Royal Belfast Golf Club

Royal Belfast is the oldest golf club in the whole of Ireland, formed in 1881 and with a 6-hole course originally laid out in Holywood nearby. After receiving Royal status in 1885 and due to the popularity of the game, the overcrowded course forced the club to relocate near to Bangor until after World War 1 when it moved once again to where it stands today, on the shores of Belfast Lough near Holywood in the 140-acre Craigavad House Estate.

Harry Colt, who was the eminent course architect of the day, was brought in to design the course which opened in 1926 and it pretty much remains much the same today. Visitors are warmly welcomed and will thoroughly enjoy all the memorabilia on show in the historic Craigavad House which serves as the magnificent clubhouse, as well as this beautiful parkland setting on the Lough.

Royal Belfast Course overview

Unlike the mighty Royal links at County Down and Portrush, Royal Belfast offers a beautiful and tranquil parkland course with unrivalled views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim plateau beyond. Colt produced a course of great charm and tradition which is a fair and enjoyable test at just over 6300 yards off the tips.

Always in immaculate condition with lots of variations and excellent greens, Royal Belfast has lush fairways, gentle elevation changes and clever bunkering, with holes 9 to 11 right along the shoreline and particular favorites of many.

Signature hole

The 174-yard 11th is a relatively blind uphill par-3 over gorse that is not for the faint-hearted. A well-struck tee shot down the right side will prevent your ball from running down the severe slope to the left of the green.

Did You Know?

Rory McIlroy grew up playing at nearby Holywood Golf Club and is a member at Royal Belfast.