Galgorm

Galgorm is one of the leading golfing resorts in Northern Ireland, thanks to its tournament-hosting golf course, stunning practice facilities, incredible accommodation and a truly unique spa and relaxation facility.

Despite only being opened in 1997, Galgorm Castle Golf Club has a lot of history. Designed by Simon Gidman, the course can push to more than 7,200 yards, and has done so on many occasions – hosting the DP World Tour and European Legends Tour on several occasions. It is a tree-lined beauty, with plenty of water to worry the likes of you and me, along with the professionals.

For those needing to relax after a day on the golf course, Galgorm’s Thermal Spa Village is the perfect place. There isn’t anything quite like it on the rest of the NCG Top 100s: Golf Resorts list, with walled gardens and relaxing river houses adding to the facilities, which also includes indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, salt caves and even a snow cabin.

The accommodation offerings at the resort are also first-class. The hotel is home to 125 bedrooms, coming in the form of Deluxe Rooms, Superior Rooms and Suites, all of which are individually decorated with a touch of quality. Away from the hotel, the resort plays host to a number of cottages, log cabins, lodges and even residences, perfect for larger groups.

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Visit Galgorm’s website here.

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The Championship Castle Course is one of Ireland’s finest parklands, designed by Simon Gidman. It is also one of the younger courses in the country, having only opened in 1997. Tree-lined fairways, lots of sand and plenty of water are the hallmarks of the Championship Course at Galgorm Castle. From the back tees, the layout stretches to 7,275 yards, but for us mere mortals, the green tees see the course run out at just 6,100 yards.

It begins with a tricky dog-leg right par 4, with an approach played to a deceptive three-tiered green. The first of the signature holes on the Championship Course comes at the 7th – the shortest of the par 3s. It is just 131 yards from the greens, but the large water hazard sitting to the right of the green will be in your mind.

Around the turn, there are back-to-back par 5s, both of which feature plenty of water hazards. The 10th pushes past the 600-yard mark in tournament play. 13 is the Stroke Index 1 at Galgorm Castle, with one of the narrowest fairways on the course. It is only 345 yards, but water lies in wait for anything slightly to the right. The ‘Devil’s Elbow’ follows – a wicked 140-yard par 3 with water on three sides of the putting surface. The closing hole is also the longest off the green tees. A 510-yard par 5, those going for it will most likely bail out to the right, as there is water tight to the left side of the green.

The Championship Course has plenty of tournament pedigree throughout its short history. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was played at Galgorm Castle in 2020, while the NI Legends Open being hosted at the venue in 2025. The course has also seen the European Challenge Tour visit on several occasions, while Galgorm Castle also made history in 2019. It did so by hosting the ISPS HANDA World Invitational – the first ever tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour. 

Visit Galgorm Castle’s website here.

The accommodation at Galgorm comes in two forms – rooms and lodges. There are 125 bedrooms in the hotel, which each room being individually decorated and furnished. They come in three options – Deluxe Rooms, Superior Rooms and Suites, with the latter being the most luxurious of the three.

If you’re looking for luxury, though, you want to head to the lodges section of the website. There are three Forest Dens (one-bedroom, two-bedroom and suite), along with a pair of Log Cabins, which are perfect for larger groups – both sleeping at least six. Galgorm also has a host of cottages, along with four Residences – the largest of which (Red Oaks) sleeps up to 12 people.

The Shepherd’s Hut is the creme de la creme of the accommodation at the Northern Irish resort, with an amazing backdrop, sitting alongside the River Maine. It is located in Galgorm Wood, giving it privacy and luxury, and there are one-bed and two-bed options, alongside the suite which comes with its own hot tub.

Most resorts have spas, but Galgorm goes the extra mile with its Thermal Spa Village. Located next to the River Maine, it provides a unique experience with pools, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and a snow cabin among many facilities. Throw in a river house to relax in, and both the Riverside and Alpine Gardens to enjoy, and you really do have something special.

Along with the incredible facilities, there is also the opportunity to treat yourself to a wide range of massages and treatments at the Thermal Village Spa. Facial treatments, full body massages, hot stone massages, mud rasul and even detox therapy are all available.

Where is Galgorm?

Galgorm is located just to the west of the city of Ballymena in Northern Ireland. The town of Cullybackey is just north of the resort, while the Northern Irish capital of Belfast is 30 miles away to the southeast.

What is the nearest airport and station to Galgorm?

Belfast International Airport, which is located to the northwest of the Northern Irish capital, is the closest airport to Galgorm. Belfast International is less than 20 miles from the resort, while Belfast City is around 35 miles away. Train travellers can stop in either Ballymena or Callybuckey, both of which are just a short drive from Galgorm.

What golf facilities does Galgorm Castle offer?

Along with the Championship Course, Galgorm Castle also has a 6-hole Wee Course. It is a pitch and putt which provides the perfect place for beginners to learn the nuances of the game, along with being a great spot for those playing the Championship to warm up beforehand. As well as the Wee Course, Galgorm also has a full-length driving range with TopTracer technology, along with a short game area and two putting greens.

Does Galgorm Castle offer golf lessons?

Galgorm Castle has its own Golf Academy, with coaching available from a team of PGA-qualified professionals. There are programmes for everyone, including juniors and women, while the venue also has a custom fitting centre as well.

What are the green fees at Galgorm?

The price of a green fee at Galgorm changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Galgorm, visit their website here.

What accommodation is on offer at Galgorm?

In a word, the accommodation must be described as luxurious. Galgorm is host toa wonderful range of 125 bedrooms in its hotel, along with lodges, cottages, residences and log cabins, providing something for all groups and parties.

What other resorts are nearby?

Galgorm is one of just two Northern Irish venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list. The other is the Lough Erne Resort, which is some 85 miles away. Over the border and into the Republic of Ireland, Rosapenna - on the North Atlantic Ocean coastline - and Slieve Russell, to the southwest in Ballyconnell, are also within 100 miles of Galgorm.