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Ballycastle Golf Club
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Hidden GemGreat ValueNorth Coast Route

Ballycastle Golf Club

Ballycastle, Co. Antrim · Est. 1890

Ballycastle Golf Club has been welcoming visitors since 1890, making it one of the oldest clubs in Ulster, and the setting alone justifies the trip. The course plays along the Antrim coast at the foot of Fair Head, with Rathlin Island — where Robert the Bruce is said to have taken shelter before returning to reclaim Scotland — visible across the water, and the Mull of Kintyre on the horizon on a clear day. At £45 it is among the best-value rounds on the island, and a natural opener for a north coast trip: the golf is honest and enjoyable, the welcome is genuine, and the town of Ballycastle itself is one of the most appealing on the Antrim coast.

Highlights

  • Rathlin Island views
  • Scottish coast visible
  • Exceptional value north coast

Visitor Information

Getting There

1h drive
1h drive

Common questions

What makes Ballycastle worth playing on the north Antrim coast?

Ballycastle sits at the foot of Fair Head — the dramatic basalt headland above Rathlin Island — with views across to the Mull of Kintyre on clear days. It is a genuine links in an extraordinary setting at a fraction of the cost of the famous Causeway Coast courses. One of the best-value rounds on the entire island of Ireland.

Can I see Scotland from the course at Ballycastle?

Yes — on clear days the Scottish coast is visible from the fairways, particularly on the higher holes. Rathlin Island sits just six miles offshore and is visible throughout the round. The crossing from Ballycastle to Rathlin takes twenty minutes by ferry if you want to extend the day.

Is Ballycastle bookable online?

Yes — Ballycastle books through GolfNow with consistent tee time availability. Same-week bookings are generally possible. It is one of the most accessible quality links courses in Northern Ireland in terms of both availability and cost.

What other courses should I combine with Ballycastle?

Royal Portrush is forty minutes west along the A2. Portstewart Strand is nearby. For a natural two-day itinerary, base yourself in Portrush or Ballycastle, play the Causeway Coast courses, and head south to Royal County Down for a third day. The Bushmills Distillery is ten minutes from the course if you want something to do in the evening.

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Course Facts

Destination guide

Golf in Northern Ireland

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