Ireland is a golfer’s paradise. The world’s most scenic and difficult golf courses may be found in Ireland.

You may have an exciting round of golf with the curving hills, rocky beaches, and green fairways. Ireland’s best golf courses will fulfill your appetite whether you’re an experienced player or a beginner.

Let’s investigate a few of Ireland’s top golfing locations. I evaluated Ireland’s top golf courses in this post. You can’t go wrong choosing any of them; they are not listed in any certain sequence. 

Ballybunion Golf Club: (Ballybunion, Ireland)

In Ireland one of the best links courses in the world is Ballybunion Golf Club. The course offers players demanding but rewarding rounds due to its undulating topography. Nestled between the sandhills and the Atlantic Ocean, this gem offers stunning ocean views.

Address: County Kerry, Ireland

Measurements: 6802 yards in length.

Part: 71

Tom Simpson designed the piece.

Established in 1893.

Hosted the 2000 Irish Open.

Where to Stay: West South West

The designers were Lionel Hewson and Tom Simpson.

Highest score for Golfweek: 8.33

There is some interesting background behind the name Ballybunion. The Bunyan family owned the local castle in the town from the fifteenth century. The city was later named for the family.

The course was established in 1893 with only 12 holes. The course was later abandoned in 1898 due to financial crisis. Irish golf journalist Lionel Hewson designed it when it reopened in 1906.

The meandering path will calm your nerves as you make your way from this ancient city to this golf club. A visual feast in the land of breathtaking links. In Ireland, these sand dunes on Sandhill Road are the most terrifying.

The ultimate golf experience and the most beautiful views of Ireland’s southwest coast can be found at Ballybunion Golf Club. The 1937 Irish Championships brought attention to the Ballybunion course. Every turn can catch you off guard, but especially the eleventh hole. Given that gentle coastal breezes are crucial. Beside the lush green grass, there are stone paved walks around the 14th and 15th holes.

After playing Ballybunion for the first time, one might assume that the game of golf began here, according to Tom Watson, who admired the course.

The location has an inhospitable look, with tall grasses forming an intimidating path over rolling, pitching dunes. In short, before designing a golf course, many golf architects should live and play on the course. It is, in my opinion, a real test of golf.

Royal County Down (Newcastle, Northern Ireland)

Location of Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Length measurement: 7186 yards

Partial: 71

Created by: Harry Colt, Old Tom Morris, Harry Verdon and George L. Bally

1890 saw the establishment.

Four times as host (1928, 1935, 1939, 2015)

Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Designers: Donald Stell, Harry S. Colt, George L. Bailey, Old Tom Morris, and George Combe

Best rating for Golfweek: 8.95

Royal County Down Golf Club is located in Northern Ireland, at the foot of the Morne Mountains. This location has tons of charm and unmatched natural beauty. Dundrum Bay’s coastline and sand dunes create unparalleled winds. A genuine test of expertise for players of all skill levels is offered by its difficult courses and frequently shifting weather.

The Royal Down Golf Club was ranked #1 on Golf Digest’s biennial list in both 2016 and 2018. Over the past 130 years, several changes have been made to its design.

Nowadays, this course is considered the best front nine. The well-designed 2, 5, and 9 courses feature several blind tee shots. To the rear is a 100 yard natural pond.

The red-brick steeple of the Slieve Donard Hotel and sweeping views of the Morne Mountains and Irish Sean make this golf course one of the most scenic in the world.

However, difficulties also accompany beauty. To navigate the short fairways and craggy bunkers, you must have exceptional ball control.

Lahinch Golf Club: (Lahinch, Ireland)

Place: County Clare, Ireland

6950 yards in length, par 72

Created by Dr Martin Hawtrey, Dr Alastair Mackenzie and Old Tom Morris

Established in 1892; Lahinch, Ireland.

Course Established: 1894

Best of Golf Week: 7.89

A unique golfing experience can be had in breathtaking natural surroundings at the Old Lahinch Golf Club. Natural hills surround this area. The melodious sounds of the nearby Atlantic Ocean add to the wonderful ambiance. The clubhouse offers amazing views of Liscannor Bay, a great place to enjoy some delicious Irish food.

The peninsula’s old Irish name, Lethynsea, from which the word “Lahinch” originates. Three golfers from Limerick built an 18-hole course in 1892 with the help of Scottish Black Watch army commanders. The West Clare Railway was built in the 1890s, improving connectivity to the town. Eventually, the community became a golfer’s paradise. In 2019, the Irish Open was held here for the first time. And professional golfers will never forget that experience.

This course is well known for its difficult layout and difficult blind shots that will test your skills. The third hole offers a great perspective. This course has a hidden fairway, and is surrounded by lush green hills. The fourth hole is extremely special, due to the opening shot’s need to land on a tight fairway between the dunes. Then, in a giant sand dune, there is a blinding second shot. You will undoubtedly be satisfied with this strange hole!

