Located just two miles from Belfast City Centre, Belvoir Park Golf Club is considered one of Ireland's best kept secrets. Founded in 1927, and designed by the famed Harry S Colt, this is parkland golf at it's best. Playing just under 6,600 yards from the medal tees, Belvoir Park has played host to several championships including the Irish Open back in the late 1940's. The winner on that occasion was none other than Harry Bradshaw, who later remarked that Belvoir Park was "the best inland course I have ever played". High praise indeed from one of golf's finest.
The course itself comprises a great blend of demanding par 3's, four shortish par 5's and a range of very challenging par 4's. The last 3 holes at Belvoir Park are a true testament to the quality of the course in whole. Standing on the 16th tee, you are facing a par 3 of some 220 yards from the tips. The player faces a long iron or fairway wood to a tight raised green, which is protected at the front and at either side short to catch any shot that is slightly off line. Find the green with your shot and a good birdie chance awaits. There is no let up at 17 either which measure 449 yards. A beautiful tree lined dogleg left par 4 must be negotiated to bring your score in. The perfect shot needs to be long to about 240 yards with a touch of draw to avoid the fairway bunkers catching any pushed drive to the right. Once you reach your ball for your second shot you are faced with a beautiful tree lined entrance to this tough par 4. The angled green below the player's feet is once again protected well by two sets of bunkers at either side.
In view of the yardage of 397 yards at the par 4 18th you might be fooled into thinking an easy birdie chance awaits. Standing on the tee you will soon change your mind as strategy and a good long drive is key. The hole is a sharp almost 90 degree dogleg right. Even given it's short length the player is forced to take the longest club in the bag to clear the line of trees, which stretches out to beyond 255 yards. Anything short of this will not allow a clear sight of the green for your second. Try to be too conservative to the left and a single fairway bunkers awaits. A good drive will leave a short wedge to a slightly raised green, find it and that last gasp birdie could be on the cards!
Belvoir is a true pleasure to play. With it's generous driving areas and beautifully manicured greens it is the perfect compliment to the rigours of links golf.
Located just two miles from Belfast City Centre, Belvoir Park Golf Club is considered one of Ireland's best kept secrets. Founded in 1927, and designed by the famed Harry S Colt, this is parkland golf at it's best. Playing just under 6,600 yards from the medal tees, Belvoir Park has played host to several championships including the Irish Open back in the late 1940's. The winner on that occasion was none other than Harry Bradshaw, who later remarked that Belvoir Park was "the best inland course I have ever played". High praise indeed from one of golf's finest.
