One of only four Irish golf clubs with a “Royal” prefix, Royal Belfast Golf Club was founded in November 1881 and holds the distinction of being the oldest golf club in Ireland. The present course dates back to 1925, when responsibility for the course design and layout at the present location was given to H.S. Colt, the eminent English course architect of the day. Colt produced a course of great charm which provides a true test of golfing skill and enjoys one of the most scenic settings of any in these islands with its unrivalled views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim plateau beyond.
And while the course may be overshadowed to some extent by the great links courses of the northeast, such as Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Portstewart, there is little doubt that Royal Belfast is one of the finest parkland golf courses in the entire island of Ireland.
The course remains much the same today as it was then, a tribute to the enduring excellence of its original design, always meticulously maintained with impeccable greens and groves of rhododendrons and gorse providing a colourful backdrop in spring. Visiting players are always warmly welcome to enjoy a real slice of history.
