Darren Clarke, Open Champion. You wouldn’t have believed it a week ago. Here in the office we like to back a couple of long shots for the majors, this year I had big John Daly at 800/1, a couple of my colleagues had Jimenez and Watson, probably better bets in hindsight. No-one mentioned Darren Clarke at 200/1, but why? If you look at the facts it was obvious. He’s won on tour this year for the first time since 2008 (with a new caddy I might add), he’s taken time out recently which he’s spent playing links golf, oh and he’s Northern Irish. 50% of the last 6 majors have been won by Northern Irishmen. Shame I didn’t think of that last Thursday morning. All joking aside, Clarke knew he could win, he just needed to have the right attitude and it all came together at the right time.  

Just in case you’re skim reading this blog, I’ll repeat, 50% of the last 6 major winners have been Northern Irish. Its staggering. 50%. They must be putting something in the water. How has this happened? Luckily, I’ve been there and can tell you why.

In short, the golf in Northern Ireland is incredible; that’s how it’s happened. It’s not just Northern Ireland either, the Republic of Ireland are at it as well, it must be where God plays golf, and he plays links golf, I’m sure of it. I was fortunate to have spent my university days in St Andrews and I fell in love with links golf instantly. It’s the quirks, the undulations, the greens, the scenery, the random pot bunker that seems to be pointless until you find yourself in it. If you haven’t played links golf, stop what you’re doing, get your clubs and go. Go now.

For those left reading this (those that have played links golf) you’ll know why I love it so much. The satisfaction of playing the course your way is incredible, there’s nothing I love more than standing over a ball 100 yards from the pin with a 7-iron in hand, trying to figure out what hump to bounce it off and which slope to run the ball over, it’s a shot makers game. During my time at university I caddied on The Old Course and more often than not I would be caddying for links golf virgins, the bump and run was my secret weapon. The look of delight on an amateur golfers face when he rolls a 7 iron to 3 feet after his mate has sent a lob wedge through the back of the green is priceless. (Actually it’s not priceless, it usually cost’s the golfer about £20 as a tip, the feeling was that good.)

 Before I get carried away raving about links golf in general, I’ll get back on topic, golf in Northern Ireland. On our brief trip we played Castlerock, Portstewart and Royal Portrush, all of which are on the same short stretch of coastline. Castlerock is a fantastic challenge. Portstewart is probably one of the best courses I’ve ever played. The Dunlace at Royal Portrush is stunning and lives up to all the hype you’ve heard over the last few days, but it was the second course at Royal Portrush, The Valley Links, that was my favourite. A strange choice. Castlerock, Portstewart and the Dunlace are all better golf courses. So why choose The Valley Links? You wouldn’t understand if you haven’t played links golf (in which case why are you still reading this?). It’s the natural undulations of the fairways, the quirky placement of bunkers, its got everything links golf should have. Now this is the clincher, it’s less than £50 a round in the high season. You will not play a better course for the money. Fact. I could not believe how good it was. I played a course near to where I grew up recently, it cost me £40 as I just rocked up to the pro shop without a member, and it was a field with sticks in it. For the same price I could have played The Valley Links, a truly majestic course. Go and play golf in Northern Ireland. Its brilliant. That’s all.