GOLF HOLIDAYS IN COUNTY DOWN & BELFAST
The best Northern Ireland golf courses for golfbreaks.

Royal County Down  Architects: Old Tom Morris (1889).  18 holes: 6,878yds: Par 71.

For many golfers Royal County Down is, quite simply, the best golf course in the world.  Of course, opinions do vary, but you will rarely meet any golfer who has played here and does not feature this stunning links in their personal top ten.  With the Irish Sea on one side and the Mourne Mountains on the other, the setting is spectacular, nay dreamlike on a clear day.  Crafted by the canny Old Tom Morris in the late 19th Century it is steeped in history too.  Every hole is bordered by gorse-clad dunes; stray from the straight and narrow at your peril: although with the inevitable sea-breezes about you may find yourself taking aim at some inhospitable locations!  All in all, a supreme test of links golf that you will never forget.
Please note that Tee-times for visitors are limited, so you really need to plan your visit well (i.e. a year) in advance.

Annesley Links   Architects: Old Tom Morris (1889).  18 holes: 4,548yds: Par 66.

The sister course at Royal County Down that occupies the flatter inland terrain yet still has its fair share of dunes, gorse and hidden Greens.  Naturally it is overshadowed by the main course but, despite its lack of length, it is a serious links course in its own right and should not be overlooked if you are staying a night or two.  It makes a great warm-up act before the main attraction.

Ardglass  Architect: D. Jones (1896)  18 holes: 6,268yds: Par 70.

A delightful olde worlde links full of little surprises and the oldest Clubhouse in the world - a 14th Centery castle!  Ardglass is undiluted, old fashioned, links golf where nature has dictated the holes and man has to subserviently follow...  As soon as you arrive you can sense the history of the place with the fortified Clubhouse overlooking Coney Island Bay on the edge of town.

Kilkeel  Architect: E. Hackett (1922)  18 holes: 6,579yds: Par 72.

Kilkeel is a small, unobtrusive Golf Club that extends a friendly welcome to the (relatively rare) visitor that takes the time to discover this enjoyable little course tucked away inland amongst the hills, dales and trees of the County of Down.  The course makes entertaining use of the hummocks and hollows of the landscape, cleverly avoiding sloping Fairways wherever possible.

Warrenpoint  Architect: T. Craddock (1893)  18 holes: 6,001yds: Par 71.

Close to the busy town of Newry in the South of the county, Warrenpoint has many members playing over its, somewhat intertwined, parkland holes.  There a few rises and falls to the land but it's generally easy going. 

Royal Belfast  Architects: H.S. Colt (1891).  18 holes: 6,306yds: Par 70.

The oldest Golf Club in Ireland dating back to the 19th Century, although the current shape of the course is due more to Harry Colt's work in 1925.  Royal Belfast has a delightful setting near Holywood, rising up from the inlet to Belfast port to the Clubhouse with its commanding views.  Royal Belfast is a very pretty course, beautifully cared for, where the main obstruction to your progress will be the numerous bunkers and a few slopes to the Fairways.  Close to both the airport and the ferry port, it's the perfect place to wait for your transport home!

Malone  Architects: F. Hawtree (1895).  3 x 9 holes: 6,225yds: Par 71.

Another Centurion Club in the North of Ireland with a famed creator - Mr. Fred Hawtree.  Malone is another parkland jewel around its fine old Clubhouse overlooking its lake.  The land is gently hillsome, but nothing serious so you can easily enjoy a full 27-hole day at Malone - even on foot!

Belvoir Park  Architects: H.S. Colt (1927).  18 holes: 6,614yds: Par 71.

An extremely attractive golf course to add to Belfast's bevvy of beauties. And another Harry Colt design offering thoroughly enjoyable golfing through a manicured woodland garden.

Templepatrick Architect: D. Feherty (2004). 18 holes: 7,077yds: Par 72.

A very well-placed, if a little more commercial, Golf Club; close to Belfast International airport so ideal for arrival or departure golf - especially with its very practical hotel on-site.  The Templepatrick golf course spreads across flat land and is more open than most in the regior, albeit things close-in around you down by the riverside where the holes become quite interesting...