Northern Ireland Golf Trips

Two of the highest ranked courses in the world, plus the recent return of The Open Championship, has placed Northern Ireland and the North Coast at the top of bucket lists the world over. The rest of the lineup here includes two recent host courses for the Irish Open and another which boasts the finest opening tee shot in Ireland. All of which makes this region one of the marquee choices for Ireland golf trips.

In the charming holiday town of Newcastle, Royal County Down offers a sublime experience from start to finish and occupies the top spot on the Golf Digest World Top 100. Along the North Coast, Royal Portrush and its Dunluce Links is home one of the finest championship tests in golf and is the only member of The Open rota outside of Britain.

Although the Royal headliners garner much of the fanfare, and rightfully so, the nearby links courses would headline most trips if they were located elsewhere. Portstewart is home to one of the best front-9s in golf, which weaves its way through some of the biggest dunes in Irish golf.

Next door, Castlerock is a delightful links whose star has risen thanks to upgrades by “The Open Doctor,” Martin Hawtree. Further afield, Ballyliffin boasts two wonderful links courses and was a recent host of the Irish Open. And then there is Ardglass, which is home to a 15th century castle turned clubhouse, as well as an opening duo of holes that are equal parts stunning and daunting.

This area also claim some of the best sightseeing opportunities in Ireland. Dunluce Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge are some of Ireland’s most popular attractions set against its stunning shores. It’s here that one also finds the oldest distillery in Ireland at Bushmills.

Meanwhile, a wave of investment over the last two decades has transformed Belfast into one of the great food and culture centers of Europe. So much so that the golfer could base themselves in Belfast for a week, enjoy an abundance of Golf and the Good Life, and never have to change hotels.