Malone Golf Course
Dunmurry, County Antrim
Widely regarded as the finest inland course in Northern Ireland, Malone Golf Club moved to the present Dunmurry site in 1962. The course was laid out on the Ballydrain Estate and features a 25 acre lake. Over the years various updates have resulted in the fine championship course that esitis today - winners here include Jacklin and Player. Accuracy is demanded from the tee, mainly due to the proliferation of mature trees that formed part of the old estate.
Malone Course Description
Malone has 27 holes - each 9 named. The championship layout consists of the Drumbridge and Ballydrain courses. The Ballydrain 9 were largely the result of a Fred Hawtree modification completed in 1969 while holes 7 to 9 of the Drumbridge course were added in 1985. More recently local professional David Jones has improved the course with new or improved tees, greens and bunkering.
The course begins with a dogleg that plunges downhill towards the River Lagan. There follows a succession of varied and interesting holes with holes 5 and 7 being particularly challenging and hole 8 particularly picturesque.
The second - Ballydrain - nine, makes its way seamlessly towards the huge lake. Hole #15 is the signature par-3 playing directly over the water. It is short but it penalises anything except a straight hit. Two challenging par 4's, both requiring straight rather than long drives, follow before the final hole challenge. The last drive requires a 200 yard carry and then keeping left of the water that flanks the right had side of the fairway all the way to the green.
