Malone Golf Club

Between the Lagan and Ballydrain

The golf course at Malone Golf Club belongs to a club founded in 1895, although its present home came much later. Malone moved to the Ballydrain estate in 1962 after several earlier homes around Belfast. Commander John Harris laid out the first 18 holes at the new property, and Fred Hawtree later produced the plan that largely shaped today's Ballydrain nine.

The championship course joins the Drumbridge nine with Ballydrain. Drumbridge runs over more undulating ground near the River Lagan, where mature trees narrow lines from the tee. Ballydrain changes the pace as the estate's lake becomes a stronger presence through the closing stretch.

The short 15th asks for a carry across the water to a semi-island green. At the 18th, the lake remains in sight from the tee and continues along the right side of the approach. Malone has also continued to alter its course, including new greens and a major bunker programme led by Ken Kearney from 2019. These layers give the round a clear sense of development rather than a layout fixed in one era.