Top 6 Golf Courses in Belfast

If you're looking for a breather from the shopping streets or tourist attractions of Belfast why not hit the fairways for a round of golf? We suss out the top golf courses in the Belfast region and give you the low-down on each so you can enjoy a golfing break in Belfast.

The following are some of the top golf courses in Belfast.

Malone Golf Club…

Malone Golf Club, which was founded in 1895, has been part of the golfing community in Belfast for over 100 years. It has welcomed visitors and golfers of all levels to its current grounds at Ballydrain.

Ballydrain offers an excellent standard of course, in picturesque settings of tree and plant lined greens, and a wonderful lake. This 27-hole golf course is located just 5 miles south of Belfast city centre, in 330 acres of wooded parkland. It’s situated at 240 upper Malone Road, on the B103 just off the M1 south from Belfast.

The centrepiece of the course is the trout lake. It’s a very challenging course, even for the keen golfer, especially on the 15th and 18th holes, which are bordered by water!

The best days for visitors are Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are for members only, and Saturday not before 3.30pm.

There are several welcoming facilities apart from the top class golf. The clubhouse features two snooker tables, and an outdoor bowling green, and the 27-acre lake, which is stocked with trout for fly-fishing. The clubhouse is also a great place to relax after a game of golf and take in the wonderful views of Ballydrain Lake and the surrounding  countryside.

You can enjoy lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks in the clubhouse as well. Other facilities include club hire, trolley and buggy hire, and changing rooms. Please note that there is a strict dress code for playing on both the greens and in the clubhouse.

For up to date information on green fees etc., check out Malone Golf Course website.

Belvoir Park

Belvoir Park is a wonderful 18-hole parkland course just 4 miles from Belfast city centre. It has been in operation since 1926, and was designed by renowned golf course architect Harry Colt.

Visitors are unrestricted, but prior booking is essential.

For up to date green fees etc. check out Belvoir Park website.

Facilities include a wonderful restaurant with meals, drinks and snacks available. There are clubs for hire, as well as buggies and trolleys.

The course is located at 73 Church Road, Newtownbreda, Belfast, BT8 4AN. To get here, take the A24 Ormeau Road south from Belfast, and then continue onto the A55 Belvoir Road.

Balmoral Golf Club

Located less than 3 miles from Belfast city centre in the leafy suburbs, you’ll find Balmoral Golf Club. It’s an 18-hole mature parkland golf course and visitors are welcome on all days except Saturdays.

Established in 1914, Balmoral is a challenging course for any keen golfer. Facilities at the clubhouse include a restaurant and bar with meals, drinks and snacks available. Both are great for relaxing in after a round of golf! The clubhouse also offers excellent banqueting and conference facilities for guests and societies. Club hire, buggy and trolley hire are also available.

Again for green fees check out the Balmoral Golf Club website.

The course is located at 518 Lisburn Road. To get here take the A1 onto Lisburn Road, past the Kings Road and follow the signs for Balmoral Golf Club.

Dunmurry Golf Club

Opened in 1905, this 18-hole parkland course lies beside the River Lagan. It’s an enjoyable but challenging course for golfers of every standard.

Visitors are welcome to the course at all times except for Tuesdays and Thursdays after 5pm, Saturday before 5pm and Sunday from 3pm to 4.30 pm.

Ringing in advance to book tee times is highly advisable. The course is easily accessible and is located only 5 minutes from the M1 motorway, on the A1 Road.

Visiting players are always welcome to avail of the clubhouse and the restaurant facilities where bar snacks, lunches and dinners are available. Club and trolley hire is available as well.

For more information check out the Dunmurry Golf Club website.

Shandon Park Golf Club

The championship course of Shandon Park is well worth playing. It has great views over the historical buildings of Stormont, and is in a parkland layout. It’s located just 3 miles east of Belfast on the Knock road (A55).

Visitors are welcome, except for Saturdays before 5pm and the club has a licensed bar and restaurant.

Fortwilliam Golf Club

Founded in 1891, Fortwilliam Golf Course lies has scenic Cave Hill on one side and Belfast Lough on the other. Located in the North Belfast area it rises over 1,000 feet above see level, and Cave Hill makes a beautiful border to the many holes of the course. And it’s just 2 miles north of Belfast on the M2.

Fortwilliam has excellent bar and restaurant facilities. There are 3 bars, 2 on the first floor and the other in the Shaftsbury Room on the 2nd floor. The restaurant provides snack and a la carte menus. There are changing rooms, club, buggy and trolley hire here as well.

The good news is that there’s unrestricted access for visitors.

Find out more about Fortwilliam Golf Course.

After your day on the green, you’ll probably need somewhere to stay. Why not choose one of our quality Belfast hotels?

If you’ve any comments or questions we’d be delighted to hear from you. For more on Belfast check out our article About Belfast

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