Planning a golf trip in 2026? From some of the best links golf in the world to the Titanic Experience, read our expert’s five-day itinerary for the best golfing holiday in Northern Ireland
Summer is fast approaching, so now is the perfect time to get a golf break booked in.
And where better to go than the site of last year’s Open Championship, Northern Ireland. Swirling coastlines, sensational restaurants and some of the world’s best golf courses all await.
With Belfast also being just an hour’s flight from London, it is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a quick weekend break.
So, here at Daily Mail, we’ve been plotting out our dream golf trip itinerary, which you can tailor, trim or add to depending on your budget and how much time you have available.
From Royal Portrush to Royal Belfast, here’s our five-day guide on what to do, where to stay and where to play in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland plays home to some of the greatest golf courses in the world, which means that this is one of the best places to visit if you’re thinking about planning a golf trip in 2026
Day One – Arrive in Northern Ireland, check in to the Culloden Estate and Spa
Northern Ireland has two main airports, Belfast International and George Best Belfast City Airport.
The latter of the two is situated just a 10-minute drive from the town centre and is a great place to begin your golf trip.
The airport is also not far from the outstanding Culloden Estate and Spa which is where I recommend staying on your first evening in Northern Ireland.
Taxis can be booked at the airport with the hotel also being only a short drive up the Belfast Road.
Many celebrities visiting Northern Ireland have opted to stay here in the past, including the likes of Kylie Minogue, Sir Cliff Richard and even Dolly Parton.
The hotel is stunning and serves up some incredible dining experiences, and boasts a state-of-the-art Spa – the perfect place to wind down after a long flight or a cold day on the golf course.
Enjoy a round at the brilliant Holywood Golf Club in Belfast on your first day in Northern Ireland
After your round make sure you take your time to explore the Rory McIlroy experience at the club. Here you’ll find McIlroy’s replica Claret Jug, Wanamaker Trophy and US Open trophy
I’d recommend catching an early flight into Belfast in order to ensure you have enough time to play golf later that afternoon.
The Culloden is just a five-minute drive from Rory McIlroy’s home course, the Holywood Golf Club. Book in a round for the afternoon and enjoy a leisurely walk up and down the fairways here at this magnificent golf course.
After your round, head into the clubhouse and be sure to take a tour of the club’s Rory McIlroy Experience. This is a museum dedicated to the five-time major champion and here you’ll be able to see a plethora of memorabilia from McIlroy’s esteemed career, including his replica Claret Jug, Wanamaker Trophy and US Open trophy.
Head back to the Culloden after you’ve finished your round and you might just have enough time to take a dip in the hotel’s pool, located in the state-of-the-art spa.
The Cultra Inn is the perfect spot to enjoy dinner on your first evening in Northern Ireland. Serving up some traditional Irish dishes, you’ll get a real flavour of what’s to come here on your first night in Belfast.
Stay at the Culloden Estate and Spa, a relaxing and brilliant hotel that offers up multiple exquisite dining experiences
Day Two – Royal Belfast Golf Club and the Titanic museum
A full buffet breakfast awaits you in the morning at the Culloden’s restaurant Vespers. Stock up while you can as a busy day awaits!
The Royal Belfast Golf Club is situated just 10 minutes north of the hotel and is another must-play while you’re in Belfast.
Founded in 1881 and designed by the legendary course architect Harry Colt, Royal Belfast is a stunning and prestigious golf course that delivers plenty of challenges and delivers some excellent views of Belfast Lough.
The signature hole here is perhaps the par three 11th, with golfers required to strike uphill on a blind tee shot to a raised green. It is an enjoyable yet challenging course with subtle undulations, well-placed sand traps and some thick rough all proving a challenge for players.
After your round at Royal Belfast, take a trip into the city centre in the afternoon, and be sure to check out Titanic Belfast, Northern Ireland’s museum dedicated to the iconic cruise liner.
The interactive experience walks visitors through how the White Star liner was first constructed to how the wreck of the Titanic was discovered following its crash.
There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Belfast to grab a bite to eat after the tour. Holohan’s Pantry on University Road offers up some splendid traditional Irish meals, while Spanish tapas restaurant EDO on Upper Queen Street offers some delightful dishes at great value.
After your round at Royal Belfast, take a trip into the city centre in the afternoon, and be sure to check out Titanic Belfast, Northern Ireland’s museum dedicated to the iconic cruise liner
Royal Belfast provides some incredible views over Belfast Lough with this Harry Colt track just a 10-minute drive from the Culloden Estate
Day Three – Travel to Portrush
It’s another early start, but you’ll have some time to catch some kip in the car on the way up to the northwest coast of the country.
The drive is just over an hour and you’ll wind your way through some of Northern Ireland’s best countryside, before arriving in the beautiful seaside town of Portrush.
There’s plenty to see and do in Portrush. A trip to the Giant’s Causeway is a must, while a walk along the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and a visit to the Bushmills Distillery are two other great activities to put on your list.
There are plenty of excellent places to stay but I would recommend booking a suite at the Dunluce Lodge, which is situated just next to the fairway on the fourth hole at Royal Portrush.
