GOLF TOURS
The game of golf as we know it today originated in Scotland, however the sport also has a long interesting history in Ireland dating back to the mid-1800s and is so popular today that we are one of the nations with the most golf courses per capita in the world.
The vast majority of golfers who choose a golf vacation in Ireland come here specifically to play on our Links courses, which prove extremely challenging for those more accustomed to playing parkland courses.
True links courses are located on coastal strips of sandy land between a beach and agricultural land, which are characterised by uneven fairways, thick rough, and deep bunkers. The lack of trees, means there is little if any
protection against the often strong prevailing winds blowing in from the sea, which drastically affects the style of play required.
As a company specialising in tailor made tours, Treasured Ireland give you the opportunity to fulfil your personal ‘bucket list’ golf tour of Ireland. Using our expertise and extensive knowledge of the very best championship courses and a few hidden gems, we will create an exclusive itinerary for you. After choosing your preferred courses, we take care of all the arrangements; luxury transportation with driver/guide, accommodation of your choice, tee times, club, cart and caddy rental if required and great local pub and restaurant recommendations along the way where you’re guaranteed to experience ‘the craic’.
Below are the most popular Irish links courses by region to ‘whet your appetite’. Tee times are in high demand, so contact us today and let the planning commence!
NORTH COAST
ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB, PORTRUSH, CO ANTRIM
The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club, ranks amongst the world’s greatest courses. A masterpiece of golf course architecture with unimaginable rough and testing greens, combined with the unpredictable weather of the roaring North Atlantic, this course is an admirable test for even the most seasoned golf aficionado.
ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB, PORTRUSH, CO ANTRIM
The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club, ranks amongst the world’s greatest courses. A masterpiece of golf course architecture with unimaginable rough and testing greens, combined with the unpredictable weather of the roaring North Atlantic, this course is an admirable test for even the most seasoned golf aficionado.
PORTSTEWART GOLF COURSE, CO LONDONDERRY
Founded in 1894 and redesigned by Willie Park jnr in the 1920’s, the club is home to 3 courses, The Strand championship links course is considered to be 'the jewel in the crown' and is considered to have one of the most stunning opening holes with views of mighty, towering dunes set against a backdrop of the wild Atlantic Ocean.
BALLYLIFFIN (GLASHEDY), CO DONEGAL
Ballyliffin Golf Club consists of two outstanding, contrasting links courses. The Old Links presents an immensely enjoyable challenge. The Championship Glashedy Links is a Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock masterpiece fashioned around the incredible dunes. Ruddy cherishes Glashedy as his own and has returned in recent years to fine tune the stunning bunkering of this magnificent links.
ROYAL CO DOWN (NORTH EAST COAST)
Ranked No. 1 in Golf Digest Top 100, 2017 and located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne. The ‘bearded’ bunkers on this course are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and heather. The greens are fast and many are domed, rejecting any shot lacking conviction. This is a true test of any player’s command of the traditional bump and run, the preferred way to play any links.
EAST COAST
PORTMARNOCK OLD COURSE, CO DUBLIN
Ranked amongst the top courses in the world, this Championship Course is known throughout the country for its sod-wall pot bunkers that are strategically placed throughout the course. The unpredictable winds coming off of the Irish Sea add even more challenges. The golf course is best known for its memorable set of finishing holes that has proven a formidable test even for the most skilled golfers. Arnold Palmer has even been quoted as calling Portmarnock's 15th hole, "the finest par-3 in the world.
THE ISLAND GOLF CLUB, CO DUBLIN
The Island Golf Club boasts a jewel of a links course, which until 1973 had to be reached by boat from across the estuary at Malahide. Thankfully, this North Dublin golfing gem is now more easily accessible and well worth the journey. Splendidly isolated, The Island boasts the highest sand dunes of any links course in Ireland. It is peacefully surrounded by the Irish Sea, Donabate Beach, and Broadmeadow Estuary, with scenic beauty that never fails to impress.
COUNTY LOUTH GOLF CLUB, BALTRAY, CO LOUTH
The course is more affectionately known as "Baltray" and is situated 4 miles from the historic town of Drogheda at the mouth of the river Boyne. With the river to the south and the Irish Sea to the east, this is links golf at is very best, rated in Golf Digest's top 100 courses in the world as a "hidden gem".
