Royal Portrush Golf Course is the only club outside mainland Great Britain to have held The Open Championship. It takes its name from the neighboring Dunluce Castle ruins that overlook the course from their limestone cliff top perch, providing a unique and spectacular backdrop.
The club gained Royal patronage from the Duke of York in 1892, and Martin Ebert took the course to a new level in 2015, building 8 new tee boxes, 10 new bunkers, and 2 completely new holes. The Dunluce Links Course at Royal Portrush is famous for its beautiful and challenging layout, and can be enjoyed as a stop on our Northern Ireland Golf Tour – one of our four regional Ireland golf tours.
After years of lobbying to return The Open Championship to Royal Portrush Golf Club, (last hosting the event in 1951), the R&A relented, and in 2019 it hosted one of the most successful Opens to date – with an Irishman, Shane Lowry, capturing the Claret Jug.
So successful was the staging that the next Open at the pride of Northern Ireland golf, Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Course, is scheduled just a few years away in 2025. It remains the only club to have held the Open outside of mainland Great Britain.
Harry Colt made significant changes to the course in 1932, but it is the work of Martin Ebert in 2015 in preparation for the 2019 Open that has taken the course to a new level. Ebert built 8 new tee boxes, 10 new bunkers, and 2 completely new holes. The masterfully crafted 7th and 8th sit on land once part of the Portrush’s second course – the Valley Course.
The new 7th is a true 3-shot, par 5 at 590 yards and the new 8th is a challenging 430-yard par 4, where the left side must be avoided at all costs.
Two other key holes are the 1st – in order to avoid the OB disaster Rory McIlroy faced after his opening tee shot in the 2019 Open, it is suggested to take a 3-wood or long iron as accuracy is rewarded. The 16th, named ‘Calamity Corner’ at 236 yards, is one of the world’s most famous par 3’s.
While the Championship Dunluce is on everyone’s bucket list, the second course at Royal Portrush, the Valley Course, combines to make a wonderful 36-hole day on a Northern Ireland golf trip.
The course is home to The Rathmore Club, whose most famous member is a major winner and Ryder Cup member, Graeme McDowell. The Valley is a true championship links that is a little kinder on one’s ego and only has 18 bunkers on the routing to avoid.
As a private club and with its newfound prominence on the Open rota, you can imagine that the limited Visitor tee times are at a premium. Especially if you are planning to play both Royal Portrush and Royal County Down in the same week, it is suggested you reserve tee times at least a year or more in advance.
Set within the breathtaking Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland, an officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Royal Portrush Golf Club enjoys a truly majestic setting.
Surrounded by towering sand dunes, the landscape unfolds in every direction with sweeping views of Donegal’s rugged hills to the west, the distant silhouettes of the Isle of Islay and the Southern Hebrides to the north, and the famed Giant’s Causeway and Skerries to the east. This remarkable location offers a dramatic coastal backdrop that few courses in Ireland can rival.
Overlooking the fairways are the atmospheric ruins of Dunluce Castle, a 13th-century stronghold that lends its name to Royal Portrush’s iconic Dunluce Links.
Revered as one of the most demanding and exhilarating courses ever crafted, the Dunluce Links combines natural grandeur with technical brilliance. It is a place where history, heritage, and pure links golf converge, offering a truly elevated and unforgettable experience for those privileged to play it.
Royal Portrush Golf Club has been a beacon of golf excellence since its establishment in 1888, playing host to some of the game’s most prestigious championships and legendary champions. As one of the driving forces behind the growth of golf in Ireland, the club was the site of Ireland’s first amateur and professional tournaments.
Over the years, it has welcomed a remarkable array of events, including three Amateur Championships, nine British Ladies’ Amateur Championships, six Senior British Opens, and four Irish Opens. Most notably, it has hosted The Open Championship on two occasions, marking the only times this esteemed event has been held outside of Great Britain.
Allan O’Connor, Ireland Operations Manager
If you’re looking for a more intimate, cozy place to stay while exploring Portrush, 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
Prices starting from $6,343 per golfer
What an amazing experience! Great golf courses, weather cooperated, and wonderful people. Premiere Golf made everything so easy and stress free. No two courses nearly the same and each one a unique experience. Met Sir Nick Faldo at Royal Port Rush and he couldn’t have been nicer. Had a group photo with him and bought he and his wife a cup of coffe at the turn halfway house. Overall unforgetable trip!
Everyone in my group loved Belfast and really loved RCD, PortRush and PortStewart. Our trip to Derry and the other courses were fun too.
Northern Ireland was a blast. We were there with the Davidson group and the hotels Bushmills and Slieve Donard were very nice. Our driver was a true gentlemen and took great care of us. Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were our favorite courses, and Ardglass and Ballyliffin were great surprises. I’m so glad we had a driver because after golf we had some of the local Bushmills product each day in the golf clubhouses. 🙂 Next time we will spend more time in Belfast, there is so much to do there. Our half-day tour was not enough, but overall the trip was superb. Thanks to Bill and Matthew and Allan for all the hard work.
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As experts in creating exceptional golf experiences, Premier Golf can secure your tee time and provide accommodations and transportation details. Their extensive network in the golf industry ensures that you will have an unforgettable time at this renowned venue.
Royal Portrush boasts two 18-hole links courses: the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links. The Dunluce Links is the renowned home of the 153rd Open in 2025, showcasing the club’s prestigious history and challenging layout.
The new holes at Royal Portrush, designed by golf architect Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert, include the long par-5 7th (Curran Point) and the par-4 8th (Dunluce). These additions enhance the already esteemed course layout, providing golfers with exciting new challenges.
As per the latest information the green fee is from €295 for 2023. At Premier Golf the green fee is always included within the package price.
While having a handicap is generally recommended, it is not strictly enforced to play at Royal Portrush. Golfers of varying skill levels can still enjoy the experience of playing at this prestigious golf club.