The Ardglass Golf Club is a charming 18-hole links course set along the northeastern coast of Ireland. The course design is known to be a fair and true test in links golf, subtle but severe. Home of the world’s oldest clubhouse, a 14th century castle built in 1405, the Ardglass Golf Club coupled with some of the best views in golf, will provide golfers with an unforgettable Irish golfing experience.
Designer:
T MacAfee
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 Holes / Par 70 / 6268 yds (Medal)
Facilities:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Restaurant
Established:
1896
The Ballybunion Golf Club presents one of the finest seaside golf links experiences, the perfect stage to duel with nature on its stunning contoured fairways carved out of undulating dune terrain. Play one of 2 challenging and unique world-class links golf courses – the Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course. Tom Watson famously said, “Nobody can call himself a golfer until he has played at Ballybunion; you would think the game originated there.”
Designer:
J McKenna / T Simpson (Old Course) / RT Jones Sr (Cashen Course)
Holes / Par / Yardage:
36 Holes / Old Course : Par 71 / 6802 yds Blue Tees / Cashen Course : Par 72 / 5,777m Blue Tees
Facilities:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Restaurant
Established:
1893
Located in North Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland, Carne Golf Links is regarded as one of Ireland’s hidden gem links courses that is continuously ranked within the Top 50 Courses in Ireland & Britain. This is Ireland’s most North Westerly links course, set in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes stretching 150m above sea level, with breath-taking views of the Atlantic across Blacksod Bay. The 6,700-yard links features 18 challenging holes designed by the late Eddie Hackett, and it is believed by many who have played it, to be his greatest challenge. The Kilmore Course, an additional 9 holes opened in 2013, were designed by Jim Engh Design and McIntosh Golf Design. With the combination of the Hackett back nine and the new Kilmore nine, it has recently been rebranded and marketed as “The Wild Atlantic Dunes Course”, which is probably the biggest dunes course in the world.
Designer:
18 holes designed by Eddie Hackett in 1993, New 9 holes designed by Jim Engh Design and McIntosh Golf Design in 2013
Holes / Par / Yardage:
27 holes
Established:
1992
Green Fees:
Summer season EUR130, winter season EUR60
Distance:
4 hours from Dublin International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & bar, Practice range, Putting green
Castlerock Golf Club has been awarded Ireland’s “Hidden Gem” for Links Golf on the North Coast. Established since 1901, the golf club has been upgraded along its way by legends Ben Sayers, Harry Colt and most recently Martin Hawtree. The Mussenden Course, crafted through beautiful rolling sand dunes, sits at the mouth of the Bann River where it meets the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Comprising a mixture of inland and links holes, a round at Castlerock will test every department of your game. The 200-yard par 3, 4th hole, called “Leg O’ Mutton,” is probably the signature hole at Castlerock and requires a tee shot struck over a river, with a railway track lurking to the right. The Bann Course is a fun 9-hole golf course with some spectacular views out onto the Bann River and over to Donegal. The layout is similar to Mussenden Course and the par five 5th hole is considered to be one of the most scenic holes in Irish golf. Today, Castlerock Golf Club is rated among Ireland’s finest links courses having hosted multiple Amateur and Professional Championships.
Designer:
Ben Sayers in 1908, Harry Colt around 1930, Martin Hawtree in 2017
Holes / Par / Yardage:
27 holes
Established:
April 1901
Green Fees:
Summer season GBP135
Golf Cart:
GBP30 per cart
Distance:
1 hour 5 mins from Belfast International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & bar, Short game area, Practice area, Pro shop
Cork Golf Club is one of Ireland’s oldest parkland golf courses, founded in 1888. Built on free-draining limestone, this championship course presents a crisp heath-like playing surface similar to links and has hosted many major amateur and professional events over the years. Hole 4th being the toughest par 4 in all of Ireland. It is a classic risk and reward hole where your tee shot must carry across rough, dead ground to a distant undulating fairway. The more you cut off, the easier the approach shot to one of Cork’s smallest and most challenging greens. Following next comes a series of holes played through and around an ancient limestone quarry. Beyond the bounds of the quarry holes, there are smart doglegs, heaving slopes and trees. Every part of your game will be sorely tested, but with its rumpled fairways and natural charm. Cork Golf Club is sculpted from historic limestone quarries and unfolds magnificently along the banks of the City’s Inner Harbour, a course you will love.
