The Royal Belfast Golf Club Est. 1881

Scenically this is the most spectacular golf course in Belfast and its right up there with some of the best in the UK and Ireland. The early parts of the course, including two superb opening par 4's, provide wonderful views over Belfast Lough (the wide estuary that leads shipping into Belfast harbour). But better is still to come. The course is laid out on partly-wooded, partly-open land that slopes all the way down to the Lough's shoreline, with no end of good quality and challenging golf holes along the way. The uphill par-3 11th, starts near the shoreline and requires a blind shot up a gorse covered hill, only the flagstick provides a sighter to aim at. The long par-4 12th, also requires a blind drive, and is another potential card-wrecker. Inevitably there is some climbing to do on the sloping layout, but the reward for your physical efforts are great indeed - Colt's skilful layout with his typically flattish, good-quality greens, solid bunkering and superb views from just about every hole. Some would argue this is not Harry Colt at his best - clearly they haven't played here, or if they did, the weather must have been atrocious.