Portstewart Golf Club is a spectacular 54-hole coastal sports complex that stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Portstewart if you want an active outdoor day out. Spanning three distinct courses along the rugged Causeway Coast, this venue blends massive natural sand dunes with beautiful river estuary views. Families can enjoy junior-friendly golf practice, coastal strolls, and world-class sporting heritage where major international open tournaments are played.

Prices start from £15 for an adult round on the historic Old Course during winter, rising up to £335 for peak summer play on the world-renowned Strand championship links. The club also provides incredibly affordable family options, with standard visitor green fees on the Old Course priced at just £45 to £50. This dynamic price range allows families to choose between an elite, challenging sports experience or a quick, budget-friendly game with beginners.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this grand northern club offers a wonderful introduction to traditional links sport. The sheer scale of the mountainous dunes and fresh seaside environment makes a walk here feel like a true outdoor exploration. It is a fantastic place for children to learn sports skills while breathing in the fresh Atlantic air.

Features

• Sensory Play Elements: Younger visitors can experience the crisp touch of native marram grass, deep sand dunes, and bracing Atlantic ocean winds.
• Interactive Exhibits: Shifting coastal dunes and wildlife habitats along the River Bann estuary act as a giant, living natural display.
• Educational Day Out: Children can discover how the 1894 grounds have preserved natural topography and trace the history of the sport back over a century.
• Junior-Friendly Layouts: The compact Old Course and tranquil Riverside route provide an achievable, confidence-building challenge for developing players.

Top 5 Highlights

• The Dramatic First Hole: Often described as having one of the most visually stunning opening tee shots in the world, players strike the ball from an elevated ridge directly into a deep chasm of giant dunes. Children love standing safely near the tee box to watch the golf balls disappear into the towering sandy valley below.
• The "Thistly Hollow" Wilderness: The front nine holes of the main championship course twist deeply inside colossal, natural sand mountains. Walking through these massive ridges makes kids feel like they are exploring a hidden desert fortress hidden right on the Irish coast.
• The River Bann Estuary Walk: The modern Riverside course slopes down to run directly alongside the peaceful banks of the river estuary. It is a wonderful, highly relaxing loop where families can watch local boats, spot waterbirds, and enjoy a slower pace of play.
• The Historic Town Shoreline: The 1894 Old Course sits perched on the rocky eastern cliffs right at the edge of Portstewart town. It gives younger children a completely different perspective of the sea, offering clear views of the crashing waves without the long walks of the main links.
• The Panoramic Clubhouse Hub: The elevated main pavilion features a modern restaurant and large viewing windows that look straight across the fairways and the ocean. It provides a warm, cozy sanctuary for children to enjoy a post-round lunch while watching players navigate the final green.

Specific Attractions & Sub-Exhibits

• The Strand Course: The premier 18-hole championship links layout designed by Willie Park Jr and Des Giffin.
• The Riverside Course: A tranquil 18-hole companion layout that beautifully traces the riverbanks.
• The Old Course: The historic, short 18-hole layout located at the town's eastern shoreline where the club was born.
• The 1894 Club Displays: A collection of early trophies, heritage golf photographs, and tournament archives housed in the lobby.
• The Main Practice Putting Green: A smooth, manicured target surface situated directly outside the primary clubhouse entrance.
• The Professional Retail Shop: A fully stocked golf store packed with junior equipment, apparel, and souvenirs.