Discover a selection of the finest golf courses in Ireland. You can leave a comment, a vote or an anecdote on all the golf courses on the golf course map. You can also book a hotel through our partner Booking.com.
In an enchanting setting, the Powerscourt Golf Club near Dublin in Ireland has two championship courses, The East Course and The West Course.
The East Course
The East Course was designed by talented golfer and Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy. It marries perfectly the reliefs of this natural and historical landscape. It hosted the 1998 Irish PGA, which three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington won in a lavish playoff. The East course also hosted the Irish Seniors Open 2001.
The West Course
The West Course offers completely different sensations and challenges. It shows the design and features of David Mclay Kidd (Bandon Dunes Oregan & Castle Course St. Andrew's) for a challenging, rewarding and very enjoyable golf course. The magnificent landscape and the greens of the West course will not leave you indifferent.
Playing golf at Waterville offers a unique experience - the beauty of classic links: the land, surrounded by the sea, but forever challenged and shaped by the elements. More than a century old, Waterville is ranked among the 5 best courses in Ireland and the 20 best links courses in the world.
This course facing the bay of Ballinskelligs has a very natural aspect although it has been modified many times. The first 9 holes take place in a very flat countryside landscape, but the last 9, more hilly, in impressive dunes. It has no blind holes and apart from the 16th there is no dog-leg. However, as always with the links, you have to deal with the often violent wind. A great course that is really worth playing.
Just on the outskirts of Belfast, not far from the center of the small seaside town of Bangor, Bangor Golf Club established in 1903 was extended to 18 holes by famous Scottish architect and champion James Braid in the early thirties and recently modernized.
It is a "Parkland" type course, characterized by high tees, rather narrow fairways and well placed bunkers.
It has hosted major Irish Championships. The professional record of 62 belongs to Christy O 'Connor Sr in 1962 with 9 birdies, 8 pars and an eagle on the 5th hole, a par 4 of 418 meters!
The Bangor Golf Club offers beautiful panoramas over the Irish Sea, you can even see the Scottish coast from the top of the 4th hole hill. A beautiful place therefore also for non-golfers with the most beautiful landscapes in the region. For birdwatchers, the nearby Copeland Islands are home to a wide variety of bird species.
Narin & Portnoo Links is located in a seaside resort in the southwest of County Donegal in Ireland. Of the links type, it is considered one of the most beautiful scenic natural sites in Ireland, with panoramic views over Gweebarra Bay.
The Golf logo illustrates the history of this place using a Bronze Age gold pendant called Lunula, which dates to 2000 BC and was found in Narin, and is on display at the Museum. Dublin National.
Opened in 1930, it was drawn in the dunes and extended to 18 holes in 1965. It has been recently renovated and the new par 73 offers many tees on each hole and challenges for golfers of all levels. A simple, old-fashioned, unpretentious and highly regarded links. The clubhouse was completely rebuilt in 2008.
Host of the Irish PGA Championship and the Irish Close Golf Championship 2014, Seapoint Golf Club is a magnificent links-style golf course that overlooks the Morne Mountains and the Irish Sea. Seapoint was originally designed by Vice Ryder Cup Captain Des Smyth and Declan Branigan and has been continually updated and maintained by Declan Brannigan and DB Designs.
It has since grown into one of Ireland's best links, with fescue greens and beautifully manicured fairways providing golfers with an unforgettable golfing experience. This neighbor of County Louth unfolds in a lunar landscape or in the middle of the heather. The greens are wide and often steep.
The Westport Golf Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course, set in a 260-acre rolling park on the shores of Clew Bay. Dating back to 1908, the club is steeped in history and has received deserved national recognition for hosting events such as the Ladies Home Internationals in 1989 and the Irish Close Championship on four occasions (the last in 2005 with the victory of Rory McIlroy). Paul McGinley, captain of the European team for the 2014 Ryder Cup, broke the course record with a card of 65. The course takes place in a beautiful setting, overlooked by Croagh Patrick.
The 18-hole course
Shaded by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's sacred mountain, the course offers fantastic views of the surrounding area from its elevated position above the shore of Clew Bay.
At 6382 meters long and five par 5s, Westport is a demanding course that will test even the longest hitters.
Fred W. Hawtree redesigned the current course in 1973. He said of Westport: "the quality of the course, both inland and by the sea, the views it offers and its exceptional golfing virtues. make it particularly attractive and memorable ".
