Ireland Golf Links and Ireland Golf Courses
Ireland is famous for its stunning golf courses. With breathtaking courses and challenging play these courses will leave you with a lifetime full of memories and accomplishments. Scratch Golf Tours is standing by to help you and your group make sure that your visit to Ireland is one that does not disappoint. Our team will work with you to coordinate tee times at some of the most sought after links and courses that Ireland has to offer. Below are just a few of the courses that Scratch Golf Tours can assist you with on your golf trip or golf outing to Ireland.
Royal County Down
In the Murlough Nature Reserve, Royal County Down is situated in one of the most picturesque natural settings for links golf anywhere on earth. The links extends along the shores of Dundrum Bay and zigzags back and forth to present a distinctive view from nearly every hole against the spectacular Mountains of Mourne backdrop.
As spectacular a collection of sand dunes as one might conceive is traversed by the tiniest ribbons of fairways. Purple heather and golden gorse surround the fairways; they are stunning to look at but quite punitive for anyone who deviates off the route.
The 'bearded' bunkers, which are well-known across the world, have overhanging lips of marram, red fescue, and heather. The greens reject any shot that lacks conviction since they are quick and frequently domed. Any player's ability to play any links using the typical bump and run strategy will be put to the test in this situation.
One of the holes in golf that receives the most photos is the ninth. 260 yards from the tee and a 486 yard par 4, it is played from one side of a large mound down to a fairway that is about 60 feet below. The second shot is taken from the bottom of the slope over two bunkers and onto an elevated green.
From the championship tees, it presents the stiffest challenge of any links course. Jimmy Bruen, Ireland's first golfing celebrity, set the record in 1939 with a score of 66. It provides golfers of all skill levels with the chance to play a truly fantastic course with a magnificent backdrop of the nearby mountains and sea from the stableford tees.
Royal Portrush
The County Club, the predecessor to the Royal Portrush Golf Club, was established in 1888. Under the sponsorship of the Duke of York, it changed its name to The Royal County Club in 1892, and in 1895, the Prince of Wales gave it its current name.
The County Club was the initial name of the golf club when it was established in May 1888. It then changed its name to the Royal County Club in 1892 under the patronage of H.R.H. The Duke of York, and three years later under the patronage of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), it became the Royal Portrush Golf Club.
The Irish Open Amateur Championship and Irish Professional Championship were both first held here in 1892 and 1907, respectively. The first links tournament held outside of England was the British Ladies Championship, which Lady Margaret Scott won in 1895 at Portrush. In 2011, the Championship was held here for the ninth time, and Miss Lauren Taylor of Woburn Golf Club took first place.
The nine-hole course from 1888 was expanded to 18 holes the following year, and eight of those holes were initially set up on the Causeway Road's landward side. However, the course was gradually pushed deeper and deeper into the sand hills until Harry Colt, a renowned architect, designed the Dunluce Links in 1929.
Over sixty national championships, including British and Irish competitions, have been decided at Royal Portrush. The club organized the first professional competition ever to take place in Ireland in 1895. The famed 'Sandy' Herd, who was the Club's first professional at the time, ultimately prevailed in match play to determine the champion.
Graeme McDowell, who was born in Portrush, became the first golfer from Ireland to win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach during a successful period for Irish golf from 2010 to 2012. The following year, Honorary Club Member Rory McIlroy replicated McDowell's accomplishment, and Portrush resident and fellow Honorary Club Member Darren Clarke won the 2011 140th Open Championship at Sandwich.
The R&A added Royal Portrush to the Open schedule in 2014 as a result of the combined success of these outstanding Champions and the 2012 Irish Open. All parties involved carefully considered their options before deciding that certain alterations to the Dunluce Links would be required to make room for the contemporary Open Championship.
After the Members gave their approval, construction of two new Martin Ebert-designed holes that were formerly a part of the Valley links started. The 148th Open will be held at Royal Portrush in July 2019, 68 years after it first hosted the Championship, The R&A announced in 2015. The Boys Amateur Championship, the first major championship to be played on the new course, was the first major championship to be played on the newly renovated Dunluce Links, which went into play in June 2017 with the two new holes played as the par-5 7th hole and the dogleg par-4 8th hole.
