Best golf courses: Ireland

Original design by Robert Trent Jones Sr (1995); significantly revamped by Tom Fazio (2017).

David Jones

J. McAllister

Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Original layout by club professional James McKenna. After 8 yrs of closure, a new 9-hole layout was designed by Lionel Hewson (1906), and extended to 18-holes in 1926. Additional modifications made by Tom Simpson (1937) and Tom Watson (1995).

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

Ballyliffin's original nine-hole course dated back to 1947. Between 1970 and 1973 a "new course" was brought into play on neighbouring ground, replacing the original nine holes. This new layout (now known as the Old Links) was designed by Eddie Hackett with input from local agricultural adviser Martin Hopkins, and English course architects Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie. Recent modifications to the Old Links were made by Nick Faldo (2005). The Glashedy Links dates from 1995.

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

Des Smyth & Declan Branigan

Robert J. "Bobby" Brown

Original design by Arthur Spring (1994). Course redesigned by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert Golf Course Architects (2007).

Harry Colt

Original nine-hole layout by George L. Baillie (1894). Later revisions by Cuthbert Butchart and then by Harry Vardon (1927).

Original design by Cecil Barcroft (1899). Later modifications to greens and bunkering by Tom Simpson & Molly Gourlay (1937).

Eddie Hackett designed the original 18-holes (1993), now called the Hackett Links. On the Wild Atlantic course, holes 1 thru' 7, and 17 and 18 are part of the original Hackett layout; they are played as holes 1 thru' 7, and 8 and 9 when you play the Hackett Links. The middle section of Wild Atlantic (holes 8 thru' 16; sometimes called the Kilmore Nine) was added later and designed by Jim Engh & Ally McIntosh (2013).

Colin Montgomerie & Stan Eby

Mark O'Meara & Tim Lobb

Dr Arthur Spring

Jonathan Gaunt

Original design of the 18-hole Mussenden course by Ben Sayers. Later modifications by Harry Colt (1926) and Martin Hawtree (2018).

Christy O’Connor Sr & Jr

Eddie Hackett

Dr Alister MacKenzie redesigned the course, extending it to 18-holes in 1927.

Current layout by Cecil Barcroft (1914); substantially modified by Tom Simpson & Molly Gourlay (1938).

Original 18-hole layout by Capt William Campbell (1906); substantially redesigned by Harry Colt (1927-31).

Michael Doherty, long-time golf professional at City of Derry Golf Club.

Eddie Hackett & Christy O'Connor Jr.

Original design by Eddie Hackett, with later modifications by Pat Ruddy (1998).

Original layout designed by the club members, with several subsequent makeovers. Substantial redesign by Martin Hawtree (2005).

Original layout designed by American course architect Brook L. Wigginton (1961). Significant improvements made by Ron Kirby and Joe Carr (2003).

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

Pat Ruddy

Philip Walton

Harry Vardon (six-time winner of the Open Championship, and golf course designer).

Five Enterprises (Dublin)

Original course designed by Harry Colt (1920). New course at the current Ballyman Glen location, designed by Hawtree Ltd (2006).

Mel Flanagan

Eddie Hackett designed the expansion from nine to 18 holes (1974). Donald Steel added a further nine holes (1999).

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Pat Ruddy

Patrick J. Merrigan

Original Deerpark course designed by Christy O'Connor Jr & Peter McEvoy; modified by Jeff Howes (1999). Howes also designed Fota Island's nine new holes (2006).

Simon Gidman

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Dr Alister MacKenzie laid out the current course in the early-1920s.

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Original nine hole layout from 1939. Extended to a full 18 by Maurice Fives (1997).

James Braid

New course designed by Christy O'Connor Jr (2000). The original nine holes of the Old course date from 1930; it was extended to 18 holes in 1956.

Seve Ballesteros & Jeff Howes

Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Original layout created by various members; major redesign and improvements subsequently made by Fred Hawtree, Eddie Hackett (1985) and Martin Hawtree.

Palmer North course: designed by Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1991).
Palmer South course: Arnold Palmer Design Company (2003; lead designer Harrison Minchew).

Palmer North course: designed by Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1991).
Palmer South course: Arnold Palmer Design Company (2003; lead designer Harrison Minchew).

Jack McDaid and Jim Cassidy

Original design by Dr William (Billy) O'Sullivan & Fred Hawtree, with a subsequent redesign by Tom MacKenzie (2006).

Sir Guy Campbell & Henry Longhurst

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

Redesigned by Dr Arthur Spring in 1994.

