In all my visits to Ireland and to Portrush over the years I had never taken the opportunity to play the Valley Course.

In recent years with the MacKenzie & Ebert reworking of the Dunluce course for the Open Championship I was aware that some key land on the Valley was lost to the reworked Dunluce, and I guess I assumed that The Valley Links was somewhat second rate.

I was wrong.

Maybe it helps to turn up with low expectations, but I very much enjoyed playing the Valley.

It certainly isn’t a championship course in the mould of The Dunluce, but instead offers a golfing experience that is perhaps more relevant and enjoyable for the everyday hacker.

The Valley course is an easy walk and should be popular with all levels of player. It does not challenge a player’s length and carry like the Dunluce, but rather will test the better player for accuracy off the tee, and will reward the thinking golfer. The longer handicapper who can manage his game will also enjoy the course.

The greens are generally small and contoured to repel the wayward approach, but offer a range of interesting recovery shots.

The fairways twist and turn through bumps and hollows flanked by gnarly rough, but very few bunkers.

There are only 18 bunkers on the course, but you will scarcely notice..

The eighth hole, named Switchback is perhaps the most memorable hole.

It is a rollicking par 5 through some undulating territory.

The key is to place the ball safely with the blind second shot to open up a short shot to the green.

It’s not about length, you just need to manage your game!

The Valley Course is a delight to play, and is an ideal entree to the main course- The Dunluce.