City of Derry
City of Derry's Prehen Course tumbles down a wooded hillside to the banks of the River Foyle, a par 71 parkland with roots back to 1912 and a Willie Park Junior pedigree. Eddie Hackett reshaped it into a full eighteen in the 1970s, and today it is the warm, walkable counterpoint to the famous links an hour up the Causeway Coast.
Photo: City of Derry Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
City of Derry is the parkland heart of golf in the north west, a club founded in 1912 whose original nine holes were laid out by the great Willie Park Junior. When more land became available the course grew to a full eighteen, redesigned in the early 1970s by the prolific Irish architect Eddie Hackett with the club professional Ted Pope, and it has matured into a handsome par 71 falling toward the River Foyle at Prehen.
It will never out muscle Royal Portrush or Royal County Down, and it does not try to. What it offers is tree lined, river valley golf of real charm and genuine challenge, welcoming to visitors and societies, and a fraction of the green fee of the marquee links. For a touring golfer breaking the drive between Donegal and the Causeway Coast, or anyone after a relaxed round around Derry, it earns its place.
City of Derry at a glance
- Founded
- 1912
- Designer
- Willie Park Jnr, Eddie Hackett
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,466 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor (confirm)
Founding year, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026 from City of Derry Golf Club and leading course databases. The club dates to 1912 with an original nine by Willie Park Junior; the present par 71 Prehen Course of about 6,466 yards was redesigned in the early 1970s by Eddie Hackett with club professional Ted Pope. Green fees vary by day and season and remain modest by Irish championship standards, so always confirm current rates and tee times directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Prehen Course makes the most of a steep, wooded site, the holes climbing and falling across a hillside that drops away to the River Foyle. Mature trees line many of the fairways and shape the strategy, so position from the tee matters more than distance, and the changes in elevation ask for honest judgement of club and stance.
The parkland turf holds well even in the shoulder season, and the river valley setting gives the round a sheltered, intimate feel a world away from the exposed links of the coast. The greens are true and the par 3s are nicely varied, several played across the slope where the eye can deceive.
It is a course to be plotted rather than overpowered, the kind of relaxed, scenic test that suits a touring golfer looking for a softer day between the big links. City of Derry rewards the thinking player and sends you back to the clubhouse with the Foyle glinting below.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visitors and societies welcome; check the tee sheet for member times |
| Green fee | Modest by Irish championship standards; varies by day and season (indicative, 2026); confirm directly |
| Booking | Book through the golf shop; societies and groups by arrangement |
| On the day | A walkable parkland with real elevation change; trolleys and buggies available |
| Getting there | Prehen, on the south side of Derry near the A5, about 35 minutes from City of Derry Airport |
| Best months | May to September, though the sheltered river valley plays well into the shoulder season |
Access arrangements verified June 2026 from City of Derry Golf Club; visitor green fees vary, so always confirm directly before booking. See live availability via our tee time partners.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Derry itself, the walled city on the Foyle, with its hotels, restaurants and history within minutes of the course. It makes a natural staging point between the wild links of County Donegal to the west and the Causeway Coast to the east.
It is an ideal region to build a north west golf tour around, pairing a relaxed round at City of Derry with the championship links at Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock a short drive up the coast. A Derry base keeps the parkland on the doorstep and the great links within easy reach.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near City of Derry.
Build a Northern Ireland golf trip
We arrange the City of Derry tee times, pair them with the great links of the Causeway Coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
City of Derry questions
Who designed City of Derry Golf Club?
Willie Park Junior laid out the original nine holes when the club was founded in 1912, and the full par 71 Prehen Course was redesigned in the early 1970s by Eddie Hackett with club professional Ted Pope.
What is the par and length of the Prehen Course?
The Prehen Course is a par 71 of about 6,466 yards, a tree lined parkland falling toward the River Foyle at Prehen.
Can visitors play City of Derry?
Yes. Visitors and societies are welcome. Book through the golf shop, and check the tee sheet for member times before travelling.
Where is City of Derry Golf Club?
It sits at Prehen on the south side of Derry, on the wooded banks of the River Foyle, about 35 minutes from City of Derry Airport.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Founding year, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.