Nestled along Northern Ireland’s dramatic Antrim coastline, Castlerock Golf Club was the first stop on our mini-tour of Ireland. One of three spectacular links courses in this region—alongside Portstewart and the world-renowned Royal Portrush—Castlerock offers a blend of classic links golf, breathtaking scenery, and rich local history.
A Course Steeped in History
Founded in 1901 as a nine-hole course, Castlerock expanded to 18 holes in 1909. Its original design, crafted by Scottish clubmaker Ben Sayers, was later refined in the 1930s by the legendary Harry Colt, who also worked on Royal Portrush and Muirfield. Most recently, Martin Hawtree’s 2018 renovations have further enhanced this outstanding links course.
Beyond its golfing heritage, Castlerock is set in an area steeped in history. The nearby ruins of Downhill Castle and the iconic Mussenden Temple, perched dramatically on a cliff edge, provide a glimpse into the region’s past. These landmarks, built in the 18th century by the eccentric Earl Bishop of Derry, add an extra layer of intrigue to any visit.
European Tournament Hosts
Castlerock has co-hosted the DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour’s joint event, the ISPS Honda World Invitational, alongside Galgorm Castle in 2023. The knowledge that this course has tested the world’s top professionals made our round even more exciting—although thankfully, we weren’t playing from their tees!
The Mussenden Links: A Challenging Yet Rewarding Test
The championship Mussenden Links stretches from 5,880 to 6,780 yards, with the ability to extend further for professional events. We played from the white tees at 6,480 yards—a wise decision, given the course’s subtle defenses and undulating terrain.
As usual, we will highlight the holes that sum up the links’ essence. This doesn’t mean that the holes we don’t select are not great holes. It’s just our opinion, the holes that gave us the best feeling, whether we scored well on them or not.
The first green
The opening hole is a short par 4 of just under 350 yards. It plays left to right, not quite a dogleg, but not far off it. There were small dunes on either side of the fairway, so it was a 3 wood off the tee for position, then a wedge to a green that sits on a plateau. Don’t go long like we did, it’s a very tricky up and down from the back of the green.
Testing Par 3
Leg O’Mutton
The 4th hole, the strangely named Leg O’ Mutton, is a par 3 and played 184 yards. The out-of-bounds and the railway line are just off the green to the right, and the burn to the left; it’s a tough hole. You play from an elevated tee, so wind is always a factor. Anything on the putting surface requires a good shot. Get a 3 here, and you’ll be delighted.
Your 2nd shot to the 7th
The 7th, Armchair, is a test of your ball striking. A 407-yard par 4, it is statistically the hardest hole on the course. A good drive, and it’s still a medium to long iron in. It plays uphill, and the green sits atop a steep slope. Any shot that doesn’t quite make the green will roll back a good 20 yards; we know that from our experience…
Disaster Strikes
The small 8th green
The 8th hole, Bulldozer, was our disaster hole. From the elevated tee, you hit a club that will get you to the corner. Hit it too far, and you will end up in the dunes, where finding your ball will be down to the luck of the Irish. Your second shot is uphill to a green you can’t really see much of. There is an embankment to the right and a steep slope to the left. This was the only hole on the course we didn’t score on. We lost a ball off the tee, then another trying to hit the green. Hopefully, you will have better luck than we did when you come to play here.
The Quarry hole
We don’t know if the 9th hole is Castlerock’s signature hole, but it’s the prettiest-looking hole on this course. The photo above was taken from behind the back tee, which is 215 yards to what looks like a tiny green. From the white tee, it’s 193 yards, and for us, it was a 3 hybrid into a wind off the right. Tough hole, especially if you miss the green. We took our par and ran up the hill to the next tee and wondered what the back nine had in store for us.
Will Your Luck Hold Out?
The approach to the 12th
The 12th hole, Spion Kop, is all about where your tee shot finishes. At 420 yards, if you finish on an upslope or downslope, you will struggle to reach the green. It’s an undulating fairway with two large mounds around 230 yards off the tee so it’s a bit down to luck whether you can go for the green or not.
The 14th hole
The 14th is another pretty-looking par 3. At 182 yards, it’s a test, especially in a wind from the right and into you. Find the green with your tee shot, and you should make a straightforward par, although there is a bit of slope and turn on the putts. The 15th is a 510-yard par 5. It’s a blind tee shot over a hill. The marker post is the ideal line; even with a good tee shot, it was a 3-shot hole for us.
Hawtree’s Summit
The 16th, Hawtree’s Summit, is the final par 3, and it’s the shortest of them all at 145 yards. It’s named after Martin Hawtree, who carried out the course renovations in 2018. The green as well as the 17th tee are the high points on the course, so any wind will play havoc with your tee shot. The green slopes left to right, so the pin position, which is back left in the photo, is the toughest on this hole.
Selfie Spot
Inishowen
As you walk off the 16th green and go towards the 17th tee, the Club has provided their very own selfie spot. It has views over the course and out to the Atlantic Ocean. It also helps if the sun is shining!
Get a good drive away on the 17th hole, Inishowen, and you have a chance to reach this par 5 in two. Playing downhill and only 485 yards, this hole is all about the second shot. If you avoid the large and deep bunker on your right, it’s downhill to the green, so a good second shot will give you what is really a giveaway birdie. Needless to say, we made par…
Your second to the 18th green
The 18th hole is, in many ways, a replica of the first hole. It’s the same shape, left to right, except that your tee shot is downhill to the corner and then uphill to the green. Get a decent tee shot away, and it’s only a wedge to the green. Make sure you get up the slope. Anything short will roll back down if it avoids the bunkers.
Mussenden Links Summary
The championship course at Castlerock is a lovely test of golf. We found it not too difficult to score on. We were level par off the white tees, apart from that blob on the eighth. Like most courses, if you hit the fairways, you have an excellent chance of playing well. The two holes we birdied don’t even feature in this article. The two that we bogied, the 7th and the 12th do feature. It just shows you that we tend to feature the testing holes, but again, it’s all about opinions.
The Bann Course: A Hidden Gem
Beyond the Mussenden Links, Castlerock offers a fantastic 9-hole layout, the Bann Course. Named after the River Bann estuary visible from several holes, this par-34 track stretches just under 2,500 yards. Its signature hole, the par-3 9th, plays only 141 yards but demands precision—anything missing the green risks vanishing into the dunes. We didn’t have time to play it, but judging by its reputation, it’s a must-try.
Beyond Golf: Exploring Castlerock and Beyond
For those extending their trip, Castlerock and the surrounding area offer plenty to explore. The nearby town of Coleraine is a gateway to some of Northern Ireland’s most famous sights, including the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the Bushmills Distillery—home to the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. A short drive away, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge offers a thrilling experience with stunning coastal views.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Play Irish Links
Castlerock Golf Club is a true hidden gem. While it may not have the global recognition of its famous neighbor, Royal Portrush, it provides an exceptional test of links golf in a stunning setting. The fairways are generous, but the wind, dunes, and undulating greens present a challenge that will captivate golfers of all levels.
At a Glance:
- Traditional Irish links experience
- Challenging yet fair course design
- 27 holes, plus a practice area and short game zone
- Well-stocked pro shop and welcoming staff
- Close to Portstewart (3 courses) and Royal Portrush (2 courses)
- Just over an hour north of Belfast City Centre
- View the Castlerock Golf Club website here
For anyone planning a golf trip to Northern Ireland, Castlerock is a must-play. Whether tackling the championship Mussenden Links or squeezing in a quick nine on the Bann Course, this is pure links golf at its finest.
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522
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