Strandhill Hill Golf Club is a magnificent 18 hole golf course located on the Atlantic coast of Ireland in Strandhill, Sligo. The course offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and ocean, with Knocknarae Mountain as a backdrop to Culleenamore Strand and Strandhill Beach. An unforgettable experience and a challenge for all golfers.
Challenge yourself at the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell Golf Course! PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell is one of 8 PGA National designated resorts around the world. Its highly regarded 18-hole championship course and 9-hole PGA National Academy course form part of the beautiful Slieve Russell Estate, which stretches over 300 hectares.
Created by the late Patrick Merrigan, a well-respected Irish golf architect, the course layout intelligently follows the lakes and hills of County Cavan. This course of exceptional quality, both from an aesthetic point of view and from a sporting point of view, offers you a Par-72, for a distance of more than 6400 meters from the back-tees, and it is firmly positioned among the ten best courses. Parkland type golf course in Ireland.
Woodbrook is a place of beauty; Bounded by unparalleled views of the Irish Sea on one side and the blue haze of the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains on the other. The course has hosted several professional tournaments. It is relatively flat and overlooks the Irish Sea from the top of its cliffs. It was established in 1921 as a private club by Sir Stanley Cochrane then went public in 1926 and completely overhauled by Peter McEvoy in 1998.
Portsalon Golf Club, more than a century old, enjoys an exceptional location between the superb beach of Ballymostocker Bay and the Knockalla mountains. The course, formerly par 68, has been lengthened, particularly on the back nine, by Pat Ruddy to reach its current status of par 72 of 5917 meters. As with all links, expect surprising lows and drops, as well as delicate breezes from the ocean. As for other hazards, the bunkers are quite plentiful but not too big, and the rough is kept fairly short. In summary, the Porsalon course is an enjoyable resort golf course and well worth the effort it takes to reach the club.
Enjoy one of Ireland's oldest golf courses. If you want to enjoy a golf break in Kerry, you won't want to miss the opportunity to play Dooks - a truly magical location for a breathtaking golf course. Discover breathtaking views on a unique Links that golfers have enjoyed since 1889.
It is a very good links-type course, the international notoriety of which has been somewhat eclipsed by prestigious neighbors. Created at the end of the 19th century, it is narrow, not very long and often windy. The greens are small and well protected by deep bunkers. A few blind shots spice it up. A pleasant test of golf before tackling even more difficult giants.
The Castlerock Golf Club has long lived in the shadow of its illustrious neighbors on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast - Portstewart and Royal Portrush - but it would be a mistake to overlook this gem, which embodies all the essential charms of a course. links type golf course. Its strengths are a natural seaside course, firm greens, formidable roughs and a perfect harmony with the captivating landscape that characterizes it.
The Mussenden course of Castlerock and takes its name from the Temple of Mussenden, which is part of the XNUMXth century estate of Frederick Augustus Hervey, the fourth Earl of Bristol and later the Anglican Bishop of Derry. The Bishop built his estate, the centerpiece of which was Downhill Castle, on the vast green promontory that overlooks the Atlantic and descends to Castlerock.
Golfers of all skill levels will enjoy challenging this 18-hole championship course. This stimulating course is located in the middle of thousands of century-old trees of various colors evolving during the four seasons, and each hole has its own charm. The Palmerstown House Estate's Course, with a length of 6784 meters, offers players a feeling of tradition, excellence and quality.
An excellent course which is still in exceptional condition. Intended to enter the top 100 of the best courses in the world. It hosts the PGA headquarters in Ireland like The Belfry in England and Gleneagles in Scotland. Its signature hole is undoubtedly the 10th, a par 3 whose undulating green, located on an island, is defended by two enormous bunkers which surround it almost completely.
The Palmerstown House Estate course is open to visitors year round. No handicap certificate is required, although beginners may find this championship course demanding.
Lahinch Golf Club is a Links type golf course in the west of Ireland, in the town of Lahinch on the north west coast of County Clare, north Munster. It is located about thirty-two kilometers northwest of the town of Ennis
This course is ranked in the top 5 of the best courses in Ireland. It was remodeled by Martin Hawtree in the early 2000s.
The surrounding dunes are magnificent and invite a visual comparison with Ballybunion. Many of the holes overlooking the ocean offer spectacular views and challenge golfers of all skill levels. Hole 4 is a par 5 requiring flying over a giant and spectacular dune on the second shot and hole 5 following a par 3 on the blind green. A true masterpiece.
