Golfing along the Causeway Coastal Route

Before starting on your coastal golf journey, it's worth taking time to explore the Walled City. If these walls could talk, they'd never shut up about Derry~Londonderry's reputation for good food and great sights. From the authentic and trendy restaurant scene, starring The Sooty Olive and Browns in Town, to the quirky brews on offer at the Walled City Brewery, you won't go hungry (or thirsty) on these streets. But Derry~Londonderry is about more than just food – sprawling along the banks of the River Foyle, this is a pristinely preserved city, rich in living history and blessed with great museums, historic sites and interesting architecture. Locals are particularly proud of the 400-year-old city walls, the beautiful 19th century Guildhall and the symbolic Peace Bridge.

If you have more time:
Take a guided tour of the city walls. Built in the 17th century, they form a unique walkway with original gates, cannons and views of the city.

Set against the backdrop of the glassy Lough Foyle, Roe Park is a little bit of excellence to start off with. Boasting an elegant 18-hole parkland course, first-class clubhouse and top-of-the-range facilities, as well as a hi-tech Indoor Academy, 18-bay driving range and putting green, you’re sure to find something to enjoy whatever your skill level. Grab an hour with resident PGA Professional Michael McRudden – as well as upping your game, you can glean some tips about Royal Portrush, where he worked for five years.

Castlerock is a gem in Northern Ireland's golfing crown. The natural topography of the area does the hard work here, with Castlerock's Bann and Mussenden courses appearing to undulate organically between the river and the ocean. The result is a 27-hole layout that's a dream to play. David Brice of Golf International cautions: "Miss this beauty and you are missing a treat." Consider yourself warned!

If you have more time:

Mussenden Temple, a library built in 1785 as a replica of the Temple of Vesta in Italy, is show-stopping spot with a stunning location on the edge of a cliff overlooking Downhill Strand.

If you have time for a tipple after a long day spent on the course, you won't regret making your way to Bushmills, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Whiskey has been distilled right here since 1608 when King James I first gave the go-ahead – and in the last 400 years, it's safe to say they've perfected the craft. From here, Ballintoy, the picturesque harbour of Game of Thrones® fame, is just a short distance away, perfect for a quick photo op. But the one place not to miss is Harry's Shack, a casual and charming fish restaurant perched right on the sands of Portstewart Strand. Dig in.

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You simply can't make your way to this part of the island without visiting Dunluce Castle, an enchanting 16th century ruined castle on the edge of the North Antrim cliffs.

Along with its neighbour, Portrush, Portstewart regularly ranks among the top links courses in the world. Its 54 holes are unrivalled and the course boasts what many consider to be the best opening hole on the island. With three courses – Strand (par 72), Riverside (par 68) and Old (par 64) – cliff and sea views, along with the steady flow of the River Bann to the west, Portstewart has something for everyone. It's also one of the clubs with the proudest tradition of ladies' golf in Northern Ireland: as well as hosting the British Ladies Senior Championship in 2004 and the 2006 British Girls Amateur Championship, Portstewart is the club of celebrated pro golfer and broadcaster, Maureen Madill.

Royal Portrush is a golfer's dream course: 36 holes, two links courses and over 130 years of expertise and international acclaim. This is where Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell play in their spare time – and where they and countless other pros grace the greens in Championship season. The Valley course is par 70, while the Dunluce course is par 72; only two players managed to break 70 on the Dunluce during the 1951 Open. The club hosted The Open for the second time in 2019, when Shane Lowry won his first major championship as a pro. The Open returns to Northern Ireland in 2025 and for a third time, Royal Portrush will play host to one of golf's most prestigious events.

If you have more time:

Stop off at Koko in Portrush for great coffee and even better seaside views. Or try Bothy where you can indulge in fabulous homemade scones while looking out over Whitepark Bay.

 From the seaside location to the rich history, beautiful Ballycastle is something truly special. Designed in 1890, the course was perfected in the 1920s and has remained largely unchanged since. But it’s the history here that elevates this 18-hole course from enjoyable to exciting – 15th-century Bonamargy Friary sits within the grounds, housing the remains of the Black Nun, a prophetess and recluse who was buried here in the 1600s. Though the site is said to be haunted, it's worth a visit for the quiet elegance of its architecture alone. And if you should come away with a story, well, all the better...

Surrounded by verdant countryside, Gracehill House Golf Course is 18 holes of bucolic bliss. Designed by Frank Ainsworth, this 72-par course rolls between woodland and quiet parkland and is one of County Antrim's hidden highlights. Although an inland course, water is an obvious feature, with streams and lakes peppering Gracehill's 210 acres – so be prepared for a challenging game, particularly on the par three 14th hole!

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A stone's throw away is the Dark Hedges, where centuries-old beech trees arch above the road, locking together to create a breathtaking, picture-perfect avenue. The road can get busy with Game of Thrones® fans on a Kingsroad pilgrimage, so your best bet for a quiet stroll on this pedestrian-only stretch is to visit here on a weekday.

Make the most of the journey and take the scenic route via Cushendun, a picturesque seaside village built as a living love letter from Lord Cushendun to his wife Maud. This place, with its Cornish-style cottages and quiet harbour, feels a little like it's frozen in time, in the best way possible. Stop off at The Corner House on Main Street for a cosy afternoon tea and drink in the sweet surroundings. There's no better way to end this spectacular journey than with the glorious Glens of Antrim spread at your feet. Immortalised in song as a "true fairy land", these nine glens are simply breathtaking with castles, beaches and the fields where St Patrick himself once tended sheep.