The 5 Best Golf Courses in Ireland

The Best and Most Iconic Golf Courses in Ireland

Ireland is a go-to destination not only for the stunning views and famous hospitality but also for its golf courses.

The great Waterville Golf Links

There is a fantastic mixture of courses in Ireland that range from over a century old to those recently built, giving players the opportunity to experience a variety of challenges.

In this article, find out about 5 great courses in particular that truly represent Ireland. Each one is worth playing at least once in your lifetime!

1. Ballybunion Golf Club – Old Course

Out of all the best golf courses in Ireland, the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club is one of the first golf courses to check out.

Many agree that the Old Course represents links golf in its finest form.

It was first designed by Tom Simpson in 1936 and it features a back tee of 6,800 yards with a rating of 74.5 for the par 71 course.

The Old Course has some unique features that you don’t normally come across at golf courses, including the fact that golfers will tee off over the previous green they putted on for multiple holes.

It also features 3 par three holes over a four-hole stretch on the back nine.

What truly separates the Old Course from other famous courses throughout the world is a back nine that has a perfect combination of beauty and challenge.

The signature hole on the course is hole 11, a majestic 473-yard par four named after Tom Watson, who considered it his favourite hole out of any course he played.

The hole runs along the coastline on the right side, with the approach shot being exceptionally challenging, going into a bottleneck surrounded by dunes.

2. Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush was home to the Open Championship in 2019, when local countryman Shane Lowry pulled off the improbable victory for his first major.

It was first designed by Harry Colt in 1929 and it currently stands as a par 72 from the back tees at nearly 7,200 yards and a course rating of 76.

The course underwent a dramatic change ahead of the Open Championship, as the final two holes were scrapped altogether and two new holes (7 and 8) were added in their place, to make the course more championship-worthy.

Even though the course has hosted a prestigious golf tournament recently, it is still extremely playable for amateur golfers too, with wide fairways and greens that present plenty of scoring opportunities.

Combine playability with immaculate conditions and ocean views, and you can clearly see why Royal Portrush is one of the top golf courses to play in Ireland.

3. The Island Golf Club

For golfers looking to experience a great course while out in Dublin, The Island Golf Club is a great choice.

The Island was first established all the way back in 1890 and it has remained at the pinnacle of Irish golf for nearly 150 years, even though it does not receive the public recognition that it should.

The dunes throughout the course do not overpower it in the same manner other courses do, and the recent renovation in 2020 has only made the course more scenic and enjoyable to play.

The course itself isn’t as open as, say, Portrush, but it is also not overly challenging, meaning a mid-handicap golfer can enjoy a round or two here too.

There is a great mix of both short and long holes, and golfers who enjoy strategising and figuring out how to best take advantage of holes will truly enjoy the experience.

4. Waterville Golf Links

There are some golf courses that players will come across, where it will feels like the location was made just for the purpose of playing golf.

Waterville Golf Links is one of those courses, with professional golfer Graeme McDowell stating on numerous occasions that Waterville is his favourite course in all of Ireland, just for the location alone.

First opened in 1973, Waterville has consistently ranked among not only the best courses in Ireland, but the entire world, offering golfers of all skill levels an authentic links experience in a top-notch location.

It is the sort of course that can bring trouble if you’re not accurate with your long game, but those who can keep the ball on the wide fairways should have no trouble shooting a low score.

Recent renovations by famed architect Tom Fazio have made the course look even better, adding to its overall playability.

5. The European Club

Last but certainly not least on our list of the greatest golf courses in Ireland is The European Club.

The course is considered one of the best examples of modern links golf in all of Ireland, and it was designed by Pat Ruddy in 1987.

The European Club is arguably the most challenging course on this list, for a variety of reasons.

The wind can wreak havoc throughout the round, and the course itself features tight fairways, long rough and bunkers that can truly be a nightmare to escape.

That is not to mention that the course is almost 7,500 yards long from the back tees as a par 71, with a course rating of 76.

It is among the best-maintained links-style courses you’ll ever come across in all of Ireland, however.

This fact, combined with the amazing scenery, makes it worth visiting to play at least once.

However, it is not a course that a beginner or high handicap player may enjoy, as they may find themselves spending a lot of time in long grass looking for their golf balls!

What Irish Golf courses are on your bucket list?

We have missed out on a LOT of incredible Irish Golf courses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give us some tips of our own. Let us know in the comments the courses you think we should add to this list!

Also, check out this incredible collection of golf quotes!