Shandon Park

A golf course was first established at Shandon Park in 1898 when Knock Golf Club was founded. In 1925, five years after Knock moved on to its current location, Shandon Golf Club was formed and the club inherited the original 9-hole layout.

This course was subsequently extended to a full 18-hole track by the club professional and a Mr Eric Riley. Today, the layout measures 6,460 yards, playing to a par of 70, with only two par fives on the card at holes 3 and 11.

Shandon Park might look a little flat from the first tee but don’t let that initial impression fool you because there are plenty of pleasant elevation changes to enjoy during a round here. It’s been described as “a smile-a-minute golf course” and that sums it up rather well.

Shandon Park’s professional, Barry Wilson, kindly commented as follows: “Our toughest hole is the 2nd, despite its stroke index rating of 3. It's a 381-yard par four that doglegs right to left and goes slightly uphill. Trees dominate a tight fairway left and right and finding the bunker at 240 yards on the left guarantees a bogey or worse.

The second shot is uphill and requires a very accurate mid iron as the green is protected on both sides by deep bunkers. When you get to the putting surface there’s still work to do as the green slopes dramatically and features a big step to the back right. Three putts are common here.

Our signature hole is the short 10th, a downhill par three that plays across a deep river to a tiny green surrounded on three sides by bunkers. Miss the green with your nine iron or wedge and you’re almost certain to make a bogey at this hole. From the tee, there are great views across Belfast to the Samson and Goliath cranes at Harland and Wolff ship builders where the Titanic was built.”