The Southwest of Ireland has arguably the greatest concentration
of true championship links courses for golfers to experience.
The choices range from such established favorites as Ballybunion,
Lahinch and Waterville, to the newest treasure of Ireland - the
Greg Norman designed Doonbeg.
BALLYBUNION:
Arguably Ireland’s most admired and distinguished links course.
The Old Course, well over a century old, is as pure a links course
as there is in the world. The course was designed using the existing
links land and massive dunes without the need for artificially
created challenges and hazards. The New Course (Cashen), created
by Robert Trent Jones, is a worthy compliment. Local
Knowledge: Early booking highly recommended to secure a confirmed
time (9 to 12 months prior to travel). No weekend play.
DOONBEG: For
more than 100 years, people have talked about a piece of land
near the town of Doonbeg, Ireland, where nature created it's own
golf course. The land is made up of rolling hills, high on the
cliffs along the Irish coast but flat enough that all that was
needed to create a world-class golf course was to lay out the
holes and mow the fairways. When Greg Norman agreed to be the
golf architect for this extraordinary site he described it as
"...the perfect golf links terrain." On his first visit
to the site in November, 1997 the Irish press reported his reaction:
"I am almost speechless. I have never seen a piece of land like
this in all my travels. I did not know such a piece of property
existed any more." Local Knowledge:
Has already been elevated to 'must play' status.
FOTA ISLAND:
A gem designed by Christy O'Connor, Jnr. and Peter McEvoy. Site
of the 2001 & 2002 Irish Opens it's pedigree is without question.
A parkland design with many 'links' touches such as the pot bunkers
and a double green. Many holes offer a water view out towards
historic Cobh (the Titanic's last stop) and the port of Cork.
KILLARNEY
GOLF & FISHING CLUB: The Killeen and Mahoney’s
Point courses, although not links style, are two of Ireland’s
great golf tracks. In fact, the Killeen course hosted the 1990
and 1991 Irish Opens. The courses parallel the banks of the Lakes
of Killarney in the shadows of Macgillicuddy’s Reeks - Ireland’s
highest mountains. Local Knowledge:
Ideal to include when based in Killarney to allow for sightseeing
time.
LAHINCH:
Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, and later revised by Alister
Mackenzie, Lahinch is characterized by numerous blind shots through
the coastline dunes. Take note of the many goats – they are
considered locally as the authorities on meteorological matters!
Local Knowledge:
No weekend play.
OLD HEAD OF KINSALE:
Opened since only 1997, Old Head has quickly become one of the
most praised links courses in the world. Old Head enjoys probably
the most spectacular setting in golf. Located high on the bluffs
of a three-mile long peninsula, Old Head offers unmatched beauty
and a challenging golf experience. Local
Knowledge: Ideal for weekend play.
TRALEE:
The present course, opened in 1984, was designed by Arnold Palmer.
Palmer, with the benefit of an absolutely stunning piece of land,
has created a classic links course that has the feel of a much
older layout. Local Knowledge:
No visitor play on Wednesdays and very limited on weekends.
WATERVILLE:
Located on the famous Ring of Kerry, Waterville is a golfers pleasure,
combining natural beauty with a thoughtful but challenging links
design. Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
Other courses of note: Adare Manor,
Cork (Little Island), Ceann Sibeal (Dingle), Dooks, Dromoland
Castle, Kilkee, Ring of Kerry, Shannon.
Ireland’s capital city and the surrounding area have a variety
of superior links courses, inland jewels and outstanding new creations.
In addition, all are within easy reach from what has become one
of Europe’s most distinguished and cosmopolitan cities.
COUNTY
LOUTH (Baltray): Sometimes
referred to as Baltray, Co. Louth is a true links course. One
of the most overlooked of Ireland’s championship courses; it is
well worth the visit. Local Knowledge:
Ideal to include when combining Newcastle (Royal Co. Down) and
Dublin. Limited weekend play.
DRUIDS GLEN:
A spectacular inland golf course frequently referred to as the
‘Augusta’ of Ireland. Druids Glen was a regular venue of the Irish
Open over the past several years. Local
Knowledge: Ideal for weekend play.
EUROPEAN CLUB:
The European Club is one of the greatest new links courses to
have been created in recent years. This modern links layout uses
coastal land to create a wonderful golfing experience. Local
Knowledge: Ideal for weekend play.
THE KILDARE GOLF &
CC: The K-Club, its more
common name, is located west of Dublin in the beautiful emerald
green countryside of County Kildare. This parkland course designed
by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay has been chosen as the venue for
the 2006 Ryder Cup Matches. It is also the regular site of the
annual European PGA Open. Local Knowledge:
Good for travel day between Dublin and the Southwest. Ideal for
weekend play.
THE ISLAND:
In years past you could only reach this course by boat! Thankfully
a car can now take you to what is probably one of the more testing
links challenges in the Dublin area. Eddie Hackett and Fred Hawtree,
who redesigned the course, have fashioned a layout which will
force you to use every club in your bag.
PORTMARNOCK:
By any standard Portmarnock is one of the foremost golf clubs
in the world. The esteemed links course has hosted the Walker
Cup Matches, a British Amateur, as well as other distinguished
professional and amateur events since it was founded in 1894.
Local Knowledge:
No visitor play on Wednesdays and very limited on weekends.
