With gates on the Emerald Isle now open, we tasked Experience Ireland Golf & Travel‘s Tom Kennedy to list his favourite golf courses in Ireland. See if your favourite made it in…
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Adare Manor
Adare has been the best parkland in Ireland and some time now and the recent Tom Fazio redesign of the work – albeit retaining the existing routing – has brought the course to the next level with the investment from new owner, JP McManus. There is a significant Augusta vibe to the course now, including SubAir systems as well ensuring for sublime playing surfaces all year round.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Lahinch (Old)
Quite simply my favourite Links Course in Ireland and it’s easy to see why, this is probably the purest links land on our little island with some truly memorable holes from start to finish. The stretch from the 3rd to the 8th – including the Klondyke par 5 and Dell par 3 – are something to behold and will leave plenty to debate in the clubhouse after golf.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Royal Portrush (Dunlace)
Any course good enough to host the Open Championship twice must be pretty good, and Royal Portrush is a whole lot more. Wonderful views and some of the most challenging holes you will ever play, and then there’s the Harbour Bar for after your round.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Enniscrone
An exquisite links course on the West Coast. The 1st tee shot looks fairly undaunting but once you settle over your 2nd shot into that green the course really comes alive. Some of the biggest dunes you will ever see and some fabulous finishing holes coming home.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Tralee
They say Arnold Palmer designed the front nine but surely God designed the back nine. Both did a great job. A phenomenal 18 holes from start to finish, particularly the par-5 2nd, par-3 3rd, par-4 8th, par-5 11th, par-4 12th and … well, pretty much every hole coming home.
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10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Ballybunion (Old)
The quintessential Irish links. A gentle start on the inland holes sparks to life as you approach the 6th green, one of toughest greens in Ireland to hit and hold. From the 7th tee onwards you are treated to some of the most stunning and testing links holes you will find anywhere – the par-4 11th, par-3 15th and par-4 17th are standout holes on the homeward nine.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Old Head of Kinsale
When a course has been described as “Pebble Beach on steroids” when you know it must be good. A tremendous 220 acres of golfing paradise, with sea views on each hole and cliff-side shots to negotiate on at least 10 holes. Old Head constantly improve every year with course upgrades the main focus of this, their clubhouse and accommodation enhancements are pretty special too.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Carne
Truly golf on the edge of the world. The favourite course of Tom Coyne, John Garrity and Kevin Markham – and they know a bit about golf. Twenty-seven holes of pure golfing indulgence and some of the craziest and most fun holes you will experience anywhere ever.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: Dooks
Located in gorgeous Glenbeigh, Dooks has one of the most beautiful settings for a golf course in the world. Not the longest course but the superbly shaped greens are well protected and provide a stern short game test if you are errant with your approach shots. Always a joy to play.
10 must play golf courses in Ireland: The K Club (Ryder Cup)
A gem of a parkland course and of course the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup along with many other tournaments too. A stunning test of golf with tree lined fairways and many a water hazard with which to contend during your round.
Tom Kennedy is co-owner and sales and marketing director of Experience Ireland Golf & Travel. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the golf and tourism industry working at stunning venues such as Adare Manor, Old Head Golf Links and Mount Juliet. He also served as the national director of golf in Ghana in 2013 and 2014.
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What’s your favourite course in Ireland? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter.
- Related: NCG’s Top 50 Courses in Ireland
- Related: NCG’s Top 100 Courses in GB&I
- Related: NCG’s Top 100 Fun Courses
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