The Course

Course Information

Measuring 6,309 yards, Royal Belfast offers a rewarding challenge for golfers of all skill levels, set against one of the most picturesque backdrops in Ireland.

Measuring 6,309 yards, Royal Belfast offers a rewarding parkland challenge for golfers of all levels, set against one of the most picturesque backdrops in Irish golf. Much of Harry S. Colt’s original 1925 layout remains unchanged, giving visitors the chance to play a course that has kept its character for almost a century.

The course rewards precision over power — narrow landing areas, well-placed bunkers and subtly contoured, fast greens call for careful course management throughout. Several holes stand out for the demands they place on accuracy and judgement: the short par-3 4th, at just 142 yards, is guarded by bunkers that leave little room for error; the par-4 8th asks for control from the tee, with out-of-bounds running the length of the left-hand side; and the par-4 9th, a 408-yard test along Belfast Lough, is widely regarded as the course’s most difficult hole and a clear example of Royal Belfast’s balance of beauty and challenge.

Practice facilities include a dedicated putting green and a short iron practice range.

Royal Belfast has been named IGTOA Parkland Golf Course of the Year, and Best Parkland Golf Course in Ulster by the Golfer’s Guide to Ireland.

Scorecards

Men’s Score Card

Royal Belfast Golf Course Men’s Score Card

Ladies’ Score Card

Royal Belfast Golf Course Ladies Score Card

Hole by Hole Guide

1st Hole

Pro Tip

A great opening hole that requires a precise approach shot to a difficult green which slopes from back to front.

415 yds Par 4
411 yds Par 4
407 yds Par 4
402 yds Par 5

2nd Hole

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Pro Tip

Unless against the wind, a 3 wood aimed at the left fairway bunker will provide the best approach to an elevated green.

408 yds Par 4
405 yds Par 4
400 yds Par 4
339 yds Par 4

3rd Hole

Pro Tip

A nice gentle par 4. A tee shot that sits level with the fairway bunkers on the right will leave a short iron to a well-guarded green.

370 yds Par 4
356 yds Par 4
352 yds Par 4
349 yds Par 4

4th Hole

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Pro Tip

The shortest par 3 on the course, requires a well struck short iron. 3 is a good score.

142 yds Par 3
137 yds Par 3
134 yds Par 3
129 yds Par 3

5th Hole

Pro Tip

A tee shot hit over the right fairway bunker will provide the best opportunity to have a shot at this par 5 in two.

553 yds Par 5
547 yds Par 5
483 yds Par 5
446 yds Par 5

6th Hole

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Pro Tip

A short but tricky par 4. A 3 wood or rescue short of the left fairway bunker will leave only a short iron into a difficult green.

351 yds Par 4
347 yds Par 4
338 yds Par 4
330 yds Par 4

7th Hole

Pro Tip

A well struck tee shot to a well-guarded elevated green is required. Anything past the hole will prove very difficult to get down in two.

183 yds Par 3
161 yds Par 3
157 yds Par 3
132 yds Par 3

8th Hole

Pro Tip

A tee shot positioned left of the fairway bunker will provide the best line into the green that sits beneath the level of the fairway.

409 yds Par 4
390 yds Par 4
358 yds Par 4
341 yds Par 4

9th Hole

Pro Tip

A tee shot aimed at the green post on the right edge of the fairway will allow your ball to feed off the slope unto the fairway leaving a mid to short iron into a raised green.

408 yds Par 4
405 yds Par 4
398 yds Par 4
376 yds Par 4

10th Hole

Pro Tip

The shortest par 4 on the course. A tee shot hit towards the right edge of the fairway will feed its way down into the middle of the fairway leaving only a wedge to a very small green.

308 yds Par 4
303 yds Par 4
301 yds Par 4
297 yds Par 4

11th Hole

Pro Tip

Not for the faint hearted. A relatively blind uphill par 3 over gorse will require a well struck tee shot. A line just right of the path will prevent your shot running down the severe slope to the left of the green.

174 yds Par 3
170 yds Par 3
169 yds Par 3
125 yds Par 3

12th Hole

Pro Tip

A tee shot left of centre is the ideal line of this tee as the fairway slopes sharply from left to right.

431 yds Par 4
427 yds Par 4
419 yds Par 4
382 yds Par 4

13th Hole

Pro Tip

A 3 wood short of the fairway bunkers will leave only a short iron into a green that is protected by a little pot bunker short right which is not visible from the fairway.

369 yds Par 4
361 yds Par 4
350 yds Par 4
311 yds Par 4

14th Hole

Pro Tip

Aim for the front right of the green and allow the slope to move the ball into the centre of the green.

186 yds Par 3
183 yds Par 3
179 yds Par 3
147 yds Par 3

15th Hole

Pro Tip

A tee shot hit up the left hand side of the fairway will not only avoid the fairway bunkers on the right but will provide the best angle for your approach shot to a tricky green.