Ireland is the golfer’s paradise. The world’s most scenic and difficult golf courses are found in Ireland.
You may have an exhilarating golf experience with the undulating hills, rocky beaches, and lush fairways. Ireland’s best golf courses can sate your appetite, regardless of your level of experience.
Let’s investigate some of Ireland’s top golfing locations. I examined Ireland’s top golf courses in this article. You cannot go wrong selecting any of them; they are not listed in any certain sequence.
Ballybunion Golf Club: (Ballybunion, Ireland)
Among the best links courses in the world is Ballybunion Golf Club. The course’s uneven topography makes for difficult yet rewarding rounds for players. Nestled between the Atlantic water and sandhills, this jewel offers stunning views of the water.
Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland
Length: 6802 yards.
Par: 71
Designed by: Tom Simpson
Established: 1893
Hosted Irish Open: 2000
Where to stay: South West
Designers: Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson
Golfweek’s Best rating: 8.33
There is some fascinating background behind the name Ballybunion. The Bunion family owned the local castle from the fifteenth century here in this town. This town was later named for the family.
The course was established in 1893 with just 12 holes. The course was later abandoned in 1898 as a result of the financial crisis. Irish golf journalist Lionel Hewson designed it when it was reopened in 1906.
The meandering route will calm your nerves as you drive from this ancient town to this golf club. The breathtaking links lands are a visual feast. In Ireland, these sand dunes on Sandhill Road are the most intimidating.
In addition to providing the greatest golfing experience, Ballybunion Golf Club has the finest vista of Ireland’s southwest coast. The 1937 Irish Championship put the Ballybunion course in the public eye. It may catch you off guard at every turn, particularly the eleventh hole. Since the gentle ocean wind is extremely important. Beside the chic green grass are stone paved walks surrounding the 14th and 15th holes.
Tom Watson praised this course saying, “after playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think that the game of golf originated here.
There is a wild look to the place, the long grass covering the dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course making it very intimidating… in short, it is a course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build golf courses. I consider it a true test of golf.”
Royal County Down (Newcastle, Northern Ireland)
Location: Newcastle, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Length: 7186 yards
Par: 71
Designed by: George L. Ballie, Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Harry Colt
Established: 1890
Hosted Irish Open: 4 times (1928, 1935, 1939, 2015)
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Designers: George L. Baillie, Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry S. Colt, Donald Stell
Golfweek’s Best rating: 8.95
The Royal County Down Golf Club is located in Northern Ireland, at the base of the Mourne Mountains.This location also has ageless elegance and unmatched natural beauty. Dundrum Bay’s coastline and sand dunes produce unparalleled winds. Its challenging course and often shifting weather provide golfers of all ability levels with a genuine test of expertise.
Royal Down Golf Club placed first on Golf Digest’s biennial list of the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” in both 2016 and 2018. Over the past 130 years, its design has undergone continuous review. These days, this course is regarded as the best front nine. There are several blind tee shots on the well-designed 2, 5, and 9 courses. There is a 100-yard natural pond on the back side.
Because of its expansive views of the Irish Sean, the Mountain of Mourne, and the red-brick steeple of the Slieve Donard Hotel, this golf course is regarded as the most beautiful in the world.
But difficulties accompany the beauty. To get past the bearded bunkers and tight fairway, you must possess exceptional ball control.
Lahinch Golf Club: (Lahinch, Ireland)
Location Co. Clare, Ireland
Length 6950 yards
Par 72
Designed by Old Tom Morris, Dr Alister MacKenzie, Dr Martin Hawtree
Established 1892
Location Lahinch, Ireland
Course Founded: 1894
Golfweek’s Best rating: 7.89
The storied Lahinch Golf Club provides a distinctive golfing experience amidst breathtaking scenery. The dunes here sweep in all directions. An incredible experience is further enhanced by the calming sounds of the neighboring Atlantic Ocean. Indulge in some delectable Irish food while unwinding at the clubhouse, which has stunning views of Liscannor Bay.
The old Irish name for the half-island, Leithinsi, is whence the word “Lahinch” originates. Three golfers from Limerick created an 18-hole course in 1892 with help from Scottish Black Watch regimental commanders. The West Clare Railway was built in the 1890s, which improved accessibility to the town. Eventually, the community developed into a golfer’s paradise. In 2019, the Irish Open was held here for the first time. And the professional golfers will never forget that experience.
This course is well-known for its difficult layout and difficult blind shots that will put your abilities to the test. The third hole offers a great perspective. There’s a secret fairway on this course, and hills around the lush vegetation. Due to the opening shot’s requirement to land on a tight fairway between dunes, the fourth hole is extremely special. Then, amid a sizable sand dune, there is a blind second shot. You will undoubtedly be pleased with this odd hole!
