Ronan Valley Golf Course

There's something about a round at Ronan Valley that makes you forget you're barely outside Antrim town. The course sits in proper golfing country - rolling fairways that demand respect without being outright brutal. Eighteen holes of the sort that rewards straight hitting and punishes the loose shot, which is exactly what you want.

You'll need a handicap to play here, and greens fees sit at a reasonable level if you're used to paying Northern Irish rates. Allow a full afternoon if you're serious about it - four hours minimum if your group moves at a decent pace. The course gets busy at weekends, so weekday mornings are your best bet for a stress-free round.

It's ideal for golfers staying at Sett on The Lough, just down the road. That caravan park sits right on the water, and you could easily combine a day's golfing with the leisure facilities there. The course itself has a clubhouse with the basics - decent enough for a coffee and a post-round debrief, though it's not the sort of place you'd linger for hours.

Families without golfers in tow won't get much from this one. But if you've got a golfer in your holiday party and you're staying in the area, it's worth ringing ahead to book a slot. Nothing flashy, just solid, playable golf that respects your time and your scorecard.