Miles Bennett
Ireland is a small island on the edge of Europe, but it has a lot to offer when it comes to golf. The country has over 400 golf courses, including many of the world's finest links, and a third of the world's natural links courses. Ireland's west coast, north and south of Dublin, is stocked with some of the sport's most underappreciated links. The country's rugged coastlines and unpredictable weather provide challenging designs for golfers, while the sweeping ocean vistas and dramatic coastlines add to the experience. With its rich golfing heritage, world-class courses, and spectacular locations, Ireland is a favourite golfing destination for many, including professional golfers Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses | Over 350 |
| Number of golf clubs | Over 400 |
| World-class courses | Yes |
| Natural links courses | A third of the world's natural links courses |
| Championship courses | Exceptional |
| Golf tourism | Over 240,000 golfers visit Ireland every year |
| International Golf Destination of the Year | Named on more than one occasion by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators |
| Prestigious events | The Open Championship, The Ryder Cup |
| Famous golfers from Ireland | Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington, Leona Maguire |
| Celebrity golfers in Ireland | Tiger Woods, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Bill Murray |
| Best golf regions in Ireland | Southwest Ireland, Northern Ireland |
| Top-ranked courses in Northern Ireland | Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Ardglass, Royal County Down |
| Top-ranked courses in Southwest Ireland | Ballybunion, Lahinch, Old Head, Tralee, Waterville, Dooks, Royal County Down, Druid's Glen Golf Course, Portsalon Golf Club, St. Patrick's Links |
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses in Southwest Ireland
Southwest Ireland is home to some of the world's most renowned golf courses, offering a unique blend of breathtaking scenery and challenging gameplay. Here is a guide to some of the top golf courses in this region:
Ballybunion Golf Club
Ballybunion is nestled along the rugged Co. Kerry coastline, boasting 36 links holes that are famous worldwide. The Old Course is renowned for its natural beauty and pure links golf experience. It wasn't until the 1980s, when golfer Tom Watson recognised its excellence, that Ballybunion gained international acclaim. The course combines a tranquil start with a crescendo of dramatic back nine, weaving through towering dunes.
Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch, located on the west coast of Ireland, is one of the oldest and most revered links courses in the country. Its hypnotic fairways wind through medium-sized dunes, offering an ever-changing landscape and exceptional greens that challenge even the most skilled golfers. With its central ridge of dunes next to the sea, Lahinch provides a dramatic and unforgettable golfing experience.
Waterville Golf Links
Waterville is a renowned golf course in Southwest Ireland, known for its gruelling length and challenging gameplay. The course spans 7,378 yards from the competition tees, testing golfers' endurance and skill. However, the white tees offer a more accessible experience. The course is flatter than others in the region, with wider fairways, but the raised and undulating greens add a unique twist, making it a player's course that is both hard and enjoyable.
Tralee Golf Club
Tralee Golf Club, designed by the late Arnold Palmer, is situated on the rugged and windswept coastline of Kerry. The front nine is relatively flat, but the back nine offers a dramatic contrast, with holes hugging the cliffs and the rocky shoreline. The course presents a constant challenge due to the unpredictable Atlantic weather, ensuring a memorable golfing experience.
Dooks
Dooks is a charming golf course nestled on the Atlantic Ocean, offering stunning views across the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, the Dingle Peninsula, and Castlemaine Harbour. With its roots dating back to the 1890s, Dooks has evolved while retaining its unique character. The course presents a balanced challenge, catering to golfers of all abilities, and is known for its affordable green fees and tranquil setting.
Southwest Ireland's golf courses offer a diverse range of experiences, from dramatic cliffside tees to enchanting natural links. These courses have helped establish Ireland's reputation as a world-class golfing destination, attracting golfers from all corners of the globe.
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Golf courses in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is home to some of the world's best golf courses. With stunning coastlines, sparkling lakes, and misty mountains, it's no wonder that it has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on more than one occasion.
One of the top-ranked courses in Northern Ireland is the Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle. It is nestled at the foot of the majestic Mountains of Mourne and offers a classic links golf experience. The course has evolved over 130 years and presents a fascinating mix of blind tee shots and impressive landforms.
Another renowned course is the Royal Portrush Golf Club, which will host the Open Championship in 2025. The Dunluce links at this club get their name from the ruined Dunluce Castle overlooking the course. The club has a rich history, having hosted the first professional golf tournament in Ireland in 1895, won by Sandy Herd.
For those seeking a challenging parkland course, Malone Golf Club in Belfast is an excellent choice. It offers a well-maintained course with a mix of long drive holes and short par 3s, providing a memorable experience for golfers.
The Castlerock Golf Club, located on the Causeway coast, boasts 27 holes of championship-calibre golf. The nine-hole Bann course, designed by Billy Kane, offers signature holes like the 491-yard par-5 fifth, "Bannview," and the short par-3 third, "Kelly's Eye."
