SINK a par putt, grab a Guinness, enjoy a sup, then tee off again — it’s golfing heaven, Irish style.
My moment of paradise came beside the eighth green on Ardglass, a gem of a links course near Downpatrick, County Down, where a tiny bar provides a chance to toast good shots and forget the bad ones.
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I had so much fun on my 18 holes here that I didn’t even mind sending a couple of balls flying off over the sea towards the Isle of Man.
And there was more stout to be downed in the 19th hole, in a 600-year-old castle.
This is an idyllic corner of the world whether you’re a great player, a duffer (guilty!) or don’t even like the game.
Everyone is so friendly, while the views on the island’s north-east coast are stunning.
If you like your food (and I sure do) there are plenty of spots offering sensational nosh.
Such as Brunel’s, in Newcastle — no, not the Tyneside one.
A starter of seared scallops and cured salmon was followed by pan fried cod, herb crushed potatoes, buttered broccoli, garlic prawns and romesco sauce. Simply wonderful.
Just the sustenance I needed for trying out an e-bike in Castlewellan Forest Park.
After a short lesson at the Life Adventure Centre, I was able to make power-assisted climbs without gasping for air or becoming drenched in sweat. Great fun.
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And from the foothills of the Mountains of Mourne I could see the outline of Royal County Down golf course, regarded by many as the world’s greatest — even above anything Scotland has to offer.
This links test has to be on the bucket list of any true lover of the game. Set in the Murlough Nature Reserve, it hugs the shores of beautiful Dundrum Bay.
It was a thrill and privilege to tackle its mounds, slopes, rough and distinctive “hairy” bunkers.
And I’ll always remember my putt on the 12th green that looped around the hole and left me an inch away from an unforgettable eagle.
The Mariner restaurant on Newcastle’s promenade supplied a warm, creamy bowl of chowder, overflowing with seafood and accompanied by homemade wheaten bread.
Sticking to the fishy theme, I followed that with roasted sea bass fillet with new potatoes, chorizo, and prawns. Incredibly tasty fare.
Home for two nights was Hillyard House in Castlewellan.
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The hospitable boutique hotel dished up the most fantastic cooked breakfasts you could imagine.
A bumper feed was needed for our next stop, Royal Belfast Golf Club on a blisteringly hot afternoon.
Founded in 1881 and claiming to be the oldest course in Ireland, the parkland set-up is meticulously maintained.
After a refreshing shandy in the clubhouse we headed into the city to hear about the most famous ship of all, RMS Titanic.
GO: COUNTY DOWN
EVERYTHING you need to know about County Down.
GETTING THERE: For flights to Belfast see skyscanner.net.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at Hillyard House, Castlewellan from £89 B&B.
See hillyardhospitality.com and rooms from £140 a night B&B at the Ten Square Hotel, Belfast. See tensquare.co.uk
MORE INFO: Green fees at Royal County Down Golf Club from £215pp, at Ardglass Golf Club from £100pp and Royal Belfast Golf Club is from £60pp.
For more see ireland.com/golf
A must-visit is the museum on the site where the doomed liner was designed, built and launched. You could spend hours here touring the superbly informed exhibits.
Dinner was at the nearby Wolff Grill, a popular spot where I sampled their delicious smoked eel from Lough Neagh.
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And there was fun to be had in the city centre as I stood swapping banter with the friendly locals outside the Duke of York pub in Commercial Court, which reminded me of Glasgow’s Ashton Lane.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
After an exhausting three days, I headed off for much-needed kip at the nearby Ten Square Hotel. I stayed in the massive Yorkshire Suite, a real bit of luxury in the heart of the city.
If you’re after an unforgettable golf trip, or just a heavenly break, Northern Ireland will suit you to a tee.
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