Cliftonville Golf Club

Cliftonville Golf Club — a friendly parkland in north Belfast

Tucked into north Belfast, Cliftonville is a welcoming nine-and-back parkland that has been part of the city’s golfing life since 1911. Compact, well-kept and genuinely friendly, it is the kind of club where visitors are made to feel at home and a relaxed, enjoyable round is guaranteed.

Cliftonville Golf Club is a parkland course in north Belfast, County Antrim. It plays to a par of 70 over about 6,262 yards from the white tees, across gently rolling, tree-dotted ground close to the city. Founded in 1911, it is a long-established members’ club known for its warm welcome and its busy calendar of local competitions.

Key Details

• Location: Westland Road, north Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Length: about 6,262 yards (white tees)
• Par: 70
• Designers: not formally recorded
• Established: 1911
• Notable Events: a host of local and regional competitions, including Belfast & District and Ulster league golf

History and significance

Cliftonville Golf Club was founded in 1911 in north Belfast, and for well over a century it has been a fixture of the city’s club golf. Its parkland lies on rolling ground close to the city centre, and while the course’s original designer is not formally recorded, it has been carefully maintained and refined by generations of members.

The club is best known not for championship history but for community: it hosts a busy programme of local and regional competitions and league golf, and is valued as one of Belfast’s most welcoming clubs.

A recent clubhouse refurbishment has modernised the facilities while keeping the friendly, unpretentious character that regulars prize — a genuine city parkland that punches above its weight for enjoyment.

Photo via Google Business Profile (Cliftonville Golf Club)

The course and how it plays

Cliftonville is a compact, honest parkland where position and a tidy short game count for more than length. Gently rolling, tree-dotted fairways ask for accuracy off the tee, and the greens, though not huge, are true and nicely maintained.

It is a course that suits golfers of all standards: forgiving enough to enjoy, yet with enough subtlety to reward good iron play and putting. Close to the city and quick to get round, it is an easy, satisfying parkland test.

Signature holes

For a compact course, Cliftonville packs in some memorable holes, with a stream guarding the 5th and 7th greens.

Hole 1 (Par 3)

The course’s most famous hole — a par three that has twice been nominated in BBC Northern Ireland’s search for the toughest par three in the province. A demanding opener that sets the tone from the very first tee.

Hole 2 (Par 4)

A superb par four stretching to over 450 yards, a genuine two-shot test that rewards a long, accurate drive and a confident approach.

Why play Cliftonville Golf Club

Cliftonville offers a friendly, good-value parkland round right in Belfast, ideal when time is short or as a relaxed change of pace on a golf trip. It is welcoming to visitors and societies, well maintained, and quick to reach from the city centre. For an unpretentious, enjoyable city round with a warm welcome, it is a fine choice.

Clubhouse and facilities

The recently refurbished clubhouse is bright and welcoming, with a restaurant and dining, comfortable spaces and event facilities. There is a pro shop for the essentials, and trolleys are available. The modernised set-up, combined with the club’s famously friendly atmosphere, makes for a comfortable day’s golf close to the city.

Green fees and booking

Cliftonville is a friendly, open-to-all club close to the centre of Belfast, and its green fees are very approachable. A visitor round is typically around £25 for eighteen holes and around £16 for nine, with reduced rates when playing alongside a member.

Booking ahead through the club is advisable, particularly at weekends. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

Getting there and parking

Cliftonville sits in north Belfast, close to the city centre.

• By car: a few minutes from Belfast city centre via the Antrim Road and Westland Road; the club is signposted locally.
• By public transport: Translink buses serve the Antrim Road, a short walk or taxi from the club.
• Address & parking: 44 Westland Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 6NH, with on-site parking.

Where to stay

Belfast city centre, minutes away, is the natural base:

• North Belfast: guesthouses and B&Bs closest to the club.
• Belfast city centre: the full range of hotels and dining, a short drive away.
• Wider Belfast: handy for combining Cliftonville with other city courses.

Book ahead around major Belfast events.

What to pack

City parkland golf in changeable weather:

• Waterproofs and a light warm layer
• Comfortable golf shoes with grip for rolling parkland
• Spare balls for the tree-lined holes
• A rangefinder for the tighter approaches

Nearby attractions

Cliftonville’s city setting keeps Belfast’s sights close at hand.

Conclusion

Cliftonville is Belfast golf at its friendliest: a tidy city parkland with more than a century of history and a welcome that keeps people coming back. Handy, good value and quietly testing, it is the perfect relaxed round to slot into a busy Northern Ireland golf trip.

Frequently asked questions

When was Cliftonville Golf Club established?

Cliftonville Golf Club was founded in 1911 in north Belfast, and it has been part of the city’s club golf for well over a century. Its parkland course sits on gently rolling ground close to the city centre. While the original designer is not formally recorded, the course has been maintained and refined by generations of members, and a recent clubhouse refurbishment has modernised the facilities while keeping the club’s friendly character.

What is Cliftonville’s par and length?

Cliftonville plays to a par of 70 over about 6,262 yards from the white tees (the ladies’ course plays to a par of 74). It is a compact city parkland where accuracy and a tidy short game matter more than length: rolling, tree-dotted fairways and true, well-kept greens reward positional golf. Forgiving enough to enjoy yet subtle enough to test, it suits golfers of all standards.

How do I get to Cliftonville Golf Club?

Cliftonville is in north Belfast, close to the city centre. By car it is only a few minutes away via the Antrim Road and Westland Road, and the club is signposted locally. By public transport, Translink buses serve the Antrim Road, a short walk or taxi from the club. The address is 44 Westland Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 6NH, with on-site parking.

Are there other courses nearby?

Yes. Being in the city, Cliftonville is close to plenty of Belfast golf, including the historic Knock course in the east and the fine parklands of Belvoir Park and Malone in the south. Royal Belfast at Craigavad and the championship links of County Down and the Causeway Coast are within easy reach for a wider trip, making Cliftonville an easy round to add to any itinerary.