Irish Golf - Best Courses 2022
The Emerald Isle's Golfing Gems: Exploring the Best Irish Golf Courses
- Royal County Down Golf Club
Located in the picturesque seaside town of Newcastle, County Down, the Royal County Down Golf Club is consistently ranked as one of the top golf courses globally. Founded in 1889, this links course boasts a rich history and an unrivaled setting, with the majestic Mountains of Mourne providing a stunning backdrop to the Irish Sea.
Designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Morris, the Championship Course at Royal County Down features a challenging layout, characterized by undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and fast greens. The signature hole, the par-3 4th, offers breathtaking views of the sea and requires a precise tee shot to avoid the treacherous bunkers guarding the green.
For a slightly more forgiving test, the Annesley Links course offers a shorter and more accessible layout, making it perfect for golfers of all abilities.
- Ballybunion Golf Club
Situated on the rugged southwest coast of Ireland in County Kerry, Ballybunion Golf Club is a must-visit for any serious golfer. Established in 1893, the club features two outstanding links courses – the Old Course and the Cashen Course.
The Old Course is renowned for its dramatic dunes, tight fairways, and undulating greens, demanding both skill and strategy from players. The iconic 11th hole, a challenging par-4, requires a well-placed drive to avoid the graveyard on the left and the unforgiving dunes on the right.
The Cashen Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., offers a different challenge, with larger dunes and more expansive fairways. The course is no less captivating, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the River Cashen estuary throughout.
- Lahinch Golf Club
Nestled on the edge of the charming village of Lahinch in County Clare, Lahinch Golf Club is another must-play Irish links course. Founded in 1892, the club's Old Course is the work of several renowned golf course architects, including Old Tom Morris, Alister MacKenzie, and Martin Hawtree.
Lahinch's Old Course is known for its natural beauty and challenging design, featuring massive dunes, tight fairways, and strategic bunkering. The par-5 4th hole, known as "Klondyke," is particularly memorable, requiring a blind approach shot over a towering dune to reach the green.
The club also offers the Castle Course, a shorter and more forgiving layout that still provides a true links experience and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
- Portmarnock Golf Club
Just a short drive from Dublin's city center, Portmarnock Golf Club is an exceptional links course set on a narrow peninsula. Founded in 1894, the club's Championship Course has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the Irish Open and the Walker Cup.
Redan," is particularly challenging, with a large green that slopes from front to back and is protected by bunkers on both sides.
The club also offers a second course, the Links Portmarnock, designed by Stan Eby. With a more modern layout, this course provides golfers with an excellent alternative to the Championship Course while maintaining the traditional links feel.
- Waterville Golf Links
Located on the scenic Ring of Kerry, Waterville Golf Links is a stunning course set between the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Currane. Founded in 1889, the course has been expertly updated by Tom Fazio, retaining its classic links charm while incorporating modern design features.
Waterville offers a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience, with rolling fairways, deep bunkers, and undulating greens. The par-3 17th hole, known as "Mass Hole," is particularly memorable, with its green perched atop a dune and surrounded by bunkers.
The course also boasts a rich history, with Charlie Chaplin and other celebrities having frequented the course in its earlier days. A statue of Chaplin in the nearby village of Waterville is a testament to the area's storied past.
- The European Club
Located in County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, The European Club is a remarkable links course designed by the renowned Irish golf course architect Pat Ruddy. Opened in 1993, this relatively young course has already earned a reputation as one of Ireland's finest.
The European Club is characterized by its massive dunes, tight fairways, and large, undulating greens, providing a stern test for even the most skilled golfers. The course features two extra par-3 holes, for a total of 20 holes, adding to its uniqueness.
The par-4 7th hole, with its narrow fairway flanked by dunes and a green perched precariously on a cliff edge, is particularly memorable, offering stunning views of the Irish Sea.