The Ballyliffin Golf Club, 40 km from Derry, offers 2 superb links-type courses, the Glashedy Links with its large, undulating greens, and the Old Course. Glashedy is the most difficult and technical, while the simpler Old Course is one of the most natural courses in the country, offering great views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is not easy to get there but the place is definitely worth a visit.
The Old Links
The Old Links ripples through the beauty of its natural terrain, presenting a very enjoyable challenge for all golfers. The work recently undertaken by Nick Faldo has further improved The Old Links and has been praised by members and visitors alike.
The Glashedy Links
The Glashedy Links is a masterpiece by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, fashioned around spectacular dunes, and is considered one of the best golf courses in the world. Ruddy considers Glashedy to be his own masterpiece and has returned to it in recent years to refine the astonishing bunkering of this magnificent links
Cork Golf Club is more than a century old course in Ireland. Created on land with old limestone quarries, it was remodeled by Alistair Mackenzie in 1925, a famous architect who completed the courses at Augusta National, Royal Melbourne and Cypress Point.
It was then constantly modernized, its last renovations were completed in 2013. It is located on a small peninsula, Little Island, opposite the port of Cork in the estuary of the River Lee. The water is present on a few holes, but what accentuates the difficulty of the course, with the rough which can be relentless, are the perfectly situated obstacles. A very good course with vast undulating greens, to discover, like the tourist riches of the pretty region of Cork.
Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland is a relatively new golf course, but it feels like it's been residing on the west coast of Ireland for a very long time. It follows the contours of Doughmore Bay 70 kms west of Shannon Airport.
It is described by the vast majority of golfers who have played it as a true masterpiece. Its architect is Greg Norman, the famous Australian player nicknamed "The White Shark" and it is his unique work in the British Isles.
Most of the holes meander through huge dunes. One of the big challenges is to negotiate the approaches to the greens, because they are sometimes surrounded by dunes.
Perhaps the most memorable hole is the 14, a very short par 3 with the ocean in play behind the green, a difficult challenge especially when the wind blows in the game.
In February 2014 Donald Trump bought the property from Doonbeg which became the luxurious Trump International Golf Links & Hotel.
The Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to one of the world's best and toughest golf courses, Dunluce Links, and hidden gem, Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted the Open Championship, the Royal Portrush is a members' club that welcomes visitors throughout the year to take on the challenges of its two wonderful golf courses.
Dunluce Links - Championship Course
Dunluce Links is considered one of the toughest and most spectacular courses in the world. It has undergone major changes in preparation for the 148th British Open.
The original architect was the famous Harry Colt, who created a breathtaking golf course by the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast of Northern Ireland, with spectacular views of the hills of Donegal, Republic of Ireland, and on the Isle of Islay, approximately 25 km, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
This Links owes its name to the ruins of medieval Dunluce Castle, located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea between Portrush and Portballintrae.
In order to meet the demands of a modern championship course, significant changes were made to the course under the direction of golf architect Martin Ebert of the Mackenzie and Ebert Company.
Valleys Links
The Valley Links, as the name suggests, is located between the East Strand and the heights of Dunluce Links. This is the traditional course of the Royal Portrush Ladies Branch and the Rathmore Golf Club.
This is an exceptional links originally designed by Colt, and which has also undergone major modifications under the supervision of Martin Ebert.
Although this course tends to be overshadowed by The Dunluce Links, The Valleys Links has been acclaimed by critics and golf enthusiasts the world over. They feel that no visit to Royal Portrush is complete without playing those 18 holes as well.
With an extraordinary history dating back to the 5th century, the 5 star Dromoland Castle in Ireland was originally the ancestral home of one of the few families of Gaelic royalty; direct descendants of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland.
All golfers dream of playing at Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club. Designed by Ron Kirby and JB Carr, the impressive 18-hole par 72, 6-yard championship course sits on a magnificent 824-hectare estate at Dromoland Castle. Combining gentle hills, ancient trees and unexpected water hazards, the pristine course presents challenges and thrills for golfers of all skill levels. The course, created in 450 was improved in 1961/2003, with more strategic shots using the lake which dominates the site. A superb final was designed with a par 2004, the 4, where you have to play the approach by flying over the river Rine, the 16, a par 17 of 3 meters and the 200, a par 18 where the drive must cross. a swamp.
The 16th century manor castle presides over the property, its woods, lakes, pastures and streams. It has been transformed into a luxury 5 star hotel just 10 minutes drive from Shannon Airport.