Designer:
Alister MacKenzie
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 holes par 72, 6,813 yards
Established:
1888
Green Fees:
EUR125 weekday and weekend
Distance:
20 mins from Cork International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & bar, Pro shop
County Louth Golf Club, located in the historic Boyne Valley region on the east coast of Ireland. Established in 1892, this award-winning golf club is known for providing one of the purest and fairest tests of links golf in the world. The greens are County Louth’s hallmark, and they are among the best in the whole of Ireland. The course features natural unspoilt links with towering sandhills, testing rough and a variety of great holes that demands accurate hitting and strategic thinking. The back nine is especially entertaining with a number of holes running close to the shore with distant views towards the Mourne Mountains. County Louth Golf Club has hosted the prestigious East of Ireland Amateur Championship since 1941. The club is also the host for the European Tour’s Irish Open in 2004 and 2009.
Designer:
Redesigned by Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay in 1938
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 holes par 72, 7,031 yards
Established:
1892
Green Fees:
Summer season EUR165 weekday, EUR185 weekend
Distance:
42 mins from Dublin international Airport
Facilities:
Accommodation, Restaurant, Golf academy, Practice areas, Pro shop
Located in the picturesque seaside village of Rosses Point, the Country Sligo Golf Club is widely regarded as a great championship golf course that successfully combines breath-taking scenery and competitive play. This world-famous golf course runs in a north-south direction with the Atlantic Ocean running the entire length to the West. The prevailing wind on Rosses cannot be understated as it blows here like nowhere else! Founded in 1894 as a 9-hole course, it is now a modern 27-hole complex with spacious clubhouse and modern facilities. The 18-hole Colt Championship Links is a traditional links layout, designed by Harry Colt. The signature 17th hole is a long par 4 that calls for an accurate drive to the right of the fairway. The 9-hole Bomore Links is a course filled with dramatic undulations, elevated tees and raised plateau greens. It is designed by Jonathan Tucker and was opened for play in 1999.
Designer:
The Colt Championship Links redesigned by Harry Colt in 1927, The Bomore Links designed by Jonathan Tucker in 1999
Holes / Par / Yardage:
The Colt Championship Links 18 holes, 7,259 yards / The Bomore Links 9 holes, 3,034 yards
Established:
1894
Green Fees:
Summer season from EUR200
Distance:
2 hours 50 mins from Dublin International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & bars, Driving range, Practice areas
Enniscrone Golf Club is one of Ireland’s finest authentic golf links courses. Founded in 1918, redesigned by Eddie Hackett in 1974 and renovated in 2001 by Donald Steel, this Irish championship course is one of the most challenging yet awe-inspiring golf experiences. Strong winds from the Killala Bay coupled with firm, elevated greens will challenge golfers of all skill levels and demand accuracy with each club in the bag. The Dunes Course is a par 73, 7,033-yard championship links course, often a venue for National and Golfing Union of Ireland’s top amateur events. With the spectacular Ox Mountains lining the background, twelve of the 18 holes wind through the tall shaggy dunes on the coast, giving you a sense of isolation but tranquillity at the same time. The last four finishing holes are exhilarating and border the Atlantic Ocean. In 2020, Enniscrone Golf Club was voted 14th Best Golf Course in Ireland, by Golf Digest Ireland. It’s no wonder why Enniscrone is considered a must-play golf course on a west of Ireland golf itinerary!
Designer:
Redesigned by Eddie Hackett in 1974 and Donald Steel in 2001
Holes / Par / Yardage:
The Dunes Course 18 holes par 73, 7,033 yards / Scurmore Course 9 holes 3,367 yards
Established:
1918
Green Fees:
Summer season EUR145, winter season EUR45
Distance:
3 hours 15 mins from Dublin International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & bar, Driving range, Practice area, Pro shop
Fota Island Golf Club is said to be the second oldest golf course in Ireland, as early records suggest that golf was played here as far back as 1886. Renovated in 1993, again in 1999 and in 2007, additional nine holes were added. Today, Fota Island Golf Club is home to 3 championship golf courses and is rated as one of the finest parkland courses in the country. It has been a three-time host to the Irish Open Golf Championships with all its three courses, the Deerpark Course, Belvelly Course and the Barryscourt Course. The Deerpark Course is laid out on rolling parkland and framed by mature woodland with stunning views across Cork Harbour. The Belvelly Course, the new nine combined with Deerpark back nine, are tricky and picturesque in equal measure. The Barryscourt Course, the new nine combined with Deerpark front nine, offers a fantastic opportunity to produce a good score, making sure your putting game is challenged throughout your round.
