The present course lay-out was designed by James Braid in 1934 and it has stood the test of time. The elevated tees and greens are a particular feature here giving Kirkistown Castle an envious reputation as a challenging test of golf for even the lowest of handicappers. The Course offers ‘The Open’ style of links golf where strategic play is a must in order to get close to the challenging course Par 69, bearing in mind its 6,167 yards is longer than many courses with a Par 71. With the quick-drying nature of our links terrain, the Course is rarely closed and even in the case of heavy rainfall it dries out very quickly thereafter. The signature hole is the Par 4 10th; at 435 yards it is reputed to be one of the most difficult Par 4’s in Irish golf. With out-of-bounds along the left hand-side, subtle bunkering on the right and a majestic elevated green surrounded by whitethorn, gorse and links rough, it is a challenge to keep the ball in play never mind make par!