Best golf courses: Ireland

Ireland is quite simply a golfers paradise. Golf courses are everywhere - and their numbers are growing as each year passes. Whether it is coastal links gems you are looking for, usually complete with stunning sea views, or parkland treasures away from the coast, no country is better equipped than Ireland to meet your needs. 
If quantity and variety are well catered for, so to is quality. Every golf course in Ireland, including all the great name courses, are accessible to visiting golfers. There are no courses here which are exclusively for "members only". If you are on a tightish budget, there are always good value courses to be found in any neighbourhood, and many hidden gems can be counted in their number. To make the most of your golfing trip, and to help in your planning, you can look up the location of the best courses in Ireland on our customised maps.
 

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Resort guests prioritised
Limerick
Jones Sr & Fazio

Visitors?

Resort guests prioritised

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Wkends restrictd
Belfast
Jones, David

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

David Jones

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Athlone
McAllister, J.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Athlone

Designer

J. McAllister

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Wkends restrictd
Killarney
Jones Sr, Robert Trent

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Robert Trent Jones Sr.

5-PLUS: In the world’s elite - has few peers; one of our top-rated 5s!
Wkends restrictd
Killarney
Simpson, Tom et al

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Ruddy & Craddock

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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.

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Dundalk
Ruddy & Craddock

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dundalk

Designer

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Smyth, Des

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

Des Smyth & Declan Branigan

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Galway
Brown, Robert

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

Robert J. "Bobby" Brown

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Spring & Mackenzie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Not Saturdays
Belfast
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Not Saturdays

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

Harry Colt

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Vardon, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Kilkenny
Barcroft, Cecil

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kilkenny

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Hackett; Engh & McIntosh

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Montgomerie, Colin

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Colin Montgomerie & Stan Eby

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
O'Meara, Mark

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Mark O'Meara & Tim Lobb

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Spring, Dr Arthur

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Dr Arthur Spring

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Gaunt, Jonathan

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Jonathan Gaunt

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Sayers, Ben

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Coleraine

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dundalk
O'Connor Sr & Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dundalk

Designer

Christy O’Connor Sr & Jr

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Galway
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

Eddie Hackett

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Cork
MacKenzie, Dr Alister

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cork

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dundalk
Simpson, Tom

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dundalk

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Doherty, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Hackett & O'Connor Jr.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Eddie Hackett & Christy O'Connor Jr.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Hawtree, Martin

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Kirby, Ron

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Reopens in 2023
Dublin
Ruddy, Pat

Visitors?

Reopens in 2023

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Ruddy, Pat

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Pat Ruddy

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Walton, Philip

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

Philip Walton

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Vardon, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Five Enterprises

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

Five Enterprises (Dublin)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Hawtree Ltd

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
(Closed in 2019)
Dublin
Flanagan, Mel

Visitors?

(Closed in 2019)

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Mel Flanagan

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Athlone
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Athlone

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Ruddy, Pat

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Pat Ruddy

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Merrigan, Patrick

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

Patrick J. Merrigan

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Cork
O'Connor & McEvoy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cork

Designer

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).

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Gidman, Simon

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Coleraine

Designer

Simon Gidman

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Galway
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Wkends restrictd
Galway
MacKenzie, Dr Alister

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Athlone
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Athlone

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Fives, Maurice

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Not Saturdays
Dublin
Braid, James

Visitors?

Not Saturdays

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

James Braid

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dundalk
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dundalk

Designer

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.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Ballesteros & Howes

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Seve Ballesteros & Jeff Howes

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Jones II, Robert Trent

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Robert Trent Jones Jr.

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Various

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Palmer, Arnold

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Palmer, Arnold

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Kilkenny
McDaid & Cassidy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kilkenny

Designer

Jack McDaid and Jim Cassidy

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
O'Sullivan, Dr Billy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Campbell, Sir Guy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Sir Guy Campbell & Henry Longhurst

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

2-star: Reasonably okay course - if better courses not available.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Spring, Arthur

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

Redesigned by Dr Arthur Spring in 1994.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Braid, James

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

James Braid

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Not Saturdays
Belfast
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Not Saturdays

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

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

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Morris & MacKenzie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

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).

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Bielenberg, Nick

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Nick Bielenberg

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Carroll, Tony

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

Tony Carroll

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Faldo, Nick

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

Nick Faldo

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
MacKenzie, Tom

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Hawtree, Fred

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Kilkenny
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kilkenny

Designer

Jack Nicklaus

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Athlone
Dolan, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Athlone

Designer

Michael Dolan

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Galway
Unknown

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

Unknown

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Various

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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).

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Athlone
McEvoy, Peter

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Athlone

Designer

Peter McEvoy

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Thompson, Charles

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Cork
Kirby, Ron et al

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cork

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Various

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Langer, Bernhard

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Thompson & Ruddy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Park Jr & Giffin

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Coleraine

Designer

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).

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
McEvoy, Peter

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Peter McEvoy

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
McLay-Kidd, David

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

David McLay-Kidd

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
O'Connor Jr. & McEvoy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jnr & Peter McEvoy

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

Eddie Hackett

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
O'Connor Jr, Christy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Christy O'Connor Jr.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Morris & Ruddy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

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).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Ruddy, Pat

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Pat Ruddy with input from owner Frank Casey Snr.

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Derry
Doak, Tom

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Derry

Designer

Tom Doak and lead associate Eric Iverson.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Wexford
Hawtree, Fred

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Wexford

Designer

Fred Hawtree and J.H. Taylor

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

Harry Colt

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Belfast
Unknown

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

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).

5-PLUS: In the world’s elite - has few peers; one of our top-rated 5s!
Not Weds or Sat
Belfast
Morris, Old Tom et al.

Visitors?

Not Weds or Sat

Nearest city

Belfast

Designer

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.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Ritchie, David

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

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

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Coleraine

Designer

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

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Coleraine
Colt, Harry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Coleraine

Designer

Harry Colt (1932).

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
(Closed in 2017)
Wexford
McEvoy, Peter

Visitors?

(Closed in 2017)

Nearest city

Wexford

Designer

Peter McEvoy

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Wkends restrictd
Dundalk
Smyth, Des

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Dundalk

Designer

Des Smyth & Declan Branigan

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Merrigan, Paddy

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

Paddy Merrigan

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Unknown

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Unknown

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Wexford
Walton, Philip

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Wexford

Designer

Philip Walton's debut course as a golf designer.

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Ruddy & Craddock

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Sligo
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Sligo

Designer

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

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Weekdays only
Killarney
Palmer, Arnold

Visitors?

Weekdays only

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Tippet, Capt. H.C.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

Capt. H.C. Tippet

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Limerick
Norman, Greg

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Limerick

Designer

Greg Norman

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Dublin
Merrigan, Patrick

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Patrick J. Merrigan

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Braid, James

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Smyth, Des

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

Des Smyth & Declan Brannigan

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Killarney
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Killarney

Designer

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

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Galway
Hawtree, Fred

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Galway

Designer

Fred Hawtree

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Waterford
Hackett, Eddie

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Waterford

Designer

Eddie Hackett

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Mon, Thur, Fri, Sun
Dublin
McEvoy, Peter

Visitors?

Mon, Thur, Fri, Sun

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Major improvements made by Peter McEvoy (1990s).

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Wkends restrictd
Dublin
Merrigan, Patrick

Visitors?

Wkends restrictd

Nearest city

Dublin

Designer

Paddy Merrigan designed subtantial revisions to the course in 1993.

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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Whistling Straits (Wisconsin, US)

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Littlestone Golf Club (Kent, UK)