Golf Courses in Northern Ireland — Royal Portrush, Royal County Down and Beyond

Northern Ireland packs a remarkable amount of great golf into a small area. Two links courses, Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, draw golfers from around the world. Meanwhile, the north coast adds Portstewart, Castlerock and Ballycastle. As a result, a short trip can include several outstanding rounds.

The R&A counted 113 golf courses in Northern Ireland at the end of 2020. Our guide to how many golf courses there are in the UK explains how that figure compares with the other nations. You can also browse every course we list in Northern Ireland. For clubs around the capital, the directory lists golf courses near Belfast.

Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush sits above the town on the Causeway Coast in County Antrim. It first hosted the Open in 1951, the only time the event had left England and Scotland. It then returned in 2019 and again in 2025. Today, it is the only Open venue outside Scotland and England.

The Dunluce Links runs across dunes above the sea, with several holes close to the cliffs. Before the 2019 Open, the club replaced two holes to make room for the crowds a modern major needs. Visitors can play, although tee times need booking well ahead. Our guide to championship golf courses explains how to book the Open venues.

Royal County Down

Royal County Down sits at Newcastle, on Dundrum Bay, with the Mourne Mountains behind. The course runs through large, gorse-covered sandhills. Several tee shots are blind, so a local caddie or a course guide helps. Visitor days are limited, so plan ahead.

Newcastle is a pleasant seaside town, and it makes a good base for golf in County Down. For more great seaside golf, read our guide to the best links golf courses in the UK.

Portstewart

Portstewart’s Strand Course begins with a dramatic drop from a high tee into big dunes. The course then runs through the sandhills beside the beach. Since Portstewart sits between Portrush and Castlerock, it makes a handy base for the north coast.

Castlerock

Castlerock sits west of Portstewart, near the mouth of the River Bann. Its Mussenden Course takes its name from Mussenden Temple, a clifftop folly nearby. It is a true links, and it is usually easier to book than the two famous names.

Ballycastle

Ballycastle sits on the Antrim coast east of Portrush, with views across to Rathlin Island. It is a relaxed seaside course in a lovely setting. In addition, the town makes a good stop on the Causeway Coastal Route.

County by county

Northern Ireland has golf in all six counties, from Antrim and Down to Fermanagh. Our county-by-county guide to golf in Northern Ireland covers each one, including the clubs around Belfast.

The Causeway Coastal Route

The Causeway Coastal Route runs from Belfast along the Antrim coast towards Derry. It passes Ballycastle, Bushmills, Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock. Along the way are the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle. As a result, golf and sightseeing fit together easily on this coast. Our guide to coastal golf in the UK covers other seaside regions too.

Getting there

Belfast has two airports, George Best Belfast City and Belfast International. In addition, ferries run to Belfast from Cairnryan in Scotland and from Liverpool. That makes Northern Ireland easy to reach with your own clubs and car.

If you are coming from Scotland, our page on golf courses near Glasgow suggests a round before the ferry, while you can browse every course we list in Scotland. From England, our page on golf courses near Liverpool covers the links close to the port.

Green fees

Green fees in Northern Ireland vary widely. Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are the most expensive, while Ballycastle and the smaller clubs cost much less. Since prices change each year, check each club’s own website before you book.

Golf across the border

The Republic of Ireland is close by, and Donegal’s links are within reach of the north coast. Our guide to golf in Ireland covers the whole island, including the famous west coast.

Plan a Northern Ireland golf trip

A good trip might pair two days on the Causeway Coast with a day at Royal County Down. Our UK golf breaks guide helps you plan rooms and travel. Wherever you play, Northern Ireland offers links golf of the highest class in a compact, friendly region.

Because distances are hard to judge on an unfamiliar course, our guide to choosing a golf rangefinder may help.