Surrounded by tall oak trees and bathed in calm, the Fota Island Resort offers the ideal setting for a perfect round of golf. Originally designed in 1993 by Irish Ryder Cup star Christy O'Connor Jr. and two-time English amateur champion Peter McEvoy, before being remodeled in 2000 by golf architect Jeff Howes.
At the heart of a luxurious 5-star hotel complex including 2 other championship courses, the Belvelly and the Barryscourt, Fota Island Deerpark hosted the Irish Open in 2001, 2002 and 2014. The winners were respectively the Scottish Colin Montgomerie, the Danish Soren Hansen and the Finnish Mikko Ilonen who finished his 300th championship here on the European Tour 13 under Par.
Located just minutes from Cork International Airport and the city itself, this resort is set within a magnificent property of over 300 hectares.
DEERPARK ROUTE
Play through beautiful forests and viewpoints on the traditional but challenging Deerpark course. The Deerpark course, with its rolling greens and strategically placed bunkers, impresses even the most experienced pros.
The Deerpark - Par 71, 7 yards
BELVELLY COURSE
This course features unique and exciting features designed to challenge even the most seasoned golfer, while remaining true to the traditional style, values and playability that characterize golf throughout the Fota Island Resort.
The Belvelly - Par 72, 7 yards
BARRYSCOURT ROUTE
This course offers a fantastic opportunity to achieve a good score, provided your putting is sharp that day. With precise driving, this straightforward course will offer you good birdie opportunities.
Le Barryscourt - Par 73, 7 yards
Carlow Golf Club also known as Carlow Deerpark is one of the very good courses in Ireland. It is located in the interior of the country and regularly hosts the Irish Open. It was designed by Cecil Barcroft in 1922 and renovated by Tom Simpson shortly before WWII, but the original first 9-hole course dates back to 1899.
It is a "parkland" type golf course in the heart of the beautiful, green countryside of the south-east of Ireland. Created in a deer and deer park, it is part of a large property, "Bruen Estate".
Its undulating land benefits from a draining sandy subsoil like that of the links, which allows you to play golf all year round. Many trees in play and some water hazards. It adjoins a second 9-hole course: The "Oakpark".
Situated on the shore of a rugged peninsula, The Links Portmarnock was the first golf course that the International Management Group (IMG) developed in Ireland and opened for play in 1995.
It was therefore only fitting that Bernhard Langer chose this beautiful setting to design his first links course, as he has won the Irish Open three times at the nearby Portmarnock Golf Club and Royal Dublin Golf Club.
Together with architect Stan Eby they designed a course that presents a challenge for all golfers, located on the grounds of the former Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks, the course has hosted professional and amateur events including the Irish Women's Open of 2008 and 2009.
Recent investments include the modernization of the machines, the considerable improvement of the course, the creation of a small game area, the redevelopment of existing bunkers, and improvements to make full use of the dunes and natural terrain. .
The greens are vast and their defenses effective. The first holes are flat but nevertheless present formidable challenges, the others are superbly drawn in the dunes. With an excellent quality / price ratio, it is the least expensive of the great courses in the country.
Tralee Golf Club is an 18 hole Links golf course in Barrow, near Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.
It is one of the great courses created by the famous American champion Arnold Palmer with the K Club. "I designed the first nine, but surely God designed the last nine," said Arnold Palmer of his first, and arguably his best European course.
The outward journey takes place essentially at the top of a cliff overlooking the bay of Tralee which comes dangerously into play if one lacks precision and if the wind invites itself in the game.
The return is even more impressive in the middle of huge dunes in the wild. A spectacular gem providing a memorable experience.
The Carton House Golf has two championship courses, located in a private 1 hectare park. Ideally located in County Maynooth Kildare, a short distance from Dublin, steeped in centuries of history, Carton House golf course is like no other.
The Montgomerie course
This course is part of the Carton House hotel complex. It was designed by the charismatic Scottish player Colin Montgomerie. As a good Scotsman, he showed on this site a certain talent for architecture, in particular for the strategic aspects, with particular care for the bunkers, which are often very deep. The water is in play on the 1st and 18th holes and the greens are well defended. This 18-hole course hosted the Irish Open.
The O'Meara Course
Also part of the complex, another high quality field, The O'Meara, was designed by the famous American player Marc O'Meara. It is always well maintained and less demanding than its neighbor the Montgomerie, it will suit golfers of all levels.
