Holywood Golf Club

Starting with the positives - The course is challenging but was in good condition with some amazing views of Belfast. The staff were also really friendly.

Now for the negatives - While the staff were friendly, the members were not! As a 4ball we played the front 9 in 1 hour and 50 minutes yet were approached twice (by different groubs) and asked to pick up the pace of play because their was a competition being played a number of holes behind us. We could not have gone any faster as we were having to wait on the group in front of us, who were waiting on the group in front of them on every hole. This completely ruined the round and I ended up finishing on the 16th as a result.

The club either need to review their available tee times if competitions are being played or else the members just need to give their heads a wobble!

I wouldn’t recommend playing here as you’ll just be made to feel unwelcome!

I played here for the first time earlier this week. As an occasional player and high handicapper (26), I wanted a course that was challenging but not too tricky! The course was perfect in that regard. Good layout and really well kept- and probably the only course in the world that has a car parking spot reserved for Rory McIlroy! Special mention to the club staff- all really friendly and helpful.

Played here today for the first time, really impressed with the condition of the course given the time of year and the amount of rain the past few months. The course wasn't soggy and the greens were in great condition, credit to the greenkeepers. A nice course with great views over the Belfast Lough. The service in the

Bar and Pro shop was first class, will certainly be back.

The 6,009-yard course where Rory learned to play is carved from the hills high above Belfast, just two miles from the Belfast City Airport. It's a quirky test of golf that offers very few flat lies. Everything slopes down towards Belfast Lough and the city. It's nearly impossible to hold the severely tilted first fairway without a draw. Both par 3s at no. 4 and no. 6 play dramatically downhill. After uphill par 3s at no. 9 and no. 10, the round finishes with eight straight par 4s. This back nine climbs to the property's highest points, riding its most turbulent ground. These holes deliver gorgeous panoramic lake views and some real challenges, including one of the quirkiest holes I've ever seen. That would be the 433-yard 12th hole, where the approach shot plays over a temporary green used in the winter that sits in a bowl to a blind green surrounded by trouble. There's thick rough everywhere, plus a ridge along the left side that falls off into an deep pit staked as out of bounds. It's such a tricky hole that I'd take a bogey every day. The Rory room inside the clubhouse - home to memorabilia such as replica trophies, clubs and bags - is a must see for fans of the local legend.

I played it . Not because of Rory, which is great, but because I was bornand bred in Holywood and played ther in 1956 for 10 years. Some holes 10 to 14 th. muvch to hard for 20 handicappers.

Course playing well. Firm fairways and greens. Challenging holes especially on back 9.

Played by myself early morning and got treated with some of the most incredible views in the country, over looking the Belfast Harbour, Harland and Wolfe in the background. It was some scene. I really enjoyed the holes on this golf course, particularly the 12th which if I remember correctly is a tee shot over a gorge of trees and bushes onto a sloping fairway. The course was very nicely laid out and easy to follow, with an uncharacteristic 8 hole stretch of par 4s to finish. I will be back.

Course was in good condition despite being winter. Bit wet in places. Nice course and enjoyable to play. Guy in the pro shop was very helpful too

Winter greens in play, a few of the holes out of play! Lay out a bit confusing but the Ladies Captain was playing behind us kept us in right direction!

Over 50% of fairways were covered in frost. Difficult to track ball.

Me and my friend played on Sunday 3rd November and the course was absolutely soaked and in terrible condition.

On some holes the grass has been relayed and some others they were in the middle of building new bunkers …

Definitely wouldn’t recommend playing anytime soon coming into the winter as this course in particular can’t hold the rain 👎

First time playing here, rained all 4 hours but greens were quick for this time of year.

Tee boxes and fairways really well looked after, first out so pace of play grand.

Pro in the shop was really friendly and explained layout well.

Will definitely be back.

Terrible course for such a well known course. Not enjoyable at all as no flat fairways. Playing on a mountain all day

It's clear a lot of effort and probably investment has went into this course since the last time I played it (several years ago).

Tee boxes (often ignored by ground staff) were superb, as were fairways and bunkers. Greens in particular were stunning - I truly applaud the ground staff here - running true and fast, but not silly fast.

I forgot how odd the layout is - 2 par 5's on the front 9 - none on the back and the last par 3 is the 10th hole, the 9th being one also. Very unusual that the last 8 holes are all par 4's - some of them long with the right wind.

A lot of young people out on the course, which was lovely to see, but it was slowed as a result. The group in front of us recognised they were slow and let us through on the 10th. Very polite and considerate young golfers.

The course is a real credit to you

Holywood was in great condition but for my golf game too much out of bounds and ditches before the greens but would recommend for the better golfer among us

As Rory fans we had to include his home course as part of our golfing tour of Ireland. The front 9 is narrow but nicely laid out and just warms you up for a fearsome lung bursting back 9. The course is well kept and the greens are above average. The staff are amazing and so friendly and welcoming, the club has a super atmosphere and the appreciation Rory shines through. The staff even let us hold the PGA, US Open and Claret Jug which was a huge honour. This is a must for any Rory fan and I would highly recommend a round just to walk in the fairways of a golfing legend.

Course was closed due to poor weather. We were not contacted to be told course was closed and haven’t got a refund yet!