Portstewart
Welcome to Portstewart Golf Club, which was established in 1894 and is home to three excellent authentic links golf courses. Few clubs in the British Isles or Ireland can make the claim that they are home to three courses.
The 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was held on the superb Championship Strand Course. The 2017 winner, Jon Rahm, was undoubtedly impressed: "The golf course is outstanding. It's arguably one of, if not the most, stunning golf courses I've ever seen.
We take pleasure in being a club that welcomes everyone, from novices to the best golfers in the world. From the first tee to the 19th hole, every member of our staff will work to make your day one you will cherish forever.
Portmarnock Links
Portmarnock Links, which is situated on the edge of a rocky peninsula, originally became a playable course in 1995. Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links is the ideal location for anyone wishing to enjoy a stay in Ireland's capital because it is situated just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport.
Portmarnock Golf Club is situated on a narrow tongue of shallow duneland along the coastline of Portmarnock peninsula, just north of Dublin. The location provides breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and the nearby islands.
Founded in 1894, Portmarnock has a long and distinguished history. The golf course was initially designed by William Pickeman, and it has undergone modifications by renowned architects, including Harry Colt, George Combe, and most notably, the legendary Dr. Alister MacKenzie.
Portmarnock is celebrated as a classic links course, characterized by natural duneland terrain, undulating fairways, and firm, fast-running greens. It offers a traditional links golf experience, requiring strategic shot-making and creative play to navigate the challenges.
The layout of the course is known for its strategic bunkering, subtle undulations, and the influence of the prevailing winds from the Irish Sea. The design encourages strategic play, making it a favorite among both amateur and professional golfers.
Portmarnock Golf Club has a notable history of hosting major golf events, including The Open Championship. It has been a venue for many amateur and professional tournaments, showcasing its standing as a world-class championship course.
Portmarnock Golf Club is a revered institution in Irish and international golf, attracting golf enthusiasts from around the world who seek to test their skills on its challenging links terrain and immerse themselves in the beauty of its coastal surroundings.
Old Head
A 220-acre diamond-shaped piece of land that extends over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean is the site of Old Head Golf Links. As you play the course, various caves run beneath the promontory, which is almost an island. 180 acres are taken up by the links and practice area, and the remaining 40 acres of undeveloped cliff surround the course. It is a unique piece of golf real estate that makes many golfers and visitors pinch themselves when they drive through the historic entryway with the Atlantic Ocean 300 feet below them crashing in unison.
The stroll over the scented Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa bordering the Old Head driveway provides breathtaking panoramas across the immaculate golf course, with the mighty ocean on both sides and beyond the renowned lighthouse that lies in front, adding to the sensory overload.
With a minimum of six tees each hole, Old Head's par 72 layout, which includes five Par 5s, five Par 3s, and eight Par 4s, is playable by golfers of any handicap level. The course extends from the ladies' tees at 5,413 yards to over 7,100 yards from the tips. All eighteen holes offer unmatched ocean views, with nine of them running along the cliff tops. The course offers a tough but fair test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike with the constantly shifting sea breezes.
Depending on the current weather, the course is put up every day. A warm-up range, putting green, and short game practice area are available amenities. Old Head boasts a fantastic Clubhouse and a team of excellent and welcoming service workers to take care of the players' and residents' every need. The attention to detail is as exceptional as our welcome, with exquisitely furnished and managed locker rooms lined with oak and equipped with spa showers.
Ballybunion Links
The Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course are two outstandingly difficult and distinctive world-class links golf courses at Ballybunion, which is situated on a lovely stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in County Kerry. Whatever you decide, the infinity of nature defines every hole, every danger, and every shot.
Ballybunion's Old Course is the best in the world, in my opinion, if pure enjoyment is the standard. — Peter Dobereiner, a well-known golf author from England.
Dobereiner was merely expressing the opinions of the locals who, despite all of their survival challenges since the club was established back in 1893, had some inkling that the Ballybunion links were a hidden gem just waiting for the outside world to find it.
There were hints, even if the course's popularity did not go abroad until the late 1960s. The first occurred in 1936 when the Irish Amateur Close Championship course was being built and the renowned English architect Tom Simpson was chosen to design it.