James Braid

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Current course designed in the early 1920s by the firm of Colt, Mackenzie & Alison (Harry Colt, Alister Mackenzie and Charles Hugh Alison).

Original layout by Old Tom Morris. Significant later modifications by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1920s); MacKenzie left untouched Morris's best holes (e.g. par-5 4th, par-3 5th). Further enhancements by Martin Hawtree (2003).

Nick Bielenberg

Tony Carroll

Nick Faldo

Tom MacKenzie (of Donald Steel & Co) designed the 2005/06 revamp of the Luttrellstown Castle course.

Original course at this location designed by Commander John Harris from C.K. Cotton & Assocs (1962). Later modifications by Hawtree & Son (1965).

Jack Nicklaus

Michael Dolan

Unknown

The layout evolved over the years from a nine-hole layout (1930) to a full 18 (1965), with inputs from Hughie McNeill, Leo Wallace and various members. Improvements made by Eddie Connaughton (2004). Significant modifications by Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner of Hanse Golf Design (2018).

Peter McEvoy

Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC).

A collaborative design involving Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins, Eddie Hackett and Dr. Joe Carr.

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Original layout by founders George Ross (Capt) and William C. Pickeman (Secretary), assisted by Scottish professional Mungo Park (who stayed for a year as the Club's first pro). Third nine added by Fred Hawtree (1971); modifications to the Championship layout by Fred's son Martin Hawtree (2002).

Original design by Bernhard Langer in association with Stan Eby of European Golf Design (1995); reworked by Jeff Lynch of ReGolf Design (2022).

Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC); substantial improvements designed by Pat Ruddy (2000).

Strand course: original design by Mr. A.G. Gow (of Portrush; 1907); modifications by Willie Park Jr (early 1920s) & Des Giffin (schoolteacher and club member, 1986).
Riverside course: original nine holes designed by Des Giffin (1986); extension to 18 holes by Bernard Findlay (course manager) & David Avery (past captain) (1999).
Old course: designers of original nine-hole course unknown (1894); enlarged to 12 holes (1918); extended from 12 to 18 holes by Mr. R.C. Davison & James Rea (1934).

Peter McEvoy

David McLay-Kidd

Christy O'Connor Jnr & Peter McEvoy

Eddie Hackett

Christy O'Connor Jr.

Front-nine (Strand-nine) designed by Pat Ruddy (2009). Back-nine (Valley-nine) originally designed by Old Tom Morris (1893), with later modifications by Harry Vardon & James Braid (1906), and Harry Colt (1911).

Pat Ruddy with input from owner Frank Casey Snr.

Tom Doak and lead associate Eric Iverson.

Fred Hawtree and J.H. Taylor

Harry Colt

Annesley Links was first mentioned (in the R&A Handbooks) in 1929. It was described as a nine-hole "relief" course to the main 18-hole championship course. By 1932 it had grown to a full 18-holes, again with no mention of who designed the holes. Significant modifications were made by Donald Steel (1997), and Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert (2014).

Championship Links: original nine-hole layout by Scottish schoolteacher, keen golfer and Honorary Secretary of Royal Belfast Golf Club, George L. Baillie (1889). Extended to 18 holes by Old Tom Morris (1889/90). Various modifications (early 1900s) made by George Combe (Club Capt), James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Harry Vardon and Ben Sayers. Harry Colt made further modifications (1925), creating the famous par-3 4th and par-4 9th holes. Further changes by Donald Steel (1997 & 2004).
Annesley Links: originally laid out by Old Tom Morris.

Original course at the Curragh laid out by David Ritchie from Scotland (1852).

Original Harry Colt design dates from 1921. Modifications by Martin Hawtree (2002).

The current Dunluce Links layout is largely the work of Harry Colt's 1929 redesign.

Harry Colt (1932).

Peter McEvoy

Des Smyth & Declan Branigan

Paddy Merrigan

Unknown

Philip Walton's debut course as a golf designer.

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

Original 9-hole layout (1931) redesigned by John McAlister from Dublin (1939); course extension to 18-holes by Eddie Hackett (1973).

Arnold Palmer designed the course at Tralee's current Barrow location (1984).

Capt. H.C. Tippet

Greg Norman

Patrick J. Merrigan

Original nine-holes designed by Willie Park Jr. Redesigned and extended to 18-holes by James Braid (1934).

Des Smyth & Declan Brannigan

Eddie Hackett & Claude Harmon designed the current layout (early 1970s). Significant changes made by Tom Fazio (2006/7).

Fred Hawtree

Eddie Hackett

Major improvements made by Peter McEvoy (1990s).

Paddy Merrigan designed subtantial revisions to the course in 1993.