The Lough Erne Golf Course and Resort, designed by Nick Faldo, is another prestigious venue. It spans a stunning 600-acre peninsula, featuring water in play on 11 holes and stark elevation changes. The front nine showcases a challenging dogleg, while the back nine reveals panoramic views from the rolling hills.
With its impressive courses and breathtaking scenery, Northern Ireland is a golfer's paradise, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world.
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Golf courses near Dublin
Ireland is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world's natural links courses, so it's no surprise that the region around Dublin and Ireland's East Coast is rich in golf courses.
One of the most famous courses near Dublin is the Portmarnock Golf Club, which is located just a few miles outside the city. Set among low dunes at the end of a peninsula, it offers panoramic views of the ocean.
Another highly-rated course is Druid's Glen, located 30 minutes from Dublin in Wicklow County. The course features rolling hills, towering trees, and water hazards, as well as views of the Atlantic Ocean and Wicklow Mountains. It has hosted four Irish Opens and is known for its immaculate and colourful design.
For a links course, The Island, located near Dublin, offers a unique experience with big, varied, and glorious dunes. Each hole is different and bursting with drama, combining long and short holes with blind shots, ridges, and hollows.
The Carton House resort, 15 miles west of Dublin, boasts two courses. The Montgomerie course, designed as an inland links, features tumbling and deceptive fairways, deep bunkers, and glorious greens. It is considered one of Ireland's toughest courses.
Other notable golf courses near Dublin include Royal Dublin, one of Ireland's oldest links courses, and the challenging Dublin Ranch Golf Course, which offers panoramic views of the Livermore Valley and Mt. Diablo.
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Golf courses in Northwest Ireland
Golf is a popular sport in Ireland, with the country being named International Golf Destination of the Year on several occasions. The island is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world's natural links courses.
The northwest of Ireland is particularly well-known for its golf courses, with County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point being one of the most famous courses in the region. The Carne Golf Links, also located in Rosses Point, is another notable course in the area, offering varying levels of difficulty for players of all skill levels.
The Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort is another popular destination for golfers in northwest Ireland, with 45 impressive holes and challenging rounds for players of all skill levels. The resort is nestled in a remote part of the region, offering incredible scenery and amazing rounds of golf.
For those seeking a more hidden gem, the Cruit Island course is a 9-hole links course that is known for its mesmerizing beauty and challenging ocean winds. The Ballyliffin Golf Club, located in County Donegal, is another renowned golf resort in the region, boasting two outstanding links courses and 36 holes.
Other notable golf courses in northwest Ireland include the Portsalon Golf Club in Donegal, the Royal Portrush Golf Club, and the Druids Glen Golf Course in Wicklow County. With so many impressive courses to choose from, it's no wonder that Ireland is a favourite destination for golfers from all over the world. Many clubs welcome visitors, making it easy to experience the beauty and challenge of Irish golf courses.
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Golf courses in Wicklow County
Ireland has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on several occasions and is known for its world-class golf courses in some of the most spectacular locations on the planet. Wicklow County is no exception, with over 25 courses spread throughout the county, from short, nine-hole local clubs to multi-course resorts with international prestige.
One of the most famous courses in Wicklow County is Druids Glen, designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock in 1995. The course, which has hosted four Irish Opens, is known for its rolling hills, towering trees, snaking water hazards, and views of the Atlantic Ocean and Wicklow Mountains. Another notable course in the county is The European Club, a seaside links course that straddles the headland at the southern end of Brittas Bay.
Other popular golf courses in Wicklow County include the Wicklow Golf Club, an 18-hole scenic parkland course laid out on cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea; Tulfarris Golf Club, an 18-hole course on the shores of Blessington Lakes that offers a unique challenge with each hole; and Woodenbridge Golf Club, one of Ireland's oldest clubs, set in a wooded vale where the Avoca and Aughrim rivers meet.
In addition to its renowned golf courses, Wicklow County also offers a wealth of other attractions, including the Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow Gaol, and the Wicklow Mountains. The county is known as the "Garden of Ireland" and is popular for its hiking trails, coastal cliffs, and calm lakes.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the best golf courses in Ireland include Royal County Down in Newcastle, Portsalon Golf Club in Donegal, Druid's Glen Golf Course in Wicklow County, and Portmarnock Golf Club.
Southwest Ireland is home to some of the world's finest links, including Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, Tralee, and Dooks.
Northwest Ireland is home to the St. Patrick's Links, which features impressive dunes and is located near the Cliffs of Moher. Another notable course in this region is the Portsalon Golf Club.
It is important to book your tee times in advance and be mindful of dress codes as some clubs may require smart casual attire or even a jacket and tie for dining rooms. Additionally, many clubs only allow soft spikes, so it is best to check beforehand.