Tralee
Every hole offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic, and the tower behind the third green, which dates to the 1190s, is one of many historical sites and Irish mythology that can be found here. The scenery at Tralee's golf course is arguably among the best in the world.
But don't be deceived; this course will be difficult. Don't sit back and relax after a front nine that is mostly flat; the back nine will put your talents to the test. In Links golf, where precision is always crucial, the par-4 12th hole dispels any skepticism. Choose your club wisely when playing downhill with thick rough to the right and a wall to the left. But before you unwind, remember that the green requires a precise approach.
Ballyliffin
Ballyliffin, a premier golf club that was just founded in 1947, has quickly established itself as one of the best in the world.
Ballyliffin is now firmly on the itinerary of every discerning golfer visiting this island. It is located on the northernmost tip of Ireland, at the beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way. Ballyliffin is exceptional in the caliber and contrasting perfection of the two courses on the premises, Glashedy Links and The Old Links, which are both Championship links.
The European Tour's 2018 DDF Irish Open, the Irish Close Championship from 2016, the RANDA Boys Home Internationals, the Interprovincial Championships from 2006, the European Tour's North West of Ireland Open from 2002, and the Ladies Irish Open from 1998 have all taken place at The Glashedy Links. The European Tour Irish Seniors Open, the Girls Irish Close, and the RANDA Home Internationals were held at the Old Links in 2008, 2013, and 2022, respectively.
The Amateur Championship will be held in June 2024 in Ballyliffin, with final qualifying taking place on The Old Links and the Championship on Glashedy Links.
The Glashedy Links, designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock and unveiled in 1995, is a masterpiece built around the magnificent Ballyliffin dunes. Ruddy has been numerous times to perfect the links and supervise their ongoing upgrades.
The Old Links was initially created with input from Eddie Hackett, Lawrie and Pennick and members and launched in 1973 after the clubs relocated from neighboring rented property. While routing the Glashedy Links, Ruddy and Craddock made significant improvements, and Nick Faldo improved the course in 2005–2006.
The European Club's proprietor, Pat Ruddy, is recognized as one of the best golf course designers in contemporary history.
Waterville
The top five courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses worldwide both rank Waterville. When the legendary Eddie Hackett masterpiece was updated by renowned international golf architect Tom Fazio, the course began a new chapter in its storied past. Many of the top clubs in the world, including Winged Foot, Pine Valley, and Augusta National, have enlisted Fazio's help. "Waterville is truly spectacular in every way," claimed Fazio. "This is one of the best golf settings I have ever seen," you say.
Ancient Irish mythology places a lot of importance on Waterville and Ballinskelligs Bay. According to the "Book of Invasions" that was allegedly published in the year 1000 AD, Ireland's first invader was Cessair, the granddaughter of Noah, who arrived in Ballinskelligs Bay. The Milesians, the last of the legendary invaders, are said to have landed here as well about 700 BC and left behind many of the nearby archaeological sites.
Doonbeg
Anyone who has seen these places, experienced the imposing force of the Atlantic Ocean pounding against the wild coastline of Clare, or inhaled its rain-washed air understands why this land at Doonbeg is so exceptional.
The Dr. Martin Hawtree freshly redesigned course at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg is a breathtaking sight to see and boasts vistas of the Atlantic from 16 of 18 holes. It spans 1.5 miles of crescent-shaped shoreline and sand dunes. A round of golf typically lasts four hours and thirty minutes. The single loop, par-72 course plays 7,026 yards from the back tees and consists of nine holes out and nine holes back. The most natural path was used while setting out the course through the sand dunes in keeping with Norman's idea of "least disturbance." The result is a special mix of five par 3s and five par 5s on the course.
Doonbeg was deemed the perfect location for links golf by Scottish Black Watch Regiment officers as early as 1892. The Doonbeg Community Development Company started promoting the idea of a golf course at Doonbeg at the beginning of the 1990s. That group encouraged Shannon Development to approach four nearby farmer families and gain purchase options for 377 acres of links-land. The options were purchased from Shannon Development by Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd., an Irish company founded by the Kiawah Development Partners partners, who then completed the deal in December 1999. The golf course's construction got under way in December 1999.
