golf travel ireland

Ireland's Finest...

The #1 courses chosen for you, ireland’s finest…, play some of the world’s best golf links and courses, the best courses chosen for you..., professional and bespoke chauffeur-driven tours of ireland, my family is here to welcome yours, the finest luxury vehicles to drive you in style, enjoy the ultimate in luxury and comfort.

GOLF TOURS IRELAND

A round of golf on some of the world’s most exceptional golf courses, with the sweeping Irish countryside, wild Atlantic Ocean and the romance of castles and ancient towers as your backdrop. Add to this, premium hotel accommodation for the pinnacle of luxury, and your own personal tourist guide and chauffeur to show you around the real Ireland. This is an adventure with Golf Tours Ireland – and it all starts when Mike Ryan, head of our family business, says ‘Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’ (A Hundred Thousand Welcomes). 

Golf Tours Ireland is the leading company for customised golf vacations in Ireland . For over 20 years we have organised completely individual itineraries for personalised golf touring holidays anywhere in Ireland . We specialize in  small escorted group tours  and  family   tours,  and using over two decades of experience , we will take you on a magical trip of a lifetime – combining the very best of Irish golf with all of the renowned and hidden gems of our country.

We can customise any of our golf tours to suit you or create bespoke tours should you prefer to play any course or visit specific places on the Ireland of Ireland.

And should you have non-golfers, we can take them on beautiful sightseeing trips and then re-unite later when the golf is finished for dinner and drinks.

Click here for our partner company website Executive Tours Ireland for sight-seeing tours.

As a family-run business, our personal service goes the extra mile – to make your escorted golf tour an unforgettable experience.

Discover a Player’s Paradise

From the majestic Old Head in Kinsale stretching out into the wild Atlantic, to the breath-taking Royal County Down and magnificent sand dunes of Castle Rock – we’ll take you there. Choose from our selection of premier tours or let us design your own bespoke itinerary . Always combining golf excellence with the very best of Irish sight-seeing and experiences.

Explore the Very Best of Ireland

We give you golfing supreme – and so much more. Whether it’s driving the majestic beauty of the Ring of Kerry, feeling on top of the world at the Cliffs of Moher, or simply enjoying the craic in a traditional Irish pub – we make sure your golf vacation is rich with discoveries, sight-seeing and moments to treasure .

Selection of Tours

Luxury South West Ireland Golf Experience (Dream Links Golf)

Spectacular South West Coast A 6 Day tour of pure Irish dream links golf, in the beautiful sand dunes…

South West Ireland Golf Vacation (Legendary Names in Golf)

Breath-Taking Rounds of Golf Tralee, Ballybunion, Doonbeg, Lahinch, Waterville and of course unique to the whole world – the…

The Ultimate Golf Experience (The Old Head of Kinsale)

Nothing Can Compare The Ultimate Golf Experience is completely unique because it invites you to play on one of…

Dublin’s Treasured Links (Ireland’s East Coast)

Unforgettable Memories With so many sought-after championship links located so close to wonderful Dublin, Ireland’s East Coast is fast…

Contact me personally

• Toll Free 1888 793 0416
• International +353 87 793 0447

Ours is a personal experience right from the start: you can call me directly and we can talk about your tour.

Premium hotels preferred rates.

Operating for over two decades, we have built up close relationships with some of the best hotels and establishments in Ireland. From the world-famous Dromoland Castle, to stunning Adare Manor and the magnificent Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course – we can secure you the best availability, finest rooms, keenest rates.

Sit Back and Relax in Luxury

Ireland is too beautiful and too diverse to worry about navigating the journey and finding your next destination. Make EVERY minute count by enjoying your own personal chauffeur and driver in one of our top-of-the-range Mercedes vehicles complete with air conditioning, leather seating and WiFi.

We also accept these major cards

Custom Golf Vacations to Ireland

Tee up at some of the world’s most scenic and iconic courses.

Ireland is a golfer’s paradise, with many of its glorious golf courses rated among the best in the world. A golf tour around Ireland offers unrivaled scenic views of rolling countryside and dramatic coastlines, along with welcoming pubs, friendly people, and toe-tapping traditional music.

Ireland is known as the ‘green of dreams’ and has over 400 golf courses, including 58 of the 247 true links golf courses in the world. Moreover, Ireland plays host to seven of the top 100 golf courses in the world, making it the ideal destination for a golf break.

What make us special

With over 400 golf courses, including 58 of the world’s true links courses, Ireland is a golfer’s paradise. Tee off at rugged coastlines, experience the friendly Irish hospitality, and witness.

Ireland Golf Tours

With breathtaking golf clubs and courses across the length and breadth of Ireland, as well as plenty of other things to see and do, an Ireland golf tour is an excellent way to stay and play. Each region in Ireland has a selection of stunning courses to choose from, making it easy for you to choose an area to best suit your needs.

Whether you have specific requirements already, or you’re looking for inspiration, Premier Golf is on hand to help you plan and book a luxury golf vacation to Ireland.

Our Ireland golf trips expertly pair world-class golf with superb accommodation, from prestigious boutique hotels filled with Irish charm to large resorts comprising all the amenities you need for your vacation.

Our Ireland golf packages combine the best golf with incredible accommodation, and our local representatives at our Killarney office can recommend other popular clubs and hidden gems as part of your trip.

