A Northern Ireland Golf Tour would not be complete without a visit to the hidden gem that is Castlerock Golf Club. While not as well-known as some of its neighboring clubs, Castlerock’s Mussenden Course is a challenging layout that never plays the same way twice, in part due to the prevailing winds. The club has proudly hosted many of Ireland’s important amateur and professional events.
Castlerock Golf Course takes its name from the circular Temple Mussenden located on a nearby cliff and was founded in 1901 as a nine-hole routing along the Causeway Coast, before the club voted to expand to 18 holes in 1906. With a quality international reputation, the club is today twinned with Niagara Golf Club in Canada – North America’s oldest club founded in 1875.
Erroneously listing itself as a “Hidden Gem”, it would be an oversight to leave Castlerock Golf Club off a Northern Ireland golf trip.
While not confirmed, it is club folklore that Harry Colt when doing extensive work at nearby Royal Portrush in 1930 was consulted at Castlerock and made some expert tweak suggestions.
Unless a dead calm day, there are no easy holes, and even then, the lightning-fast greens challenge scoring opportunities.
The signature 4th hole is descriptively named, “Leg O’Mutton”. A 200-yard, par 3 featuring an elevated green, with the railway running the entire length of the hole on the right. A watery grave awaiting anyone whose shot strays into the menacing burn that cuts diagonally right to left before the green.
One should make time to also play the excellent second course at Castlerock Golf Club, the 9-hole Bann Course, named after the River Bann, that empties into the Atlantic at Castlerock. The course is known for its scenic beauty and on a clear day one can see the Isle of Islay in Scotland. The par 5, 5th hole is considered one of the most scenic holes in all of Irish golf.
A hidden gem of Northern Ireland, Castlerock offers an unparalleled links golf experience on the breathtaking Causeway Coast. The Mussenden course, named after the iconic temple perched dramatically on a cliff’s edge, provides panoramic views of where the River Bann meets the mighty Atlantic Ocean. On clear days, golfers are treated to views of the Isle of Islay to the north and the rolling hills of Donegal to the west, creating a striking backdrop for an unforgettable round.
Founded in 1901 and initially a 9-hole course, Castlerock expanded to 18 holes by 1908, thanks to the renowned Scottish clubmaker Ben Sayers. In 1925, the renowned architect Harry Colt refined the course, solidifying its place as one of the finest in Northern Ireland. With the ever-present influence of the wind, Castlerock offers a course that is both a test of skill and a celebration of nature’s beauty.
A hidden gem on the Causeway Coast, Castlerock Golf Club offers two stunning courses: the Championship Mussenden Links and the scenic Bann Course. In 2017/18, Mussenden underwent a transformation under the guidance of renowned architect Dr. Martin Hawtree, with six holes artfully redesigned to enhance both challenge and playability.
Highlights include the signature 4th, Leg O’ Mutton, a dramatic 200-yard par 3 flanked by railway lines and a winding burn, and the 15th, Homewards, a blind par 5 that rewards precision off the tee.
The Bann Course is a charming 9-hole layout stretching 2,446 yards through towering dunes beside the Atlantic. This par-34 course is a visual feast, with unforgettable holes like the par-5 5th, Bannview, offering sweeping views across the River Bann to the distant Isle of Islay. For those seeking variety and coastal beauty, playing both courses is a must.
Allan O’Connor, Ireland Operaions Manager
If you’re looking for a more intimate, cozy place to stay while exploring Castlerock, Dunluce Lodge is a hidden gem that I always recommend. The lodge offers a cozy, homely atmosphere with spacious, comfortable rooms perfect for unwinding after a round. What sets Dunluce Lodge apart is the personalized touch. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable and always happy to share insider tips on local courses and hidden gems for food or drinks after your round.
Northern Ireland is a golfing utopia. With breathtaking views, rolling countryside, and around 100 courses across the small country, it is often considered the go-to destination for a luxury golf vacation.
6 nights accommodation and 6 rounds of golf
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To book a tee time at Castlerock Golf Club, you can conveniently arrange it through Premier Golf as part of a Northwest Ireland golf package.
The green fees at Castlerock Golf Club in 2023 vary depending on the season and day of the week. On the Mussenden Course, you will pay £135 7 days a week in the high season and £75 for the rest of the year. On the Bann Course, you will pay £30 for any day of the week in the high season and £20 the rest of the year.
Yes. You should always wear golf attire, meaning no mock neck golf shirts or denim of any kind on the course. As for shoes, they have to be dry and spikeless when in the clubhouse.
While Castlerock Golf Club does not have a dedicated driving range, golfers will still find ample practice facilities to sharpen their skills. The club offers a practice tee where players can warm up their long-game. An excellent short-game practice area is also available, allowing golfers to focus on honing their pitching, chipping, and putting before a round.