A land of epic courses, shaped by mother nature and where icons of the game honed their craft, Northern Ireland is made for golf and proud to host The 153rd Open.
As the giant stands begin to rise out of the undulating fairways, Royal Portrush is poised to welcome hundreds of thousands of global visitors as golf’s original major returns to the Causeway Coast for a third time, from July 13th to 20th.
And since Rory McIlroy completed his “Masterspiece” by winning the Grand Slam in Augusta, fans are daring to dream that the global superstar can write another chapter in the history books with victory at Royal Portrush.
This part of the world has long been revered as one of the greatest places on earth to ‘spoil a good walk’ but since its best players joined the sport’s top table by winning multiple major titles, Northern Ireland has experienced a surge in golf tourism.
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It’s not just the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Messrs McIlroy, Clarke and McDowell along with upcoming star, Tom McKibben that is attracting huge numbers of visitors. You will find some of the finest golf courses on earth scattered across Northern Ireland and you don’t have to be in the same class as McIlroy to enjoy a short break.
Royal Portrush, described by former Irish Ryder Cup player, Paul McGinley as the most perfect piece of land he’s come across for a golf course, regularly features in top 10 lists of the world’s best, as does Royal County Down in Newcastle.
One of the compelling reasons for booking a golf trip to Northern Ireland is, not only, the abundance of world class courses, but also, its size – you’re only ever one small step away from a giant golfing experience. This means outstanding hotels are rarely far from the 18th green.
Northern Ireland is seeing significant investment in its golf and hotel scene. Its newest luxury hotel, Dunluce Lodge, opened alongside the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush in March, offering 35 luxurious suites.
The Marcus Portrush, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property, will welcome guests in time for The Open in a restored historic building in the heart of the seaside town, where the boutique Portrush Adelphi reopened its doors after big refurbishment in April.
Fifteen minutes from Royal Portrush, Portstewart Golf Club has 54 holes of outstanding links golf. Its Strand Course, another Irish Open venue, is set amid towering dunes between the Atlantic and the river Bann – its opening hole regarded by many as Northern Ireland’s best.
The DP World Tour’s Irish Open was staged at Royal County Down in 2024 – set in the stunning Murlough Nature Reserve with the Mourne Mountains as a backdrop. Winner Rasmus Hojgaard fended off Rory McIlroy by a single stroke.
For those playing Royal County Down, the iconic Slieve Donard Hotel is just a short wedge from the course. Part of the Marine & Lawns Hotels & Resorts group, the hotel, serves not only as the perfect base for golfers but also as a gateway for anyone wanting to explore the majestic Mourne Mountains.
Along the coast from Royal County Down is Ardglass Golf Club‘s highly regarded and picturesque links course, its fairways and greens hugging the rocky shore and cliffs. Its clubhouse, a 600-year-old former castle, is the world’s oldest.
Staying in Co Down, Rory McIlroy’s home course, Holywood Golf Club boasts a picturesque parkland course and golf simulator facilities offering stunning views of Belfast Lough and just a five-minute drive to the fabulous five-star Culloden Estate and Spa.
With 12 acres of beautifully secluded gardens, a palatial spa, three restaurants, and more, makes it the perfect blend of historic grandeur and modern luxury.
Among its wealth of other hidden parkland gems in Co Down are clubs Kilkeel, Rockmount, St Patrick’s, Warrenpoint and Edenmore.
Meanwhile, the Legends Tour heads to Co Antrim this year when some of the greats of yesteryear will compete in the inaugural NI Legends Open, from August 29th to 31st.
Hosted at Ballymena’s Galgorm Castle, the parkland course is perfect for anyone wanting a real test of their golf skills followed by a luxurious and relaxing break in the nearby Galgorm Resort & Spa.
Set within 450 acres of lush parkland with the spectacular river Maine flowing through the estate, Galgorm Resort offers an array of Cottage Suites, Shepherd’s Huts, Log Cabins as well as four on site restaurants.
Just a 20-minute drive from Belfast, is the Kingfisher Country Estate. The rebranded Double Tree hotel has already seen a £14 million (€16.6 million) revamp of its 129 rooms, restaurant and 18-hole golf course, and it has been given the go-ahead for an expansion costing up to £20 million (€24 million) to include an extension with a further 68 suites.
In Fermanagh, the Faldo Course at the five-star Lough Erne Resort was recently named sixth in Golf World’s top 100 parkland courses in Britain and Ireland. The Enniskillen resort, which also has another 18-hole course and offers accommodation in 120 rooms and Lakeview Lodges, welcomed world leaders when it hosted the 2013 G8 summit.
Northern Ireland boasts several more centenarian golf clubs including Newtownstewart Golf Club, founded in 1914 and laid out through venerable oaks and beech trees in the Baronscourt Estate in Tyrone and City of Derry Golf Club established in 1912.
The Ebrington Hotel, one of Derry’s most opulent and luxurious places to stay, is a short walk across the Peace Bridge. It’s the perfect gateway to explore this historic and charming city.
Belvoir Park Golf Club is Belfast’s closest course yet golfers feel a world away, both on its tree-lined fairways and in the clubhouse looking out to the Black Mountains. Ireland’s oldest golf club, Royal Belfast Golf Club is set alongside Belfast Lough, the main seaway into the city’s harbour, and seven holes have views over it.
When in the city, take a tour of some of its distilleries set in iconic locations such as Titanic Belfast and McConnells Distillery & Visitor Experience set within Crumlin Road Gaol.
Visit St George’s Market or dine in one of the many restaurants before finishing the night in one of the city’s many lively bars where you can recount the shots from your own epic round! As inviting as Northern Ireland’s golf courses are, embracing the giant spirit of its 19th hole makes for an unforgettable “stay and play” break.
For more about stay and play options in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com
