lunch in the clubhouse when the sun came out, inspiring us to play nine more holes. What a magical afternoon.

The Bann, a par 34 of 2,446 yards, delivers everything golfers love about links - beautiful scenery, blind shots, wild dunes and quirky holes that are more fun than difficult. Three of the par 4s play shorter than 300 yards, but they're certainly no guaranteed pars. The only par 5, the 491-yard fifth, gloriously follows the river inlet that leads to the sea. The three par 3s are all show-stoppers. The 92-yard third might be the best of the bunch with an hour-glass-shaped green that's difficult to hold downwind. The only knock would be the tiny and very random pond in front of the green on no. 6, a great hole otherwise. If you come to the Causeway coast and skip the Bann, you've missed out on one of the greatest "hidden gems' of all time.