Ireland is without doubt one of the top ten destinations in the world for golf, and the reasons are there for everyone to see – the landscape is stunning, the courses are challenge, the weather unpredictable – a very appealing combination for the serious golfer.
These are some of the best courses in the country:
- Royal County Down: This is unarguably the best in Ireland, and has been ranked #1 in the country for several years. Golf Digest’s 2016 ranking even puts it at #1 in the world. There are two 18-hole courses here and it has hosted several major tournaments, including the Senior British Open, the Irish Open, the Palmer Cup and the Walker Cup. This is also reputedly Rory McIlroy’s favorite.
- Portmarnock: Located 15 minutes away from Dublin airport, this is another contender for the top spot. It even displaced Royal County Down as the top Irish course in the 2014 rankings. The scenery is simply beautiful. There are 27 holes here and it has hosted the European Tour’s Irish Open a record 19 times.
- Royal Portrush: It has 36 holes spread over two links courses. It boasts of great views. The Dunluce championship links course is widely acclaimed as one the best in the world, and it is scheduled to host The Open in 2019.
- Lahinch: This is a course where you know immediately that you are teeing in Ireland – no other course has the unmistakable allure of the Irish landscape. It is also located by the sea, so the constant winds provide enough of a challenge.
- Waterville: This is a true links course, which less than 1% of the golf courses in the world can lay claim to. Because of that, you will find the challenge to be just right here, no matter what your handicap is.
- Ballybunion: The US President Bill Clinton played here in 1998 during his second term, and he found it so irresistible that he returned in 2001 after leaving office. One of the finest courses in the world, you are sure to find it amazing. The only reason why it hasn’t hosted major tournaments is because of its remote location on the southwest coast of Ireland. But that can also be a good thing – it not being too crowded allows you to enjoy your game (and Ireland too) in peace and serenity.
- Tralee: The new course at Tralee is not very old, having been designed by Arnold Palmer himself (his first-ever European venture, actually) and opened in 1984. He said that the location was perfect. Apart from the winds (it is an ocean course and ships have run aground on the beach near the 17th hole), it is hard not to be distracted by the views as you play here.
If you would like to tee off at these courses and take in some fresh Irish air, contact us. We can provide you with more information regarding these and other courses, so that you can enjoy a customized golf tour to Ireland. When not on the course, you will be chauffeured around in luxury vehicles so that you can indeed enjoy your trip to Ireland in comfort and style.