Practice Programs

Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for The Royal Belfast Golf Club

Discover tailored practice programs for this course.

Craigavad, Down, Northern Ireland

Open Flagship Program Visit Club Website→

Total Programs

16 complete programs built for this course

Unique Drills

Total unique drills across all programs

Skill Pillars

Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Mechanics

Session Durations

3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 7 days , 8 days , 9 days

AccuracyAimAlignmentDispersionDistance ControlMechanics+5 more

The Royal Belfast Practice Profile

We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for The Royal Belfast, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.

Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.

Skill Distribution

Scoring 34%Aim 18%Distance Control 17%Precision 15%Alignment 14%

Handicap Performance Insights

The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.

20.1

Average HCP

Minimum HCP

32.8

Maximum HCP

Top Drills

Featured Drills for The Royal Belfast

Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.

Putting30 min

Putting Aid: Chalk Line, 50 in Row

Make 50 putts in a row over the chalk starting line.

Short Game26 min

DIY Course Easy

Make a DIY 9 hole easy-difficulty course. Every hole is PAR 2. Count the score.

Driving Range31 min

Driver | Ladder Challenge

Complete the Ladder Challenge using driver only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

Putting18 min

Putting Aid: String Line, 50 in a Row

Make 50 putts in a row, underneath the hanging string line.

Short Game26 min

DIY Course Easy

Make a DIY 9 hole easy-difficulty course. Every hole is PAR 2. Count the score.

Short Game26 min

DIY Course Easy

Up to 5 players play easy-difficulty 9 hole ‘PAR 2’ DIY course. Best final score wins.

Course Details

Everything you need to know about The Royal Belfast.

Contact Information

📞

Phone

+44 (0)1250 872622

📠

Fax

+44 (0) 1250 872622

✉️

admin@royalbelfast.com

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Facilities

✓Driving Range

✓Putting Green

✓Chipping Green

✓Practice Bunker

✓Motor Cart

✓Pull Cart

✓Golf Clubs Rental

✗Club Fitting

✓Pro Shop

✓Golf Lessons

✗Caddie Hire

✓Restaurant

✓Reception Hall

✓Changing Room

✓Lockers

✗Lodging on Site

Location

Station Road

Course Description

Royal Belfast Golf Club is Ireland’s oldest golf club, founded in 1881 and distinguished by the Royal designation. Located in Craigavad near Holywood, Northern Ireland, the club features a 6,309-yard parkland course that emphasizes precision and strategic play, along with practice facilities and a Victorian clubhouse recognized for hospitality and dining. It welcomes visitors and members alike, offering tee times, pro shop services, and caddie rentals, and highlights its historic heritage and award-winning facilities. The club is positioned as a premier golf destination in Ulster, with proximity to other famed courses on the island of Ireland.

oldest golf club in ireland • royal designation golf • belfast golf courses • northern ireland golf • parkland golf course • six thousand yards course • bunkers and greens • victorian clubhouse • golf rental services • caddies • visitors golf ireland • green fees • open competitions • golf in ulster • golfing heritage • course overview • tournament host • book tee time • golf holidays ireland

Course Information

Holes

Par

Type

Links

Architect

Harry S. Colt

Opened

1881

Google Reviews

Business Claimed

⭐N/A(0 reviews)

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The Royal Belfast Golf Club Social Media Presence

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Programs

Skill-Based Practice Programs for The Royal Belfast

We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.

Filter programs by category (select one)

Showing 16 Programs

% match to course practice profile

Hit Center Of Cup From 3 Feet

Position feet correctly, for a 12-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Putting18-30 min12 HCP3 drills

Alignment37%

Aim22%

Stroke13%

View Program

Aim To Hit Center Every Time

Focus on alignment, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Putting18-30 min17 HCP3 drills

Aim32%

Stroke28%

Alignment23%

View Program

Match Mental Image to Result

Picture the roll, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Short Game~26 min17 HCP6 drills

Scoring38%

Accuracy24%

Visualization23%

View Program

Save par with a clutch mixed shot—pressure drill

Save par clutch, for a 16-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Short Game~26 min15 HCP9 drills

Scoring45%

Distance Control31%

Visualization20%

View Program

10 Week Flagship Program for The Royal Belfast

A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for The Royal Belfast. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 10 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.