Designer:
Christy O’Connor Jnr in 1993, Peter McEvoy in 1999, Jeff Howes in 2007
Holes / Par / Yardage:
27 holes Deerpark Course par 71, 6,488 yards / Belvelly Course par 72, 6,746 yards / Barryscourt Course par 73, 6,958 yards
Established:
1993
Green Fees:
GBP120
Distance:
25 mins from Cork International Airport
Facilities:
Accommodation, Restaurants & lounge, Golf academy, Pro shop, Spa, Fitness, Conference rooms
Located in Killarney National Park, surrounded by the lakes of Lough Leane, with the mountains of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks as the background, the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is one of the most beautiful inland golf courses in Ireland. It comprises three top class parkland layouts; the Killeen Course, Mahony’s Point and most recently, the 9-hole Lackabane Course. All three courses are built to modern specifications with sand-based greens and tree-lined, undulating fairways. Consistently rated amongst the world’s top courses, the Killeen Course offers spectacular lakeside scenery and challenging golf to players of all levels, with water features on nearly every hole. Among the finest holes are the par 3s at holes 3 and 6, as well as the closing two holes, particularly the 18th, which requires a drive from a raised tee and an approach over water to the green.
Holes / Par / Yardage:
Killeen Course 18 holes par 72, 7,252 yards / Mahony’s Point 18 holes par 72, 6,780 yards / Lackabane Course 9 holes par 36, 3,300 yards
Established:
1893
Green Fee:
Kileen Course summer season EUR125 weekday, EUR150 weekend
Buggy:
EUR40
Distance:
1 hour 30 mins from Cork International Airport
Facilities:
Restaurant & café, Golf academy, Driving range, Chipping areas, Putting greens, Pro shop, Sauna, Gym
Luttrellstown Castle Resort is one of the most famous and well-preserved castles in Ireland. A privately owned estate with its historic castle, walled gardens, an 18-hole championship golf course and a state-of-the-art alpine-lodge-style clubhouse. It is one of the best Parkland courses around Dublin and has been awarded #9 Parkland course and #35 (Irelands Top 100) in Irish Golfer magazine. Enjoy spectacular views of the historic Luttrellstown Castle from the 2nd hole and across the Liffey Valley from the 15th tee. It is certainly a challenge to concentrate on your game when you’re surrounded by such incredible scenery.
Designer:
Redesigned by Tom MacKenzie and Donald Steel in 2007
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 holes par 72, 7,347 yards
Distance:
25 mins from Dublin International Airport
Facilities:
Accommodation, Restaurant, bar & lounge, Golf academy, Indoor & outdoor driving range, Pro shop, Locker rooms, Meeting rooms
The Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale is one of the most unforgettable courses you will ever play. Perched on a stunning elevated 2-mile strip of Peninsula into the Atlantic Ocean, the course offers stunning 180-degree vistas of the ocean, with 9 holes played along the cliff’s edge. The biggest challenge is the coastal winds that can gain some serious speed. Some shots require a 3 to 4 club adjustment making for a thrilling and breathtaking golfing experience.
Designer:
R Kirby / E Hackett / J Carr / P Merrigan
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 Holes / Par 72 / 7159 yds Back Tees
Established:
1997
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse
Enjoy an exhilarating round of 18 holes at the world-renowned Portmanock Golf Club. Founded in 1894, this traditional links golf course is an absolute treat, having hosted many notable championships over the years and is widely considered to be one of the fairest links courses in the world. Sitting on narrow strip of dune land alongside a placid estuary, this course challenging with its fast greens and is particularly exposed to the windy elements with its flat and open terrain.
Designer:
WC Pickeman / George Ross
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 Holes / Par 72 7365 yds Back Tees
Established:
1894
Facility:
Practice Facilities, Pro Shop, Clubhouse
Play a round at the Portstewart Golf Club, which feature 54 exquisite holes by the Atlantic Ocean. The par 72 championship Strand Course will challenge and delight with its undulating dunes, run off bunkers, rolling fairways and tricky manicured greens, ensuring ingenuity to get around this masterpiece. The Riverside Course and the Old Course are shorter playing to a Par 68 and Par 64 respectively.