When golfers think of Ireland, Scotland, England or Wales, they tend to think of links courses exclusively. However, the point is that not all of the major courses offered in this part of the world are necessarily Links. The Belvoir Park Golf Club course is one of those lesser known but nevertheless very popular courses.
Only 5 km from Belfast, in a superb park with magnificent trees, this course created in 1927 by the famous architect Harry Colt, is considered one of the best "inland" courses in the country. Undulating, but with moderate relief, it has hosted many prestigious championships such as the Irish Open, the Irish PGA or the Irish Amateur Close Championship.
Located in County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland, the Old Head Golf Links has become one of the most famous and coveted golf courses in the world.
This exceptional course is built on a peninsula that extends over three kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean. The headland is almost an island with many caves located under your feet as you play, 100 yards above.
It's a par 72, comprising five par 5, five par 3 and eight par 4, stretching over 6500 yards from the Back-Tees, with a minimum of six tees per hole. Nine holes are played at the top of the cliffs, and all offer magnificent views of the ocean, the wind is of course omnipresent. It is a memorable and unique journey.
Ardglass Golf Club is located near Belfast. This more than a century old course, still in excellent condition, offers spectacular views over the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man in good weather, from impressive cliffs. It defends itself with small, firm and fast greens and a few blind shots. Founded in 1896, its number of holes increased to 18 in 1970 and 3 holes were replaced at the end of the 90s. Its clubhouse is a 14th century castle which was the home of the Fitzgerald, Earls of Kildare. Very close to the Royal County Down, it is a good complement.
Dingle Golf Links Ceann Sibéal, Traditional Links is the most westerly of all golf courses in Ireland, on a Kerry peninsula near Tralee, with many small fishing villages. Its very natural environment offers a magnificent panorama of the Blasket Islands, the ocean and the mountains, the Three Sisters Rock stands majestically behind it. This part of the country has a rich Gaelic tradition and the Irish language is still spoken there on a daily basis, as shown by the names chosen for each of the 18 holes.
Originally designed as a 9 hole by Eddie Hackett then widened to 18 holes by Christy O'Connor Jnr, its course is gently undulating and crossed by a meandering stream in play on the majority of the holes. It is exposed to the wind. Its signature hole is the 10, a par three of 180 meters from an elevated tee to a blind green nestled in front of a large sand dune and defended by three deep bunkers.
Situated on the northwest coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you will find at Ballybunion two unique and very demanding golf courses.
Ballybunion Old Course
Ballybunion Old Course, near the mouth of the Shannon River, is a golf landmark. This traditional links was originally created in 1893 with 12 holes then modified over the years until it became an 18 hole in 1926, redesigned by Tom Simpson in the thirties.
The first few holes are relatively affordable, with the spectacular part of the course starting from the 6th hole with challenges requiring constant mastery, especially in strong winds. Located between the immense dunes and the Atlantic Ocean, the fairways appear narrow, the tiny greens and the bunkers are formidable. This masterpiece is ranked in the top 5 of the best golf courses in Ireland.
Trent Jones Cashen Race
This course, sometimes more difficult to decipher than its neighbor the famous Old Course, was built by the talented American architect Robert Trent Jones. The landscapes are similar, between the dunes and the ocean, but it is an original design where each hole has its own personality. A fantastic course, a bit too much in the shadow of the Old Course.
The Hogs Head Golf Course is a new golf course from Robert Trent Jones, Jr. located in Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland.
The recent project was inspired by Tony Alvarez and Bryan Marsal to offer a course built by friends for friends who share the love, camaraderie and brotherhood of the game of golf. The beauty of the mountains surrounding the bay offers the golfer a spectacular ride with the rising and falling tide. With the Finglas River flowing through the course, the magnificent mountain panoramas, the majestic holes that line the cliffs overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay and the charm of the seaside village of Waterville, the rich aesthetic fresco of the region blends naturally with the links of the Hogs Head golf course.
Mount Juliet Estate is set in a large estate, close to Waterford and Kilkenny. It is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. It is in a magnificent old property that this "parkland" course was drawn in the middle of oaks, lime trees and beeches. Lots of water hazards, large greens and American style bunkers. This is an excellent course set up by Jack Nicklaus, who hosted the American Express Golf Championship won by Tiger Woods in 2002 and Ernie Els in 2004 as well as the Irish Open. It is 16 miles from Kilkenny.
