Castlerock Golf Club

Castlerock Golf Club, Castlerock, Northern Ireland, BT51 4TJ

02870 848 314 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website

9 reviews of Castlerock Golf Club

Castlerock gave us the perfect links golf experience during a recent golf tour in Northern Ireland. It may be less well known that some of its prestigious neighbours but the course is outstanding and the scenery spectacular. The huge sand dunes through which many holes make this proper seaside golf, and the greens were among the best I've played on this year. The clubhouse is simple but welcoming, and the dining room is about 12 feet from the back of the 18th green - great for watching your mates hole out, bad for thinned approach shots! After the first three or four holes climb over the hill, you get to two brilliant holes that are stretched right alongside the railway tracks. A small slice = out of bounds. Par-three then par-five, both are stern tests. The 7th and 8th are strong par-4s, while the 9th was perhaps my favourite; it's a long par-3 (200+), almost totally enclosed by dunes that give it a sort of stadium feel. If you've got time, play the 9-hole Bann Course as well, it's a gem. The proximity to the likes of Royal Portrush and Portstewart make Castlerock the ideal choice for golf tourists in the area, and you can stay easily in Derry or Portrush itself. This is among the most enjoyable courses I've played in a long time, big thumbs up.

Posted by Jeff Woodford on 23/04/2012
5
Show all ratings
Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

This truely is a hidden gem in the north, great challenge over the 18 hole course and the small 9 hole will challenge any golfer. Do not pass this course without playing it , you will not be disappointed, although i wouldn,t recommend eating in the clubhouse, as this was the only let down.

Posted by JP on 03/12/2011
4
Show all ratings
Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 5

What a little gem! Very much worth a visit and certainly better value than some it's illustrious neighbours. Brilliant use of the natural dunes, ampitheatres and contours this is class from the 1st to the last! Great facilities, clubhouse and people 10/10! Oh... take a 6 iron on the 1st tee and 6 iron again to the green! Trust me... this is good advice :-D

Posted by Ian Jowitt on 11/04/2005

Played Castlerock on 24th March 2005. It was very windy, however the course was in good condition, with true even paced greens. I enjoyed the layout and it was a good test of my golf game. Course staff and clubhouse were welcoming. Will look forward to playing it again when I next visit.

Posted by Ian Poultney on 28/03/2005

I visit Northern Ireland minimum twice a year,having family there as well as being a member of Portrush. I almost always play Castlerock when I visit.Castlerock is underrated.In my opinion it is third best in the North, and top ten in all of Ireland.It is a "sneaky" long links course.Great greens,wild rough, and when the wind is up it can,as we say in the States,"eat your lunch".Rank it right along with Sligo,Louth,etc.,and just behind Portrush and County Down...pretty good company. James Bruce Penson

Posted by James Bruce Penson on 20/11/2002

Played the last week in May 2002, superb example of links golf. Stunning views, the rough was rough and a couple of balls were lost but all in all superb. The 1st and 18th have just been remodelled and not knowing what they were like before I cannot say whether they are a big improvement, but the locals think it has tightened the course and protects the players on those fairways. Very worth playing!

Posted by Don Miller on 06/06/2002

Have played here on two separate trips. Found it utterly charming and relaxing. Gets better with time. Clearly the town course, but in the best sense. Players and management were most friendly, which isn't always the case in the North. Well worth going out of your way to play.

Posted by Jim Rydzel on 24/08/2001

I played Castlerock on June 18th 1999. Loved it! Holes 6-12 are to behold. Bring a camera for the views of the course and surroundings are spectacular. The course was in pristine condition. Clearly a hidden gem that for 25 pounds Sterling was an absolute bargain!

Posted by Richard Peters on 23/07/1999

This is my own club so I'm probably a bit biased - but in my view anyone coming to the North coast of Ireland must play Castlerock. It ranks alongside its perhaps better known neighbours of Rpyal Portrush and Portstewart and was selected by Ronan Rafferty as on of the courses in his TV series about golf in Ireland. Pure links with some very tough holes combined with great views especially from the 17th tee. Holes 3,4,and 5 have a railway running down the right hand side (OB, naturally) and 4 also has a stream down the left over which you are also OB, which on a breezy day makes it one of the most interesting long par 3's anywhere.\r\nA tough test of your game, you will enjoy this course so don't miss it.

Posted by Michael Hopper on 08/07/1999

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style links

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's73
Ladies'

Green Fees

Summer/High season

Weekday round£30
Weekday day-
Weekend round£40
Weekend day-

Winter/Low season

Weekday round-
Weekday day-
Weekend round-
Weekend day-

Facilities

This venue has not entered its facilities yet.

Do you own this venue? Contact Us to complete this information.

Add a review

Optional. We may use it to send you Uk Golf Guide news.