Golf Courses Near Portrush
Portrush – Home of Golf
Royal Portrush Dunluce Links From The Air
Northern Ireland may be the smallest of the four nations in the United Kingdom; however, we punch well above our weight in many ways, and golf is definitely near the top of that list.
This small part of the world is home to some of the most fantastic scenery, best food and the warmest welcome, meaning you’ll never want to go home – Northern Ireland, in particular, Portrush and surrounding areas, is perfect for planning a golf trip to play its renowned courses like Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. The outstanding natural beauty of the area, with its giant sandhills and breathtaking views, adds to the allure of these golfing destinations.
Originally founded in 1888 as the County Club, Royal Portrush Golf Club became the Royal County Club in 1892 and has evolved significantly over the years.
Portrush alone is home to one of the best Golf Courses in the world, Royal Portrush, host of the 2019 (and 2025) Open Championship, which grabs most of the attention in the golfing world.
Golf in Portrush
Although most of the hype and prestige around golf courses on the Causeway coast is directed towards the now-famous Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club, known for its challenging golf with unique and demanding gameplay, Portrush is fortunate enough to have four more courses in the town for the golf enthusiast.
Royal Portrush Golf Course – Valley Course
The Valley Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club is an 18-hole course in the seaside town of Portrush, Northern Ireland. It was designed by the renowned golf architect Harry Colt. It was initially built in 1888, making it one of the oldest courses in Ireland.
The course is known for its challenging layout and scenic views of the surrounding countryside, with each hole presenting its own unique set of challenges. Members and visitors often use the Valley Course as a warm-up or practice round before playing the more famous and challenging Dunluce Links course, also located at Royal Portrush.
The Skerries Golf Courses
The Skerries is one of two 6-hole short courses within the Royal Portrush Golf Club Bounds. Situated alongside the Valley and with stunning views over the towering dunes of Portrush East Strand beach and Dunluce Castle, the new 6-hole short course is another fantastic opportunity for players of all levels to enjoy their time on the Causeway Coast.
Rathmore Golf Club
Rathmore Golf Club is a private golf club near Royal Portrush Golf Club. It was founded in 1946 and featured a challenging 18-hole course with stunning views of the North Atlantic coastline.
The study was designed by legendary golf architect Harry Colt and has hosted many prestigious tournaments. The club also has a clubhouse with various facilities, including a bar, restaurant, and pro shop. Rathmore Golf Club is known for its warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. It is a popular destination for those of all levels.
More Courses
It is easy to forget that there are many other top-quality courses close to Portrush, with one of the best golf courses, Rathmore Golf Club, playing on the Valley Links (right next to Royal Portrush).
There is also Portstewart, home to three courses, including the Championship River Bann Course that hosted the 2017 Irish Open and two other championship courses in and Castlerock golf club a short distance away. Additionally, Royal County Down Golf, ranked as the top course in Golf Digest’s lists, offers a stunning natural setting and challenges golfers with its narrow fairways and demanding bunkers.
Ballycastle Golf Club
Ballycastle Golf Course
Ballycastle Golf Club is a public golf course located in the coastal town of Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. The course was designed by Des Giffin and first opened in 1990. It is an 18-hole course that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and coastline.
The course is known for its challenging layout, with several water hazards and strategically placed bunkers that require careful shot placement. The signature hole is the par-3 11th, which requires a tee shot over a ravine to reach the green. Ballycastle Golf Club also has a driving range, practice area, and clubhouse with a bar and restaurant. The club is open to visitors and is a popular destination for golfers of all skill levels.
Portstewart Golf Club
Portstewart Golf Courses
Portstewart Golf Club is a private golf club in the coastal town of Portstewart. It was founded in 1894 and features three 18-hole courses: the Strand Course, the Riverside Course, and the Old Course.
The Strand Course is the most famous of the three. It hosted many prestigious tournaments, including the Irish Open in 2017. It is a links-style course that offers stunning views of the North Atlantic coastline and requires careful shot placement and strategy to navigate its challenging layout.
The Riverside Course is a shorter course that provides a more relaxed and scenic round of golf. At the same time, the Old Course is a traditional parkland-style course that provides a different golf style. Portstewart Golf Club has a clubhouse with various facilities, including a bar, restaurant, and pro shop. The club is known for its warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. It is a popular destination for golfers of all levels.
Bushfoot Golf Club
Bushfoot Golf Couse
Bushfoot Golf Club is a private golf club located in the coastal village of Portballintrae. The course was designed by Eddie Hackett and first opened in 1947. It is an 18-hole course that offers stunning views of the North Atlantic coastline and the Giant’s Causeway in the distance.
The course is known for its challenging links-style layout, with undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens that require careful shot placement and strategy. The signature hole is the par-4 17th, which requires a precise approach shot to a green surrounded by bunkers and the sea. Bushfoot Golf Club also has a clubhouse with a bar, restaurant, and practice facilities, including a putting green and chipping area.
The club is known for its friendly atmosphere and popular destination for golfers of all skill levels.
Castlerock Golf Club
Castlerock Golf Courses
Castlerock Golf Club is a private golf club located in the coastal town of Castlerock, Northern Ireland. Castlerock Golf Club was founded in 1901 and featured two 18-hole courses: Mussenden and Bann.
The Mussenden Course is the more famous of the two and is a links-style course that offers stunning views of the North Antrim coast and the nearby Mussenden Temple. It is known for its challenging layout, fast greens, deep bunkers, and tricky roughs requiring careful shot placement and strategy.
The signature hole is the par-4 4th, which requires a tee shot over a stream and a second shot uphill to reach the green. The Bann Course is a shorter and less challenging course that offers a more relaxed round of golf. Castlerock Golf Club has a clubhouse with various facilities, including a bar, restaurant, and pro shop. The club is known for its friendly atmosphere and popular destination for all levels.
Gracehill Golf Course
Guide to Gracehill Golf Course If you’re the kind of a golfer who doesn’t back down from a challenge, then you’ll have an exciting time
Roe Park Golf Course
Roe Park Golf Course
Guide to Roe Park Golf Course Roe Valley is nestled amongst the stunningly beautiful backdrop of The Roe Valley Country Park, near Limavady in Northern.
Rory McIlroy
There can be little doubt about it, Portrush and The North of Ireland is the home of champions.
Three of the most famous hail from this small island corner, arguably the World Number 2 Golfer, Rory McIlroy, the most prominent. Royal Portrush Golf Club has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top golf courses globally, further underscoring its reputation and significance in the golfing community.
Rory, a massive advocate for Northern Ireland’s sensational golf courses, has used his own Foundation (The Rory Foundation) as a principal sponsor of the Irish Open, bringing big names to the tournament again.
Darren Clarke
Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open Champion, a native of County Tyrone, began his career at Dungannon Golf Club before moving to the North Coast.
His foundation supports junior golfers, including the local schools league, as his way of introducing his love of the game to others “finding their feet on the fairway.”
Graeme McDowell
And finally, there’s Portrush native Graeme McDowell, who grew up playing at Rathmore Golf Club in the town, which plays on the Valley Links at Royal Portrush.
McDowell honed his skills on the challenging links courses at Royal Portrush, which include the renowned Dunluce Links and Valley Links.
Royal Portrush was already well-known in the golfing world. However, it became a household name when McDowell, after his 2010 US Open wins at Pebble Beach, told the world he’d honed his skills here.
