Knock Golf Club

Knock Golf Club — a Colt, Mackenzie and Alison parkland in Belfast

Beside the Stormont estate in east Belfast lies a parkland with a pedigree most clubs can only dream of: Knock was laid out by Colt, Mackenzie and Alison, three of the greatest names in golf architecture. Tree-lined, well-bunkered and quietly demanding, its par of 70 is reckoned among the toughest around.

Knock Golf Club is a mature parkland course at Dundonald, in east Belfast, County Antrim, beside the Stormont estate. It plays to a par of 70 over about 6,428 yards, through tree-lined fairways and a wealth of bunkers. Founded in 1895 and laid out at its present home in 1920 by Colt, Mackenzie and Alison, it is a historic and highly regarded city course.

Key Details

• Location: Dundonald, east Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
• Length: about 6,428 yards
• Par: 70
• Designers: Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison
• Established: 1895 (moved to present site 1920)
• Notable Events: twice host of the Irish Professional Championship; a qualifying venue for the Northern Ireland Open

History and significance

Knock Golf Club was founded in 1895 and moved to its present home, Summerfield in Dundonald, in 1920. To lay out the new course the club engaged an extraordinary trio of architects — Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison — three of the most influential figures in the history of golf design, whose collective work spans Augusta National, Muirfield and beyond.

That pedigree has given Knock a course of real quality, and it has twice hosted the Irish Professional Championship and served as a qualifying venue for the Northern Ireland Open. It remains a well-respected members’ club and a historic Belfast landmark.

The course still retains many of its original features: tree-lined fairways, a proliferation of bunkers and well-manicured greens combine into a par-70 test reckoned among the toughest in the country.

Photo via Google Business Profile (Knock Golf Club)

The course and how it plays

Knock is a classic parkland of real substance, its tree-lined fairways and abundant bunkering demanding accuracy from tee to green. The par of 70 is famously tough — there is little respite — and the well-manicured, subtly contoured greens reward precise approach play and steady putting.

The design trio’s hand shows in the strategic bunkering and the demand for position over power. It is a course that examines every part of your game, yet remains fair and hugely enjoyable, close to the heart of the city beside the Stormont estate.

Why play Knock Golf Club

Knock offers the rare chance to play a course shaped by Colt, Mackenzie and Alison, three giants of golf architecture, minutes from Belfast city centre. Its tough, well-bunkered par 70 is a proper test, its history runs deep, and its parkland setting beside Stormont is a pleasure to walk. For lovers of classic design, it is one of Belfast’s essential rounds.

Clubhouse and facilities

The clubhouse is the heart of the club, with dining and comfortable spaces, a pro shop, a snooker room and a swing studio, plus a short-game practice area added in 2022. Trolleys and buggies are available, and the welcome is warm — a well-equipped, characterful base for a round on one of Belfast’s finest parklands.

Green fees and booking

Knock warmly welcomes visitors to its parkland course beside the Stormont Estate. In the summer months the visitor green fee is typically around £85 on weekdays (and after 3pm on Saturdays) and around £90 on Sundays, with reduced society rates for groups of twelve or more.

Advance booking is recommended and a recognised handicap is expected, with more limited access on Saturdays. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

Getting there and parking

Knock is at Dundonald, in east Belfast beside the Stormont estate.

• By car: a short drive from Belfast city centre via the A20 (Upper Newtownards Road) towards Dundonald; the club is signposted near Stormont.
• By public transport: Translink buses serve the Upper Newtownards Road and Dundonald, a short walk or taxi from the club.
• Address & parking: Summerfield, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, County Antrim, BT16 2QX, with on-site parking.

Where to stay

Belfast, minutes away, is the obvious base:

• East Belfast / Dundonald: hotels and guesthouses closest to the club.
• Belfast city centre: the full range of hotels and dining, a short drive away.
• North Down: Bangor and Holywood nearby for a wider golf trip.

Book ahead around major Belfast events.

What to pack

City parkland golf in changeable Ulster weather:

• Waterproofs and a warm layer for quick weather changes
• Comfortable golf shoes with grip for parkland turf
• Plenty of spare balls for the tree-lined, well-bunkered holes
• A rangefinder for the tight, strategic approaches

Nearby attractions

Knock’s east-Belfast setting keeps the city’s sights close.

Conclusion

Knock is Belfast’s architectural gem: a parkland shaped by Colt, Mackenzie and Alison, with a par 70 as tough as any and a history to match. Handy, historic and genuinely testing, it is a round that lovers of classic design will not want to miss on a trip to the city.

Frequently asked questions

When was Knock Golf Club established?

Knock Golf Club was founded in 1895 and moved to its present home at Summerfield, Dundonald, in east Belfast in 1920. To design the new course the club engaged three of the greatest names in golf architecture — Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison. More than a century on, it remains a historic and highly regarded Belfast parkland, having twice hosted the Irish Professional Championship.

What is Knock’s par and length?

Knock plays to a par of 70 over about 6,428 yards. That par of 70 is reckoned among the toughest in the country: tree-lined fairways, a proliferation of bunkers and well-manicured, contoured greens leave little respite and demand accuracy from tee to green. It is a genuine test of position and course management rather than length, and a fine example of its designers’ strategic thinking.

Who designed Knock Golf Club?

Knock’s course, laid out at its present site in 1920, was designed by an extraordinary trio: Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison — three of the most influential architects in golf history, whose collective work includes Augusta National, Muirfield and Royal Portrush. Their strategic bunkering and demand for accuracy still define the round, giving Knock a design pedigree few city courses can match.

Has Knock hosted major tournaments?

Yes. Knock has twice hosted the Irish Professional Championship and has served as a qualifying venue for the Northern Ireland Open. While it is not a championship links, that tournament history reflects the quality of its Colt, Mackenzie and Alison design and its standing among Belfast’s parkland courses. It remains a well-respected members’ club and a historic city landmark.

How do I get to Knock Golf Club?

Knock is at Dundonald, in east Belfast beside the Stormont estate. By car it is a short drive from the city centre via the A20 Upper Newtownards Road towards Dundonald, signposted near Stormont. By public transport, Translink buses serve the Upper Newtownards Road and Dundonald, a short walk or taxi from the club. The address is Summerfield, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, County Antrim, BT16 2QX, with on-site parking.

Are there other courses nearby?

Yes. East Belfast and North Down are rich in golf: Royal Belfast at Craigavad and the two courses at Clandeboye near Bangor are a short drive away, and the parklands of Belvoir Park and Malone lie across the city. The championship links of County Down are within easy reach too, making Knock an excellent classic-design round to include on any Northern Ireland golf trip.