Golf fans looking for challenging courses set against dramatic scenery have more than 90 courses to choose from when they visit Northern Ireland – home of Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke. Rugged mountains and coastline form the backdrop for courses to suit every level of handicap and 18 of the best are highlighted in a new free brochure from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). Courses in “World Class Golf in Northern Ireland” include:

· Royal Belfast Golf Club – the oldest club in Ireland, founded in 1881. Green fees from £40.
· Killymoon Golf Club – named after the castle and famous for the 10th ‘Giants Grave’ hole. Green fees from £15.
· Ballycastle Golf Club – at the seaside resort of Ballycastle on the Causeway Coast, the course has spectacular views of Glenshesk and the North Antrim Coast. Green fees from £ 20.

It also lists the four best links courses, including Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, which are consistently rated among the best in the UK and have been praised by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.