Ballycastle Golf Club

Ballycastle offers a unique golfing experience in that it moves from parkland into some spectacular links land as the course progresses. The first five holes are flanked by the Rivers Margy and Carey so accuracy is key from the tee. Watch out for the 12th century Bon-a-Margy Abbey ruins which provide a unique out of bounds. After 5 or so holes the course heads for the coast and you are presented with some dramatic links golf. Perched on the cliff's edge, these holes demand precision and imagination from the player and also offer stunning views of the famous North Antrim Coastline, Scotland and the hills of Donegal.

Although the yardage is a paltry 5,786 yards, the course will still present a challenge to the long hitters who may be caught out by constant elevation changes and natural hazards if they attempt to bully the course into submission. Ballycastle is more of a thinker’s course and this is no more evident than at the par 3 17th – also known as ‘The Pitch’ – where the golfer must play to a green some 100 feet below the level of the tee.

Ballycastle Golf Club, where Darren Clarke (Ryder cup captain) is an honorary member due to his strong links with the club, was founded in 1890. The course sits yards from the shoreline on the Causeway Coast, a spectacular stretch of golfing coastline of unsurpassed beauty.  This golf course is, without a doubt, one of the most scenic in Northern Ireland. The course is a unique golfing challenge in that it covers both parkland and links holes. The first five holes are flanked by the Rivers Margy and Carey with various trees and natural hills as the main landscape with the 12th century Bon-a-Margy abbey ruins providing a historical out of bounds.

From hole six onwards you are presented with some outstanding links golf holes running alongside the strand and between gorse and sand dunes encompassing impressive views of the famous North Antrim Coastline, Scotland, Rathlin Island and the hills of Donegal.

Ballycastle Golf club is only 20 mins drive from Royal Portrush. It is 45 minutes from Belfast international airport.