Golf

Punching well above our weight, Northern Ireland has produced some of the best golfers in the world. Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, and Darren Clark have all experienced the incredible courses the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion has to offer. Come test out your irons on some of the best courses in the world.  

Play on World-Class Golf Courses 

the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is home to Golf Digest’s Number One Golf Course in the World, Royal County Down. For those who enjoy technical challenges, the course has seen some of the best players in the world play including golfing legends Tiger Woods and Tom Watson. Rory McIlroy is also a frequent visitor to the revered links. If you want a chance to play like the professionals, or even come face to face with a local legend, then head to Royal County Down.  

Follow in the footsteps of Champions

Take in the most spectacular setting of the beautiful Royal County Down Championship Golf Course in Newcastle, Co. Down from the fairways.  A rare opportunity to test your skill against the glorious backdrop of Slieve Donard mountain.  Click here for more details and to book your place at the tee box of the County Down Golf Classic from 16-19 October 2021.  'Play & Stay' offers are available.

We have plenty of golf courses to practice getting that hole in one. Located in the heart of South Armagh, Ashfield Golf Club is a scenic eighteen holes. Priding themselves on their scenery, Ashfield improves the flora of their course by planting thousands of trees every year, adding new lakes, maturing greens, and larger tee boxes. Embrace nature as you work on your putting form.  

Try your hand at Spa Golf Club’s eighteen hole course. Extended in 1989, this 6,500-yard course can be found just a mile away from the ancient market town of Ballynahinch. Come prepared to deal with the fairway bunkers - you will need to come up with a strategy to get around them! 

For those who appreciate history, head to Ardglass Golf Club, home of the oldest golf clubhouse in the world. Starting life as a 15th-century warehouse, the castle was added in 1405 to then become a family home in the 18th century. The course hugs the Irish Sea with panoramic views of the coastline.  

Another historical course, St. Patrick’s Golf Club began as an advertisement for a public meeting. It soon became a golf club. Beginning in 1930, they bought an army hut for the price of £30, later converting it to a clubhouse. Staying in Downpatrick? Check out Bright Castle Golf Club for a different green. Bright Castle held the record for the longest golf hole in Europe for a number of years. The sixteenth hole measures 735 yards, so enjoy the challenge of an ace here.  

For those who like watching the water, Kilkeel Golf Club is found at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Starting as a nine hole course in 1922, it took almost seventy years for Eddie Hackett to expand the layout to a full eighteen hole course. Walk through the mature trees which separate the fairways and enjoy the views of the lapping Carlingford Lough.  

A course that also has striking views of Carlingford Lough, Warrenpoint has made history on the world stage in its own right. Distinguished club member, Paddy Gribben won the European Amateur Open in 1999. Not only that, but the fastest round of golf in the world was played here by club member Jim Carvill. Come see if you can beat his time.  

Considered a ‘hidden gem’ by all who play it, Cloverhill Golf Club is located in a designated area of outstanding beauty - the Ring of Gullion. Play around while taking some of the most beautiful, panoramic views on any course in the world. Make sure to check out ‘Amen Corner’ consisting of holes eight to twelve. This area stretches around the mountain and across the lake.  

Golf fans are passionate about the game and no more so than Joe Fegan. Joe set up Mayobridge Golf Club in 1999. A passion project, he and his son Shane designed the grounds themselves, growing the nine hole course to an eighteen hole within a matter of years. Look out for Murphy’s Cottage on the 11th hole which features on the Club logo.  

Play and Stay with Us  

If you are passionate about golf, we can offer play and stay offers, so you don’t have to wander too far from the course. St. Patrick’s offers one round of golf and a B&B or, if you’re with someone else, enjoy two rounds a B&B, plus an evening meal.  

Spa Golf Club also run an offer with St. Patrick's Golf club, offering a round at either club with bed and breakfast. Indulge yourself with a four-star stay and breakfast hamper with a round of golf at Kilkeel Golf Club. Fancy watching the waters of the Irish Sea from where you sleep and play? Warrenpoint Golf Club offers a combined round of golf and a range of hotel stays with breakfast.