Craigavad, since 1926
The Course
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.
Scorecard
| Hole | White | Yellow | Green | Red | Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 415 | 411 | 407 | 402 | 4 |
| 2 | 408 | 405 | 400 | 339 | 4 |
| 3 | 370 | 356 | 352 | 349 | 4 |
| 4 | 142 | 137 | 134 | 129 | 3 |
| 5 | 553 | 547 | 483 | 446 | 5 |
| 6 | 351 | 347 | 338 | 330 | 4 |
| 7 | 183 | 161 | 157 | 132 | 3 |
| 8 | 409 | 390 | 358 | 341 | 4 |
| 9 | 408 | 405 | 398 | 376 | 4 |
| Out | 3239 | 35 | |||
| Hole | White | Yellow | Green | Red | Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 308 | 303 | 301 | 297 | 4 |
| 11 | 174 | 170 | 169 | 125 | 3 |
| 12 | 431 | 427 | 419 | 382 | 4 |
| 13 | 369 | 361 | 350 | 311 | 4 |
| 14 | 186 | 183 | 179 | 147 | 3 |
| 15 | 411 | 407 | 395 | 394 | 4 |
| 16 | 483 | 476 | 466 | 456 | 5 |
| 17 | 195 | 192 | 187 | 166 | 3 |
| 18 | 510 | 507 | 468 | 448 | 5 |
| In | 3067 | 35 | |||
The ground
Hole by hole
Arrow keys move between holes; space plays.
Hole
1
- Par
- 4
- White
- 415 yds
- Yellow
- 411 yds
- Green
- 407 yds
- Red
- 402 yds
The professional’s note
A great opening hole that requires a precise approach shot to a difficult green which slopes from back to front.
Hole sponsor
Simon Brien
1
Par 4 · 415 yds
Pro tip
A great opening hole that requires a precise approach shot to a difficult green which slopes from back to front.
Sponsored by Simon Brien
2
Par 4 · 408 yds
Pro tip
Unless against the wind, a 3 wood aimed at the left fairway bunker will provide the best approach to an elevated green.
Sponsored by All Sport Insurance Ireland
3
Par 4 · 370 yds
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.
Sponsored by Kerrs Tyres
4
Par 3 · 142 yds
Pro tip
The shortest par 3 on the course, requires a well struck short iron. 3 is a good score.
Sponsored by Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group
5
Par 5 · 553 yds
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.
Sponsored by Leaf
6
Par 4 · 351 yds
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.
Sponsored by Passion Delivered – Online & In-store | Neill Wine
7
Par 3 · 183 yds
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.
Sponsored by Barclays
8
Par 4 · 409 yds
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.
Sponsored by Lockton
9
Par 4 · 408 yds
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.
Sponsored by MacBlair
10
Par 4 · 308 yds
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.
Sponsored by Brown & Brown
11
Par 3 · 174 yds
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.
Sponsored by Bond Search & Selection
12
Par 4 · 431 yds
Pro tip
A tee shot left of centre is the ideal line of this tee as the fairway slopes sharply from left to right.
Sponsored by Energy Store Ltd
13
Par 4 · 369 yds
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.
Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
14
Par 3 · 186 yds
Pro tip
Aim for the front right of the green and allow the slope to move the ball into the centre of the green.
Sponsored by Arthur Cox
15
Par 4 · 411 yds
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.
Sponsored by fscom
16
Par 5 · 483 yds
Pro tip
A well-positioned tee shot will give you the option of going for the green in two. A birdie is not guaranteed.
Sponsored by Duality Healthcare
17
Par 3 · 195 yds
Pro tip
A downhill par 3 that plays slightly shorter than its yardage. Anything landing short tends to be thrown towards the bunkers on the right.
Sponsored by Silverwood Business Parks
18
Par 5 · 510 yds
Pro tip
Aim your tee short up the right side to allow for a fairway that slopes from right to left. A short par 5 that yields lots of birdies.
Sponsored by CTS Water Treatment Specialists