Greg Norman defeated Irish Ryder Cup star Padraig Harrington by a score of 2 to 1 in an exhibition match on July 9, 2002, but there had already been a lot of interest and action.
The Trump Organization bought the course in February 2014, and it has since been renamed Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg.
Since that time, Dr. Hawtree has evolved Trump Doonbeg into one of the "must play" golf courses on the world stage. He has multiplied the playability while allowing the character and soul of the place to grow. Each hole has a unique character that will reward and challenge every golfer.
Adare Manor
The Golf Course at Adare Manor is prepared to rank among the top championship courses in the world thanks to its exquisite design, outstanding upkeep, and ideal location within the regal estate of one of Europe's most extravagant manor house hotels.
Tom Fazio, a renowned golf architect, took an already-award-winning course and turned it into a parkland paradise befitting a nation that ranks among the top golfing destinations in the world. The new course has been designed to blend in with the exceptional natural beauty of its surrounds, including the sweeping banks of the River Maigue, mature tree scaping, and lush, gently sloping terrain.
Each hole on The Golf Course at Adare Manor has been completely redesigned and rebuilt using the most up-to-date technology and course innovations, making for a difficult, distinctive, and profoundly satisfying playing experience for golfers of all skill levels. Each hole could be crowned the feature hole. The outcome is a course that is strategic and soulful at the same time, playable in every weather, and future-proofed in anticipation of the top amateur and professional golf competitions.The course's velvet-smooth Pure Distinction bent grass greens are in immaculate shape thanks to the dedication of a skilled, enthusiastic team of greenkeepers.
Off the course, this dedication to excellence is continued in the immaculately furnished clubhouse. The Carriage House is a deserving complement to Europe's best new golf course. It is opulent, fashionable, has a contemporary jazz-age aesthetic, and offers every comfort and extravagance you could want. You can discover our knowledgeable staff, our fully stocked Pro Shop, our opulently welcome locker rooms, and a variety of fascinating options for food, drink, and relaxation here. The Carriage House is home to a top-notch restaurant run by our Director of Culinary, Loughlin Druhan; a chic and lively bar serving light fare and an exceptional selection of fine wines, craft beers, and sophisticated cocktails; a stunning covered Terrace with panoramic views of the greens; and our cozy and welcoming Cigar Lounge.
When taken as a whole, The Golf Course at Adare Manor offers a one-of-a-kind experience created to motivate, test, and enthrall the world's most ardent golf aficionados.
Druids Glen
The renowned County Wicklow golf course, which Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock created and won the title of European Golf Resort of the Year in 2005, has undergone major renovations to maintain its reputation as the "Augusta of Europe."
A little more than 90,000m2 of topsoil had to be removed and replaced during the restoration process to create the 7,222-yard, par-72 course that now exists. The greens also needed 5,000m of drainage, 7,000 tonnes of rootzone, and 2,000 tonnes of gravel. The resort also spent €1.3 million on an updated wall-to-wall watering system that covers 26,000m2 and refurbished paths.
The resort, which was first constructed in the 16th century as Woodstock House, has a long and illustrious history that includes entertaining renowned performers and hosting four Irish Opens, with Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia among the champions. The improvements will allow Druids Glen Golf Course to recover its position as one of the premier golf destinations in Europe.
"We have made a significant financial commitment to the renovation of Druids Glen Golf Course and Clubhouse, with the aim of elevating it to the very top of the list of world-class golf courses," said Seamus Neville, owner of The Neville Hotel Group, in a statement about his excitement for the reopening. This involved rebuilding the greens, which should produce flawless surfaces and contemporary adjustments. We think the upgrades have brought the resort to a new level, and we're excited to see how they'll affect both our visitors and the neighborhood.
When you play golf at Druids Glen, you're playing on one of the best, most difficult, and most pleasant courses in all of Europe—a course that's good enough to hold the biggest Irish golf tournament.
European Club
The original of the species and by far the most thrilling variation of the game is golf on the links, which are the sandy deposits pushed up by the wind or dumped by receding tides that connect the beach to the inland soils.
There are only approximately 150 links in the globe, and Ireland, a little island, boasts the best of them thanks to its thrilling dunes and exhilarating golf courses that have developed over time.
