A Course With Architectural Character

Golfers who appreciate course architecture notice routing, angles, bunkering and how a course sits within its landscape. Royal Belfast rewards that attention: the present course was designed in 1925 by Harry S. Colt, with assistance from Walker Cup player W.A. Murray, and much of the original layout remains unchanged nearly a century later.

Colt’s Influence

Colt is among the most respected names in golf course architecture, admired for balance and strategic interest. At Royal Belfast, that shows in a course that doesn’t rely on length — measuring 6,309 yards — but asks golfers to choose positions and consider angles. Bunkers influence decisions rather than simply decorate, and the greens are subtle enough to reward the player who finds the right position, all set within the natural contours of Belfast Lough.

Strategic Holes to Remember

The par-3 4th (142 yards) shows how a short hole can demand precision through bunkering alone. The par-4 8th brings out-of-bounds along the left, and the par-4 9th — 408 yards along the Lough — is the most difficult hole on the course, and the clearest expression of Royal Belfast’s blend of beauty and challenge.

Why It Matters

Royal Belfast brings together several strands of golf history: Ireland’s oldest golf club, a Royal designation, a 1925 Harry Colt course, and a clubhouse at Craigavad House that remains central to Club life — a rare combination for visitors interested in Harry Colt’s work across Ireland and Britain.

Plan Your Visit

Explore our visitor information section or book a tee time here – The Royal Belfast Golf Club – Book Tee Times Online – Online Golf Booking. For group reservations, contact the Club Office on +44 28 9042 8165 option 1 to discuss availability.