Malone Golf Club is located 8 km south of Belfast at Ballydrain. Malone Golf Club is a hidden gem and arguably one of Ireland's best Parklands. Designed by John Harris of CKCotton in 1962, then redesigned by Fred Hawtree in 1965, Its greens and fairways unfold around a nine hectare lake in a pleasantly wooded environment. With around forty bunkers, water and trees in play, it offers an excellent challenge for all golfers. In addition, it is always impeccably maintained. It has hosted many championships, such as the Ulster Open, the Irish Close Championship or the Irish Senior Masters.
The Heritage is a championship course, designed by Severiano Ballesteros and Jeff Howes. It is located in Ireland just an hour from Dublin, with the Slieve Bloom Mountains as a backdrop. It is remarkably well maintained and the limestone terrain ensures a perfect playing surface all year round.
A hundred bunkers and more than seven thousand trees decorate the landscape, which is hilly but accessible without much effort. Five lakes and a river are in play on ten holes. It is part of a luxurious resort, The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort, remarkably equipped, with a golf school and the largest clubhouse in Ireland, on 3 levels, with terraces offering panoramic views of the course and the sea. countryside.
Ring of Kerry Golf Club has a magnificent 18 hole golf course in the famous Kerry region known as the Ring of Kerry, one of the most picturesque in Ireland. Located near Killarney, in the golfers 'paradise of southwest Ireland, The Ring of Kerry ranks high on American golfers' list of "must see" courses, alongside Tralee and Waterville.
It offers a panoramic and spectacular view of the Kenmare River estuary with the Caha mountains and MacGillicuddy Reeks as a backdrop. Adapting with its many departures to all levels of play, it was also designed to accommodate professional tournaments.
Clandeboye Golf Club is located 20 km from Belfast in the rolling countryside surrounding the former property of Lady Dufferin and Ava, heir to the Guinness family ,. It offers two "inland" courses, for a total of 36 holes.
Dufferin Golf Course
It was designed by the German architect, Baron von Limburger associated with the two Ryder Cup champions, Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss who also created the Brabazon in England at the Belfry near Birmingham. It is the longest and most famous of the two courses on the estate. It offers superb views over the coast and beyond Belfast Lough the mountains of Scotland are clearly visible. All its holes, surrounded by gorse bushes, ferns and numerous trees, require great precision.
Ava golf course
The more sheltered Ava Course overlooks Strangford Lough and its 365 islands to the south, with equally captivating panoramic views over rich farmland to the Morne Mountains, where Slieve Donard is a majestic backdrop to Royal's famous links. County Down. This 18 holes, easier than the Dufferin, is its perfect complement and will offer you a real pleasure of play.
The site is exceptional, in County Galway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Bens mountain range, a national park. It is located in Ballyconneely, famous for the breeding of Connemara ponies. The club has 27 holes, for a true championship course that gives the impression of having always been part of the landscape.
There are no sand dunes here that can shelter from the wind, but relatively flat terrain on a peninsula, offering spectacular panoramic views of the coast from everywhere. Its signature hole, the 13, is a 3m par 190 on the elevated green. When playing Connemara you are always mesmerized by the scenery around you. Whether it's Slyne Head Lighthouse, the 12 Bens Mountains, the Atlantic Ocean or Grainne O'Malleys Castle, every hole has something special.
The Royal County Down Golf Club is located in one of the world's most beautiful natural areas, in the Murlough Nature Reserve. With the Morne mountains as a backdrop, its two courses stretch along the shores of Dundrum Bay, offering a different panorama at each hole.
The Royal County Down Championship Course
The Royal County Down Championship Course, ranked No.1 in Great Britain and in the top 10 of the best courses in the world, is a masterpiece created by the famous architect and Scottish champion of St Andrews Old Tom Morris in 1889 and then remodeled by George Combe at the very beginning of the 20th century and by Harry Colt in 1925 - particularly the 4th and 9th holes - and more recently modernized by Donald Steel. King Edward VII granted it his royal patronage in 1908. It is a tough and fierce championship course with lots of blind shots, dome greens tricky to read, natural bunkers surrounded by tall wild grasses forming a double trap and dunes. impressive. The setting is exceptional, in the Murlough nature reserve, along the wild shores of Dundrum Bay planted with heather and gorse, with the majestic Morne mountains in the background. The maintenance is incomparable but nothing is artificial. A very special atmosphere emanates from it. A second shorter course, the Annesley Links, is part of the club and shares the same beautiful environment.
