Missed Out on Royal County Down or Royal Portrush? Five Incredible Northern Ireland Links to Play (and Hike) Instead….
Securing a tee time at Northern Ireland’s heavyweights: Royal County Down or Royal Portrush has become one of the hardest challenges in golf travel. With prime slots booking out over a year in advance and green fees climbing past £350–£400, many golf travelers are left looking for alternatives.
The good news? Northern Ireland’s coastline is packed with world-class championship links that offer towering dunes, crashing ocean waves, and pure shot-shaping tests, often with far better tee time availability and a lower price tag.
At Tee & Trek, we believe the ultimate Irish itinerary pairs 18 unforgettable holes with a walk/hike through the same dramatic coastal landscapes. Here are 5 incredible Northern Ireland links layouts—alongside their perfect nearby hiking pairings.
🏌️♂️Course 1: Portstewart Golf Club (The Strand Course)
It features what many people call "the greatest front nine in golf," weaving through massive, towering sand dunes that feel like a movie set. First tee box with the stunning Portstewark Strand beach on the side as you battle through the wind.
Green Fee: £275 – £310 per round
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Portstewart Strand to Port Path Coastal Walk
Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles) | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1.5–2 hours
The Walk: Right from the club parking lot, hit the golden sands of Portstewart Strand and follow the cliff path along the rugged Atlantic shoreline toward Portstewart Harbor. It offers stunning views over to the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal.
🏌️♂️ Course 2: Castlerock Golf Club (The Pure Links Test)
The Vibe: Located on the spectacular North Coast. It is a rugged, old-school, championship links layout (The Mussenden Course) that is highly respected by purists.
Why it’s an incredible alternative: It offers the exact same raw elements as the more famous tracks—towering sand dunes, burning gorse, and tricky coastal winds but with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and excellent tee time availability.
Best for: The true low-handicapper looking to test their shot-shaping and ground-game on traditional links.
Green Fee: £180 – £215 per round
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Downhill Demesne & Mussenden Temple Trail
Distance: 3.5 km loop | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Time: 1 hour
The Walk: A 5-minute drive from Castlerock brings you to the 18th-century ruin of Downhill House and the iconic Mussenden Temple, perched dramatically on the edge of a 120-foot cliff face overlooking the ocean and, if your timing is right, the train emerging from the cliff tunnel directly below.
🏌️♂️ Course 3: Ardglass Golf Club (The Castle on the Cliffs)
The Distance: 1 hour from Belfast or 1 hour and 30mins from Dublin, scenic drive when you are there and only 30 mins drive from Royal County Down.
Why it’s an incredible alternative: It boasts the oldest clubhouse in the world (a stunning 14th-century castle). The opening holes are some of the most exhilarating in all of golf, requiring you to tee off directly over the crashing waves of the Irish Sea.
Best for: Golfers who want unmatched coastal drama, unforgettable photography, and a deep sense of Irish history
Green Fee: £180 – £215 per round
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Slieve Donard & The Mourne Wall (Newcastle)
Distance: 9.5 km round-trip | Difficulty: Challenging | Time: 4–5 hours
The Walk: Head 30 minutes south to Newcastle and conquer Northern Ireland’s highest peak (850m). Follow the historic Mourne Wall up to the summit for panoramic views stretching across to the Isle of Man and Dublin Bay.
🏌️♂️ Course 4: Ballycastle Golf Club (The Best of Both Worlds)
The Vibe: Sitting right on the spectacular Causeway Coast, looking out toward Rathlin Island and Fair Head.
The Pitch: Ballycastle offers a fascinating mix of parkland holes along the Margy River before transitioning into rugged, cliff-top links golf with stunning elevation changes. It's incredibly fun, full of character, and provides a completely unique layout compared to standard links.
Best for: Golfers looking for wild, dramatic sea views and a highly memorable, varied round of golf.
Green Fee: £100 - £130 per round
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Fair Head Clifftop Walk
Distance: 5 km loop | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1.5–2 hours
The Walk: Look up at Fair Head from the 18th green, then drive 10 minutes to walk along its cliff edge. Standing 600 feet above the sea, you'll take in views of Scotland's coastline on clear days
🏌️♂️ Course 5: Portstewart Golf Club (The Old Course)
The Vibe: Steeped in history, this layout dates all the way back to 1889 and sits right on the eastern edge of Portstewart town.
The Pitch: While its sister course (The Strand) gets a lot of modern tournament hype, the Old Course offers a classic, traditional test of short-game precision playing along the rocky coastline. It's fantastic for a fast-paced, scenic afternoon round.
Best for: Golfers who appreciate historical layouts and want a fun, approachable links round with great coastal town views.
Green Fee: £20-40 per round
🥾 The Trek Pairing: The Port Path (Portstewart to Portrush Walk)
Distance: 10 km linear | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2.5–3 hours
The Walk: Since the Old Course takes under 3 hours to play, dedicate the rest of your day to walking the coastline connecting Portstewart directly to Portrush, taking in ocean air and hidden coves along the way.
