CENTRAL IRELAND
COURSES -
Counties Tipperary, Kerry (north),
Clare, Kildare, Limerick, Dublin, & Kilkenny |
|
COURSE NAME |
LOCATION |
DESCRIPTION |
Greens
Fees* & Handicaps |
Motor Carts |
Club Rental |
ADARE
MANOR
RESORT
Tel: +353 (0)61 396566 |
Adare Manor Golf Club, Adare,12
miles south of Limerick City on the Limerick-Killarney Road N21 |
Adare Manor (1995) is long (7,138 yards, although there are three
progressively shorter alternate tee-boxes per hole), wooded, and involves water (3 lakes
and the River Maigue) in the play of several holes. Architect Robert Trent Jones claims to
have attempted to give Adare Manor "the flavor of Augusta National." |
High/Extreme
€70–€130 |
YES
&
Caddies |
YES |
ADARE MANOR LOCAL
Tel: +353 (0)61 396204 |
Adare Manor Golf Club, Adare,12
miles south of Limerick City on the Limerick-Killarney Road N21 |
Adare Manor (1902) is short (5,764 yards,
par 69), tight, and mature,
wooded, and involves water (the River Maigue) in the play of several holes. If the
resort's course is likened to Augusta, the local course may be an Irish version of Merion. |
Moderate
€37.50 |
NO |
YES |
BALLYBUNION
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)68 27146 |
1.6 miles south of Ballybunion village at the
mouth of the Shannon in County Kerry. |
Two great links courses, both the par 71 Old Course and the
par 72 Cashen Course offer great challenge. The Old Course is currently ranked 7th in the
world outside of the USA. Some rate the Cashen Course even higher |
Extreme/Super
OLD COURSE
€100–€165
Max Handicap:
Men-24 Women-36
High/Extreme
CASHEN COURSE
€65–€110
Max Handicap:
Men-24 Women-36 |
NO;
Caddies |
YES |
DOONBEG G.C.
Tel: +353 (0)65 905 5246 |
3 miles N of Doonbeg village on the coast of County Clare
between Kilkee and Lahinch. |
New (2002) championship links course
designed by Greg Norman. Built on pristine links land, this course is the centerpiece of a
resort designed to attract upscale (American) golfers. Par 72, 6,885 yards from
championship tees. |
Super
(€200+)
|
NO;
Caddies |
NO |
THE K CLUB
Tel: +353 (0)1 601 7300 |
Straffan on the River Liffey in County Kildare. |
Two new (1991) Arnold Palmer's par 72 parkland courses
(Palmer Course and Smurfit Course) on the River Liffey at
Straffan west of Dublin.
Setting: international resort with all the amenities. Palmer Course used for the Ryder Cup
in 2006. Smurfit Course hosts annual Smurfit European Open. |
Super
PALMER COURSE
€160-€370
Extreme/Super
SMURFIT COURSE
€105-€225 |
YES;
Caddies |
YES |
LAHINCH GOLF CLUB
OLD COURSE
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)65 708-1003 |
At Lahinch near the Cliffs of Moher on the coast of County
Clare. |
"The St. Andrews of Ireland", designed by
Old Tom Morris and modified by Alister MacKenzie. The Old Course is a world
class (ranked 27th outside of the U.S.) par 72 championship links. 28km northwest of
Ennis on N85. |
Super
€155
Handicap: Men-28 Women-36 |
NO;
Caddies |
YES |
LIMERICK COUNTY
Tel: +353 (0)61 351881 |
Ballyneety, 5 mi. from Limerick on the R512, County Limerick. |
New (1994) par 72 parkland course built to championship
standards. Driving range, restaurant. |
Moderate
€40 Mo-Fr
€50 Sa-Su |
YES |
YES |
MOUNT JULIET
Tel: +353 (0)56 777 3064 |
12 mi. SE of Kilkenny on N9 at Thomastown. County Kilkenny. |
Challenging 7,300-yard, par-72 parkland resort course on
elegant 1,500 acre estate. Designed by Jack Nicklaus (1991). Site of 3 Irish Opens and 2
AMEX World Golf Championships. Unique 18-hole putting course. Large practice area,
restaurant, and complete facilities. |
Extreme/Super
€85–€185 |
NO |
YES |
NENAGH
Tel: +353 (0)67 31476
nenaghgolfclub@eircom.net
|
4 mi. north of Nenagh on Old Birr Road at Beechwood, County
Tipperary. |
Fair but challenging upgrade of original 9-hole Alister
Mackenzie local course into championship 18-hole, 6,572-yard, par 72 parkland course.