The Royal County Down Annesley
With its very illustrious neighbor, the Championship Course, the Royal County Down Annesley shares the same sumptuous setting with unique views of the sea, mountains and dunes as well as exceptional maintenance. But it is significantly shorter and can be played with pleasure by all golfers regardless of their level.
Carne Golf Links is a superb links, also called Belmullet, it sits amidst magnificent giant unspoiled dunes on a peninsula overlooking Broadhaven Bay and the rocky coast of North County Mayo, West Ireland.
The Carne Golf Links was the last golf course designed by the late Eddie Hackett and many who played there now believe it to be his biggest project. Founded in 1925, it has been completely renovated. The terrain is rugged and like all links it is very windy and of great natural beauty.
Additionally, nine more holes (The Kilmore 9) were opened in 2013, and these were designed by Jim Engh Design and McIntosh Golf Design.
This course, one hour from Dublin, is located on the ancestral property of the Wolseley family, now home to the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club. It is typical of the style of its architect Christy O'Connor Jr, the greens are very well protected by many bunkers also present on the fairways and water hazards come into play on 11 holes. Beautiful views of the Carlow Mountains.
Play golf in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest golfers. The Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is one of Ireland's top tourist destinations and the upkeep and quality of the course makes this golf a must-see for all avid golfers.
Arklow is a traditional seaside links in the south of County Wicklow in Ireland. Playable all year round and suitable for all levels of play, it will satisfy many golfers. Its greens are undulating and fast, defended by deep bunkers and its fairways meander in the middle of dunes covered with wild grasses sheltering many birds including the lark. It hosted the Irish PGA Southern Region Championships in 2001 and 2002.
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club is located approximately 40 km from Bangor and not far from Belfast, on the beautiful Ards Peninsula. Kirkistown Castle Links is the easternmost 18 hole course in the country. In 1902 the first nine holes were drawn by GL Bailie of Belfast then extended to 18 in 1929, but it was in 1934 that it was remodeled by the famous Scottish architect and five-time British Open winner James Braid, designer, between others, the "King's Course" and "Queen's Course" at Gleneagles and in 1926 the modernization of Carnoustie Old Links, host of the Open for the eighth time in 2018.
Its holes are very varied and offer superb views of the Irish Sea coast, the wind if it comes into the game can be a determining factor. Its signature hole is 10, a par 4 of almost 400m called “Long Reach” and particularly difficult with a small elevated green surrounded by gorse, hawthorn and rough bushes.
The wide variety of holes will test every facet of your golf game and, being located on the Irish Sea coast, the wind is usually another "hazard" to add to those already present on the course. A real golfing challenge!
The Royal Belfast Golf Club is the oldest established club in Ireland. Still in excellent condition, it was founded on November 9, 1881, the birth date of the game of golf in Northern Ireland.
The 18-hole course at Le Royal Belfast Golf Club is characterized by a large number of bunkers (61 in total). Its relatively narrow and well-defended greens are often difficult to hit and require a lot of precision. In the middle of rhododendron and gorse bushes, the entire course benefits from remarkable maintenance in an enchanting setting.
The club became "Royal" in 1885 when the Prince of Wales agreed to give it patronage, currently Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is its patron. Its clubhouse has all the charm of the Victorian era.
Donegal Golf Club is one of the longest courses in Ireland. He is quite demanding with more than 6640 meters from the Back-Tees, and long Par 4s that are very well defended. Designed in 1973 by Eddie Hackett and remodeled by Pat Ruddy in 1992. The dune environment and general layout on the Murvagh Peninsula make it an excellent, spectacular and exciting links with panoramic views of the Bluestack Mountains and Bay of Donegal.
It is often compared to Muirfield in Scotland due to the similar terrain and also comprising two loops of nine holes in opposite directions. The outer loop runs along the dunes and the ocean, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. The inner loop is more protected, but the constantly changing sea breeze is a constant test for professional and amateur golfers. Despite its length, the route offers a pleasant walk, punctuated by exceptional views, flora and fauna that never stop changing and evolving throughout the year.