Week 1≤ 3 days

Putting · 3 ft (1m) only

Aim To Hit Center Every Time

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Weeks 1–3≤ 7 days

Short Game · Mixed

Make Par Around the Green

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0

Weeks 3–5≤ 7 days

Driving Range · Long irons (4,3,2)

Stop Missing Greens With Long Irons

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0

Week 5≤ 3 days

Putting · 3 ft (1m) only

Hit Center Of Cup From 3 Feet

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 12.0

Week 6≤ 4 days

Short Game · Bump'n'Run

Square up and send it: perfect alignment for Bump'n'Runs

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0

Week 7≤ 3 days

Driving Range · Driver

Control Driver Flight Path

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Weeks 7–8≤ 5 days

Putting · 9 ft (3m) only

Target Cup Accurately On All Shots

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 11.0

Week 9≤ 4 days

Short Game · Pitch

Pitch 15–25 Yds From Fringe

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 34.0

Week 10≤ 3 days

Driving Range · Long irons (4,3,2)

Long Iron Distance Control

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Open Flagship Program

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Turn every drive into an advantage—score from the tee

Advantage from tee, for a 9-handicap player, ~10 minutes.

Driving Range30-31 min9 HCP8 drills

Scoring32%

Precision15%

Distance Control13%

View Program

Wedge Distance Control

Control distance, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range30-43 min17 HCP6 drills

Scoring26%

Distance Control26%

Trajectory17%

View Program

Target Cup Accurately On All Shots

Commit to the aim, for a 11-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Putting15-18 min11 HCP5 drills

Aim38%

Scoring18%

Alignment14%

View Program

Square up and send it: perfect alignment for Bump'n'Runs

Test your setup, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.

Short Game~26 min35 HCP4 drills

Scoring37%

Alignment33%

Aim16%

View Program

Make Par Around the Green

Mix short game shots, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.

Short Game~26 min35 HCP7 drills

Scoring44%

Distance Control34%

Visualization22%

View Program

Unlock Your Golf Potential

Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.

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Pitch 15–25 Yds From Fringe

Pitch to the green, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.

Short Game~26 min34 HCP4 drills

Aim35%

Alignment18%

Scoring15%

View Program

Thread the gap: precision Bump'n'Runs to a tight pin

Thread the gap, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.

Short Game~26 min23 HCP3 drills

Alignment23%

Precision22%

Distance Control17%

View Program

Pick your spot and trust your aim—can you hit it?

Set a target, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.

Short Game~26 min22 HCP7 drills

Aim30%

Scoring21%

Distance Control11%

View Program

Control Driver Flight Path

Achieve distance consistency, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min17 HCP3 drills

Scoring27%

Dispersion20%

Precision17%

View Program

Long Iron Distance Control

Reduce misses, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min17 HCP3 drills

Distance Control25%

Trajectory22%

Scoring20%

View Program

Stop Missing Greens With Long Irons

Eliminate hooks, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min35 HCP7 drills

Precision33%

Mechanics19%

Aim16%

View Program

Maximize 3-Wood Control

Precision 3-wood shots, for a 1-handicap player, ~10 minutes.

Driving Range30-31 min0 HCP7 drills

Scoring29%

Precision18%

Distance Control13%

View Program

2026

Prepare for Tournaments at The Royal Belfast

Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.

No upcoming tournaments at this time.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about The Royal Belfast

Get answers to common questions about playing The Royal Belfast and what to expect.

How difficult is The Royal Belfast for mid-handicap golfers?

The Royal Belfast is regarded as a strategically complex layout. The 120 slope rating keeps it accessible for developing players. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 70.

What tees should a 15 handicap play at The Royal Belfast?

A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.

What is considered a good score at The Royal Belfast?

With a course rating of 70 and par 70, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 70 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.

How long is The Royal Belfast and how does yardage affect play?

At a full length of 6500 yards, it balances distance with positional strategy.

What type of course is The Royal Belfast and how should I play it?

Architecturally, it reflects a Links style. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.

What features make The Royal Belfast strategically challenging?

The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.

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