Large practice area. Restaurant. |
Low
€30 |
YES |
NO |
PORTMARNOCK
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)1 846 2968 |
10 mi. north of Dublin
and 10 miles east of Dublin Airport, on peninsula south
of Portmarnock village, County Dublin. |
Rated #30 in the world outside of the USA by Golf Magazine,
this venerable (1893) links course has been the site of many great championships,
including 19 Irish Opens. First 18 of its 27 holes are the original, and holes 14 through
18 are classics. Women may play as visitors but may not become members. |
Super
€180 – Mo-Fr
€215 – Sa-Su |
NO |
YES |
SHANNON
Tel: +353 (0)61 471849 |
1/2 mile from Shannon International Airport, County Clare. |
6,874 yard, par-72 American-style course
near the airport. Dining facilities. |
Moderate/High
€50
– Mo-Fr
€60 – Sa-Su |
YES |
YES |
SPANISH
POINT
Tel: +353 (0)65 84198 |
2 miles south of Milltown Malbay village on N67, County
Clare. |
9-hole, 3,820 yard, par 32 seaside links course dating from
1896. 8 miles south of Lahinch. Advance tee times not required. Open to all golfers.
Challenging. |
Low
€25 – Mo-Fr
€30 – Sa-Su
(18 holes) |
NO |
YES |
THURLES
Tel.: +353 (0)504 21983
& +353 (0)504 24599
Fax: +353 (0)504 24647 |
1 mile south of Thurles town on the N62 Cork Road. |
6,465
yards, par 72 parkland course in County Tipperary. Thurles is neither especially long, nor
wet. Its primary challenge is its mature woodland setting. Essentially
an inexpensive local course, Thurles also occasionally hosts national and provincial
championships. |
Low/Moderate
€30 – Mo-Fr
€40 – Sa-Su |
YES |
YES |
|
NORTHWEST IRELAND
COURSES - Counties Sligo &
Donegal |
|
COURSE NAME |
LOCATION |
DESCRIPTION |
Greens
Fees & Handicaps |
Motor Carts |
Club Rental |
BUNDORAN
Tel: +353 (0)71 9841302
E-Mail:
info@bundorangolfclub.com |
24 mi. north of Sligo town; 12 mi. south of Donegal town on
the N15. |
6,221 yard par 70 seaside links designed by the legendary
Harry Vardon, 6-time British Open champion. |
Moderate
€45–€55 |
YES |
YES |
DONEGAL (MURVAGH)
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)74 973 4054
E-mail:
info@donegalgolfclub.ie |
5 mi. south of Donegal town on the N15 at Murvagh. |
New (1973), long (7,386 yard, par 73), beautiful and (when
windy) difficult links course. Deserves to be the site of a major championship. |
Moderate/High
€55–€70 |
YES |
YES |
ENNISCRONE
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)96 36297
enniscronegolf@eircom.net |
1/2 mi. from Inniscrone on the Ballina road. 45 min. west of
Sligo Town. |
6,948 yard par 73 true links in NW County Sligo. Can be quite
challenging in the wind. Known for its beauty at sunset. Ranked #20 in Ireland and has
appeared on the top 100 list of golf courses outside of the United States. |
High
€60–€75 |
YES |
YES |
NARIN & PORTNOO
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)74 954
51074
E-mail:
narinportnoo@eircom.net |
25 mi.
NW of Donegal town just off the
R261 at Narin. |
Natural
links on peninsular setting with water & wind affecting most holes.
Not long (6,856 yard,
par 73), but plays long when
windy. Friendly, local welcome
to visitors. What you should be looking for in Irish golf. |
Moderate/High
€55–€60 |
YES |
YES |
COUNTY SLIGO
(Rosses Point)
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +353 (0)71 9177134
E-mail:
hugh@countysligogolfclub.ie
|
4 mi. northwest of Sligo town. |
Famous 6,710 yard par 71 links on the tip of Rosses Point
peninsula in Drumcliffe Bay.