A blend of natural beauty and golfing pleasure, Galway Bay Golf Resort's Championship Course is considered one of Ireland's finest golf courses. When designing the course, former Ryder Cup and World Cup golfer Christy O'Connor Jnr. Superbly combined the stunning scenery of Galway Bay and the rugged curves of the Atlantic coast with ancient trees , water hazards, well hidden bunkers and very fast greens. With widely varying wind strength and direction, this championship golf course is played differently every day, which is a formidable challenge for even the most experienced golfers. It's a real test of golf. When you choose your club, the magnificent panorama of Galway Bay and all its beauty unfolds before you, with the Clare Hills to the south, while to the west lies the majestic Galway City - city of the tribes - that surrounds the rugged and rugged terrain.
Renowned for its superb golf resort, The K Club is recognized as one of Europe's leading golf destinations. Offering 36 of the most thrilling holes for your golf trip, the 2006 Ryder Cup host course, Palmer Course, and Smurfit Course will appeal to golfers of all skill levels.
2 18-hole championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer.
The Palmer Course, and the Smurfit Course are among the most famous courses in Ireland. Each course has its own characteristics.
The Palmer Course
The Palmer Course is the first and only Irish course to host the Ryder Cup. The European team won in 2006 on this demanding course west of Dublin. Beautifully wooded and with plenty of water involved, this is a long and technical inland golf course.
The Smurfit Course
The Smurfit Course is the perfect complement to the Plamer Course. The fairways are manicured, the greens wide and undulating, the rough thick and the bunkers very welcoming. It is an inland links with a more wild and natural appearance than its neighbor, adorned with ferns, heather and gorse.
This world famous golf course at Rosses Point offers an excellent golfing challenge. The traditional route of this links, designed by Harry Colt, uses the natural reliefs of the landscape across the dunes. The end result is a pronounced undulating course, with raised tee tees and plateau greens.
The County Sligo Golf Club welcomes visitors year round. Departures are available every day and can be booked individually or collectively. Special rates are available for corporate and corporate outings.
The Colt Championship Links
This very good links course offers magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, Drumcliffe Bay, the Darty Mountains and Mount Ben Bulben. It is also called Rosses Point. The wind is often very present. The fairways are quite wide with penalizing bunkers and raised greens on the plateau. Created with 9 holes in 1894 by the inventor of the 1st handicap system in the world George Combe, extended to 18 holes by Willie Campbell at the turn of the century, it was remodeled in 1927. It is one of the great courses in Ireland .
County Louth Golf Club is an hour's drive north from Dublin. It is also called 'Baltray'. It is one of the great championship links courses in Ireland. The dunes are not as high as those of the southwest courses, but it does require good ball handling and good strategy.
The club was created in 1892 but Tom Simpson designed the current course in 1938 and Tom MacKenzie modified it somewhat in 2003. It is designed in two loops of nine holes and offers many teeing areas. In addition, its greens are considered to be the best in the country.
Superbly located on the northwest coast of Ireland, Rosapenna Golf Resort is made up of two championship courses (Old Tom Morris and Sandy Links). Golfers began to frequent Rosapenna at the end of the 19th century. At that time the Old Tom Morris links was as famous as St Andrews and Royal County Down. Great golfers of the time made the reputation of Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort such as; Harry Vardon, James Braid and Tom Ball who loved to spend their vacations there.
In 2003 Rosapenna opened a second course, the Sandy Hills Links, designed by Pat Ruddy of the famous European Club. During its relatively short existence, the Sandy Hills Links received rave reviews and steadily climbed the rankings as it became one of the best modern golf courses in the world. The Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links are both ranked in Golf Digest Ireland's Top 50 Top 100 courses.
Ireland is a golfer's paradise, with world-class courses in spectacular locations.
As the sunny days approach, you will enjoy exploring the Irish countryside and discovering its many legendary golf courses.
From links to parklands, from morning fogs to iridescent sunbeams, from short grass to thick rough, here you will savor the pleasures of old-fashioned nature golf and you will enjoy walking these kilometers of fairways steeped in history, these demanding, exciting and relentless golf courses.
Les Links, the pleasure of sea winds in the middle of majestic dunes. At the top of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic or the Celtic Sea, these courses designed by nature have received their sporting character from the hands of man. They are a real challenge for the golfer.
The Parklands, these inland golf courses seem to blend into the surrounding nature, in the shadow of medieval castles. Winding streams, drumlins (rounded hills, vestiges of the ice age), lakes are as much pleasures for the eyes as they are challenges for the mind.
Most of Ireland's courses, especially the 'links', are open all year round. However, the courses are in optimal condition and the climate is best suited for playing golf from April to October. In summer, daylight hours can be up to 22 p.m., making it easy to do two games and take the time to enjoy a good lunch in one day.