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. 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.
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.
Most of all, golf in Ireland is about the people. Clubs here are known for their friendliness—whether you’re an international visitor or a local member. You’ll be met with a smile, a story about how the wind is playing, and an invitation to enjoy the 19th hole. That spirit of welcome is what keeps golfers coming back, year after year.
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.
Four-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.
- Day 1: Arrive in Kerry and play Tralee Golf Club.
- Day 2: Head north to Ballybunion Golf Club.
- Day 4: Travel to Clare for Lahinch Golf Club.
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.
- Day 1: Arrive in Dublin and play Portmarnock Golf Club.
- Day 2: Travel south to Wicklow for Druids Glen.
- Day 3: Return to north Dublin and tee it up at The Island Golf Club.
Two-Course Quick Escape – Northern Highlights
For a short but unforgettable golf break, Northern Ireland offers two gems that pair perfectly together.
- Day 1: Play Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of The Open.
- Day 2: Follow it up with Portstewart Golf Club, another spectacular coastal test.
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 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, and ideas for golfers living in Ireland who might be planning their next weekend trip.
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.
More Golf Pages on the way
Golf Club Rankings & “Best of” Lists
- 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)
