We are eagerly anticipating the 153rd Open, set to be held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in July 2025. This will mark the third time that The Open graces this club's stunning links course. But what other remarkable golf courses can you explore in the Causeway Coast and Glens?
Whether your preference leans towards a links or a parkland course, continue reading to discover additional venues where you can refine your swing at the region's outstanding clubs, most of which are conveniently located within a 30-minute drive from the renowned Royal Portrush.
Additionally, we've included a suggestion for a meal nearby if you're inclined to step away from the clubhouse to enjoy our warm hospitality and some lively 19th hole craic!
Golfing & Dining on the Causeway Coast
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Portrush
Courses:
- Dunluce Links Course - 18-hole championship links course, par 72.
- Valley Links Course – 18-hole championship links course, par 71.
This is a prestigious private club with two renowned links courses—the Dunluce Links (famous for hosting The Open Championship) and the Valley Links. The Dunluce Links is considered one of the world’s best courses.
Après-golf tip – Less than two miles from Royal Portrush, experience the world-renowned Harbour Bar. It’s festooned with eclectic golfing memorabilia and is the perfect place for a fireside pint and a tasty bite of bistro cuisine in a lively, warm atmosphere.
Our local golfing greats frequent The Harbour too; you could bump into Darren Clarke, Graham McDowell, or Rory McIlroy. It’s a bit of a celebrity favourite and you’ll understand why once you pass through the saloon doors like a golfing giant.
Ballycastle Golf Club
Ballycastle
Courses:
18-hole links course, par 71.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
18 miles / 30-minute drive.
Enjoy this beautiful course, situated yards from the spectacular shoreline of the Causeway Coast, taking in stunning views of the Sea of Moyle, out to Rathlin Island and the spectacular cliffs of Fairhead. It features a mix of lush and historic parkland holes as well as wild links terrain.
Après-golf tip – Relax with more breathtaking views from the panoramic windows in The Salthouse Hotel, where superb service meets stylish, luxurious surroundings. Choose from an elegant fine dining experience at The Salthouse Bar & Restaurant, or laid-back ambience at The Lookout.
Ballyreagh Golf Club
Portrush
Courses:
9-hole parkland course, par 27.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
6 miles / 5-minute drive.
Ballyreagh Golf Club is a municipal links course with views of the dramatic coastline from many of the holes. The course is much loved for a family-friendly day out with well-maintained greens and fairways and a pitch and putt area. A truly great place for novices to have some fun!
Après-golf tip – Situated next door to the course, try Tides, a popular casual dining spot perched on the brow of a hill overlooking Portrush West Bay, where you can savour freshly prepared quality food, accompanied by stunning views of this legendary coastline.
Benone Golf Course
Magilligan
Courses:
9-hole parkland course, par 3, plus putting green and crazy golf.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
18 miles / 30-minute drive.
Set against the backdrop of the majestic Binevenagh Mountain, Benone is a delightful parkland course where most of the nine par three holes feature narrow grass fairways. With invigorating sea breezes and unsurpassed views, a round of golf here promises to be an uplifting experience.
Après-golf tip – A ten-minute stroll will take you to The Anglers Rest where you can live like a local, with open fires and a great menu of traditional dishes lovingly made with locally sourced ingredients.
The Brown Trout Golf Club
Aghadowey
Courses:
9-hole parkland course, par 70 (18 holes).
Distance from Royal Portrush:
16 miles / 27-minute drive.
The Brown Trout Golf Course in Aghadowey is a heavily wooded parkland course that opened in 1973. You’ll cross water seven times in 9 holes, and each hole is individually tree-lined, ensuring minimal walking between green and tee.
Après-golf tip – this is quite a remote one, so we’d suggest staying right here. The comfortable surroundings of The Brown Trout Bar and Restaurant will make you feel right at home and enjoying the famous ‘Golfer’s Fry’ in one of the cosy nooks by the open fires will give you a real taste of our infamous local hospitality.
Bushfoot Golf Club
Portballintrae
Courses:
9-hole links course, par 70 (18 holes).
Distance from Royal Portrush:
5 miles / 10-minute drive.
Bushfoot Golf Club in Portballintrae has been in existence since 1890. It’s a scenic 9-hole links course with a variety of extra tees and greens, allowing golfers to play two differing loops of 9 and enjoy an 18-hole golf experience. Close to the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede, it offers stunning views of the Causeway Coast.
Après-golf tip – A five-minute drive will take you to The Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour of the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world and experience how they continue to triple distil 100% malted barley in copper pot stills to make single malt whiskey.
Castlerock Golf Club
Castlerock
Courses:
Mussenden Course – 18-hole championship links course, par 73.
Bann Course – 9-hole links course, par 68 (18 holes).
Distance from Royal Portrush:
14 miles / 27-minute drive.
Separated from Portstewart by the River Bann, Castlerock provides a stern test with its Mussenden Course, brilliant par-3s, and breathtaking views. Don’t miss the 9-hole Bann Course for family-friendly play.
Après-golf tip – Next door to the club you’ll find the local pub Bertha’s, the oldest pub in the historic seaside village of Castlerock where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere.
