Royal Belfast Golf Club
Holywood
Royal Belfast Golf Club is a superb addition to a Northern Ireland golf holiday, especially for UK golfers who want history, scenery and easy access to Belfast in one trip. Founded in 1881, it is Ireland’s oldest golf club, with the present course at Craigavad designed in 1925 by Harry Colt, with assistance from W.A. Murray. Set along Belfast Lough, the course combines mature parkland with coastal views, giving it a more refined and scenic feel than a typical city course.
The 18-hole course measures 6,309 yards and is more about precision than power. Strategically placed bunkers, subtly contoured greens and the influence of the lough all mean golfers need to think their way round rather than simply reaching for driver on every tee. Practice facilities include two putting greens and a short iron practice range, which is useful for visiting golfers wanting a proper warm-up before the round.
For UK travellers, Royal Belfast works brilliantly as part of a Belfast-based golf break. The club is around 20 minutes from Belfast city centre, so it can be paired easily with restaurants, bars, Titanic Belfast, the Cathedral Quarter and the wider Northern Ireland coast.
It also sits nicely within a broader Northern Ireland golf itinerary, alongside courses such as Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ardglass, Portstewart and Malone. For golfers who enjoy classic course architecture, proper heritage and views across Belfast Lough, Royal Belfast Golf Club is a memorable and very worthwhile round.
Belfast City Airport
8km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
€ (Euro)
Temperature:
1°C - 19°C
Cost of a Beer:
£6.20
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£85
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Holywood is a brilliant base for a Northern Ireland golf holiday, especially if you want Belfast Lough views, easy city access and a strong mix of golf and local character. Set in County Down, just outside Belfast, it has a relaxed coastal feel with cafés, restaurants, independent shops and quick links into the city, making it ideal for a short golf break with plenty to do after your round.
The main local course is Holywood Golf Club, set high in the Holywood Hills. It offers a picturesque 18-hole parkland layout with sweeping views across Belfast Lough and is proudly known as the home club of Rory McIlroy. The club also offers a Rory McIlroy Club and Trophy Experience, which adds a lovely extra layer for golf fans visiting the area.
Nearby Royal Belfast Golf Club adds serious heritage to a Holywood golf itinerary. Established in 1881, it is Ireland’s oldest golf club, with an 18-hole course set along Belfast Lough. The present course was designed in 1925 by Harry Colt, offering a strategic parkland test with coastal views, fast greens and a strong sense of tradition.
Away from the fairways, Holywood works beautifully for exploring Belfast, the North Down coast, Bangor, Titanic Belfast and wider County Down. For UK golfers, it is a very easy and rewarding Northern Ireland golf break, with George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast Docks both under 15 minutes away. Hashtag Golf Travel can help plan the right courses, hotels, transfers and wider itinerary.