LINKS at PORTMARNOCK:
Although one of the newest links courses in Ireland, this Bernhard
Langer design provides all the necessary ingredients for the links
purist as it winds it’s way through dunes, is dotted with
numerous pot bunkers and is open to the whims of the elements
sweeping in from the Irish Sea. Local
Knowledge: Recommended for play
on arrival day, weekends or to allow time to sightsee.
MOUNT JULIET:
This Jack Nicklaus designed layout, located among the rolling
hills of Ireland's beautiful southeast, is one of the finest inland
courses that Ireland has to offer. Host of the prestigious 2002
American Express World Golf Championship event, the championship
layout has also hosted three Irish Opens and numerous other major
tournaments since opening in 1991. Local
Knowledge: Ideal for weekend play.
ROYAL DUBLIN:
The second oldest club in Ireland (founded in 1885), Royal Dublin
has been the site of many major tournaments. This links course
has a unique location on Bull Island in Dublin harbor. Local
Knowledge: No visitor play on
Wednesdays and very limited on weekends.
Other courses of note: Faithlegg,
Seapoint, St. Margaret's, Waterford Castle.
Northern Ireland is blessed with some of the British Isles most
famous and highly ranked links courses. This region has experienced
a major renaissance as a result of the recent peace initiatives.
Now that life has returned to normal, many golfers are experiencing
these superb layouts for the first time. One other reason to go
- Northern Ireland was also recognized by the International Association
of Golf Tour Operators as the 'Established Golf Destination of
The Year' for 2001.
CASTLEROCK:
Not one of the better known links, but well worth testing your
game over this 100 year old course (opened in 1901). The
blind drives, numerous bunkers and small greens will test every
aspect of your game and that is without any wind! Local
Knowledge: Limited weekend play.
PORTSTEWART:
Although not as famous as its neighbor Royal Portrush, Portstewart
is a true championship caliber links course. Seven new holes
were recently added, making it an even tougher challenge.Local
Knowledge: Limited weekend play.
ROYAL COUNTY DOWN:
Set dramatically against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains
and Dundrum Bay, Royal County Down is consistently rated among
the top ten courses in the world. It has played host to many championships
including the British Amateur and for the past several years the
Senior British Open. Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play (Sunday). Closed to visitors for the Senior
British Open in July.
ROYAL PORTRUSH
- Dunluce: The oldest course in Northern Ireland and one
of the world’s finest links courses. It has been the venue
for several Senior British Open Championships as well as the only
course outside of England or Scotland to have hosted a British
Open Championship. Local Knowledge:
The Valley Course at Royal Portrush is well worth playing.
WARRENPOINT:
Located along the coast from Royal Co. Down, Warrenpoint will
test your game whether the wind is blowing or not. It was the
proving ground of one of Northern Ireland’s great golfers
– Ronan Rafferty.
Other courses of note: Ardglass, Ballycastle,
Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush (Valley).
Although the names may not be as familiar, the courses in this
region are equally as enjoyable and in many cases more challenging
than courses in the more well known parts of Ireland. The West
of Ireland is characterized by stunning and rugged scenery - the
courses share the same characteristics.
BALLYLIFFIN
- Old Course & Glashedy Links: Ireland’s most northerly
club, boasts two superior links courses that rival any in the
British Isles. Ballyliffin’s Old Course, opened in 1947, and the
recently added Glashedy course have been described by Nick Faldo
as “hidden gems…the most natural golf links I have ever played.”
Local Knowledge:
Can easily be played when based in the Portrush area. Approximately
1 hour 15 minutes drive from Portrush. Limited weekend play.
CARNE
(Belmullet): This new links course is located on the remote
Bellmullet peninsula. Although only opened in 1995, Belmullet
has quickly gained the admiration of golfers of all skill levels.
Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
CONNEMARA:
The championship links is in the heart of beautiful Connemara
with the Atlantic as a dramatic backdrop. The testing layout combines
breathtaking scenery with an assortment of gentle and challenging
holes.Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
COUNTY SLIGO (Rosses
Point): One of Ireland's great championship links courses.
Rosses Point, over 100 years old, has hosted most of Ireland’s
major golf championships. It has been described as a testing course
for the skilled and fun course for the moderate player. Local
Knowledge: Limited weekend play.
DONEGAL
(Murvagh): Also known as Murvagh, this course is hidden
away on a rugged, sandy, peninsula that is screened by a wall
of dense woodlands. The par 73 links layout winds its way through
180 acres of sandhills and carefully maintained fairways and greens. Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
ENNISCRONE:
Enniscrone Golf Club has the unique distinction of having the
longest four starting holes of any course in Europe - three par
fives and a par four! Situated with a view of the Atlantic at
Killala Bay, the course designed by Eddie Hackett has created
a wealth of interesting holes which will draw on most of your
clubs to negotiate. Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
GALWAY BAY:
Designed by one of Ireland's greatest golfers, Christy O'Connor,
Jr., this ocean side course offers the best of both worlds - 'old
style' golf with modern amenities. Local
Knowledge: Limited weekend play.
WESTPORT:
Opened in 1973, the parkland style layout is set amongst 260 acres
of rolling terrain on the shores of Clew Bay. The course has been
the venue for many Irish championships including the Irish Amateur
Championship. Local Knowledge:
Limited weekend play.
Other courses of note: Galway, Portsalon,
Rosapenna.
