A Guide to Golf in Ireland

Ireland has long been celebrated as one of the world’s greatest golfing destinations. With more than 400 golf courses dotted across the island, it offers an unmatched variety of experiences, windswept championship links, elegant inland parkland layouts, and welcoming local clubs. For visitors, Ireland can be the golf trip of a lifetime.  For those of us living here in Ireland, it’s a reminder that world-class golf is right on our doorstep. If you are looking for the best golf courses in Ireland, we have the ultimate lists for you from best link courses, to parkland courses and great ideas for the best golf holiday itineraries and vacation ideas in Ireland. For us beginner golfers, we have also included the top affordable golf courses, golf tips, and some recommendations golf clubs, balls, and more.

What makes Ireland so special for golfers is its scenery. Few places on earth let you stand on a tee box with the Atlantic Ocean rolling beneath you, castles and cliffs in the distance, and the sound of seabirds overhead. Courses like Tralee Golf Club and Ballybunion Golf Club showcase this natural drama in every shot. It’s golf in its purest form, carved by nature itself.

Ballybunnion Old Course, Co. Kerry, Ireland – Tourism Ireland

But golf here isn’t only about epic views, it’s also about golf heritage. Ireland’s courses tell stories. Lahinch Golf Club, known as the “St Andrews of Ireland,” has quirks left by Old Tom Morris. Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland has hosted The Open Championship and will again in 2025 and Adare Manor Golf Club will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. These are courses where history and sport intertwine, and where every round feels like a connection to something bigger.

For locals, one of the best things about Irish golf is accessibility. If you live in Dublin, you can finish work on a Friday and tee it up at Portmarnock Golf Club the next morning. If you’re in Cork or Kerry, you’ve got Tralee, Ballybunion, and Waterville all within reach. Even a short weekend break feels like a holiday when you’re playing these courses.

And then there’s the variety. Alongside the famous links, Ireland also offers superb inland resorts like The K Club, Carton House, Druids Glen and Mount Juliet. These combine championship courses with hotels, spas, and fine dining—perfect for golfers who want to balance challenging rounds with a touch of luxury.

Mount Juliet Estate Golf Club, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Pic: Tourism Ireland – Mike Hyde

Sample Irish Golf Itineraries

Whether you’re visiting from abroad or living in Ireland, planning a short break or a full golf tour, here are sample itineraries to inspire your next trip.

Three-Course Tour (5–6 Days) – The Southwest

This is the classic Wild Atlantic Way golf holiday, bringing together some of Ireland’s most iconic links. Perfect for visitors ticking off bucket-list courses, or locals planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip with friends.

Along the way, explore the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and lively towns like Killarney and Doolin.

Three-Course Long Weekend – Dublin & the East

Ideal for golfers based in Leinster or visitors flying into Dublin. This trip combines world-class links with a luxury inland course.

Two-Course Quick Escape – Northern Highlights

For a short but unforgettable golf break, Northern Ireland offers two gems that pair perfectly together.

In between rounds, take in the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge for a mix of golf and sightseeing.

Hidden Gems of Irish Golf

While the famous names like Ballybunion, Lahinch, and Portrush will always draw the headlines, Ireland’s golfing soul is also found in its smaller clubs and lesser-known courses. These are the places where you’ll find quieter fairways, a more relaxed atmosphere, and fantastic value.

  • Castlerock Golf Club – A classic links in Co. Londonderry, overshadowed by Portrush and Portstewart but every bit as enjoyable.
  • Enniscrone Golf Club – A spectacular, dune-filled course in Co. Sligo, with both championship and beginner-friendly nines.
  • Narin & Portnoo Links – Remote and beautiful in Donegal, recently redesigned and now one of the country’s most exciting courses.
  • Carne Golf Links – Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Wild, rugged, and unforgettable—often called Ireland’s “last great links.”
  • Dingle Golf Links (Ceann Sibéal) – The westernmost course in Ireland, set among mountains and ocean in stunning Kerry.

Our Golf Adventure

This guide isn’t just a collection of useful golf information,  it’s also the beginning of our own golf adventure. We’re starting out as a family, exploring Ireland’s courses step by step, from the famous championship links to the smaller community clubs. Some of us are beginners, some are still learning, and the kids are only just picking up clubs, but that’s part of the fun. Along the way, we’ll share stories from the courses we play, tips for other families who want to get started, where to buys clubs and balls, golf club membership, green fees, and ideas for golfers living in Ireland who might be planning their next weekend trip or maybe a golf trip to warmer weather in Portugal, Spain, Turkey, USA or more.

Our aim is simple: to create a space where visitors from abroad can find inspiration for their golfing holiday in Ireland, and where locals can discover new clubs, hidden gems, and new short-break itineraries. Whether you’re planning your first trip to Ireland, or you live here and just want to play somewhere new, we hope you’ll join us on this journey,  one fairway, one 19th hole, and one golf adventure at a time.

Explore our Interactive Golf Map of Ireland

Discover Ireland’s rich golfing landscape with our easy-to-use map. Zoom in to the region you’re most interested in and explore a wide variety of courses and facilities. You can turn layers on and off to find exactly what you’re looking for, from the best championship and links courses in Ireland, to fun par 3 layouts, pitch and putt courses, and local driving ranges. Whether you’re planning a golfing holiday, searching for hidden gems, or just looking for a place to practice, this map is the perfect starting point for your next round.

 

More Golf Pages on the way

List of Top Golf Courses in Ireland

  • Best Links Courses in Ireland
  • Best Parkland Courses in Ireland
  • Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland
  • Best 9-Hole Courses in Ireland
  • Best Par-3 Courses in Ireland
  • Best Pitch and Putt Courses in Ireland
  • Top Hidden Gems of Irish Golf
  • Best Beginner-Friendly Courses in Ireland
  • Best Family-Friendly Courses in Ireland
  • Ireland’s Most Scenic Golf Courses

Regional Guides

  • Golf in Dublin & the East Coast
  • Golf in Kerry (Tralee, Ballybunion, Waterville)
  • Golf in Clare & Galway (Lahinch, Doonbeg, Connemara)
  • Golf in Northern Ireland (Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock)
  • Golf in Donegal (Narin & Portnoo, Rosapenna, Ballyliffin)
  • Golf in Cork & the South (Old Head of Kinsale, Fota Island)
  • Golf Along the Wild Atlantic Way

Itinerary & Holiday Planning

  • 3-Day Golf Breaks in Ireland
  • 5-Day Southwest Ireland Golf Tour
  • Ultimate 10-Day Irish Golf Itinerary
  • Golf & Sightseeing Packages in Ireland
  • Luxury Golf Holidays in Ireland
  • Budget-Friendly Golf Trips in Ireland
  • Stay & Play Resorts in Ireland

Practical Golf Guides & Resources

  • Golf Package Deals in Ireland
  • Best Golf Resorts & Hotels in Ireland
  • Best Golf Shops & Retailers in Ireland (McGuirks, Halpenny, etc.)
  • How to Book Tee Times in Ireland
  • Tips for Planning a Golf Trip in Ireland

International Comparisons (Future)

  • Golf in Ireland vs. Golf in Scotland
  • Ireland vs. Portugal: Which is the Better Golf Holiday?
  • Best Golf Holidays in Europe (Ireland, Spain, Portugal)

Best Golf Clubs for Beginners and Juniors

  • Golf Club Package Sets
  • Drivers
  • Fairway Woods
  • Irons
  • Putters
  • Juniors