Ireland is a great holiday destination for golfers of all levels, with exceptional championship courses, accommodation to suit all budgets, beautiful scenery and a warm welcome wherever you decide to play.
The emergence of McIlroy, McDowell, Clarke and Harrington as the top players in the world of professional golf has seen a renewed interest in golf holidays in Ireland.
As an Irish-born US resident, I have had the privilege of playing golf courses in nearly all of Ireland’s 32 counties for the past thirty years during my annual visits home.
I’m not sure of the exact number, but I’m sure there are about 400 courses on the island.
There are challenging Irish links and parkland courses, including luxury golf complexes off the beaten track.
Most of Ireland’s picturesque golf courses can also be played in all kinds of weather.
Ireland’s small size (300 miles long x 150 miles wide) makes it ideal for including many of its renowned courses on a short holiday. The terrain of Ireland has been used by course designers such as Palmer, Norman and Nicklaus to create exceptional, natural courses.
My favorite park courses are:
Killarney Fishing and Golf Club, County Kerry
I know, unusual name. There are three courses of which Killeen is my choice. He offers spectacular lakeside scenery and will also challenge long hitters. With narrow tree-lined fairways and water features on nearly every hole, you’ll test your golf skills to the limit on large, undulating greens. This course proves to be an equal balance between beautiful natural lakeside terrain and a really challenging course.
Limerick Golf Club
Limerick Golf Club, founded in 1891, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. The course is a mature parkland course, the first few holes are easy, don’t get too casual because the third hole is the start of the real challenge of this course, you need two good shots to get to the green. The sixth hole has a stream flowing through it, be careful with your club selection. A great golf course for players of all levels.
Druids Glen Golf Club-Co Wicklow
The Glen’s wonderful scenery provides a colorful backdrop to a large parkland classic featuring many signature holes and providing golfers of all levels with a wonderful golfing experience amidst a beautifully maintained layout. Druids Glen is considered one of the best golf resorts in Ireland, in many ways reminiscent of one in Augusta.
Ennis Golf Club County Clare
Ennis Golf Club, founded in 1907, is a very nice course in a park. It has tree lined fairways and very narrow greens, although it will present a challenge for golfers of all levels, it is a relatively flat course and I always enjoy playing here.
My favorite links races
Waterville County Kerry
In my opinion, that’s what link golf is all about. Nature, in all its beauty, surrounds you at every hole. It’s long, around 7300 yards and over 100 years old, set on the famous Ring of Kerry, the views of the Atlantic and Ballinskelligs Bay at every corner are breathtaking. High winds sometimes make for challenging shots, and the facing bunkers and natural terrain add to the challenge. The fairways are firm and the changeable Irish weather makes the greens a force unto themselves. That being said, I always leave the field encouraged and refreshed.
Lahinch Golf Club County Clare
It would be hard for me to choose between Waterville and Lahinch, I think Tom Watson considered it one of his favorite courses. This links course, founded in 1892, has stunning views of Liscannor Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Each hole, particularly the 4th and 5th – locals call them the Klondyke and The Dell – provide a challenge in fair conditions and no wind, if the wind is blowing all bets are off. After your round, the amenities are first class.
Doonbeg Golf Club County Clare
Designed by Greg Norman, located high on the cliffs along the Atlantic coast, the ocean is visible from the green, fairway or tee on 16 of the 18 holes. There are some standout holes, my favorite is the par 3 14, although it is only 111 yards, the Atlantic runs out beyond the green and the wind, always windy here, will dictate what club you use, I have taken a 3 iron and wedge at different times . Doonbeg Golf Club Lodge is a luxury destination, albeit a very expensive one.
The weather in Ireland is always a factor, no matter what time of year, bring waterproof clothing and dress in layers. The atmosphere in the clubhouse and pub areas is always entertaining, the pub food is plentiful and reasonable and a pint of Guinness to finish it off, gosh!