Cushendall Golf Club
Cushendall
Courses:
9-hole parkland course.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
33 miles / 50-minute drive.
Cushendall Golf Club, nestled in the heart of the celebrated Glens of Antrim, is a picturesque yet challenging nine-hole course. The river Dall, which meanders through the course to the legendary Sea of Moyle, creates superb out-of-bounds challenges on seven of the course's holes.
Après-golf tip – Stroll a half a mile into the pretty coastal village of Cushendall and experience real heart of the glens hospitality in Harry’s of Cushendall, where you’ll savour fine, sustainable local seafood, beef, and a range of exceptional wines in a relaxing setting.
Gracehill Golf Club
Stranocum
Courses:
18-hole parkland course, par 72.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
17 miles / 25-minute drive.
Gracehill Golf Club - situated near the famous Dark Hedge - offers an 18-hole course set on 210 acres of mature parkland. Golfers of all abilities will find it challenging, with strategically placed greens near water hazards, and holes played through woodland or over heathland.
Après-golf tip - The Carrick-a-Rede Bar and Restaurant is a 15-minute drive through beautiful countryside from the club to the coast. It’s a unique spot with its very own character, located in the centre of Ballintoy village and less than a mile from the famous bridge of the same name. Enjoy something from their hearty menu in front of the turf fire.
Kilrea Golf Club
Kilrea
Courses:
Parkland/heathland course, 9-hole, par 68 (18 holes).
Distance from Royal Portrush:
22 miles / 35-minute drive.
Kilrea Golf Club features an original undulating inland course that is one of the driest in the region. Recent extensions to the course, reclaimed from bogland, are also well-drained, allowing the course to remain open even when others succumb to the Irish climate.
Après-golf tip – A ten-minute drive away you’ll arrive in the village of Garvagh, nestled at the foot of the Sperrin mountains in the Lower Bann Valley. Discover the recently renovated Imperial Hotel and enjoy the warm welcome and great food in their luxurious dining room or the homely lounge.
Manor Golf Club
Kilrea
Courses:
9-hole parkland course, par 64 (9 holes).
Distance from Royal Portrush:
22 miles / 35-minute drive.
Manor Golf Club in Kilrea offers a stunning nine-hole course spanning over 4,000 yards of lush fairway and precision-cut greens. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and the large balcony overlooking the golf course and lake serves as the perfect 19th hole during the summer months.
Après-golf tip – a ten-minute drive away you’ll arrive in the village of Garvagh, nestled at the foot of the Sperrin mountains in the Lower Bann Valley. Discover the Imperial Hotel and enjoy the warm welcome and great food in their luxurious dining room or the homely lounge.
Portstewart Golf Club
Portstewart
Courses:
Strand Course - 18-hole championship links course, par 72.
Riverside Course - 18-hole links course, par 68.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
6 miles / 10-minute drive.
Portstewart Golf Club, founded in 1894, boasts three magnificent true links golf courses. The outstanding championship Strand Course, which hosted the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, spans 7,118 yards and offers breathtaking ocean views. Jon Rahm, the 2017 winner, described it as “one of the most beautiful golf courses” he’d ever seen.
Après-golf tip – The golf club itself is home to Eighteen Ninety Four, a fine dining restaurant operated by the multi award-winning Brown Bonds Hill Collection. With a strong ethos for using only the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, a stop here offers an incredible culinary experience and the chance to sample some of Northern Ireland’s finest produce.
Rathmore Golf Club
Portrush
Courses:
Valley parkland course, par 70.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
less than a mile away / 2-minute drive.
Rathmore Golf Club’s Valley Course is situated in sheltered country in the War Hollow. The War Hollow forms part of the Valley Links today and this part of the Valley is said to have been the scene of an ancient battle between The Chieftains of The Route and Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway. The Valley is remarkable for the fact that there are only eighteen bunkers in the entire eighteen holes.
Après-golf tip – Half a mile away at 55 Degrees North you can enjoy a bite to eat prepared using the finest local ingredients, whilst soaking in wonderful views out over the historic Arcadia building and towards East Strand. Nothing beats dinner with a view!
Roe Park Resort Golf Club
Limavady
Courses:
18-hole parkland course, par 70.
Distance from Royal Portrush:
28 miles / 42-minute drive.
Roe Park Resort Golf Club’s 18-hole parkland course takes full advantage of its stunning setting, with Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula providing a dramatic backdrop. Popular with both amateurs and seasoned players, the course offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. Beyond the greens, the resort boasts excellent facilities, including an 18-bay driving range, golf shop, short game area, and putting green.
Après-golf tip – Your final watering hole is just a 5-minute drive to the centre of the market town of Limavady. The Market Yard at The Corner Bar exudes a fun, rustic atmosphere and is the perfect spot for enjoying hearty portions of honest, flavourful food. Bon appétit!
The Causeway Coast offers an unparalleled blend of world-class golf and outstanding dining, creating the perfect pairing for unforgettable days on the fairways. Whether you’re savouring locally inspired cuisine after a challenging round or relaxing with a fine meal overlooking the coastline, these experiences capture the unique charm of the region.
From the first tee to the last bite, your journey through golf and gastronomy on the Causeway Coast is sure to leave a lasting impression.
