Home to 25% of the worlds natural linkgs courses...
With over 450 golf clubs and 25% of the world’s links golf courses, Ireland is a legendary golfing destination. From some of the top championship courses to inland jewels around every corner.
Ireland’s is a superpower when it comes to golf with over 50% of the worlds natural links courses and an impressive list of some of the best golf courses on the planet.
Only Scotland sits above Ireland in the level of importance and history of the game and this island offers golfers a source of pleasure across the entire country. You only need to look at the Tour Players to realise how important Ireland is to the world of golf.
So forget the weather, it’s part of the original game, forget high iron shots landing softly on greens, and get to grips with bump and run shots, long puts and undulating fairways.
One of my favourite golf courses in the region is Arklow Links Golf Course with its great location and welcoming clubhouse. It’s comparable to North Berwick Scotland but a third of the price at 50 Euros. It’s a traditional links course at its best. You can also visit Druids Glen IAGTO’s 2005 Golf Resort of the Year or try the K Club designed by Arnold Palmer which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006.
It really does not matter which part of Ireland you visit, you will never be far from a world-class links course or a surprising parkland course.
With over 300 golf courses in Ireland, it is more about where you want to go when you are not golfing or planning your entire visit on playing the courses you want to play before you die.
Many believe that the South West of Ireland is the best region for golfers. With brilliant courses such as Ballybunion, Tralee & Waterville all close together, it’s a perfect place to stay and play.
If you stay on the east, you can spend time around Dublin where you are never far from a few world’s best links courses including Royal Dublin and Portmarnock with the chance to playing the parkland K Club.
Towards the West and Northern West you might not find the big names, but with the wild Atlantic, it’s part of the country you will never forget.
Dublin is a great place to play golf – whether its a short golf break or the start of a longer golf holiday in Ireland – Dublin has over 60 of the finest Irish Golf Courses. They cater for all levels of golf.
Across the centre, you can also play 2 majestic parkland courses – Castle Country Club and St Anne’s Golf Club. A personal favourite would be Castleknock. But let’s not forget The Island Golf Club a classic links course set in naturally rugged terrain.
Right at the top of the best Irish golf courses is Waterville and Lahinch.
Waterville Golf Links in Kerry is one of the finest links golf courses in the world, never mind Ireland. Located on the Ring of Kerry, the surrounding scenery and quality of golf holes is breathtaking, to say the least.
Lahinch on the other hand is often described as the St Andrews of Ireland and rightly so.
Ballybunion must be next for pure links pleasure followed closely by The Island Golf Course situated only 15 mins away from Dublin Airport.
And finally, try County Sligo, isolated in the north with nothing similar within miles or County Louth Golf Course across the seaside testing your links play to your limit.
The Ballybunion Old Course is one of those golf courses where you remember almost every hole they are so good.
If the wind is blowing, forget scoring well and just enjoy the stunning course. If there is only a gentle breeze, you can attack a little more.
