Golf courses in Ireland North are an exceptional mix of wild links beauties and stunning green championship parklands. Each one offering a different challenge and setting. Towering dunes, cliff top views and lush parkland all featured beautifully in this country.
Make the most out of your golf trip to the north of Ireland. Look up the location of the golf courses on the map; it will help you with your planning to play the best during your holidays. To each golf course visited we have applied a rating. The scale, 5 (highest) to 2 (lowest), attempts to provide an indication of the golfing experience you can expect at each rated course. Hover your on-screen mouse pointer above the rating key hereafter to read our definitions.
Wkends restrictd
Belfast
David Jones
Visitors welcome
Derry
Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock
Visitors welcome
Derry
Ballyliffin's original nine-hole course dated back to 1947. Between 1970 and 1973 a "new course" was brought into play on neighbouring ground, replacing the original nine holes. This new layout (now known as the Old Links) was designed by Eddie Hackett with input from local agricultural adviser Martin Hopkins, and English course architects Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie. Recent modifications to the Old Links were made by Nick Faldo (2005). The Glashedy Links dates from 1995.
Not Saturdays
Belfast
Harry Colt
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Original nine-hole layout by George L. Baillie (1894). Later revisions by Cuthbert Butchart and then by Harry Vardon (1927).
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Original design of the 18-hole Mussenden course by Ben Sayers. Later modifications by Harry Colt (1926) and Martin Hawtree (2018).
Visitors welcome
Dundalk
Christy O’Connor Sr & Jr
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Original 18-hole layout by Capt William Campbell (1906); substantially redesigned by Harry Colt (1927-31).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Michael Doherty, long-time golf professional at City of Derry Golf Club.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Original design by Eddie Hackett, with later modifications by Pat Ruddy (1998).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Harry Vardon (six-time winner of the Open Championship, and golf course designer).
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Eddie Hackett designed the expansion from nine to 18 holes (1974). Donald Steel added a further nine holes (1999).
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Simon Gidman
Visitors welcome
Belfast
James Braid
Not Saturdays
Belfast
Current course designed in the early 1920s by the firm of Colt, Mackenzie & Alison (Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison).
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Tony Carroll
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Nick Faldo
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Original course at this location designed by Commander John Harris from C.K. Cotton & Assocs (1962). Later modifications by Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1965).
Visitors welcome
Derry
The layout evolved over the years from a nine-hole layout (1930) to a full 18 (1965), with inputs from Hughie McNeill, Leo Wallace and various members. Improvements made by Eddie Connaughton (2004). Significant modifications by Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner of Hanse Golf Design (2018).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC); substantial improvements designed by Pat Ruddy (2000).
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Strand course: original design by Mr. A.G. Gow (of Portrush; 1907); modifications by Willie Park Jr (early 1920s) & Des Giffin (schoolteacher and club member, 1986).
Riverside course: original nine holes designed by Des Giffin (1986); extension to 18 holes by Bernard Findlay (course manager) & David Avery (past captain) (1999).
Old course: designers of original nine-hole course unknown (1894); enlarged to 12 holes (1918); extended from 12 to 18 holes by Mr. R.C. Davison & James Rea (1934).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Front-nine (Strand-nine) designed by Pat Ruddy (2009). Back-nine (Valley-nine) originally designed by Old Tom Morris (1893), with later modifications by Harry Vardon & James Braid (1906), and Harry Colt (1911).
Visitors welcome
Derry
Pat Ruddy with input from owner Frank Casey Snr.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Tom Doak and lead associate Eric Iverson.
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Harry Colt
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Annesley Links was first mentioned (in the R&A Handbooks) in 1929. It was described as a nine-hole "relief" course to the main 18-hole championship course. By 1932 it had grown to a full 18-holes, again with no mention of who designed the holes. Significant modifications were made by Donald Steel (1997), and Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert (2014).
Not Weds or Sat
Belfast
Championship Links: original nine-hole layout by Scottish schoolteacher, keen golfer and Honorary Secretary of Royal Belfast Golf Club, George L. Baillie (1889). Extended to 18 holes by Old Tom Morris (1889/90). Various modifications (early 1900s) made by George Combe (Club Capt), James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Harry Vardon and Ben Sayers. Harry Colt made further modifications (1925), creating the famous par-3 4th and par-4 9th holes. Further changes by Donald Steel (1997 & 2004).
Annesley Links: originally laid out by Old Tom Morris.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
The current Dunluce Links layout is largely the work of Harry Colt's 1929 redesign.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Harry Colt (1932).
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Paddy Merrigan
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Original 9-hole layout (1931) redesigned by John McAlister from Dublin (1939); course extension to 18-holes by Eddie Hackett (1973).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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