If you’re a fan of golf, there is hardly a better place to enjoy the game than the lush green landscapes of Ireland. It is well known for its breathtaking views and world-class course designs. The country offers you some of the most exciting golfing experiences in the world. In this post, I’ll explore some of the best golf courses across the Emerald Isle. Let’s dive into it,
Royal County Down Golf Club
Address: Golf Links Road, Newcastle, Co. Down, BT33 0AN, Northern Ireland
Length: The Championship Links stretches over 7,186 yards.
Par: 71
Founded: 1889
Course Type: Links
Designed by: Old Tom Morris initially, with significant modifications by Harry Vardon and later by Harry Colt.
Established: The club was officially granted its ‘Royal’ prefix in 1908 by King Edward VII.
Hosted Irish Open: 4 times (1928, 1935, 1939, 2015)
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 8.95
Located at the base of the stunning Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, the Royal County Down Golf Club provides a breathtaking and challenging golfing experience. This club is famous not just for its beautiful views but also for its long history since opening in 1889. The course’s rugged landscape and views of Dundrum Bay make each game memorable.
Royal County Down is known for hosting important golf tournaments like the Irish Open and the Walker Cup, proving it’s a top-quality course that challenges all levels of golfers. It has received many awards and is often ranked among the world’s best golf courses and it is celebrated for its tough design and the genuine golf challenge it presents.
Website: royalcountydown
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Location: Dunluce Road, Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, situated on a dramatic coastal stretch with expansive sea views.
Length: The Dunluce Links measures 7,317 yards.
Par: 72
Founded: 1888
Course Type: Links
Designed by: Originally designed by Harry Colt, the course was significantly redesigned by Martin Ebert before the 2019 Open Championship.
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 8.53
Royal Portrush Golf Club is set on the north coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It established in 1888 and it’s the only golf course in Ireland that has hosted The Open Championship, first in 1951 and then again in 2019 to much praise. This historic place is known for its challenging links and the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The course at Royal Portrush is known for being tough but beautiful, including the Dunluce Links and the smaller Valley Links. The Dunluce Links, which is especially tough, was updated before the 2019 Open Championship. It really tests even the best golfers, especially at the stunning 5th hole that looks out over the ocean.
Website: royalportrushgolfclub
Portmarnock Golf Club
Location: Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, situated on a narrow stretch of land surrounded by water on three sides, enhancing both its beauty and challenge.
Length: The course measures 7,466 yards from the championship tees.
Par: 72
Founded: 1894
Course Type: Links
Designed by: William Pickeman and George Ross initially, with subsequent enhancements by various architects over the decades to maintain its competitive edge.
Hosted Irish Open: 19 times (1927-2003)
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 7.42
Portmarnock Golf Club sits beautifully on a sandy peninsula stretching into the Irish Sea, just north of Dublin. This place mixes stunning natural scenery with a rich golfing tradition. It’s hosted many big tournaments, like the Irish Open, proving it’s a top spot for golf. The course is famous for its tough fairways and smart sand traps, making it a favorite spot for some of the best golfers, including legends like Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros.
The course challenges players but also rewards them with beautiful views of the coastline. As you play, the sound of waves hitting the shore adds a calm backdrop to the game. This historic course isn’t just about playing golf; it’s about experiencing a piece of golf history where many greats have played.
Website: portmarnockgolfclub
Ballybunion Golf Club
Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland, situated on the northwest coast with breathtaking ocean vistas.
Length: The Old Course runs 6,802 yards.
Par: 71
Founded: 1893
Course Type: Links
Designed by: The original design was by Lionel Hewson, with significant later enhancements to embrace the natural terrain more fully.
Hosted Irish Open: 2000
Golfweek’s Best rating: 8.33
Ballybunion Golf Club is tucked away on the stunning southwest coast of Ireland in County Kerry and has been a beloved spot in the golf world since it opened in 1893. With breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic cliffs, the club features two courses, the Old Course and the Cashen Course. Both are known for their tough layouts and beautiful scenery. Although Ballybunion doesn’t host as many big international tournaments as some other famous Irish courses, it’s a popular practice spot for top golfers like Tiger Woods and Tom Watson, especially before major championships. The Old Course is especially celebrated and often ranks among the best golf courses in the world, thanks to its wild dunes, deep bunkers, and the classic links golf experience it offers.
