Gracehill Golf Club

Hopefully this web site will give you an insight into the golf course that is Gracehill. If you have never played it before may be some of the aerial photographs will convince you that it is time you did! With a friendly welcome assured this hidden gem is easier to find than you think.

Nestling in beautiful parkland with American style water hazards, a challenging, contemporary course awaits…

Stuart Hood GOLF WORLD "If ever there was a course that required a warm up this is it. A decent opening drive will leave you with around 170-yards of pond to carry off a downhill lie into a raised green barely visible through a tunnel of trees. Get the ball in the air and pray. After the nightmare-instigating 1st a relatively gentle few holes follow before water suddenly becomes omnipresent. Because of this the holes that don't feature any wet stuff are a pleasant relief and really stand out from the crowd. The 13th is a tight tree-lined par four that wouldn't look out of place at Wentworth, while the 15th is classic par five played over heather and reminiscent of Woodhall Spa." To see an aerial perspective of some of the holes Stuart is describing click here

Gracehill Golf Course is considered to be one of the top 18 hole parkland courses in Ulster, if not all Ireland. Nestling in beautiful parkland outside the village of Stranocum near Ballymoney, it offers golfers the opportunity to sample American style water hazards, as well as bringing many mature trees into play.

Some of the greens are strategically placed near to water hazards while other holes are played through mature woodland or over heathland making it one of the few courses in Ireland to offer such variety.

The land, which Gracehill Golf Club now occupies, has a unique history, dating back to the time when King James I succeeded to the throne of England. It has passed through many generations of owners who either bought or inherited the property. Presently it is owned by the Gillan family who purchased it in 1971.

Run as a working farm until around 1991 when the present owner decided to turn it into an 18-hole championship golf c ourse. The old estate buildings have been painstakingly converted to form an excellent clubhouse incorporating modern facilities. This former coach house and stable block overlooks breath-taking scenic views across the golf course and surrounding countryside, providing a warm and friendly atmosphere while still retaining the charm and character of its old heritage.

Golfers who wish to enjoy a challenging round in very rural surroundings will find Gracehill the ideal choice. In fact Open Champion 2011 Darren Clarke has played Gracehill on a number of occasions and enjoyed the variety of golfing challenges which Gracehill offers. His particular favourite hole was the 13th Knockmore. This is Gracehill’s index 1 hole and probably rightly so. With trees and laurels defining the entire length of the hole accuracy off the tee is essential. Unless you have the power of Rory McIlroy and can cut the slight dogleg, a strategic tee shot finding the middle of the fairway is a must – too far left and a draw is required for your second shot, too far left and a little fade is necessary. Needless to say Knockmore can be a card maker or breaker!