Tralee Golf Club

Place County Kerry, Ireland;

Length: 6975 yards

Par: 72

Created by Arnold Palmer.

Established in 1892 (current course running since 1984)

Best rating from Golfweek: 7.01

Tralee Golf Club is like a treasure waiting to be discovered. Your heart will be filled with the beautiful city of Tralee and the stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean. The links course follows the rugged coastline and high dunes at dusk. With its dramatic elevation changes and difficult holes, you will have an exciting round of golf.

Arnold Palmer, a designer, is famous for his systematic approach to course design. Additionally, you will understand the concept by taking the course. With its natural surroundings, undulating dunes and sweeping views of the sea, the location becomes extraordinary.

The course offers a demanding but fair layout, with a range of tee options suitable for golfers of all ability levels. The third hole, a par-3 named “Castle Beach,” is the hallmark hole. The green, which is wedged between the mountains and the sea, must be reached with a perfect tee shot across a rocky creek.

The course has a practice area with a putting green, driving range and small play area. The clubhouse offers dining options, locker rooms and a pro shop filled with everything a golfer needs.

Portmarnock Golf Club

Location: Portmarnock, Co. Dublin

Length measurement: 7463 Yards

Part 72

Created by William Pickman

Established in 1894.

Served as host of the Irish Open 19 times (1927–2003).

Golfweek’s best score is 7.42

Another traditional links course with a rich past is Portmarnock Golf Club. On three sides, water covered it. The course features deep pot bunkers, fast moving greens and tight fairways in a strategic layout. Golfers will enjoy a tranquil setting with views of the Dublin Mountains and Irish Sea. This course is well known for using a classic links-style curriculum. This indicates that it is located on the shore with natural grass and sand dunes.

Portmarnock’s wide fairways and thick bunkers will keep the game interesting as you play. These bunkers resemble large sand pits that can be difficult to escape. Taking on an enjoyable challenge is made possible here by the fast and smooth greens.

However, the vista of Portmarnock is its biggest feature. You will be able to see the Irish Sea in front of you while playing.

About the iconic hole, you will be surprised by “Del”. The hole is the par-3 15th. A perfect tee shot across a valley is essential to reach a green surrounded by dunes. par-4 14th hole is another special one. It sits close to the coast and offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea.

The Walker Cup and Irish Open are held in Portmarnock. It is known as the best place in Ireland to play golf. Here are the Irish Open victories of golfers such as Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros.

Royal Portrush Golf Club: (Portrush, Northern Ireland)

Location: Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

Length measurement: 7143 yards

Par. 72

Created by Harry Colt

Established in 1888

Golfweek’s best rating: 8.53

One of the most prominent golf clubs in the world is the Royal Portash Golf Club. Colt, Harry S., the famous golf architect with HS. Colt and Martin Ebert eventually modified the course, which was originally developed in 1888 by Harry Colt. The Valley Course and the Dunluce Course are the two club’s championship courses. The crown jewel of Royal Portrush is the Dunluce course. The course offers breathtaking views of the coastline and Dunluce Castle. Professionals face obstacles from its undulating greens, thick bunkers and short fairways.

Notable among the distinctive holes on the course is the par-3 14th, known as “Calamity Corner”. To reach the short green, hit a long tee shot across a deep gap.

The club hosted the Open Championship for the first time in 2019. During the competition, golfers praised the Dunluce course. The only golf club outside mainland Britain to host the Open Championship is Royal Portash.

The course has two additional holes that were recently added, adding to the excitement.

European Club

Place: County Wicklow, Ireland

7337 yards in length, par 71

Created by Pat Rudy

Established in 1987

Best of Golf Week: 7.18

A new links course in Ireland is called the European Club. Pat Ruddy, an Irish architect, set out to design a links course of the highest caliber that would test and inspire players. And this course fulfills his wish.

This club has 20 holes, plus two additional holes for players to enjoy. It offers a variety of obstacles, such as fast, sloping greens, deep bunkers, and unstable fairways.

“The Ocean” hole of this club is its hallmark. Scoring this beautiful course requires a crisp tee shot following the coastline. Major competitions including the Irish PGA Championship and the Irish Amateur Close Championship have been held at the facility.

A few issues deserve special attention.

Adare Manor, County Louth Golf Club, Waterville Golf Links, and St. Places like Patrick’s Links are highly recommended for golfing!

Ireland’s best golf courses offer a unique golfing experience, from the windy dunes of Ballybunion to the breathtaking hills of Royal Portash. Ireland has everything you could want, from a tough links course to a breathtaking seaside vista. Now grab your clubs and get ready to go on an adventure!