Reader raves about Royal County Down and Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland

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Reader Tom Browning calls Royal County Down among the finest golf courses in the world. (Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com)

Fresh off of WorldGolf.com's Reader Exit Polls, 7-handicap Tom Browning is raving about two of the Emerald Isle's finest links golf courses.

Browning scored Royal County Down in Newcastle, Northern Ireland with five stars across the board, adding:

"This is the best course in the UK, and I've played The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal St. Georges and Royal Portrush, among others. I rate it second to Cypress Point (and it's close). I haven't played Pine Valley or Augusta National yet, but this golf course is that good. Top 5 in the world."

Just a short drive from Newcastle is Ardglass Golf Club. Browning didn't review this course, but it has been heralded by WorldGolf.com's Brandon Tucker as "the best course not found on many golf tours" in Ireland, and comes with a price almost a third of the cost of Royal County Down. Last year, Dick Brown, a 15-handicap, scored Ardglass in the Exit Polls with similar five-star ratings.

Royal Portrush Golf Club "rightfully ranked in the top 20"

As most golfers do when on the Northern Ireland tour, Browning then headed up to Royal Portrush Golf Club, where he found the Dunluce links on the sea a similar five-star ranking in design and conditions, with four-star service and facilities.

"Not as famous at Ballybunion or Royal County Down," Browning acknowledged. "But a great golf course. Rightfully ranked in the top 20 in the world. If you love links golf it's a must play."

Have you played a golf course that's worth reviewing? Let us know what you think about it in our Exit Polls.

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April 14, 2009

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.