Northern Ireland may not be a big country, but when it comes to golf, we’re a Giant; with 90 clubs and world-famous champions like Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Stephanie Meadow to prove it. Here you will find the full spectrum of clubs, every one a gem and perfect for those seeking a championship experience, a slice of history amidst dramatic scenery, or simply idyllic tranquillity. Whether your preference is Links or Parkland, for golfers, Northern Ireland has it all.
Our most popular courses include Golf Digest's Number One Golf Course in the World, Royal County Down, as well as the host of The 148th Open, Royal Portrush, which is confirmed to return in 2025 for The 153rd Open. Now is your chance to play the courses of golfing legends.
Ideal for: Resort Golf
Roe Park Resort (from £109 pp) has established itself as one of Northern Ireland's premier golf resorts, both for the quality of its 18-hole parkland course and its proximity to some of the world's greatest Links courses across the Northern Ireland coast.
Here you can enjoy unlimited golf over a one night stay, with bed and breakfast included. The 18 hole parkland layout takes full advantage of its beautiful setting with Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula providing a dramatic backdrop to the course. Popular with amateurs and seasoned players alike, the course is both challenging and enjoyable. Beyond the course, a first class clubhouse is surrounded by excellent facilities including an Indoor Academy (featuring V1 video analysis, Flightscope Launch Monitor and E6 Golf Simulator), 18 bay driving range (10 indoor & 8 outdoor), golf shop, short game area and putting green.
Closer to Belfast is the Templepatrick Golf Club at Kingfisher Country Estate (from £140 pps), which has recently benefitted from a multi-million pound refurbishment. Prices include an overnight stay inclusive of full cooked breakfast and complimentary use of Halcyon Health club.
Ideal for: Premium Parkland
You may have watched recent tournaments played at Clandeboye Golf Club, supported by local homegrown hero Jonathan Caldwell, but imagine playing the course for yourself.
Play the perfect round at Clandeboye Championship Ava or Dufferin course, and with prices starting from £265 for two guests, where better to stay for this break than the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, situated on the grounds of Clandeboye Estate. Clandeboye Golf Club is perfect for accomplished players, or those trying to improve their game. Play the shorter Ava course, one with a real test of accuracy, or brave the Dufferin course, one of the highest rated championship courses in Ireland, before returning to the luxury of the hotel and the Coq & Bull brasserie to discuss the finer shots of the day over dinner which is included in the package.
Ideal for: Links Golfers
County Down has many jewels in its golfing crown, including Ardglass Golf Club, locally known as Awesome Ardglass. Ardglass Golf Club is well known for extending a warm welcome to its visitors who come from all over the world. Many make a point of playing Ardglass while visiting Royal County Down at Newcastle or Royal Portrush on the North Coast. At the clubhouse, parts of which date back to the 13th century, they have a fully stocked pro-shop, an excellent restaurant, and of course Guinness on tap. The clubhouse claims the title as the world's oldest clubhouse.
We recommend combining Awesome Ardglass with a stay at Strangford’s The Cuan, which boasts luxury bedrooms and an award winning restaurant in which you can enjoy breakfast the next morning, before heading off for your next round of golf. Packages start from £295pps.
Links golfers will also find many local favourites along the Causeway Coastal Route, including Ballycastle Golf Club which offers one and two night packages staying at the nearby Marine Hotel Ballycastle (from £140 pps). The location is ideal for enjoying iconic courses with incredible sea views, and packages include dinner at Marconi’s Bistro.
And ultimately, whether a great game of golf goes in your favour or not, you have the whole of Northern Ireland waiting to be explored. Plan in time to explore our worldclass attractions and activities off the course (and beyond the 19th hole) and take advantage of the opportunity to awaken your giant spirit on a golfing break to Northern Ireland.
- Golf Itineraries | Discover Northern Ireland
- Golf Stay & Play (discovernorthernireland.com)
- Golf Events - Discover Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a highly prevalent golfing destination and demand is high. We recommend planning your stay & play break in advance and confirming booking details to ensure both club(s) and accommodation provider(s) have availability.
36 Holes. There are two courses in wooded undulating parkland/heathland with clusters of gorse bushes and copses ready to claim the wayward shots.
Premier pay and play golf facility with open Stableford every Friday. Visitors are always most welcome to come along and play the course..
A place apart. Clandeboye Lodge is the warm welcome of Northern Ireland. The comfortable and cosy corner you won’t want to leave. Charm and service from dawn until dusk.
Bangor Golf Club is situated on the outskirts of Bangor overlooking Belfast lough and the Antrim Hills. It is a Private Members Club with upwards of 1,000 playing and social members. Bangor Golf Club was founded in 1903 with a nine hole golf course.
A Victorian house with great charm, providing luxurious accommodation in a warm relaxed atmosphere. Some rooms with a view of Bangor Bay and the Irish Sea beyond. A ground floor room with wheelchair access.
Manse on the Beach is a luxurious house on the sea front. Five superbly finished double/twin rooms-some have breathtaking views of the beach. Large walled garden to rear compliments a louvred pergola. All communal areas are beautifully furnished.
Ideally located between the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast, the Marine Hotel lies only 2 minutes from the beach and 2 minutes from the ferry terminal to Rathlin Island. The hotel has all conveniences including free WiFi throughout.
Situated in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' on the North Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland and only 20 minutes from the famous Royal Portrush Championship Links this is a course that should be included in every golfers trip. Bring your camera.
Located 30miles from Belfast on the beautiful County Down coast, Ardglass Golf Club is links as it should be.
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club is situated in the sleepy little village of Cloughey on the eastern seaboard of the Ards Peninsula in County Down, N.Ireland. It is the nearest links golf course to the city of Belfast (about 45 minutes by road)
The 18 hole parkland layout takes full advantage of its beautiful setting with Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula providing a dramatic backdrop. Popular with amateurs and seasoned players, the course is both challenging and enjoyable.
The four star luxury Kingfisher Country Estate is situated on 220 acres of beautiful park and woodland on the Castle Upton Estate.
Lough Erne Resort is Northern Ireland's five-star countryside retreat. Dine by the lakes, walk in nature, play championship golf, pamper yourself in The Thai Spa or discover the beautiful Fermanagh attractions.
The Cuan is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough, on the Village Green in the beautiful tranquil village of Strangford. The Cuan is the perfect setting for a mid-week break, weekend getaway or an activity led holiday with the family.