Portmarnock Golf Club
Location: Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
Length: 7463 yards
Par: 72
Designed by: William Pickeman
Established: 1894
Hosted Irish Open 19 times (1927-2003)
Golfweek’s Best rating: 7.42
Another traditional links course with a rich past is Portmarnock Golf Club. On three sides, water envelops it. This course has deep pot bunkers, quick-moving greens, and tight fairways in a strategic layout. The golfers will be in a tranquil environment with views of the Dublin Mountains and the Irish Sea. This course is well-known for using a classic links-style curriculum. This indicates that it is situated with natural grasses and sand dunes along the shore.
The thick bunkers and broad fairways at Portmarnock will keep the game intriguing when you play. Similar to large sand pits, these bunkers may be challenging to escape from. Putting on is an enjoyable challenge because of how quickly and smoothly the greens here are.
But the vista from Portmarnock is its finest feature. You will see the Irish Sea extending in front of you while you play.
In reference to the characteristic hole, “The Dell” will astound you. The 15th hole is a par-3. It calls for an accurate tee shot across a valley to a green encircled by dunes. The 14th hole, a par-4, is another special one. This one has breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and is located along the shore.
The Irish Open and Walker Cup are held at Portmarnock. It is well known as Ireland’s top golfing location. This is where golfers like Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, and Seve Ballesteros won their Irish Opens.
Tralee Golf Club
Location: Co. Kerry, Ireland
Length: 6975 yards
Par: 72
Designed by Arnold Palmer
Established 1892 (current course 1984)
Golfweek’s Best rating: 7.01
Tralee Golf Club is comparable to a treasure that is just waiting to be found. Your heart will be content with the stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the charming town of Tralee. The links course winds around the craggy shore and across tall dunes. Because of the holes’ difficult design and tremendous elevation change, you will have an incredible golfing experience.
Arnold Palmer is a well-known designer who approaches course design strategically. And after going through the course, you will understand. The area becomes remarkable due to its natural surroundings, undulating sand dunes, and expansive ocean vistas.
Players of all skill levels can find a range of tee selections on this demanding yet fair layout of the course. The par-3 third hole, dubbed “Castle Beach,” is the hallmark hole. The green is tucked in between the water and the cliffs, and getting there demands a perfect tee shot over a rocky inlet.
Practice facilities on this course include a short game area, putting greens, and a driving range. The clubhouse offers food options, locker rooms, and a pro shop with everything a golfer needs.
Royal Portrush Golf Club: (Portrush, Northern Ireland)
Location: Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Length: 7143 yards
Par: 72
Designed by Harry Colt
Established: 1888
Golfweek’s Best rating: 8.53
One of the most prominent golf clubs in the world is the Royal Portrush Golf Club. Famous golf architects including H.S. Colt, Harry S. Colt, and Martin Ebert eventually made modifications to the course, which was initially created by Harry Colt in 1888. The Valley Course and the Dunluce Course are the club’s two championship courses. The crown jewel of Royal Portrush is the Dunluce course. This course offers breathtaking views of the shoreline and Dunluce Castle. Professionals face obstacles from its undulating greens, thick bunkers, and small fairways.
The Course is famous for its unique holes, including the par-3 14th, known as “Calamity Corner”. It requires a long tee shot over a deep chasm to a narrow green.
The club hosted the Open Championship for the first time in 2019. During the competition, golfers praised the Dunluce Course greatly. The only golf club outside of mainland Britain to have hosted The Open Championship is Royal Portrush.
This course has two additional holes that were added recently, which adds to the excitement.
European Club
Location: Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Length: 7337 yards
Par: 71
Designed by Pat Ruddy
Established: 1987
Golfweek’s Best rating: 7.18
Among Ireland’s newest links courses is European Club. The goal of Irish golf designer Pat Ruddy was to build a top-notch links course that would test and motivate players. And his dream is being fully realized by this course.
Golfers may enjoy 20 holes at this club, plus two additional holes. It presents a range of difficulties, including swift-sloping greens, deep bunkers, and wavy fairways.
“The Ocean” is the name of this club’s hallmark hole. The tee shot on this beautiful hole must be accurate as it goes down the coast. The Irish PGA Championship and the Irish Amateur Close Championship are only two of the major tournaments held at this course.
There are some special mentions.
Golf courses like Waterville Golf Links, St. Patrick’s Links, County Louth Golf Club and Adare Manor are worth a visit!
Ireland’s best golf courses provide a unique golfing experience, from the windy dunes of Ballybunion to the breathtaking mountains of The Royal Portrush. Ireland has everything to offer, whether you’re looking for a difficult links course or a breathtaking seaside vista. Select your clubs, then get set for the journey!