Valley Links, Portrush

At only £35 for a weekday round, this is the best value golf course in Ireland by a country mile. It may not make my Top 5 in the country, but it certainly falls inside the Top 10. You have heard the statement, "Were it not for it's more famous sister course...", well this time it's true.

The Valley sits between the Dunluce Course and the sea, flanked by enormous dunes on either side. At only 6300 yards, you may be forgiven for thinking it could be a walkover. But it's a par 70, and course management is at a premium here. Although it's relatively short, there aren't too many holes that can be overpowered by long hitting. A lot of patience is required, and it's one of those courses where the short holes can play even tougher downwind than they do normally.

It is fairly common to reach the sixth tee with the scorecard still intact, but the next three holes rarely yield a string of pars. The sixth is a colossal 237 yard short hole. Before you reach for the 3-iron, I should also mention that it plays into the wind and uphill. It's one of those occasions where you have to forsake your dignity and reach for the big dog.

If somehow you manage to get through that one unscathed, try the seventh out for size. It weighs in at 437 yards, and you must hit the right-half of the fairway or be faced with a semi-blind approach. The rough is particularly punishing on this hole, and if sampled, you will be walking off the green with a five at best. Make four, and it almost feels like a birdie.

The eighth is a mere 408 yards - again into the prevailing wind. This time, a fairway wood is required to find a raised plateau of fairway, as driver can often run through into the long stuff. The hole then doglegs slightly to the right, where the green is protected by a curtain of gorse and a run-off area to the left. You look back from the ninth tee, and try to figure out how you dropped so many shots in the space of half an hour!

Although the course is owned by Royal Portrush, it is also home to a club of local members by the name of Rathmore Golf Club. Their clubhouse is situated near to the first tee of the course, and it is everything a golf club should be. Full of friendly characters, a thriving junior section, and a bar that requires the Guinness van to stop off twice a week.

Rathmore is a club with many famous sons. Former captain, Fred Daly, won the Open Championship at Hoylake in 1947. His clubs were graciously donated by his family and are on display in the foyer. It is also home to European Tour and Ryder Cup player - Graeme McDowell. Perhaps to follow in his footsteps is young Alan Dunbar, who has recently been selected for the GB&I Walker Cup Team.

The Valley isn't something to do on your day off in between playing Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, it's a reason to visit Northern Ireland in itself.