Northern Ireland is truly fortunate to be the abode of some of the most remarkable golf courses in the world, and it’s no surprise that many people aspire to play these esteemed courses. With stunning landscapes, phenomenal designs, and challenging greens, these golfing havens are a golfer’s paradise – providing an unforgettable experience for everyone who has the privilege to play them.
Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are two-course classic Northern Ireland spots for a golfing adventure. For any level of skill, exquisite track conditions coupled with rich history make for a formidable experience; however, other courses are available to take in as part of the journey too.
The whole region is blessed with rolling sand dunes, awe-inspiring vistas, and extraordinary golf, so be sure to visit some of the area’s renowned courses such as Ardglass, and Lough Erne, or venture further afield to discover hidden gems that should certainly be included on your must-play list.
Royal County Down
Ranked 1st in Golf Digest’s much-vaunted biennial ‘World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ list for both 2016 and 2018, Royal County Down Golf Club is a world-renowned golf course which requires no further introduction or explanation. The club has earned its title of greatness, consistently topping the prestigious list over the past few years and proving to be an outstanding example of championship golf. Nestled in the peaceful and tranquil Murlough Nature Reserve, with the majestic Mountains of Mourne as a stunning backdrop, and running along Dundrum Bay’s dramatic coastline, this golf course has been widely acclaimed by many as being one of the most visually arresting courses on the planet.
Do not be deceived by the stunning scenery at Royal County Down; this course is a genuine challenge for golfers and requires precise control of their shots. Its tight fairways and deep, rough-covered bunkers will test even the most accomplished players.
Location: Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland
Royal Portrush – Dunluce Links
Royal Portrush is a golf club of great distinction, the only one from outside of mainland Britain to ever have been granted the honour of hosting The Open Championship. In 2019, this prestigious event returned once more, bringing with it the world’s best golfers to compete on its challenging links terrain. It was an opportunity for Royal Portrush to showcase itself as a venue worthy of such an esteemed tournament, and it certainly did not disappoint.
The already demanding course is set to provide a new test for both amateur and professional golfers alike, as two additional holes have been integrated into the layout of the most thrilling major event of the year, potentially making an already extraordinary track even more remarkable.
Location: County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Portstewart Golf Club (Strand Course)
Portstewart offers an awe-inspiring landscape of immense sand dunes and picturesque views. Golf has been a popular sport here since the late 19th century; with records dating back to 1894, though it is likely that people had already been playing golf in this area from as early as 1880.
Since then, there have been numerous updates to the course, transforming it into a stunning amalgamation of the original and newly designed. Portstewart is highly acclaimed as one of Northern Ireland’s Top 100 Courses and was proud to host the prestigious Irish Open in 2017; making it an absolute must-play for any golf enthusiast.
Location: County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Castlerock Golf Club – (Mussenden Course)
The renowned Harry Colt celebrated for his many acclaimed golf course designs across the globe, is responsible for the delightful layout of the course at Your Golf Travel. From England’s Sunningdale to America’s Pine Valley, Colt has left a lasting mark on many revered courses over the years and recently added Royal Portrush to his long list of accomplishments – having hosted The Open in 2019.
Despite being less well-known than some of his other creations, the renowned golf course architect Eddie Hackett additionally designed Castlerock – a stunning link in Northern Ireland that present an especially challenging test due to its windy conditions. With gusts often playing a major part in how shots are played here, Castlerock is widely considered one of the toughest courses in the region.
Location: County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Lough Erne – (Faldo Course)
Before gaining its current name, the area of Lough Erne was home to nothing more than the Castle Hume golf course. However, a massive regeneration project has taken place, resulting in the creation of an impressive championship golf course designed by Nick Faldo. This has transformed Lough Erne into one of Northern Ireland’s premier resorts.
This picturesque parkland site offers an array of challenges for golfers, especially when playing from the back tees on the Faldo course. Measuring a considerable 7000 yards or more, this is sure to be a daunting prospect for even the most experienced golfer.
Location: Ross Inner, Enniskillen
Malone Golf Club
Malone Golf Club, a hidden gem nestled in Northern Ireland, is truly one of the most remarkable parkland courses around. Originally consisting of only eighteen holes, Lady Captain Peggy Valentine decided to extend its length by adding an additional nine holes – thus transforming it into an incredible 27-hole layout that can be enjoyed by all.
Hosting the Irish Senior Masters, in which Gary Player emerged victorious, as well as other tournaments, including Tony Jacklin’s first professional win, it is somewhat of a shock that this particular venue isn’t more widely renowned. With such a prestigious history of successful events and champions, one would expect this location to be much more celebrated and recognized.
Location: Malone Rd, Dunmurry, Belfast
Ardglass Golf Club
Set off your drive over the edge of the cliff and take in the spectacular sights at Ardglass, an impressive links-style course with a majestic castle as its clubhouse. This incredible golfing experience is only located a short distance away from Royal County Down and simply must not be overlooked.
If you are a passionate golfer in search of an unforgettable experience, Ardglass is the perfect destination. This course offers an abundance of character-filled tracks, strategically placed pot bunkers, and exceptionally fast greens that will test your skills and precision. Not to mention the breathtaking scenery – its rugged beauty makes it a strong contender for reaching the upper echelons of the Top 100 courses.
Location: Ardglass, Downpatrick, County Down
Royal Belfast Golf Club
Imagine falling in love with golf so passionately on a trip to St. Andrew’s that you made the bold decision to construct your own course. That is precisely how Royal Belfast Golf Club was born, a result of one man’s ardent devotion to the sport and his commitment to bringing it closer to home.
The Royal County Down Golf Club in Ireland is one of only four golf courses with the title of “Royal” and was designed by Thomas Sinclair, with later alterations made by the renowned architect Harry Colt. The course offers excellent condition and meticulous attention to detail, making it a must-play for any golfer.
Location: Station Rd, Holywood
The Belvoir Park Golf Club
The renowned golf course designer, Harry Colt, who was responsible for the remarkable parkland layout located just south of Belfast city centre, expressed great admiration for his own work. He described it as a course that provides an excellent test and also offers maximum enjoyment to all golfers. His design has been praised by many, with its fantastic layout providing a thrilling challenge to all those who play it. This unique and captivating course has become one of the most popular attractions among golfers in the local area due to its spectacular design.
His design has withstood the test of time, barely changing over the nearly ninety years it has been in play. Despite its age, this original course is still a popular choice for golfers looking to improve their game before they make their way to one of the famous coastal links courses. If you are planning a trip to these renowned sites, be sure to make time for a round at this classic and timeless course.
Location: 73 Church Rd, Castlereagh, Belfast
Galgorm Castle Golf Club
An awe-inspiring, picturesque inland parkland golf course set amidst the grounds of the magnificent Galgorm Castle Estate – a place steeped in history and tradition, not to mention an impressive selection of gins! Having played host to the Northern Irish Open tournament, this championship course can certainly put your golfing skills to the test. However, if you choose to ‘tee it forward’, you will find that it is a much more manageable track.
Golfers will find the greens here to be remarkably fast, so it’s a good idea to come prepared. After all that hard work on the course, why not treat yourself and head over to the clubhouse for an extraordinary day of golfing revelry? The gin selection at this location is unrivalled in all of Northern Ireland – so don’t miss out!
Location: Galgorm Rd, Ballymena
