The 2025 Open Championship will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland’s premier links course and one of the finest on the planet.

Scheduled for 17–20 July 2025, this event offers a unique opportunity to combine world-class golf with a luxury Irish golf road trip.

Hosting the Open for only the second time in it’s history, Royal Portrush is a must-play destination for serious golf travellers.

But unless you know the person who knows the person who controls the first tee you are not likely to be able to get a tee time this Summer!

However, we’ve created a great Irish Golf Road Trip that at other times of the year will offer fantastic golf courses, and allow time for you to enjoy some of the legendary hospitality and amazing sights Ireland is famous for all over the World.

Here’s your ultimate guide to planning a Irish golf road trip around the Open area in Northern Ireland, with suggested courses, accommodations, green fees, and acitivities away from the golf course to make a memorable trip for both golfers and non-golfers.

Day 1 & 2: Royal Portrush Golf Club — Open Venue

Course Details:

• Location: Portrush, County Antrim
• Course Rating: 5-star, ranked #1 in Northern Ireland and consistently in the Top 100 Courses in the World
• Type: Classic links with dramatic cliffside holes and ocean views

Green Fees:

• To play the Dunlace Links (Open Championship course) it will cost you approximately £420pp and tee times for visitors are limited to specific times – full details for booking a tee time at Royal Portrush can be found here.
• To play on the Valley Links course a visitor green fee is approximatley £200 per player.
• Special rates for fourball groups are available through Golf Ireland or you can book through authorised tour operators.

Accommodation Options:

• Luxury: The Culloden Estate and Spa — Elegant 5-star hotel with spa and fine dining, just a 10-minute drive from the course
• Mid-range: Marine Hotel Portrush — Comfortable and centrally located with sea views

Dining:

• The Bushmills Inn — Historic inn offering upscale dining and locally sourced food
• Jojos Restaurant — Popular spot for fresh seafood and Irish classics

Course Details:

• Location: Portstewart, ~6 miles from Portrush
• Course Rating: The mighty Strand Course is Regularly ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the UK & Ireland
• Type: Championship links with spectacular coastal holes and strong strategic design
• Other Courses: You can also play the beautiful Riverside and the Old Course where it all began at Portstewart in 1894!

Green Fees:

• The Strand course will cost approximately £285pp depending on season and tee time
• A round at the Riverside starts at about £40pp
• The Old Course green fees are approximately £15pp

Accommodation:

• Stay in Portrush or Portstewart with mid-range hotels and charming guesthouses

Dining:

• The Harbour Bar, Portstewart — lively pub with great local music and atmosphere

Course Details:

• Location: Castlerock, about 7 miles south of Portrush
• Course Rating: Often rated as a Top 100 course in Ireland
• Type: Traditional links course with varied terrain and spectacular sea views

Green Fees:

• Approximately £70–£90

Activities:

• Visit the nearby Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne — beautiful spots for walks and photos

Accommodation:

• Continue in Portrush or explore the nearby town of Coleraine with more options

Dining:

• Local pubs and restaurants in Coleraine or Portrush

Activities in Belfast:

• Titanic Belfast Museum — world-class interactive experience

• St. George’s Market — local crafts and food

• City’s vibrant pubs and restaurants

Activities in Derry:

• Walk the historic city walls
• Explore Guildhall and museums

Distilleries & Breweries Near Portrush:

• Old Bushmills Distillery (approx. 15 min drive) — oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, offering tours and tastings

• Whitewater Brewery — Craft brewery with tours and local beers

• Getting There: Shannon and Belfast International airports serve Northern Ireland well. Belfast International Airport is about 1 hour from Portrush.

• Car Hire: Highly recommended for flexibility, especially for exploring courses and nearby towns.*

• When to Book: July is peak season due to the Open; book accommodation, tee times, resturants, tours and any public transport well in advance.

• Packing Essentials: Waterproof gear, umbrella, layered lightweight clothing, high-quality golf and walking shoes, and travel-friendly golf luggage.

*Pro Tip on Car Hire – it can be expensive in Ireland so we highly recommend you book well in advance of your trip for the best price and vehicle options.

• TSA-approved golf travel bags

• Golf clubs and balls!
• Lightweight Golf Apparel
• Golf Accessories including rangefinders etc

• Waterproof golf and walking shoes

• Moisture-wicking polos and UV hats

• Compact club cleaning kit

• Sunglasses

• Good walking socks

• Pain-killer tablets

• Portable phone charger

• Sunscreen

• Travel umbrellas and rain jackets

here’s are some top packing tips for your next golf trip.

