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Royal Belfast Golf Club

NORTHERN IRELAND, IRELAND

Royal Belfast Golf Club

Harry Colt's parkland follows Belfast Lough beneath the Antrim Hills.

  • NORTHERN IRELAND Location
  • PARKLAND Course type
  • 18 HOLES Holes
  • PAR 70 Par

Beyond the Scorecard

  • Course established: 1881
  • Course designer/s: Harry S. Colt and W.A. Murray
  • National ranking: #13 in Northern Ireland
  • Known for: Royal status granted in 1885
  • Defining feature: Shoreline stretch from nine to eleven

Colt's Course Along Belfast Lough

The golf course at Royal Belfast Golf Club reflects a history that began at Kinnegar in 1881. The club received royal patronage in 1885, moved to Carnalea in 1892, and later settled at Craigavad House, overlooking Belfast Lough. Harry S. Colt was commissioned to design the present 18-hole course, assisted by W.A. Murray, and it opened in September 1926.

Much of Colt's routing remains in place. The course moves across rolling parkland, with trees and gentle changes in level guiding the preferred angles. Its challenge comes from placement rather than length, especially where narrow landing areas and carefully positioned bunkers shape the next shot.

The strongest change of setting arrives beside the water. Holes 9 to 11 run close to the shoreline, with the 408-yard 9th rated as the most difficult hole. Earlier, the short 4th places its green inside a ring of bunkers. A bunker renovation completed by Mackenzie & Ebert in 2017 refreshed these strategic features while respecting the established design.

Why Add This Course to Your Golf Experience

Royal Belfast offers a measured parkland round within a region celebrated mainly for links golf. Its position near Belfast makes it a practical addition at the beginning or end of a Northern Ireland stay, without lowering the historical interest of the itinerary.

The Victorian clubhouse also carries the atmosphere of a long-established members' club, with golfing memorabilia displayed throughout. Kinfern can pair Royal Belfast with coastal courses to give golfers a broader view of the region's playing traditions.

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