Ireland can be a golfer’s paradise, if you are prepared to change the weather, strong winds, and challenging courses. Older Irish courses are a legend, newer ones are coming there. Choosing the perfect courses for a golf tour of Ireland is a difficult task. The top ten Irish golf courses list below is a near-random list with no pretense of presenting the ‘scientific maxim’. These courses are at the top, but individual preferences might not place them all in the top group of just ten.
Ballybunion Old Course
Hit the ball (extremely) badly and you will see it disappear into the Atlantic. The layout of this course right next to the ocean looks more natural than designed. So get ready for a golf experience that takes you “back to the roots” of the sport. Just a word of caution though – Ballybunion is a family vacation resort and can be very noisy!
For dedicated golfers who want to spend more than a day, there is a second course nearby, the ‘Cashen Course’, designed by Robert Trent Jones.
Ballyliffin (Glashedy)
These are the northernmost links in Ireland, nestled in dramatic landscapes and often no less dramatic skies. Glashedy Course was designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock and is considered by experts to be one of the best courses in the British Isles. The neighboring Old Course is still in use. Challenge players with very uneven fairways.
glen druids
A course designed by Pat Ruddie and Tom Craddock on the Woodstock Estate, approximately 25 miles south of Dublin. It is known as an “extremely difficult course” with a clear need for precision. Nearby Druids Heath is also worth a visit.
The K Club
Although famous for its “pretty ponds,” Tiger Woods might see them as an unnecessary feature after the 2006 Ryder Cup. The course is also hailed as “Arnold Palmer’s Jewel” and the scenery involved moving millions of tons of earth. In addition to having numerous ponds, the K Club is also next to the Liffey, so it is advisable to bring a lot of balls.
Lahinch
Lahinch is sometimes known as the “St Andrews of Ireland”. The golf course was established in the 19th century and was a design by the old Tom Morris. This was partially preserved with an eye on the “anachronistic” holes: the blind shots of “Klondyke” and “The Dell” are definitely rare today. Completely redesigned by Dr. Alister MacKenzie in 1927, the course is in dunes generally considered unsuitable for golf. Lahinch is also known as a surfer’s paradise.
Mount Juliet
This course was designed in the 1990s by Jack Nicklaus and as “American” as possible. It is also considered the best of the newest courses by some experts. On the other hand, the near-perfect course makes for an uninteresting game in the eyes of critics. The course is sometimes considered to be interchangeable and not ‘Irish’, but the unique country club atmosphere tends to compensate for this perceived deficiency.
Portmarnock Golf Club
The course is surrounded by the sea on three sides and only ten miles from the center of Dublin. However, the club’s greatest danger is long gone: this was Maggie Leonard’s now legendary cow, who managed to swallow hundreds of golf balls. Playing here is considered a true golf link, the course requires a creative attitude to play. Difficult to book and a necessary cover letter: A smart (albeit less glamorous) alternative would be the nearby Portmarnock Hotel Links designed by Bernard Langer.
Royal County Down
This is among the most difficult courses to play in the British Isles. Situated in Dundrum Bay near the Morne Mountains, its often dark slopes provide a dramatic backdrop. The course was originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1889 and despite many changes, it still allows for ‘old school’ play. Expect traditional links with rolling greens, narrow fairways, and deep bunkers, all seasoned by high winds.
Portrush real (Dunluce)
This course is set amongst the dunes and is often blessed with a vigorous breeze straight from the sea. The club was founded in 1888 and located near the Giant’s Causeway. This is (and will remain for some time) the only Irish course to host the British Open. The course itself needs very precise driving and is aimed at the technically excellent player.
Slieve Russell
This course adjacent to the 4-star hotel was designed by Paddy Merrigan and opened in 1992. It is essentially a parkland course in the middle of the Cavan lakes and drumlins. Water is a constant danger in the game. Although perhaps not as glamorous as the K Club, the Slieve Russel has attracted PGA tournaments and is known as a remote retreat offering a very comprehensive range of facilities.