• Use official Open travel packages where possible for guaranteed access to tickets and Portrush tee times.
• Given how close we to the event if you haven’t yet got tickets you may be able to get them through the official Open Championship tickets re-sale service here.
• For other courses, book direct online or via recommended travel agents specialising in luxury Irish golf tours.
• Combine golf with cultural tours for a full experience.

While Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock take most of the headlines, there are several lesser-known gems that offer excellent golf without the waiting lists or high green fees — perfect for adding extra rounds to your Irish golf road trip or finding a peaceful afternoon tee time.

Ballycastle Golf Club

• Location: Ballycastle – 45 minutes northeast along the Causeway Coastal Route

• Green Fees: Approx. £45–£60

• Why Play Here:
  One of Ireland’s most scenic and quirky courses.

  Ballycastle Golf Club is split between 5 parkland holes inland and 13 true links holes running along the dramatic coastline.

  You’ll play beside ancient ruins, cliffside fairways, and rolling dunes with breathtaking views over Rathlin Island and even Scotland on a clear day.

  The course is rarely crowded, offers good value, and delivers a memorable Irish links experience with a real sense of place.

  It’s a top-tier hidden gem with big heart and epic scenery.

Bushfoot Golf Club

• Location: Portballintrae – just 10 minutes from Portrush

• Green Fees: Approx. £30–£40 for 18 holes

• Why Play Here:
  This seaside gem is the definition of local charm. Tucked beside the famous Old Bushmills Distillery, Bushfoot is a relaxed, 9-hole course (with 18 tees) that delivers big views across the River Bush estuary and Portballintrae Bay.

  The course offers fun, fast play with surprising challenges — especially in the wind. It’s an ideal casual round for a morning or afternoon between Open viewing, sightseeing or whiskey tasting.

  Warm hospitality and a relaxed dress code make it a favourite with returning visitors and locals alike.

City of Derry Golf Club

• Location: Just outside Londonderry/Derry – 1 hour west of Portrush

• Green Fees: Approx. £40–£55

• Why Play Here:
  Located on the banks of the River Foyle, this mature parkland course offers a totally different experience from the North Coast’s links-heavy lineup.

  Designed to championship standards, City of Derry’s Prehen course features tree-lined fairways, subtle doglegs, and panoramic views of the Donegal hills.

  The course is beautifully maintained, peaceful, and very playable for mid-to-low handicaps.

  Its proximity to Derry also makes it a great option for combining a cultural day out with a round of golf.

Gracehill Golf Club (near Ballymoney)

• Location: 30 minutes from Portrush

• Green Fees: ~£40

• Why Play Here:
  Beautiful parkland course winding through mature woodland and lakes.

  A different challenge from the links, but a great option for golfers of all skill levels.

Ballyreagh Par 3 Golf Course

• Location: Between Portrush and Portstewart – ~5 minutes from each

• Green Fees: Approx. £15–£20 for 9 holes

• Why Play Here:
  Ballyreagh is a seaside par-3 course with a sense of fun and dramatic views over the Atlantic.

  Perched along the stunning coast road between Portrush and Portstewart, it’s ideal for a quick game — whether you’re squeezing in a round before The Open starts or winding down in the evening.

  Despite its short layout, the holes are well-designed with testing winds, tricky greens, and eye-catching views.

  It’s also family-friendly and great for casual players or non-golfing partners who want to give golf a go.

  Expect a laid-back atmosphere, no tee-time stress, and smiles all round.

No Irish golf road trip would be complete without trying some of the local hospitality and seeing some of the amazing landscapes and sights!

Here are our recommendations for what you should fit into your itinerary:

• Pubs & Restaurants: Durty Nelly’s, Bushmills Inn, The Harbour Bar, The Quay Street Kitchen in Galway (if you choose to extend your trip)

• Distilleries & Breweries: Old Bushmills Distillery, Whitewater Brewery

• Sightseeing: Mussenden Temple, Giants Causeway (a 30-minute drive from Portrush), Derry City Walls

The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush is a rare opportunity to experience world-class links golf alongside the beauty and hospitality of Northern Ireland.

Whether you prefer luxury hotels or budget-friendly stays, want to play only Championship courses or explore several top-ranked links, this trip offers unforgettable memories.

Plan ahead, book early, and get ready to enjoy one of golf’s greatest traditions amid some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world.

PS If you’d like some entertainment on your irish golf road trip – try our Open Championship Trivia Quiz!