4 Reasons Why Golf is So Popular in Ireland

Even though golf originally comes from Scotland, it found much more praise in Ireland, the neighbouring country. Golf has been present in Ireland since the mid-19th century, and it has been developing ever since, only to become one of the most-played sports in the country as of the 21st century. The Irish are undoubtedly passionate golfers, are if you wish to learn more about the main reasons behind that, check out the following points.

People Simply Love It!

Many people claim that golfing is in the blood of the Irish, and the nation truly shows an inborn affection towards the sport which is nourished from an early age. People are used to getting up on a Sunday morning, grabbing their clubs and heading to one of many incredible courses where they can unwind during their favourite game, surrounded by the stunning landscape Ireland is known for. 

And not only that the locals love playing and watching the sport, but they also enjoy occasional betting. Luckily, it is easy to find a great golf betting system & betting sites for Irish players since the market offers a variety of platforms where they can explore the odds and try their luck. Punters can wager on some of the top leagues and tournaments in the world while supporting their favourite players and tournaments. 

Also, the locals love wagering on the success of their favourite sportsmen, which makes total sense given the fact that Ireland produced some of the best players in the world, including Rory Mcllroy, Fred Daly, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, and many others. Such world-class players are largely motivated by the pride that comes from representing their country and its heritage, and they show incredible ambition every time they step on the course. 

The Number of Golf Courses

Ireland is home to some of the best courses in the world, and there are around 300 of them scattered across the island, together with more than 400 clubs. If we look at the international stats, we can see that the UK and Ireland together hold around 51% of all the courses in Europe, as well as a total of 43% of all registered players. Some of the top courses include the Cruit Island Golf Club, the Royal Dublin Golf Club, Adare Manor, Royal County Down as well as the Hogs Head, and many of them are known worldwide. 

Also, the Irish are particularly proud of the unique “links” courses that are not as common in other parts of the world. Such courses allow the game to be played on sandy soils with firm conditions, and the players can often enjoy sea views at the same time. There are only 150 true links courses on the planet, and 44 of them are located in Ireland. 

The Accessibility

Not only that there is a large number of courses available in Ireland, but their prices also vary so much that everyone can find a few options that fit their budget. There are passionate individuals who regularly pay for club membership, and there are also those occasional players who pay per game and mostly visit public facilities. Moreover, almost every course in the country is open to visitors, which is not the case in England and Scotland where most of them are private. Therefore, anyone can take up golf as a hobby, and that is why the locals consider it the game of the people, much more than an elite activity. 

The Effect on Tourism

Thanks to the incredible variety of courses and resorts in Ireland, tourists from all corners of the world have been travelling there for decades, hoping to collect some of the best possible experiences when it comes to their favourite hobby. The tourists are mostly interested in links courses since they usually wish to see the places they cannot find in their homelands, and this particularly refers to the visitors that come from the United States. 

All in all, this branch of tourism contributed €300 million to the country’s economy in 2019, and the officials are fully aware of its worth and the fact that the sector is also a source of thousands of jobs. The value of golf courses in the local economy is clear to everyone on the island, and that is why several five-star resorts have already received significant private investments, while some are set to receive them, all in favour of the upcoming events like The Open in 2025, and the Ryder Cup two years later. 

The Irish have been passionate golfers for ages, and their love for the sport even affected the state of tourism in the country. With so many breathtaking resorts and courses, as well as a legacy that has been nurtured for centuries, Ireland is surely expected to remain the most popular golfing destination in the world for many years to come.