The three fundamental elements of sea, sky, and earth collide here at the coast with great force, engage in tumultuous and captivating games, and cast a spell over humanity. This location gives golf that extra depth.
Nineteen of the twenty holes at The European Club, which is situated among rolling dunes just south of Dublin, offer panoramic sea vistas. Yes, there are two more par-3 holes here, and they are usually in play, giving golfers access to a 20-hole game that includes five holes that are extremely close to the water. Players frequently can be seen looking for their golf balls on the beach because it is so near by.
It's unusual to live so close to the ocean. Bernard Darwin was the one who described his days spent at the ancient links he frequently visited listening to the roar of the breaking waves outside the dunes. The sea was close by, but one didn't often get to view it. Darwin would have cherished this place!
This website has benefited from learning how the game was played in the past and is designed to meet the challenge of the present player using modern tools. As measured from the tips, it is one of the longer links at 7,490 yards. However, the sage golfer will undoubtedly select a set of tees that best suits his style of play from among the options of 6,795 yards, 6,194 yards, or 5,434 yards.
The bunkers, which have walls coated with railroad sleepers, are pretty amazing. They perfectly define the courses and provide players fair warning about potential hazards. Since the days when golfers traveled to the club by train and the railway companies gave the players their used sleepers, the sleeper has undoubtedly been a feature of links design in Britain and Ireland.
This course is a thrilling challenge for the best golfers of the present and the future. A link for the future as opposed to one that will become obsolete as the game develops.
As a result, it has drawn several title winners to give it a shot. At 67, Tiger Woods holds the record at the golf course. Here, Rory McIlroy claimed the Irish Amateur crown. In order to get ready for his victories at the British Open, Padraig Harrington competed in and won the Irish PGA at The European Club the week before both events.
Naturally, care has been made to ensure that the game is enjoyable for the average mortal. Every golfer may enjoy this challenging but fun test as long as they use their minds. The quick fairways and the fact that the punched or running shot may be used to reach fifteen of the greens will appeal to players who can launch the ball on a medium or low trajectory.
In contrast to the big ball bruisers, the shorter but smarter hitters can find a way to stay in the game.
Everyone will appreciate the various distinctive designs, not to mention the hole 12 green that is the longest in the entire globe. This is 127 yards long from front to back and revives the tremendous three-putt rather than the heartbreaking short three-putt. After all, playing golf is a game that should be enjoyable!
K Club
Welcome to one of the premier golf resorts in Europe and the best in all of Ireland.
With not one, but two parkland golf courses created by the legendary Arnold Palmer, whose classic courses are renowned throughout the world, The K Club offers a distinctive golfing experience.
The K Club golf team is looking to the future with the same trailblazing attitude found elsewhere on our 550-acre resort given that both courses have undergone significant upgrades and investment in recent years. With such an extraordinary asset—we are the only 36-hole Arnold Palmer destination in Europe—the team is taking advantage of this extraordinary asset.
We are eager to host the Irish Open in 2023, 2025, and 2027 as well as the Irish Challenge Tour in 2024 and 2026. We are justly proud of our reputation as a top event venue, having hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup among other championship tournaments.
Our professionals at K Golf World use the most cutting-edge simulation technologies in addition to our iconic courses to help you improve your game. While technical skill will undoubtedly increase after a session at K Golf World, spending an evening here is also a wonderful chance to bond with friends or family over beverages and delectable bar eats.
Golf and College Football. The Perfect Combo!
College Football is headed to Ireland for the College Football Classic. If you are going to be in Ireland watching the game, this is the perfect time to take in some of the beautiful and memorable golf courses that Ireland has to offer. The team at Scratch Golf Tours is the only call that you need to make to get you and your group on some of the most sought after golf courses and golf links in Ireland. Our team will help you get tee times, arrange for transportation from your hotel to the courses, assist with dining reservations and more! If you are looking to play a few rounds when you are in Ireland to enjoy the game, click below to get in touch with us.
The service with Scratch Golf was top notch! We had a group of 10 and everything was handled for us ahead of our arrival. We were met in Scotland by Doug and he ensured that we had everything that was needed for the week. Amazing courses and a lifetime of memories. Having used other golf tour agents in the past, this company stands out from the rest. Will definitely be using them again.
