Best golf courses: Derry

Derry: the table below provides brief details about the top golf courses in and around this city. Each golf club has been visited and/or researched by Where2Golf. Click on the course name below to discover more. The course ratings below range from 5 highest, to 2 lowest. They attempt to provide an indication of the golfing experience you might expect at the course (based on its design, condition and surroundings). Hover your cursor above the Rating Key below for the rating definitions.
4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Ruddy & Craddock

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Ballyliffin's original nine-hole course dated back to 1947. Between 1970 and 1973 a "new course" was brought into play on neighbouring ground, replacing the original nine holes. This new layout (now known as the Old Links) was designed by Eddie Hackett with input from local agricultural adviser Martin Hopkins, and English course architects Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie. Recent modifications to the Old Links were made by Nick Faldo (2005). The Glashedy Links dates from 1995.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Doherty, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Michael Doherty, long-time golf professional at City of Derry Golf Club.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Vardon, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Harry Vardon (six-time winner of the Open Championship, and golf course designer).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Various

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

The layout evolved over the years from a nine-hole layout (1930) to a full 18 (1965), with inputs from Hughie McNeill, Leo Wallace and various members. Improvements made by Eddie Connaughton (2004). Significant modifications by Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner of Hanse Golf Design (2018).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Thompson, Charles

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Thompson & Ruddy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC); substantial improvements designed by Pat Ruddy (2000).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Morris & Ruddy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Front-nine (Strand-nine) designed by Pat Ruddy (2009). Back-nine (Valley-nine) originally designed by Old Tom Morris (1893), with later modifications by Harry Vardon & James Braid (1906), and Harry Colt (1911).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Ruddy, Pat

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Pat Ruddy with input from owner Frank Casey Snr.

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Doak, Tom

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Tom Doak and lead associate Eric Iverson.

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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