Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Causeway Coast and Glens

The World's Finest Links Coastline

Golf on the Causeway Coast occupies rarefied territory. The stretch of dunes and cliffs between Castlerock and Ballycastle contains a density of world-class links golf matched in very few places anywhere. When The Open Championship returned to Royal Portrush, it confirmed what golfers had long known: this coastline offers links golf of the highest order, played against scenery that borders on the theatrical.

Links golf here is defined by the ground game, by wind that rearranges a round from hole to hole, and by dunes, burns and firm turf that reward imagination over power. A calm day and a windy day on the same course produce entirely different examinations.

How the Courses Were Ranked

Courses were assessed on design quality, conditioning, setting, variety of challenge, clubhouse and practice facilities, and the overall experience for both visiting and member golfers. Championship pedigree was weighted, but so was the quality of less celebrated courses that deliver exceptional value.

1. Royal Portrush Golf Club — Dunluce Links

The Dunluce Links stands among the greatest golf courses in the world. Harry Colt's design routes through towering dunes with a rhythm and subtlety that has drawn universal admiration, and the reconfigured closing stretch created for Open Championship golf has only enhanced it. Holes such as Calamity Corner, played across a chasm to a green perched above a sheer drop, are among the most photographed in golf. The condition of the turf and the quality of the greens are exemplary.

2. Royal Portrush Golf Club — Valley Links

Often overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour, the Valley Links is a genuinely outstanding course in its own right. Set in lower-lying dune land, it is tighter and more intimate than the Dunluce, demanding accuracy rather than length. Many members regard it as the more enjoyable everyday test, and visiting golfers who play only the Dunluce miss something special.

3. Portstewart Golf Club — Strand Course

The Strand Course opens with what is widely considered one of the finest opening holes in golf, a tee shot from an elevated platform down into a valley of dunes with the Atlantic beyond. The front nine, routed through enormous sandhills, is spectacular; the back nine, on flatter ground, provides a different but rewarding challenge. Conditioning is consistently excellent and the welcome notably warm.

4. Castlerock Golf Club — Mussenden Links

Castlerock's Mussenden Links is a traditional links of real quality, running between the Bann estuary and the sea. The course features a superb variety of holes including the celebrated fourth, a par three played over a burn and railway to an exposed green. Firm fairways and subtle greens make it a proper examination, and its comparative affordability relative to its more famous neighbours represents genuine value.

5. Ballycastle Golf Club

Set beneath the slopes of Knocklayde with views to Rathlin Island and the Scottish coast, Ballycastle offers a distinctive mix of parkland, links and clifftop holes. The opening holes wind around the ruins of Bonamargy Friary before the course climbs to higher ground with breathtaking outlooks. It is a shorter test than the championship links but full of character and charm.

6. Castlerock Golf Club — Bann Course

The nine-hole Bann Course at Castlerock provides an excellent supplementary round, laid out on links ground with genuine strategic interest. It is ideal for a quick round, for developing players, or for those who have already walked eighteen holes and want more. The course is properly maintained rather than treated as an afterthought.

7. Portstewart Golf Club — Old Course

Portstewart's Old Course is a shorter links running close to the town, offering an accessible and enjoyable round with sea views throughout. It suits golfers of all abilities and provides an excellent introduction to links golf for newcomers who might find the Strand Course intimidating. Its position within walking distance of the promenade adds to the appeal.

8. Portstewart Golf Club — Riverside Course

The third course at Portstewart, the nine-hole Riverside, sits alongside the Bann and offers gentler, more open golf. It is well used by juniors, beginners and members seeking a relaxed round, and its existence reflects the club's commitment to broad participation rather than serving only low handicappers.

9. Brown Trout Golf and Country Inn, Aghadowey

Moving inland, the Brown Trout provides a compact parkland course wrapped around the Agivey river, with water coming into play on several holes. The accompanying inn and accommodation make it a popular base for golfing groups touring the coast, and the course offers a welcome change of character between links rounds.

10. Roe Park Resort, Limavady

Set in mature parkland in the Roe Valley, Roe Park offers a well-conditioned eighteen-hole course alongside hotel, spa and golf academy facilities. The course is testing without being punitive, with the Roe river and established trees providing definition. Its indoor teaching facilities allow practice regardless of weather, which is no small consideration in this region.

Trends in Causeway Coast Golf

Golf tourism has grown substantially since The Open's return to Portrush, with visitors increasingly building multi-day itineraries across several courses rather than playing a single marquee round. Clubs have responded with improved visitor services, bookable packages and better practice facilities.

Sustainability is a growing focus, with clubs managing dune systems carefully, reducing water and chemical inputs, and protecting the fragile ecology that links land supports. Well-managed links are among the most environmentally valuable landscapes in golf.

Advice for Visiting Golfers

Book championship courses well in advance, particularly for summer dates. Consider shoulder seasons — spring and early autumn often deliver firm conditions, fewer crowds and better rates.

Bring appropriate clothing regardless of forecast. Coastal weather changes rapidly, and waterproofs and layers are essential rather than optional. Take a caddie on your first round at the major links if budget allows; local knowledge of lines and green contours is worth several shots.

Finally, learn to play the ground. Links golf rewards low running shots and punishes high, spinning approaches into wind. Adjusting your expectations and technique will transform your enjoyment.

Final Thoughts

The Causeway Coast delivers golf that ranks with anywhere in the world, from the majesty of the Dunluce Links to the quiet charm of Ballycastle. Combined with the surrounding landscape, hospitality and the region's wider attractions, it makes for a golfing destination of genuinely international standing.