Website: ballybuniongolfclub
Lahinch Golf Club
Location: Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland, located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, providing dramatic ocean views and a true test of links golf.
Length: The Championship Course stretches to 6,950 yards.
Par: 72
Founded: 1892
Course Type: Links
Designed by: Initially designed by Old Tom Morris, with significant later redesigns by Dr. Alister MacKenzie in the 1920s.
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 7.89
Lahinch Golf Club, often called the “St. Andrews of Ireland,” is in the lovely seaside town of Lahinch on County Clare’s northwest coast. The course features rolling dunes and wide-open views of the Atlantic Ocean. Lahinch has hosted many big tournaments, like the Irish Open and the Amateur Golf Championship. The club started in 1892 and has been a key part of Irish golf ever since. The course is famous for its traditional links design. It was first shaped by Old Tom Morris and later perfected by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the same mind behind Augusta National.
Website: lahinchgolf
Waterville Golf Links
Location: Located in County Kerry, Ireland, nestled on the Iveragh Peninsula and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
Length: The course measures approximately 7,300 yards from the championship tees.
Par: 72
Founded: 1889, with significant redesigns and improvements in the 1970s and again in 2006.
Course Type: Links
Designed by: Originally laid out by Eddie Hackett with significant enhancements by Tom Fazio.
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 7.54
Waterville has hosted the Irish Open and regularly attracts top professional golfers for pre-major tournament preparation. Its remote location adds to its allure, offering a peaceful golfing experience. Waterville Golf Links, situated on the scenic Ring of Kerry. Its rich history begins in 1889, initially used by the transatlantic telegraph workers. Over the decades, Waterville transformed under the guidance of renowned golf architects, including Eddie Hackett and later Tom Fazio. This course combines history with stunning landscapes, offering the true feel of traditional links golf.
Website: watervillegolflinks
Old Head Golf Links
Location: Located in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, situated on a promontory surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
Length: The course stretches approximately 7,159 yards from the championship tees.
Par: 72
Founded: 1997
Course Type: Links
Designed by: A collaboration among a consortium of designers including Joe Carr, Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins, and the late Eddie Hackett, with later contributions by Dr. Martin Hawtree.
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 7.45
Old Head Golf Links stretches out on a 220-acre piece of land that sticks out more than two miles into the Atlantic Ocean near Kinsale, County Cork. Although it only opened in 1997, making it younger than many other Irish golf courses, it’s quickly become a top spot for golfers. The course is famous for its cliffs where the ocean surrounds you on all sides. Each of the 18 holes offers wide views of the ocean, and the constant sea breezes make the game even more interesting.
Website: oldhead
Adare Manor Golf Club
Location: Located in Adare, County Limerick, Ireland, nestled along the banks of the River Maigue.
Length: The course measures 7,509 yards from the championship tees.
Par: 72
Founded: Originally established in the 1990s, with a significant redesign completed in 2018.
Course Type: Parkland
Designed by: The redesign was masterminded by celebrated golf architect Tom Fazio, known for creating some of the world’s most challenging and beautiful courses.
Golfweek’s Best Rating: 6.39
Adare Manor golf club is set to host the Ryder Cup in 2027. Earlier it hosted the JP McManus Pro-Am. Adare Manor stands out by blending its natural beauty with unmatched luxury. It nestled in the beautiful countryside of County Limerick. The golf course was given a major facelift and reopened in 2018. It quickly garnered attention for its pristine condition, innovative water features, and the impeccable maintenance of its turf. The redesign included the installation of SubAir systems under all 18 greens to control moisture levels that ensures perfect playing conditions year-round.
Adare Manor has not only captured the essence of Irish golf but also set a new standard for golf resorts globally.
Website: adaremanorgolfclub
