Playing Golf in Northern Ireland
Some people come to Northern Ireland to take a tour of its castle ruins and stately homes. Others are attracted by its beautiful beaches. Others, still, come to spend golf holidays in Northern Ireland. After all, there are many golf courses in Northern Ireland that are surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Aside from being the oldest golf club in Northern Ireland, the Royal Belfast Golf Club is also one of the most popular. Founded in 1881, the golf club provides golfers with a true test of skill while offering scenic views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim Plateau.
Located in Newcastle, the Royal County Down Golf Club is also an old golf club which is known for providing spellbinding views of the Mourne Mountains and having two links courses. The first, called Championship Links, is a challenging one designed for genuine golf enthusiasts while the second one, Annesley Links, can be enjoyed by those spending leisurely holidays in Northern Ireland.
The Castlerock Golf Club has two links courses, as well – the more challenging 18-hole Mussenden Course and the easier but equally enjoyable 9-hole Bann Course. Designed by Ben Sayers, both courses offer breathtaking views, since they are both surrounded by streams, sand hills and other amazing natural landscapes.
The favorite destination of those spending golf holidays in Northern Ireland, though, is the Royal Portrush Golf Club, which is also listed as one of the top 20 golf courses in the world. It has two links courses – the Valley course and the famous Dunluce course, which is considered one of the most challenging courses in the world. In fact, the 5th hole called ‘White Rock’ is difficult even for the most experienced golfers.
The Ballycastle Golf Club has a good golf course, too, which is part parkland and part links – the first five holes located on parkland and the rest located on links. This offers a diversity of challenges for golfers as well as different views of the coast and nearby mountains which are all equally spectacular.
You can play golf at the Radisson Roe Park, as well. Although one of the most recent golf courses in Northern Ireland, the 18-hole parkland course is already a popular one and is well known for its challenging water features. There are excellent golfing facilities around the course, too, such as a driving range and a putting green, as well as an excellent hotel right nearby where you can spend the night after spending a day on the course.
You can take your clubs to the Clandeboye Golf Club in Bangor or the Edenmore Golf Club in Craigavon. Indeed, no matter what your skill level is or what type of golf course you like playing on, you’re sure to find a golf course in Northern Ireland just suited to your tastes. So the next time you feel like playing a great game of golf with your friends or your family, make sure you consider spending golf holidays in Northern Ireland.
Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including Northern Ireland, by car. To book your car hire in Northern Ireland, or learn more about cheap rental cars worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.