The exact date of origin of the game of Golf in the Ballyliffin area is difficult to pinpoint. Clubs in Greencastle (1893), North West (1890) and the City of Derry (1912) were already well established by the 1940s and supposedly their success acted as a reassuring prompt to the formal establishment of a Club in Ballyliffin. The game had been played spasmodically at Pollen Green (Gerard Grants Land) by members of the British Army, stationed at Leenan Fort and later in the 1920s and 1930s by Carndonagh Bankers and others who could afford the time. In any case by the middle to late 1940s after the end of World War ll the concept of establishing a Club in the area gained momentum. A meeting of those interested in the formation of the Golf Club at Ballyliffin was held in Ballyliffin Hall on 2nd April, 1947. It was formally proposed by Dr. F. C. Friel, seconded by P.J. McCarroll and passed unanimously that the Ballyliffin Golf Club be established.

By the 8th August 1947, a lease of all the necessary rights for a period of ten years was granted by the ten landowners concerned to the newly elected trustees of the Club, namely; Rev. J. Gallagher, M.D. White, Patrick J. ODoherty, Patrick Gallen and Bernard Harkin, for an initial annual sum of £1 per year per landowner. The course was unofficially declared open for play to Members in June, but because the newly laid greens were still quite rough it was decided to postpone the official opening until their condition improved. At the A.G.M. of this historic year, the Honorary Secretary Mr Patrick J. ODoherty recorded the following prophetic assessment.."In the opinion of the Committee, the prospects for the Club in the coming years are bright. The initial work is now over and a course is in existence and although perhaps not up to the standard of other 9-hole courses, it is capable of great development, and has the advantages of being ideally situated and free from major obstructions...". May 2nd, 1948 was the date eventually chosen to mark the official opening of the Club.