Best Golf Courses in Ireland

Ireland's credentials as a golfing superpower are so impressive that making a list of its best courses feels akin to making one for the best courses in the world. Second only to Scotland in importance to the history of the great game, Ireland gives the impression that it was sculpted to be the home of spectacular golf courses.

Home to over 25% of all the natural links courses on the planet, the small island has a huge amount of character. The fact that many of golf's great players come from the Emerald Isle, including the likes of Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, is hardly surprising considering the quality of courses they have grown up on.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Ireland or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Ireland >>

Ranked 1st on Golf Digest's biennial 'World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses' list in 2016 and again in 2018, Royal County Down Golf Club needs little introduction. The golf course is nestled in the Murlough Nature Reserve, flanked by the breathtaking Mountains of Mourne and running along Dundrum Bay, is considered by many to be the most strikingly beautiful golf course in the world.

Don’t let the beauty of Royal County Down fool you, the course is a true test of golf, narrow fairways and ‘bearded bunkers’ demand excellent control of the golf ball.

More info on Royal County Down >>

"There probably isn't a golf course that tests you as much off the tee as Royal County Down. Each shot requires perfect execution to open up your approach."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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Royal Portrush remains the only golf club outside of mainland Britain to ever host The Open Championship, an honour that was bestowed upon it once again as the world’s elite golfers did battle on the rough links terrain in The Open in 2019.

The already tough track will present a fresh challenge to amateurs and pros alike, as two new holes have been added in for the most exciting major of the year, potentially making an already great course even greater.

More info on Royal Portrush >>

"Some of the best links views anywhere in the world. A very playable course if you drive it well and somewhere I'd recommend to all, such a great stretch of golf with great apres golf at Ramore in the Harbour."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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The Old Course is perched in an idyllic position on the Shannon Estuary, offering not only a world class test of golf, but sweeping views of the rugged yet beautiful south west coast of Ireland.

At just 6,802 yards, the Old is not long, but there is a genuine premium placed on leaving your ball in the best place with the next shot in mind.

More info on Ballybunion Golf Club >>

"From the 7th tee onwards Ballybunion is truly spectacular, oozing class and rugged links charm from every pore. It’s obvious why many think this is Ireland’s best golf course."
Huw (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 5)

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Lahinch hosted the Irish Open for the first time in 2019 and has been at the pinnacle of Irish golf since the great game was first played there in 1892.

This Irish gem is often referred to as 'the St Andrews of Ireland', a place where control of the golf ball is not just advantageous but necessary. For those who love real links golf, this course is as gorgeous as any you will find, a definite must-play.

More info on Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course) >>

"Intimidating, all or nothing tee shots, ingenious bunker placement – one of Mackenzie’s hallmarks – and several blind shots also add to the challenge and charm of the Old Course. For lovers of links golf, Lahinch is simply not to be missed."
Rick (Marketing: Handicap 11)

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Situated in a breathtaking location on the shores of County Kerry, Tralee is arguably a little overlooked at times thanks to its relatively close proximity to some of Ireland's most famous courses such as Ballybunion and Lahinch; a crying shame considering it easily holds its own with the best layouts in Ireland. Just ask course designer Arnold Palmer, who once said of Tralee: “I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course.” Who are we to argue with The King?

Tralee is not only a fantastic test of golf but its stunning location on the shores of the ‘Lake District’ of Ireland will have golfers taking as many shots with their cameras as they do with their clubs. Get into your stride on the gentler front nine which boasts some of the most spectacular views imaginable, before taking to the back nine where it's fair to say you'll need your A Game to come out the other side with a decent scorecard intact!

More info on Tralee >>

"Probably the most naturally beautiful golf course you'll come across. The course looks like a natural part of the landscape. Can't wait to play here again."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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Jutting out into the Irish Sea just beside Dublin, Portmarnock is surrounded by water on 3 sides, making for spectacular views and changeable winds. The layout is such that every shot is potentially played with the wind coming from a different direction, however, from the tees to the greens nearly every feature is in sight, providing a fair test to golfers of any ability.

