Where to Play Golf in Ireland

If you're sorting through the early stages of how to plan an Ireland golf trip, three questions typically come to mind:

• Who to invite on your golf trip.
• When to begin the planning process.
• Where to go on the trip.

The answers to each of these questions are somewhat dependent on one another. For example, deciding who to invite on the trip may depend on where you intend to go. In turn, where you intend to go then impacts when you should begin the planning process.

You might say that planning Ireland golf trips is like working on a giant jigsaw puzzle, with these interdependent questions forming the outer edge. At the links above, we’ve provided helpful guides to assemble the first two-thirds of that border. The remaining portion - where to play golf in Ireland - is found below.

The best golf in Ireland is mostly concentrated within four distinct regions. What follows are the pros and cons of each region, ordered by their popularity among our travelers.

Northern Ireland and the North Coast

One of the most compelling stories in golf travel over the last two decades has been the rise in popularity of Northern Ireland golf trips. If you're planning to scratch this region off your list, here's what you need to know:

Pros

• Home to the current #1 ranked course in the world and the only course in Ireland on The Open rota: Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
• Other golf courses in the area like Ardglass Golf Club, Ballyliffin, Castlerock, and Portstewart Golf Club may play the role of understudy, but they could form an outstanding golf trip all on their own.
• The region is well suited for all types of trips: buddies, couples, or family.
• An excellent array of sightseeing opportunities at some of Ireland’s most popular attractions, from the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Distillery to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and sites of Belfast.
• Ferry service from the west coast of Scotland provides a convenient way to enjoy a little of both countries in a single trip.

Cons

• Due to its popularity, the region requires the most advance planning in Ireland. Particularly for Royal Portrush and Royal County Down tee times.
• You may add “had a calamity at Calamity” to your golf resume.

Southwest Ireland

There are a number of factors to consider when planning Southwest Ireland golf tours. Here are a few of the key considerations:

Pros

• The highest concentration of world ranked courses in Ireland. Five altogether, plus a future Ryder Cup venue that belongs on the next list.
• Among the headlining courses, Old Head Golf Links is perhaps the biggest draw and regarded as one of the most spectacular experiences in the game.
• Home to some of the finest golf hotels in Ireland, such as Adare Manor, Doonbeg, Hayfield Manor, and the Killarney Park.
• The Southwest features some of the best sightseeing in Ireland, thanks to Killarney National Park, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and many more.
• Without question, the most picturesque of any region for golf in Ireland.
• An ideal destination for both buddies and couples golf trips to Ireland.

Cons

• The best courses are spread out over a fairly large area of the coast. Because of this, golf trips to Southwest Ireland often require multiple hotel changes and a few commutes of over an hour to the course. Our suggestion: hire an H&B Driver-Host, sit back, and just enjoy the views.
• You may add “lost a dozen balls in the Atlantic” to your golf resume.

Credit: Old Head Golf Links

Dublin

The capital of Ireland is home to one of the great combinations of Golf and the Good Life. Here's what you need to know for Dublin golf trips:

Pros

• The best golf near Dublin includes no less than six world-class links courses, as well as a trio of great parkland offerings that are worthy of play.
• The headliner here - Portmarnock Golf Club - is a 19-time host of the Irish Open.
• Numerous direct flights from the states eases the logistics of travel.
• As the capital of Ireland and one of Europe’s great cities, Dublin offers some of the best sightseeing in the country.
• Those looking to enjoy the Irish pub culture will find it in no short supply. The best pubs in Dublin are a good place to start.
• The Guinness Storehouse is here.

Cons

• If you plan to combine Dublin and the links of Northern Ireland into a single week-long trip, you'll probably have to leave some good courses near the city off your itinerary.
• You may add “hit 3 off the 1st tee at Portmarnock” to your golf resume.

Credit: Portmarnock Golf Club

Northwest Ireland

Long overshadowed by Ireland's other golfing regions, Northwest Ireland golf trips have seen a surge in popularity of late. Here's why:

Pros

• The golf courses in Northwest Ireland are some of the most visually stunning in the game, featuring a collection of dramatic dunes that must be seen to be believed.
• Golf architecture aficionados now have plenty of reason to visit the Northwest thanks to the reimagined Narin & Portnoo Links by Gil Hanse and the new St. Patrick's Links by Tom Doak.
• Those who enjoy journeys off the well worn path will enjoy the charm, solitude, and seclusion of the Northwest.
• Golf history buffs will find a connection to the patriarch of the game. One of the two links courses at Rosapenna was designed by Old Tom Morris.
• Because the Northwest doesn’t garner the spotlight, the booking window is not nearly as far out as the other regions.
• The hospitality in the Northwest is arguably the warmest in all of Ireland.
• Of all the regions in both Ireland and Scotland, the Northwest presents the best bang for the buck thanks and significant savings in overall cost.

Cons

• The remote location and absence of marquee "bucket list" courses usually makes the Northwest a destination for the 2nd or 3rd Ireland golf trip.
• You may add “climbed a small mountain to find my drive” to your golf resume.

Credit: Enniscrone

As you can see, each of the regions for golf in Ireland has its own unique set of pros and cons.

If choosing where to go on your trip requires a little more insight, perhaps you’ll find it at the links below. But if you’ve enlisted the expertise of an H&B Expedition Planning Manager, your job is essentially done.

All you have to do now is sit back and watch as the giant jigsaw puzzle we spoke of earlier comes together.