Designer:
Strand Course (W Park, D Griffin) / Old Course (RC Davison, J Rea)
Holes / Par / Yardage:
54 Holes : Strand Course (Par 72 / 7,118yds blue) / Riverside Course (Par 68 / 5,725yds blue) / Old Course (Par 64 / 4,822yds white)
Established:
1894
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Restaurant
Laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1893 and later modified by Harry Vardon, James Braid & Harry Colt, the Old Tom Morris Links takes advantage of the natural terrain to provide a classic links golf challenge. The views of Sheephaven Bay across Tramore Beach on the back nine are unparalleled. Old Tom Morris Links incorporates wide rolling fairways, undulating terrain and delightful greens giving you an all-round golfing experience! The Sandy Hills Links, is a test to any golfer. Its narrow fairways appear constricting from the tee, but the landing areas sculpted from the dunes are deceptively wide. Most of the holes run north and south along the dune ridges, parallel to the front 9 of the Old Tom Morris Course. The third 18-hole links, St Patrick’s Links, is slated to open in June 2021, replacing a 36-hole links that has been dormant for years. St Patrick’s Links is blessed with spectacular natural blow outs, scaled dunes and commanding views of the ocean and Ards Forest Park. Be sure to play all three courses at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort.
Designer:
Old Tom Morris Links – Old Tom Morris in 1893, James Braid and Harry Vardon in 1906, Harry Colt in 1911
Sandy Hills Links – Pat Ruddy and Frank Casey Senior in 2003, Beau Welling in 2013
St Patrick’s Links – Tom Doak in 2021
Holes / Par / Yardage:
63 holes
Established:
1893
Green Fee:
Summer season from EUR140
Distance:
2 hours 15 mins from Belfast International Airport
Facility:
Accommodation, Restaurants, Lounge and bar, Practice area, Pro shop, Billiards room, Conference room
We head to the crown jewel of Northern Irish golf. Nestled in the stunning Murlough Nature Reserve in Northern Ireland, the Championship Links course of the Royal Country Down Golf Club is a must play. With the Mountains of Mourne as the backdrop, the course zigzags along the shores of Dundrum Bay providing dramatic views and interesting changes to elevation and terrain. With its blind holes, ribbon thin fairways and thick gorse shrubbery flanking the boundaries, Championship Links course is the perfect note to end off your Irish links escapade. Check into Dublin for 1 night.
Designer:
GL Baillie / OTMorris / G Combe/ J Braide / J Taylor/ H Vardon/ B Savers / H Cold / D Steele
Holes / Par / Yardage:
Championship Links: 18 Holes / Par 71 / 7186 yds Back Tees
Established:
1889
Facility:
Practice Facilities, Pro Shop, Clubhouse
Experience the best of links golf at the Royal Portrush Golf Club of Northern Ireland. Play 18 holes at one of the 2 courses on this property, the Dunluce Links course and the Valley course. The Dunluce Links course is one of the most interesting and challenging links courses in the world. It is the only course the British Open has been played on in Ireland in the history of the tournament. The Dunluce Links provides a stern test across rugged links land with constant changes in both direction and elevation keeping golfers on their toes.
Designer:
H Colte (1929 – Dunluce / 1932 Valley)
Holes / Par / Yardage:
36 Holes : Dunluce Course : Par 72 / 7317 yds championship / Valley Course : Par 71 / 6346 yds championship
Established:
1888
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse
Located south of Dublin, The European Club is one of the best-rated and toughest links courses in the world. Designed by Pat Ruddy, thischallenging par 71 features just two par 5s and three par 3s, with 2 extra optional par 3s. There are lavish views of the Irish Sea from almost every hole, with interesting concealed fairways and interesting swales and dunes that keep golfers thinking. The stunning par four 12th Hole plays downhill from an elevated tee box onto a fairway flanking the coastline.
