Northern Ireland’s Golf Renaissance: Why This Moment Matters for the Game

Look, I’ve been around professional golf long enough to know when a destination is having its moment. And right now, Northern Ireland isn’t just having a moment—it’s having a full-blown renaissance that extends well beyond the fairways.

The travel piece highlighting a five-day Northern Ireland golf itinerary hit my desk this week, and while it’s a solid practical guide for the armchair golfer planning a summer escape, what really caught my attention was what sits beneath the surface: this small corner of the world has become a genuine pilgrimage site for the global golf community, and that’s a bigger story than most people realize.

More Than Just a Tourist Destination

In my 35 years covering professional golf—including a stint as caddie for Tom Lehman back in the day—I’ve watched certain venues transcend their status as mere golf courses. They become cultural landmarks. Northern Ireland is experiencing that transformation right now, and it’s not happening by accident.

The suggested itinerary touches all the right notes: Holywood Golf Club (Rory McIlroy’s home track), Royal Belfast, Castlerock, Portstewart, and ultimately Royal Portrush. But here’s what strikes me about this particular routing—it’s not just about the golf. These courses are woven into the fabric of British and Irish golf history in ways that matter.

“Northern Ireland plays home to some of the greatest golf courses in the world, which means that this is one of the best places to visit if you’re thinking about planning a golf trip in 2026.”

That’s understated, frankly. Royal County Down is ranked third globally by Top 100 Golf Courses. Royal Portrush hosted the 2025 Open Championship. Portstewart’s front nine is legitimately one of the best stretches of links golf on the planet. This isn’t marketing hyperbole—this is documented fact from people who’ve played everywhere.

The McIlroy Effect and Local Pride

Having covered 15 Masters and countless other major championships, I’ve seen how one player’s success can elevate an entire region’s profile. But Rory McIlroy’s impact on Northern Ireland golf transcends typical home-hero metrics. The proposed itinerary even includes a visit to the Rory McIlroy Experience at Holywood Golf Club, complete with replicas of his Claret Jug, Wanamaker Trophy, and US Open trophy.

That’s significant. McIlroy didn’t just become a five-time major champion—he became the global ambassador for Irish golf culture and course quality. When tourists book a trip to play Holywood because they want to walk the same fairways as Rory, they’re not just chasing celebrity. They’re connecting with something authentic about how golf is woven into the identity of this place.

What really impressed me about the itinerary was how it balanced pure golf with cultural context. The Titanic Belfast museum, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills Distillery—these aren’t afterthoughts. They’re part of a cohesive experience that recognizes golfers are tourists first, not just course-chasers.

Hidden Gems and the Castlerock Equation

Here’s something I don’t think gets enough attention: the emergence of secondary and tertiary courses as legitimate bucket-list destinations. Castlerock Golf Club, for instance, has hosted the Irish PGA Championship four times, yet remains relatively under-the-radar compared to its more famous neighbors.

“Castlerock, meanwhile, is one of the country’s best hidden golfing gems, having previously hosted the Irish PGA Championship on four occasions. It is a sensational links track that just gets better and better as you work your way around it. Think tall banks, long rough and fast greens.”

In my experience, those are often the most memorable rounds. You’re not fighting the crowds or the prestige. You’re just playing excellent golf. The fact that tour operators and travel guides are now actively promoting Castlerock and Bushfoot alongside the championship tracks suggests the market has matured beyond just ticking boxes at famous names.

The Portrush Moment and What Comes Next

The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush created what I’d call a watershed moment. Shane Lowry’s 2019 victory at Portrush—celebrated with a drink from the Claret Jug at the iconic Harbour Bar—crystallized something for golf fans worldwide: this place matters. The memorabilia on those Harbour Bar walls, the flags and caddie bibs from the world’s greatest players, isn’t dusty history. It’s recent, living legacy.

That said, there’s a delicate balance here worth noting. Tourism growth is excellent for local economies and course sustainability. But I’ve seen what happens when beloved courses get overwhelmed by demand. The management and greenkeeping standards need to remain elite, or you lose what made the pilgrimage worthwhile in the first place. Northern Ireland’s courses have that caliber of stewardship, but they need to maintain it as volume increases.

A Broader Shift in Golf Travel

What fascinates me most about this piece is what it reveals about how golf tourism itself is evolving. The itinerary isn’t just “play five famous courses.” It’s structured around a narrative: Belfast heritage and McIlroy connections, then the northwest coast’s links gauntlet, then the ultimate test at Portrush. That’s sophisticated travel planning that respects both the golf and the place.

The suggested accommodations—Culloden Estate and Spa, Dunluce Lodge—reflect another trend I’ve noticed: golfers increasingly want luxury and recovery options. After thirty-five years watching tour players, I can tell you that the best ones understand that rest and recovery are as important as the golf itself. The spas, the fine dining, the non-golf cultural experiences—these aren’t luxuries. They’re part of the total experience.

Northern Ireland has positioned itself as a complete golf destination, not just a collection of courses. That strategic thinking, combined with genuinely world-class courses and authentic cultural experiences, is why this moment feels different. The region isn’t chasing golf tourism. It’s inviting people to understand why golf matters here.

For any golfer serious about the game, that’s an invitation worth accepting.