Gracehill Golf Club

Gracehill Golf Club was completed some twenty-five years ago after construction in phases over eight years. Originally, Gracehill House, built by James Stuart and named for his wife Grace Lynd, occupied this land. Many generations later, in 1971, the present owners—the Gillan family—bought the land and operated it as a farm until the early 90s. This modern, parkland golf course and its modernized clubhouse (renovated from the old estate structures) is located in a small village named Stranocum in Northern Ireland. An avenue of beech trees, known as the Dark Hedges, was planted by the Stuart family around 1775 to create an impressive entrance to the original Gracehill House, and the Hedges Hotel was later developed on a section of this same estate.​

The Golf Course:

In terms of course features, the hills and landscape indeed flow gracefully here, but “grace” does not always describe the style of this modern, partly American-influenced layout, which is challenging and watery–and can be quite punishing on several holes.​

Architects Frank Ainsworth and Jim Gillan applied some of the modern traits of American course design with traditional British and Irish parkland traits–which instead relies more on strategic bunkering, sloped greens, and a natural feel rather than manicured precision. A prime example of the American mode is hole eight, with its straight, flat fairway bordered by trees and OOB, with a pond to carry off the tee, and, further down, a stream that threatens the second shot on the left. It’s akin to something Pete Dye might have created on one of his Florida courses. This is target golf that rewards aerial accuracy, though the long green allows the approach to be run on. Roughly half of Gracehill’s holes share this American style to greater or lesser degrees.​

A good percentage of these holes, however, are more attuned to UK-style, parkland golf; they are not only somewhat more open, but their character depends more upon natural ground movement. These include the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 17th and 18th. A minority of holes are hybrids, merging both design approaches.

​Excellent par-5s:

Of the four impressive five-par holes here, the 487-yard 12th may be the course’s best. Every shot demands thought and, if necessary, control of shot shape. Trees pinch the fairway on the second shot, and a stream set in a gully guards the green’s front and right. The 4th, at 492, yet without any water, offers a prime birdie chance if your aim is true. The second must pass through a wooded gap, leaving an uphill approach to a green perched on a knoll with a steep left-side falloff. Fifty yards in front of it, a sprawling fairway bunker greedily swallows underpowered approach shots.

Interesting Par-3s:

The attractive seventh plays 183 yards to a long green, wider in the back. A safe line avoids the water right but flirts with three left-side bunkers. Right-side pins make par a serious challenge. An equally tough hole, the 11th–named “Fuschia Island”–looks a bit daunting from the tee. Still, this island is fairly large, but be wary: anything more than a modest miss won’t be spared.

Tough Par-4s:

The first, sixth, and eighteenth stood out. (note: holes thirteen through fifteen were closed today). The opener starts the round with some gravity. It will require a precise tee shot followed by an uphill iron over a pond to a green ensconced in the trees. Hole six, which appears simple from the tee, then turns the tables by its tough approach shot: a sunken green, wholly out of sight, is surrounded by mounding to the left, bunkers and water right. And the finisher is a worthy one. You’ll need a strong drive to an uphill fairway, then a nearly make-or-break approach between huge trees—their scale loosely reminiscent of the Dark Hedges—to a green protected by a large bunker to the right, along with its own false front.

The course offers a fine diversity, yet it also breaks the box, here and there. At the fifth hole, a large water hazard is located next to the green; it also cleverly extends out of sight behind it. Both the sixth and fifteenth fairways are angular and offset, which effectively enhances their hazard placement. Then there is the course's toughest trio of holes, set back-to-back-back. The infamous thirteen through fifteenth, with names like Knockmore, Wing’n a Prayer, and Amen, cannot be dull or conventional pushovers. Thirteen in particular appears brutally challenging (I was told it is the signature hole). Encircled totally by woods, thirteen’s narrow fairway takes a sharp turn after the landing zone. Will you hear golf balls ricocheting off trees here? I would expect so.

Course Conditions

Heavy rain left the course wet and muddy in spots, though mats helped mitigate the issue. Greens rolled well; overall conditions were average for the season.

Playing Experience

I was paired with three members—Paul, Kenny, and James—who offered advice throughout. Paul, in particular, gave detailed tips on every hole. After the round, I was invited to join them and several others for drinks, enjoying interesting conversation and hospitality. Ireland’s friendliness is well known, but Gracehill exceeded expectations. Even the staff, especially Jane at check-in, were exceptionally kind and helpful—my best golf-club experience of 2025.

Some Conclusions:

Even with the season’s rain and soft ground, Gracehill delivered a rewarding round. In better weather, it’s surely a top-value play. What distinguishes it is a clever integration of American and Irish parkland styles, and it skillfully leverages the landscape for a strong challenge. Target golf? Absolutely–and at least on a handful of holes. Cleverly defended greens. Smart fun.

Paid £60 for my son (13) and I to play this course.

Charged £2.60 for 2 regular mars bars!

Course a disgrace , on the verge of being unplayable. An appropriate green fee would have been £15 for an adult. £8 for a junior.

I suspect this course would be a better choice between May and start of September. Sadly October provided an overpriced disappointing round of golf.

Very tough course not for beginners has some very challenging holes 13th comes to mind stroke index 1 basically a card recker. Saying that course is a great challenge for the more accomplished golfer,i highly recommend it for the low handicap out there but not for beginners.

Lovely parkland course that is a challenge but really enjoyable.

Great layout of course with varying types of holes. Got a good price on hot demand was well worth the money. 2nd tee box was laying in water after a day of heavy rain but course in general in good condition. Would need to be able carry your driver easily 150yards to play a few holes which my father in law struggled with but excellent course for the price. Will come back again.

Excellent value for money. £30 on a Sunday morning 11:30 tee time.

Friendly hassle free service.

Very challenging course with loads of water obstacles.

Only criticism would be the greens have a small issue with disease.

Great value for money, well looked after and some interesting holes.

Gracehill was a course I played often back in the 90s when it opened .

Always enjoyed it .

Went back yesterday and after a few years in the financial doldrums the new owner has done a good job .

Second and third holes are very bland but from about 6 on the course is super , the final 8 are class .

Well worth a visit and staff were very friendly 👍

I held our first every society day here on Saturday afternoon and cannot fault the place, great course, friendly staff , good food and brilliant offers for society’s.

£45 got us bacon baps, a round of golf, a meal and a drink afterwards and prices for nearest pin and longest drive. Will find it hard to get this kinda deal anywhere else in the country

A bit out of the way, but we'll worth the effort.

Wide open parkland with water, bog and tree hazards.

You will need to be inform with your driver, with 100 to 150 yards on a few holes before you can start.

Would recommend to anyone.

Once the greens are back, currently cored and sanded. Will be excellent

But wet underfoot in back 9 but otherwise a good day out !

Course in great condition other than greens which had been sanded that morning but still a very enjoyable round . As a former member I always like to go back and enjoy a round and it's great to see how Ivor and his team are doing an amazing job keeping the course in top condition .

Great course. very challenging and wide variety of holes. The best parkland course I have played. Beautiful scenery and great holes.

An interesting and fun course. Helpful and friendly staff. Lots of waterways and bunkers to navigate. Lost a couple of balls but found some too. The fairways were pretty wet and the pathways muddy after recent rains. Nice little cafe nearby with special rates for golfers coffee.