Designer:
Pat Ruddy
Holes / Par / Yardage:
20 Holes (Championship 18: Par 71 / 6795 yds Back Tees)
Established:
1987
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse
Overlooked by the North County Dublin village of Malahide, this beautiful links course is surrounded on three sides by water and marshland with holes that weave through some of the tallest and most awe-inspiring dunes of any older links course. With the new front nine redesigned by renowned architects Ebert & McKenzie, The Island Beach Club was ranked #9 in Irish Golfer’s Top 100 Courses in 2021. The 13th and 14th are among The Island’s signature holes. The par-3 13th is one of the toughest short holes in Ireland, at 210 yards, and the 14th, the former 1st hole, which starts from the site of the original clubhouse, is the most intimidating par 4s you will face. The fairway at its widest point is a mere 15 paces across. Missing the fairway on the right forces the ball into the water hazard, while on the left is in deep rough. It is certainly the narrowest fairway in Ireland!
Designer:
Redesign of the front nine by Ebert & McKenzie
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 holes
Established:
1890
Green Fee:
Summer season EUR165 weekday, EUR185 weekend
Buggy:
EUR50 per buddy
Distance:
18 mins from Dublin Airport
Facility:
Restaurant, Practice facilities, Pro shop
The K Club is one of Ireland’s top golf and spa resorts, home to two Arnold Palmer designed championship golf courses, the Palmer North Course and Palmer South Course host to the 2006 Ryder Cup, the 2016 Irish Open and 13 European Opens between 1995 and 2007. The Palmer North Course is one of Europe’s most spectacular courses that is regularly ranked in the top 3 parkland golf courses in Ireland. As Ireland’s first Ryder Cup Venue, this is probably the country’s most challenging inland layout. The Palmer South Course boasts a unique inland links design that plays to a par of 72 and measures 7,277 yards. The layout has a more rugged feel than its sister, owing to the planting of gorse and bracken.
Designer:
Arnold Palmer
Holes / Par / Yardage:
Palmer North Course Par 72, 7,337 yards / Palmer South Course Par 72, 7,277 yards
Established:
1991
Green Fee:
Summer season EUR65 to EUR110
Caddy Fee:
Senior Caddy carrying one bag EUR 55, Junior Caddy carrying one bag EUR 45, Double Bag Caddy EUR 110, Fore Caddy available for walkers only EUR 110
Buggy:
EUR 60
Distance:
35 mins from Dublin International Airport
Facility:
Accommodation, Restaurants & bars, Golf academy, Driving range, Pro shop, Spa, Swimming pool, Conference & meeting rooms
The Royal Dublin Golf Club is the second oldest golf club in Ireland, founded in 1885. Located on Bull Island, The Royal Dublin is home to a superb links course in Dublin Bay. The island was formed following the building of a sea wall in the early 1800s, resulting in superb terrain for a golf course. This is a classic traditional “Scottish” out-and-back links, which is unusual for an Irish Links Course. It is highly rated by the Pro’s, in particular, Christy O’Connor, and has hosted its fair share of major tournaments. The greens are contoured to perfection and there are some brutally deep greenside bunkers found here. The Royal Dublin Golf Club has hosted many Irish championships, starting with the Irish Amateur Open back in 1894. It was recently ranked in the top 10 in a list of 58 true Irish links courses.
Designer:
Redesign by Martin Hawtree in 2006
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 holes par 72, 7,269 yards
Established:
1885
Green Fee:
Summer season EUR160 weekday, EUR185 weekend
Distance:
26 mins from Dublin Airport
Facility:
Restaurants & bars, Golf academy, Driving range, Practice area, Pro shop, Locker rooms
Known as the late Arnold Palmer’s jewel, the course at the Tralee Golf Club is an absolute delight, and most certainly a highlight in any Irish golfing itinerary. Palmer moved very little earth to preserve the characteristic of its natural terrain making for a delightful round on interesting undulations, troughs and elevations. The tricky rolling greens and punishing fescue will ensure an exciting round of golf.
Designer:
Arnold Palmer (1984)
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 Holes / Par 72 / 6,975 yds (Blue)
Established:
1896
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Restaurant
18 holes at the Waterville Golf Links is a must for any golfer visiting Ireland. The course is carved out of a relatively flat promontory surrounded by placid estuaries, located in the remote southwestern County Kerry region. The par 71 design ensures a memorable variety of challenges like the 16th which plays onto a raised narrow green surrounded by thick fescue. The 17th is another memorable hole featuring stunning with glorious views of the dune hinterland and coastline from its elevated tee box.
Designer:
J Mulcahy / E Hackett / C Harmon / T Fazio
Holes / Par / Yardage:
18 Holes / Par 73 / 7378 yds Blue Tees
Established:
1889
Facility:
Pro Shop, Clubhouse
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