The Jameson Golf Links is one of the newest gems on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list, and it is part of the Portmarnock Resort. 

 

Originally designed and constructed in the 1990s, the course underwent significant changes before reopening in 2023 to worldwide acclaim. 

 

Bernhard Langer was the designer of the first layout at Portmarnock, with Jeff Lynch coming in to redesign the course. It was renamed the Jameson Golf Links for the reopening.  

 

 

You can read our full piece on the Portmarnock Resort here. 

Visit the Jameson Golf Links website here.  

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1995 saw the opening of Portmarnock Links, as it was known then. Ryder Cup legends Bernhard Langer was behind the original design of the course.  

 

During its three-decade history, the links course has played host to a number of big tournaments. The Ladies European Tour and the European Challenge Tour have both visited the venue, with Suzann Pettersen victorious at the former in 2008. 

 

Jeff Lynch was brought in to make changes, with five new greens and four new tees put onto the course. 2023 saw the reopening of the brand-new design, and with a new name – the Jameson Golf Links.  

After its recent renovations and improvements, the Jameson Golf Links at the Portmarnock Resort is now a masterpiece. The revamped layout only opened in October 2023, with Jeff Lynch taking on Bernhard Langer’s original design and evolving it into something sublime. The front nine is more forgiving, gently easing players into the game, while the back nine is the demanding side, where precision and strategy become paramount.  

 

Jameson Golf Links provides an experience that is as accessible to beginners as it is rewarding for seasoned players. Pushing 7,100 yards from the tips, the Jameson Golf Links is one of the longer courses that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland. For those that don’t want to cry come the end of 18 holes, the green tees play at a more comfortable 6,200. 

 

Teeing off from the northern boundary of the course, golfers play two par 4s – both about 380 yards in length from the tips – before a tough par 3. The 3rd plays around 220 yards and has eight pot bunkers surrounding the green for any wayward shots. From there, things start to get much more difficult. 

 

4 and 6 are the two par 5s on the front side of the course, and both play more than 560 yards from the tips. 5, 7 and 8 are par 4s, all of which are more than 400 yards. The 5th is the longest of those at 470 and has a large water hazard down the right side throughout. 8 is a tricky hole, with the drive being hit well out to the right on this dog-leg left. From there, you must hit over water to find a shallow putting surface. The closing hole on the front nine has the Irish Sea as the backdrop. The water also comes into play at the back of 15 and down the entirety of the right side on the closing hole.  

  

The back nine has seen significant changes. Both the 12th and 14th holes – previously par 4s – have been redesigned as par 5s, with the raised green area on the former providing incredible views of the Velvet Strand, Howth Head, Lambay and Ireland’s Eye. In between those new par fives, the once par-five 13th is now a particularly challenging par four, becoming the course’s stroke index one in the process.  

 

The 15th has been shortened from a par 4 to a par 3, with the 17th going the other way, becoming a par 4 and offering up another birdie opportunity in the closing stretch. The Jameson Golf Links finishes with a wonderful par 4, with the Irish Sea on the right. In total, there are six bunkers awaiting anything wayward, but it is one of the best finishing holes on this list, and a great closer to the Lynch redesign. 

Where is Jameson Golf Links located?  
The Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links are situated on the eastern side of Ireland, just north of the capital city of Dublin. It is on the Irish Sea coastline, with the centre of Dublin just ten miles to the southwest from the course. The world-famous Portmarnock Golf Club sits just to the south of the Jameson Golf Links. 

  

Dublin Airport is just over five miles from the Jameson Golf Links, providing perfect access for international visitors to the region. Dublin is the busiest airport in the country, and operates flights to most European destinations, along with flights to North America and further afield. The nearest train station to the venue is Connolly Station in Dublin. However, that is more than ten miles from the resort, with either a taxi or bus service required to get to Portmarnock.   

What facilities does Jameson Golf Links offer? Along with the Jameson Golf Links, the Portmarnock Resort also provides players with a great practice area. Situated at the centre of the property, the practice facilities include a grass driving range with targets at different distances, along with a short game area that includes both a putting and chipping green.   

What are the green fees at Jameson Golf Links?  
The price of a green fee at Jameson Golf Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.  

 

For more information on current green fees at Jameson Links, visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the Jameson Golf Links website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.