It is an outstanding hotel that is complete with its own spa, making it a brilliant place to stay if you’re also looking for rest and relaxation during your trip.
The Dunluce Lodge is also where McIlroy chose to stay during the 2025 Open Championship.
After arriving in Portrush, I’d recommend an early afternoon tee time at either the Bushfoot Golf Club or Castlerock Golf Club.
Castlerock, meanwhile, is one of the country’s best hidden golfing gems, having previously hosted the Irish PGA Championship on four occasions
It is a sensational links track that just gets better and better as you work your way around it. Think tall banks, long rough and fast greens.
There’s plenty to see and do in Portrush. A trip to the Giant’s Causeway is a must, while a walk along the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and a visit to the Bushmills Distillery are two other great activities to put on your list
Both are exceptional links courses, with Bushfoot proudly being one of the oldest golf courses in Northern Ireland.
Castlerock, meanwhile, is one of the country’s best golfing hidden gems, having previously hosted the Irish PGA Championship on four occasions.
It is a sensational links track that just gets better and better as you work your way around it. Think tall banks, long rough and fast greens.
Head back to the Dunluce Lodge and sample some of the exceptional delights in the hotel’s menu.
Day Four – Portstewart Golf Club
Portstewart Golf Club awaits on day four.
Named as one of the top-100 golf courses in the world, this is one of the most impressive rounds of golf you’ll ever play.
Portstewart’s Strand course is widely regarded as playing host to the best front nine in the world of golf.
The course weaves its way between a series of incredible dunes that are covered in coarse rough and peer over you as you walk the fairways.
The tee box on the first delivers some of the most outstanding views in links golf. Portstewart’s towering dunes rise out of the ground as you plot out your tee shot around the dogleg right on the first hole.
After your round at Portstewart, it’s well worth checking out the quaint seaside town here before heading over to Portrush.
This classy resort on the coast boasts a stunning harbour and an exceptional beach called Portstewart Strand. There are also several great dining experiences to be had here also including the exceptional Harry’s Shack seafood restaurant which is nestled just next to the golf club and the beach.
In the evening, head back to Portrush and check out the iconic Harbour Bar. This is a golfing pilgrimage for anybody heading to Portrush and is famously where Shane Lowry toasted his 2019 Open Championship victory by enjoying a drink out of the Claret Jug.
I spent ages here scanning over all of the memorabilia inside the bar, which includes golf hats, flags and caddie bibs. It is a paradise for any lover of the game and in the evenings, live music is played in here almost every night, with singers blaring out classics from The Proclaimers to The Police.
Portstewart’s Strand course is widely regarded as playing host to the best front nine in the world of golf
The ceiling is papered with flags, hats and caddie bibs from many of the world’s greatest players. It was also here that Lowry arrived after his victory at Portrush in 2019, and toasted his triumph with the Claret Jug. Photos of Lowry hang in pride of place, while you’ll also be able to see his hat and glove hanging from the ceiling in the Harbour Bar’s main saloon
Day Five – Royal Portrush
As mentioned above, five days of golf can be pretty overwhelming and don’t feel the need to follow this guide exclusively.
However, the final activity which you will want to absolutely ensure is on your itinerary, is a round at Royal Portrush.
The 2025 Open Championship course is one of the greatest links golf courses in the world. It is a beautiful challenge that will force you to think carefully about each shot and test your ability with every club in your bag.
Portrush is also home to one of the most treacherous holes in golf, Calamity Corner. The 236-yard par-three 16th hole is a joy to play. Perched on the side of the cliff, you’ll feel the fresh wind from the North Atlantic hit you in the face as you attempt to strike your tee shot over the ravine in front of you. Be warned, any shots going right will end up in the coarse rough on the side of the hill. While anything coming up short or to the left will also be punished.
After your round, head into the clubhouse to take stock of the history this esteemed golf club has. Trinkets and trophies line the walls here at Portrush, with some of the biggest names in the world of golf, including the likes of Gary Player and Scottie Scheffler, etched into the honours boards in the clubhouse.
Golf is more than a sport in these parts of Northern Ireland. It is intrinsic to the culture and heritage of this part of the world. It must not be too long before the Open Championship returns to this beautiful seaside town for what will be yet another rip-roaring festival and celebration of this great sport
The undulations on the Dunluce Links make this golf course one of the ultimate tests of strategy
After finishing up your round at Royal Portrush, it’s time to head back to Belfast for a flight back home.
But I couldn’t wrap up this golf guide without mentioning a few more courses that you should absolutely consider playing if you’re visiting Northern Ireland.
Of course, Royal County Down’s Championship links must be on your bucket list if you’re heading to the Emerald Isle. Ranked as the third-best golf course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses, this is a stupendous track that boasts some of the most incredible views of the Mourne Mountains.
Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, the Lough Erne championship course is another stunning track. Weaving its way around the stunning lough, this magnificent parkland course offers up a great test of strategy.
Planning a golf trip to Northern Ireland? Visit Tourism Ireland Golf here