The 19-time host of the Irish Open is deserving of a mention on any list of Ireland's greatest courses.

More info on Portmarnock Golf Club >>

"A great links experience that was very fair and playable and a course that I'd recommend to anyone visiting Ireland."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

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One of the youngest links courses in Ireland, the 20-hole beauty is owner and designer Pat Ruddy's vision come to life. The European Club is full of quirks, such as the 125 yard long green on the 12th, that make playing a round upon its marvellous dunes a truly unique experience.

Potentially one of the last links courses to come out of Ireland, this is a course every golfer should play.

More info on European Club >>

"I think The European Club is a golf course I talk about the most. The welcome, the experience and the course are everything you'd expect and more."
Rory (Marketing: Handicap 8)

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Waterville Golf Links is one of the more remote golf courses on our list, located down in the South West of Ireland, in the face of the Atlantic ocean, golfers from around the world make the pilgrimage to play on its spectacular links.

Although the front 9 rolls across somewhat flat land, the undulating back 9 follows the natural layout of the dunes. The ground is firm and fast, the ability to roll the ball up onto the greens will serve you well at Waterville.

More info on Waterville Golf Links >>

"The small promontory that plays host to Waterville is as natural a setting for a golf course as you can find. Almost totally surrounded by the sea, the course challenges visitors with its raw links character, owing to the natural undulations and firm, fast turf."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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The only course designed by Greg Norman in the entirety of the UK & Ireland, Trump Doonbeg is certainly one of his masterpieces. However, it could be said that the greater credit belongs to Mother Nature, with 14 greens and 12 fairways mown where they lay, the course is mesmerising in its natural beauty.

Forged along the County Clare coastline, 16 holes boast astonishing views over the Atlantic.

More info on Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg >>

"Standards are set at Doonbeg as soon as you arrive on the 1st tee where you are greeted by a dramatic par 5 with the Atlantic Ocean sitting a 7 iron or 2 to your left."
Rory (Marketing: Handicap 8)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rory about playing this course.

Harry S. Colt redesigned the landscape at County Sligo in 1927, the architect responsible for layouts at Wentworth, Sunningdale and Royal Portrush has created a glorious venue, fit to host tournament play.

County Sligo has continued to be awarded the West of Ireland Championship to this very day proving that, in spite of it's mature age, the course still stands up to the recent advances in golfing technology.

More info on Co. Sligo Golf Club >>

"The quality of the course in conjunction with the outstanding scenery of the surrounding seaside, make Co. Sligo a glorious stop off on any golf break or tour."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Sam about playing this course.

Waterville Golf Links is one of the more remote golf courses on our list, located down in the South West of Ireland, in the face of the Atlantic ocean, golfers from around the world make the pilgrimage to play on its spectacular links.

Although the front 9 rolls across somewhat flat land, the undulating back 9 follows the natural layout of the dunes. The ground is firm and fast, the ability to roll the ball up onto the greens will serve you well at Waterville.

More info on The Island Golf Club >>

"A fantastic links golf course that deserves all the praise it receives. One of the most memorable things of playing here for me is firstly the views, they're amazing but also the lies that you can experience when you stray offline."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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Another young golf course to make our list, the Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin only opened for play in 1995. The northernmost club in all of Ireland, what it lacks in history it makes up for in character and artful design.

A tough test for even the most skilled manipulator of the golf ball, the course is considered a brute but also a must play. Ballyliffin looks set to bid for the Irish Open in the near future, something many golfers would welcome.

More info on Ballyliffin Golf Club (Glashedy Links) >>

"Unlike its more traditional sister, there are huge greens here, whose severe slopes make scoring well on a blustery day devilishly difficult."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

Handicap: 4
Favourite Course: Old Head
My 'Expert' areas: St Andrews or Dublin
Best trip I've done: St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns & Dumbarnie Links
Where my next trip is to: Augusta to watch The Masters with my Dad

Give Sam a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.