Our Heritage
Founded in 1881
Established in 1881, The Royal Belfast Golf Club is Ireland’s oldest golf club. At Royal Belfast, we honour the traditions that have shaped the game for generations — proud of our place in the history of Irish golf, and committed to preserving the standards, etiquette and spirit of the game for those who play here next.
The present course, designed in 1925 by legendary architect Harry S. Colt with assistance from Walker Cup player W.A. Murray, combines strategic challenge with natural beauty. Set along Belfast Lough, it offers a true test of skill and some of the most spectacular views in Irish golf.
The Early Years
In the summer of 1881, Thomas Sinclair discovered golf during a visit to St Andrews, Scotland. Inspired by the game, he returned to Ireland and joined forces with George L. Baillie, a schoolteacher and experienced golfer from Musselburgh.
Together, they secured land from Captain John Harrison, Laird of Holywood, to create a 9-hole course at Kinnegar. The first competition was played on Boxing Day, 1881, marking the birth of what would become Ireland’s oldest golf club.
The Sharman Crawford Cup was the first competition was played on Boxing Day, 1881, marking the birth of what would become Ireland’s oldest golf club.
The Royal Designation
Just four years after the Club’s establishment, Royal Belfast received its Royal status when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, accepted an invitation to become Patron during a visit to Ireland.
As golf’s popularity continued to grow, the original course became increasingly busy, prompting a move in 1892 to a new 9-hole layout at Carnalea, near Bangor.
Craigavad and the Colt Course
After the First World War, the Club relocated to its current home at Craigavad House, a stately 140-acre estate overlooking Belfast Lough.
Originally built in 1852 by John Mulholland, later 1st Lord Dunleath, the estate provided the perfect setting for a new chapter in the Club’s history. Royal Belfast commissioned legendary golf course architect Harry S. Colt to design an 18-hole layout, creating a course that would complement the natural beauty and character of its surroundings.
The course opened in 1926, and little has changed since — a lasting testament to the quality and balance of Colt’s design. His legacy endures in the natural contours, strategic challenge and quiet character that continue to define golf at Royal Belfast today, framed by sweeping views across Belfast Lough. Visiting golfers experience more than a round of golf; they experience a true piece of golfing history and one of the most historic golf clubs in Northern Ireland.
The Club Centenary
In 1981 the club marked 100 years by hosting two weeks of golf and celebrations, welcoming visitors from Irish clubs and around the world.
A New Chapter
In 2024, Royal Belfast appointed golf course architects Clayton, DeVries & Pont to develop a long-term plan for the course. Frank Pont and Hendrik Hilgert, whose work includes the restoration of other Colt courses across Europe and the United States, are leading the project — with any recommended changes designed to remain true to Colt’s original design philosophy.
It is a fitting next step for a course built on more than a century of tradition: careful, considered development that protects the character golfers have enjoyed since 1926, while ensuring Royal Belfast continues to offer one of Ireland’s finest tests of golf for generations to come.
A Century at Craigavad
In 2026, Royal Belfast marks 100 years since Harry Colt’s course opened at Craigavad in 1926 — a century of golf played over the same ground, largely unchanged from his original design. The Club will celebrate the milestone with special events and commemorations, honouring both Colt’s enduring legacy and the generations of members and visitors who have played the course since.
Historic
Little has changed since Harry Colt first laid out the course in 1925 — a lasting testament to the brilliance of his original design.
Colt’s legacy endures in every contour and challenge, offering a timeless playing experience that reflects his genius. Impeccably maintained, the course is framed by sweeping views. Visiting golfers experience not just a round of golf, but a true piece of golfing history.
Memorable
Several holes at Royal Belfast leave a lasting impression — not just for their beauty, but for the precision they demand.
The short Par 3 4th, measuring just 142 yards, may appear deceptively simple, but with the green entirely encircled by bunkers, only the most accurate tee shot will find safety. The Par 4 8th presents a strategic challenge, with out-of-bounds running the full length of the left-hand side, testing both nerve and control. Meanwhile, the formidable Par 4 9th — stretching 408 yards along the edge of Belfast Lough — is rated the most difficult hole on the course, where both beauty and challenge reach their peak.
Challenging
Royal Belfast offers a true test of golf — subtle, strategic, and relentlessly rewarding. While not the longest course, its challenge lies in the precision it demands. Accuracy off the tee and thoughtful shot-making are essential, as narrow landing areas, strategically placed bunkers, and subtly contoured greens continually challenge the golfer’s game.
Far from overpowering, the course rewards discipline, finesse, and intelligent play, ensuring that players of all levels face a fair yet formidable examination. Scoring low here is never given — it must be earned.
Visitors to Royal Belfast are assured of a genuinely warm welcome, an unforgettable round on our classic Harry Colt-designed course, and impeccable service within the elegance of our Victorian clubhouse. From the first tee to the final toast, every moment is crafted to deliver an experience worthy of the name.
Come and enjoy the Royal treatment.
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