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We're always happy to help golf travelers by giving out free advice in our Ask GolfPass columns.
When a friend sent me a text inquiring about what courses to play in Northern Ireland during a 2025 buddies trip, I immediately flashed back to my rounds on its beautiful links.
His timing isn't ideal, though. Royal Portrush's Dunluce links is gearing up to host The Open next summer for the third time overall and first since its triumphant return in 2019 following a 50-year absence. I warned him he might not be able to get on, as both the Dunluce and Royal County Down, host of this fall's Irish Open, are booking out a year or more in advance.
Just like my trip to St. Andrews this fall, even if you don't bag the big bucket-list courses, Northern Ireland will always be one of golf's greatest trips.
The other important thing to note is if groups like his are flying in and out of Dublin, they can easily play any of the fantastic links right near the airport on arrival or departure days. Rounds at Royal Dublin, Seapoint, The Island and County Louth would easily fit into the schedule.
Okay, let's get to the important stuff. Here are our recommendations for the best courses in Northern Ireland:
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Royal County Down
![Royal County Down]()
View from the crest of the 9th hole at Royal County Down. Nick Menta/GolfPass Considering there are seven blind tee shots in the first 11 holes, many narrow fairways pinched by heather and marram grasses, I have a love-hate relationship with Royal County Down. It's so hard yet so beautiful. The links has hosted the Irish Open (twice) and the memorable 2007 Walker Cup, which featured at least 11 then-future top pros. It's got the tournament chops of Portrush just on a slightly lower scale.
![Royal County Down GC]()
Newcastle, County DownPublicThe best of parkland golf in Northern Ireland
![Galgorm Castle Golf Club - ISPS Handa World Invitational]()
Galgorm Castle Golf Club hosts the ISPS Handa World Invitational, a DP World Tour event that features men and women. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass Since my buddy Cris has already admitted that he's struggling to find access to tee times at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, I have shared these really good parkland golf as alternatives. Yes, most Americans fly to Ireland to play links golf, but that doesn't mean a parkland round shouldn't be part of the itinerary. Parklands can give golfers what feels like a day off to ride in the cart and stay out of the wind or rain. The best parkland course in Northern Ireland is either Galgorm Castle, host of a DP World Tour event, or Royal Belfast. You can't go wrong with either.
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Dunluce at Royal Portrush
![Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush - No. 15]()
The 15th hole, "Skerries," is a par-4, 418-yard hole with a sloping green. David Cannon/R&A/R&A via Getty Images The debate about which is better - Royal Portrush or Royal County Down - is so close a race that I tend to flip flop back and forth depending on what angle I'm studying. Scenery? Portrush. Strategy? RCD. Tournament history? Portrush. Toughness? RCD. I could go on and on. Martin Ebert's two new holes added prior to the 2019 Open have fit right in. It's a shame the pros make the famous par-3 14th look so easy. For my dollar, it's one of the most intimidating par 3s I've ever played. Playing the Valley Links is great fun, too, and upcoming changes could make it even cooler.
![Royal Portrush GC]()
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The Strand at Portstewart Golf Club
![Portstewart Golf Club - Strand Course - first tee]()
The first tee of Portstewart Golf Club's Strand Course is one of the most celebrated in Irish golf. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass Speaking of spectacular opening holes, the par-4 first of Portstewart's Strand Course might be even more spellbinding. The tee overlooks dunes framing a gentle dogleg right as the Irish Sea sparkles in the distance. The front nine of the 2017 Irish Open venue slithers through these dunes. After golf, the massive clubhouse is among Northern Ireland's most hospitable for dinner and drinks.
![Portstewart GC - The Strand: #2]()
Portstewart, County LondonderrySemi-Private -
Ardglass Golf Club
The 18th green sits above the oldest clubhouse in the world at the Ardglass Golf Club. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass One of my favorite surprises in all my years was playing Ardglass for the first time. It starts with one of the most dramatic opening tee shots in golf and ends with a pint in the castle-like clubhouse reputed to be the oldest in the world (It might even be haunted, too). Ardglass mixes links golf with clifftop scenery for a thrilling round. Ongoing tweaks to some holes' designs and transformation of the bunkers into sod-walled hazards has enhanced Ardglass significantly since I first played there a decade ago.
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Lough Erne Golf Club
Nick Faldo made great use of the lake and terrain at Lough Erne Resort in Northern IrelandThe 17th hole at Lough Erne Resort is a risk-reward short par 4 along the water. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorThe 14th hole is another strong par 5 at Lough Erne Resort with a wetland in play. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorThe 13th hole at Lough Erne Resort plays long and uphill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorThe ninth green at Lough Erne Resort finishes above the lake. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorThe drivable 10th hole at Lough Erne Resort sits in the lake. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPassThe sixth tee looks down upon the par-5 fourth green at Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorIt's a scary carry to the par-3 fifth green at Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorThe third hole is part of a strong collection of par 3s at Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorA view of the 18th hole from a luxurious room in the Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorGolfers pass a statue of Nick Faldo on the way to the first tee at the Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorRory McIlroy drove the par-4 seventh green at Lough Erne Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf AdvisorLough Erne is the hardest of all the great Northern Ireland courses to get to for overseas visitors because it's set off from the others in County Fermanagh. Nick Faldo routed the course around the lakes the region is known for on the grounds of a luxury resort (Lough means 'lake'). The accommodations and fine dining are reasons alone to make the detour.
Enniskillen, County FermanaghResort -
Mussenden at Castlerock Golf Club
A burn crosses in front of the sixth green on the Mussenden Links at the Castlerock Golf Club. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass Mussenden tweaked a couple holes prior to the pandemic, so the layout has been maximized to reach its potential. The best advice I can give is to make sure to play the Bann nine as well. The dunes are bigger on the Bann, which means more quirky holes and fun semi-blind shots. The scenery along the River Bann adds another layer of excitement, too.
Castlerock, County LondonderrySemi-Private
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