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
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England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
British Pound
Temperature:
00-00℃
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£5.00
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About The Area
Västmanland is one of Sweden’s most practical inland golf regions, offering a strong mix of lakeside courses, parkland layouts and easy access from both Stockholm and Västerås. While “Holywood” does not appear to be a widely recognised place name in Västmanland, the wider area is genuinely useful for golfers, especially those looking for calm Swedish countryside, long summer days and good course variety.
The standout venue is Frösåker Golf & Country Club, located beside Lake Mälaren near Västerås. The club describes itself as being by the shore of Mälaren, around 15 minutes from Västerås and roughly an hour from Stockholm, with an 18-hole course, restaurant, accommodation and conference facilities. The lakeside setting gives the course a scenic, open feel, with water playing a major role and several holes carrying a seaside-style character despite being inland.
Nearby, Orresta Golf & Konferens adds another strong option, positioned between Enköping and Västerås in a natural setting with golf, food, accommodation and conference facilities. Ängsö Golfklubb is also worth considering, with a woodland and parkland course set near Lake Mälaren and Ängsö Nature Reserve.
Golf in Västmanland is best from May to September, when Swedish daylight is long and conditions are most comfortable. Off the course, the region offers Lake Mälaren walks, cycling, castles, forests and Västerås’ harbourfront restaurants. Visit Sweden highlights Västmanland’s nature, including the 250-kilometre Bruksleden trail running through lakes, meadows and forests.
For golfers seeking relaxed Swedish parkland golf, lakeside scenery and easy access from Stockholm, the Västmanland area is a peaceful and underrated choice.