THE EUROPEAN CLUB, CO WICKLOW
Built through tumbling sand dunes that overlook the Irish Sea, creating a challenging and scenic championship links course, nearly every hole offers a captivating ocean view. Stretching over 7,000 yards from the back tees, it is one of Ireland's longer layouts. The dramatic dunes characterise the course but there is a refreshing absence of blind shots. The layout embodies all of the best characteristics of pitch-and-run golf including cavernous pot bunkers and the opportunity to slice your ball onto the beach.
SOUTH COAST
THE OLD HEAD, KINSALE, CO CORK
Old Head is designed as a walking course where Members and Guests are encouraged to walk the links with a Caddie. Old Head's Caddie Programme is among one of the most extensive and professional worldwide. Built on a 220-acre diamond of land, jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Nine holes play along the cliff tops, and all eighteen holes provide stunning ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike.
SOUTH WEST COAST
BALLYBUNION OLD COURSE, CO KERRY
The Old Course exudes a majestic feel that simply cannot be compared to any other course on earth. With beautifully contoured fairways that tumble down through a blanket of grassy dunes, it’s no wonder these challenging holes have been consistently rated among the top courses in the world. Herbert Warren-Wind writing in the New Yorker magazine in 1971 said ‘I found Ballybunion to be nothing less than the finest seaside links I have ever seen’.
TRALEE GOLF CLUB, CO KERRY
With views of the rugged Atlantic coast from every hole, lies the sensational Arnold Palmer designed Tralee Golf Course, a unique combination of traditional seaside golf links and world famous scenery. The links features towering dunes, undulating fairways, punishing rough and cliff top tees and greens. Course designer Arnold Palmer stated this about his first, and arguably his best, European designed course. ‘I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine’.
WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS. CO KERRY
Situated on the shores of the perfectly horseshoe-shaped Ballinskelligs Bay, this is one of Ireland’s oldest clubs and top ranked Championship links courses, which happens to be set within one of the most stunningly beautiful locations on the famous Ring of Kerry. The rugged terrain, treacherous bunkers and dunes along with the exposed nature will certainly provide you with a challenge!
DOOKS GOLF CLUB, CO KERRY
Golf has been played in Dooks since 1889, which makes the course one of the oldest golf links in Ireland. Just a 30 minute drive from Killarney and situated alongside the blue waters of Dingle Bay with stunning views of The Slieve Mish and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain ranges. The course is in a tranquil setting, however, with narrow sandy fairways and contoured greens it provides its own unique challenges.
WEST COAST
LAHINCH OLD COURSE, CO CLARE
The Old Course is a classic seaside links layout with rolling greens and undulating fairways. The towering sand dunes that cover the landscape guarantee that golfers will encounter several blind shots. Unpredictable winds coming off the ocean add an interesting twist to the round. The Par 4 holes in particular are generally regarded as the best in Ireland, offering a wonderful challenge to even the strongest players.
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL DOONBEG, CO CLARE
Designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman, this world renowned 18-hole championship golf links spans 1.5 miles of crescent shaped beach and century’s old sand dunes along Doughmore Bay. The par-72 layout features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back, playing 6,885 yards from the back tees. In line with Norman's philosophy of ‘least disturbance', the most natural route was taken in laying the course out through the sand dunes. As a result this course has a unique combination of five par 3s and five par 5s.
NORTH WEST COAST
ENNISCRONE, CO SLIGO
Enniscrone is one of Ireland’s finest links golf courses set in scenic splendour in Killala Bay in Co Sligo. This championship venue provides golfers with the ultimate golf experience – an inspired design concept, dramatic dunes, superb greens all year round and breath-taking views. Originally designed by the great Eddie Hackett, Enniscrone’s reputation as a top class golf venue has been embellished with the addition of six new holes threading a path through the mountainous dunes.
CARNE GOLF LINKS, BELMULLET, CO MAYO
Carne Golf Links in North Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near the town of Belmullet. Carne Golf Links was the last links course to be designed by the late Eddie Hackett and it is now believed by many who have played it to be his greatest challenge.
COUNTY SLIGO GOLF CLUB (ROSSES POINT), CO SLIGO
This course is a great challenge, which varies according to the diverse weather conditions. It was redesigned by golf architect Harry S. Colt in 1927 and continuous improvements have been made over the years. In the words of the great Peter Alliss ‘A tremendous test for the highest quality player and great fun for the modest competitor.