In any discussion to determine Ireland's finest inland golf course, Malone Golf Club is certain to feature prominently. Located only five miles from Belfast City, Malone stands in an attractive wooded parkland estate of some 270 acres, the centrepiece of which is a magnificent 27 acre natural lake. Founded in 1895, Malone's first course was laid out on a Polo field and following a change of location in 1919, the club finally moved to their beautiful present home at Ballydrain in 1962.

The inherent quality of Malone as a golf course is evidenced by its hosting of a number of major golfing events, including the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 1984 and the Irish Senior Masters in 1994, won by Tommy Horton. Tony Jacklin, by the way, won his first professional tournament here in 1966. With a championship measurement of 6,599 yards, Malone may be considered relatively short by modern standards but what it lacks in length, is more than offset by a searching emphasis on accuracy. Characterised by flowering shrubs, tree lined fairways and a large lake, dominating the back nine holes, rest assured that Malone offers a superb challenge.

This mature course is a real pleasure to play and offers plenty of memorable holes. Best on the front nine include the tree lined, par four doglegging 5th hole, which requires a carry of some 200 yards off the tee to set up an approach to a sloping green, guarded front and back by bunkers; and the par four 9th hole, which requires an accurate tee shot to a landing area no more than 20 yards in width, along a fairway lined with mature trees and shrubbery.

The slightly shorter closing stretch is equally challenging and offers a series of holes, which test every aspect of your game. The feature hole of the homeward journey is probably the par three 15th hole, which measures little over 130 yards. With water to the front and back of this narrow green and bunkers to the right, this shot is all about accuracy and club selection. Measuring 425 yards, the closing hole, which doglegs slightly to the right, provides a fitting climax to a majestic test of golfing prowess. Having carried the water from the tee and placed your drive on the left side of the fairway, you are then faced with a difficult approach to a green, guarded by water on the right, a bunker on the left and out of bounds over the back.