Scenic and challenging. |
High/Extreme
€75–€90
Handicap
Certificates
required |
YES |
YES |
|
|
NORTHERN IRELAND COURSES-
Counties Antrim & Londonderry |
|
COURSE NAME |
LOCATION |
DESCRIPTION |
Greens
Fees & Handicaps |
Motor Carts |
Club Rental |
CASTLEROCK
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +44 (0)28 7084 8314
mark@castlerockgc.co.uk |
6 mi. west of Coleraine on the A2. |
6,747 yard par 73 links course with scenic views. A
challenging and relatively well-kept secret on the Causeway Coast. |
EXTREME
£60–£75 |
YES |
YES |
PORTSTEWART
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +44 (0)28 7083 2015
bill@portstewartgc.co.uk |
1 mi. west of town center of Portstewart. |
3 18-hole courses including the Strand Course, one of the
gems in the 3-pointed crown of Causeway Coast links courses. 6,895 yards, par 72.
Overshadowed by neighboring Portrush's fame, but almost equal in challenge. |
Strand
Course:
EXTREME
£70–£90
Max Handicaps:
Men: 28
Women: 45Riverside
& Old (Town) Courses:
LOW
RIVERSIDE: £20–£25
OLD (TOWN): £10–£15 |
YES |
YES |
ROYAL
PORTRUSH
« CLASSIC LINKS «
Tel: +44 (0)28 7082 2311
info@royalportrushgolfclub.com |
Dunluce Course: 1/2 mi. east of Portrush town. |
Dunluce Course is currently rated number
4 in the world
outside of the USA. A Harry S. Colt re-design. Only off-Britain site of British Open
in history (1951). Tight driving with devilish rough. 6,818 yards, par 72,
SSS 73. |
Super
£110–£125
Max. handicaps:
Men: 18
Women: 24 |
NO |
YES |
|
|
SOUTHERN IRELAND COURSES-
Counties Cork & Kerry (south) |
|
COURSE NAME |
LOCATION |
DESCRIPTION |
Greens
Fees & Handicaps |
Motor Carts |
Club Rental |
FOTA
ISLAND
Tel: +353 (0)21 488 3710
reservations@fotaisland.ie |
10 mi. east of Cork City on Fota Island,
County Cork |
6,927 yard par 71 inland resort course with scenic views.
Site of Murphy's Irish Open 2001 and 2002. Newly (1999) refurbished; challenging, but open
to all levels of visitors. |
High/Extreme
€70–€110
No handicap requirements. |
YES |
YES |
OLD
HEAD
Tel: +353 (0)21 477 8444
reservations@oldheadgolf.ie |
15 min. south of Kinsale 40 min. south of Cork City on the
Old Head of Kinsale,
County Cork. |
7,215 yard par 72 clifftop resort course with spectacular
ocean views that ranks it with the world's most stunning golf locations. Very expensive.
Caters to well-heeled visiting golfers. New in 1997 & already ranked #96 in the world
refurbished. Challenging—especially in high winds—but 7 tee positions help. |
Super
€275
Men's Handicap:
24 or under
Ladies' Handicap:
36 or under. |
YES |
YES |
WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS
Tel: +353 (0)66 947 4102
wvgolf@iol.ie |
Waterville, Inveragh Peninsula, on the Ring of Kerry about an
hour west of Kenmare, Co. Kerry. |
7,309 yard, par 72, SSS 74 true links at the SW extreme of
Ireland. Original 9-hole ITT company (transatlantic cable) course was redesigned into 18
holes by Eddie Hackett in 1973 and Americanized into a golf links resort by Tom Fazio
(1990s-2006). |
Extreme
€150
No handicap requirements. |
YES |
YES |
|
*GREENS FEES RATINGS:
LOW=€15-35 MODERATE=€36-55;
HIGH=€56-80;
EXTREME=€81-130;
SUPER=€130+
a
CURRENCY
CONVERTER
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Note: In Ireland, greens fees
often are available per day, as well as per round (so play 36!) |
