Down Royal Park

Antrim, Lisburn

Classic Course

Hole #3 – The Chair – 163 yard – Par 3

by

The first of four tricky Par 3’s here at Down Royal. This hole has undergone significant changes over the past couple of years with the construction of a new tee box, re-designing of protective bunkers and removal of out of bounds area through the green to incorporate a heavy rough area in its place.Depending on wind direction the standard shot would be played with a short/mid-iron to a green that is one of the firmest on the golf course. With three bunkers surrounding the green and out of bounds on the right-hand side, this hole has its own fair share of danger given the relatively short yardage. Ideally, a high cut would be the desired shape of shot to play into the green to get the ball to land soft to give you the best chance of a birdie or better! (Fingers crossed) … [Read more...] about Hole #3 – The Chair – 163 yard – Par 3

Hole #4 – Gravel Hill – 314 yard – Par 4

by

The shortest Par 4 on the golf course but not without its fair share of trouble with the incorporation of heavy rough on the left-hand side and out of bounds running down the right. For big hitters this green is in range off the tee with a drive favoring the right hand side of the fairway to allow for the kick down and to the left.Generally, a tee shot with a long iron or hybrid aimed at the right half of the fairway leave the player with an approach with a short iron. The approach shot can look relatively straight forward however to hold the green particularly in the summer, players should aim to land the ball 2-3 yards short of the right half of the green and allow for the ball kicking forward. Good birdie opportunity early in the round. … [Read more...] about Hole #4 – Gravel Hill – 314 yard – Par 4

Hole #8 – Swinley Bottom – yard – Par 5

by

The penultimate hole of the front nine is a testing Par 4 that has a water hazard running down the left-hand side. Recent improvements to this hole have been the incorporation of thick rough along the right-hand side and the reshaping and widening on the fairway to the left.Players should aim their tee shots to the left half of the fairway to create a good angle of attack for the approach shot to the green. By hitting a long iron or fairway wood off the tee, the approach shot will most likely be played with a mid to short iron. The green is protected by a large bank on the left-hand side and an additional mound short right of the green. It is better to be long with your approach shot as there is a good chance of getting up and down. For big hitters, a good drive will most likely leave a lob wedge left in and a good chance of birdie! … [Read more...] about Hole #8 – Swinley Bottom – yard – Par 5

Hole #9 – Melling Road- 332 yard – Par 4

by

The last hole on the front nine is a testing Par 4 with out of bounds running along the right-hand side of the hole. Golfers need to be careful with the tee shot here and think about where they want to be hitting their approach shots from on a relatively narrow fairway.Generally, the smart play would be to hit a long iron or fairway wood aiming at the left half of the fairway as to allow for any drift right. By doing so, the approach shot will be much easier as you will be playing uphill to the green with more loft in your hands.The green itself is protected by a new bunker short left, a bunker green high on the right and a steep bank at the front. By aiming to land the ball 3-4 yards on the front edge of the green, players will allow for the ball to hop forward and this should be enough to leave a good birdie opportunity. … [Read more...] about Hole #9 – Melling Road- 332 yard – Par 4