- Old Head Golf Links
Perched on a dramatic cliff-top peninsula in County Cork, Old Head Golf Links offers an unforgettable golfing experience. With the Atlantic Ocean visible from every hole, the course provides breathtaking views and a thrilling challenge for golfers of all levels.
Designed by a team of architects, including Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, and Liam Higgins, Old Head features a mix of dune-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and elevated greens. The par-4 12th hole, known as "Courcey's Leap," requires a daring drive over a chasm to reach the green, making it one of the most exhilarating holes on the course.
The luxurious clubhouse, complete with a gourmet restaurant and spa facilities, adds to the overall appeal of this remarkable golf destination.
- Adare Manor Golf Club
Set amid the stunning parkland of County Limerick, Adare Manor Golf Club offers a truly exceptional golfing experience. This championship course, designed by Tom Fazio, is a rare example of a world-class parkland course in Ireland, providing a welcome contrast to the country's abundance of links courses.
The course features pristine fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and immaculate greens, with the River Maigue and mature trees providing natural hazards throughout. The par-5 9th hole, with its island green, is a particular highlight, demanding accuracy and nerve from players.
Adare Manor is also home to a luxury five-star hotel and spa, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing golf getaway.
- Druids Glen Golf Club
Druids Glen offers a visually stunning and challenging layout, with tree-lined fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and numerous water hazards. The par-3 8th hole, known as the "Glen," features a green surrounded by water, making it both a beautiful and daunting prospect.
In addition to the championship course, the club also offers the Druids Heath Course, which provides a different golfing experience with a mixture of parkland and heathland terrain. The on-site luxury hotel and spa facilities make Druids Glen an ideal destination for a golf vacation.
- K Club Golf Resort
Located in County Kildare, just a short drive from Dublin, the K Club Golf Resort is home to two world-class courses – the Palmer Course and the Smurfit Course. Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, both courses offer a unique and challenging test of golf amid picturesque parkland surroundings.
The Palmer Course has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the Ryder Cup and the European Open. The course features tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging water hazards, such as the River Liffey, which comes into play on several holes. The signature par-5 16th hole requires a well-placed drive to avoid the water and a precise approach to the island green.
The Smurfit Course is a worthy companion to the Palmer Course, offering a more open layout with large greens and an abundance of water hazards. The course provides a stern test for golfers of all abilities and is a must-play for anyone visiting the K Club.
- Doonbeg Golf Club
Set along the rugged coastline of County Clare, Doonbeg Golf Club, now known as Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg, is a relatively new addition to the Irish golf scene, opening in 2002. Designed by Greg Norman, the course has quickly gained a reputation as one of Ireland's finest links courses.
Doonbeg's layout is characterized by towering dunes, narrow fairways, and challenging pot bunkers, providing a true links experience. The par-5 1st hole, with its elevated tee and undulating fairway, sets the tone for a memorable round of golf.
The on-site luxury accommodations and amenities, including a spa, fine dining, and traditional Irish pub, make Doonbeg an ideal destination for a golfing getaway.
- Enniscrone Golf Club
Located on the western coast of Ireland in County Sligo, Enniscrone Golf Club is a hidden gem that offers a traditional links experience. Founded in 1918, the course was later redesigned by renowned golf course architect Eddie Hackett, transforming it into a championship layout.
Enniscrone is known for its towering dunes, firm fairways, and challenging greens, providing a true test of links golf. The par-4 12th hole, known as the "Cockle Strand," is a standout, with its narrow fairway that hugs the coastline and a green protected by a large dune.
The club also offers the Scurmore Course, a nine-hole layout that provides a more relaxed golfing experience while still offering the stunning scenery and dune-lined fairways of the main course.
Conclusion
Ireland is truly a golfer's paradise, with its diverse and breathtaking courses offering challenges and delights for players of all abilities. From the dramatic coastal links of Royal County Down and Ballybunion to the lush parkland settings of Adare Manor and Druids Glen, the Emerald Isle provides a wealth of unforgettable golfing experiences.
Mike Brassil Profile
Comments
Post a Comment