South West Ireland Golf Tour

7 nights & 6 rounds from $5,945

South west Ireland has a variety of breathtaking courses, with many overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. One must-play course here is Ballybunion . Established in 1893, it is considered one of the finest links courses in the world. There’s also Lahinch , Tralee , Waterville , Doonbeg, and Old Head , all of which could be played on the same trip.

Northern Ireland Golf Tour

6 nights & 6 rounds from $5,500

Northern Ireland is home to several picturesque Irish golf courses, including Royal Portrush , host of the Open Championship in 2025 . On a Northern Ireland tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to play iconic courses at Portstewart , Castlerock , and Ardglass . Perhaps the star of this trip though, is Royal County Down Golf Club . Nestled at the foot of the majestic Mourne Mountains, it’s ranked as one of the top golf courses in the world.

North West Ireland Golf Tour

6 nights & 5 rounds from $3,968

Several of the best Ireland golf courses lie on the north west coast, including Donegal , Carne , Enniscrone , and Ballyliffin . Each course is unique and beautiful, with our tour offering the opportunity to experience them all. Plus, don’t miss the magnificent golf resort at Rosapenna , now boasting three stunning links courses. The newest, St Patrick’s Links, debuted at No.55 in the latest Golf Digest World Ranking.

Dublin Golf Tour

6 nights & 6 rounds from $5,064

Dublin may be known for many things away from the fairways, but there are several must-play courses close to the city and on the east of the country. Portmarnock , Jameson Links , Royal Dublin , and European Golf Club are just a few of the courses you can look forward to playing on this tour. Take some time out and enjoy the vibrant culture of the Republic of Ireland’s iconic capital city.

What makes golfing in Ireland special?

Ireland is as welcoming as it is breathtaking. It’s shrouded in history, with myths and legends casting a magical air over every inch of land. Whether you’re on the fairway practicing your swing or enjoying some downtime and taking in the culture, you’re sure to have a unique experience like nowhere else.

Not only can you look forward to breathtaking landscapes and first-class hospitality, but Ireland golf courses also offer some of the best play in the world. Not to mention the luck of the Irish! No matter what your skill level is, you’ll find courses for all abilities and interests. Plus, many clubs are open all year round so you can enjoy them any time you decide to travel.

Ireland golf trips are incredibly special. Although it’s not the birthplace of golf, it’s held in high regard here, with many people still claiming that golf is in the blood of the Irish. The country is steeped in rich golfing history, with play here dating back to the mid-19th century. Ireland has also previously hosted the Solheim Cup , The Open , and the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2006.

The Open Championship 2025 will be held at the prestigious Royal Portrush , which is still the only club outside of mainland Britain to host the exciting tournament.

The Ryder Cup 2027 will also be held at Adare Manor, which won Golf Resort of the Year in the 2022 International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards. Tournaments aside, Ireland itself has previously won Golf Destination of the Year in these highly-respected awards.

Part of the reason why golfing in Ireland offers a different experience from elsewhere in the world is the close proximity of courses. Many of Ireland’s golf courses are positioned close together, meaning our Ireland golf tours offer plenty of play and minimal travel.

For an optimal experience, booking in the summer months means that the nights draw in later so you can enjoy time on the course up to 9pm most days.

Planning Your Irish Golf Adventure: 9 Must-Play Courses in Ireland

When planning and booking Ireland golf vacations, there are plenty of courses you’ll want to consider. Royal County Down , Royal Portrush , and Ballybunion consistently make the top 20 of most world lists, and rightly so. However, outside of these spectacular, unmissable venues, what other Ireland golf courses are must-plays for your next Irish trip? Read our guide.

Enjoy the best courses in Ireland

Ireland golf courses offer some of the best play in the world, with each location delivering a unique experience.

From dramatic elevations and intimidating scenery to championship links-style courses and seaside scenery, golf in Ireland lets you experience it all. Plus, away from the course, you’ll be treated to great Irish hospitality.

Whether you’re staying at a luxurious countryside resort or a boutique hotel in a quaint golfing village .

No matter which part of the country your trip takes you to, you’ll never visit two courses the same. Here’s our pick of the best courses in Ireland in each region:

Royal County Down

The Championship Links course at Royal County Down is world-renowned, and is one of Northern Ireland’s best courses . With challenging play at every turn and breathtaking scenery, this course is also a firm favorite of many golfing greats.

Portmarnock

For players keen to test their skills, 19-time host of the Irish Open, Portmarnock , is the ideal choice. With three bodies of water surrounding the course, you can expect challenging winds and spectacular views.

Ballybunion

Golf in the southwest of Ireland is hard to beat when you’ve got the chance to play courses like Ballybunion , as well as other must-play southwest courses . The 36-hole links Old Course is ranked as one of the best in the world, with unique holes that make this course a must-play on any Ireland golf trip.

The Dunes championship links course at Enniscrone is one of northwest Ireland’s best-ranked courses . Offering dramatic dunes and unrivaled views of Killala Bay, you won’t want to miss this course on your vacation.

Best golf resorts and accommodations for an Ireland golf vacation

While golf may be the primary purpose of your trip, resort amenities and accommodations are key considerations too. Whether you’re embarking on a golf tour and require several stays across a region, or you’re keen to make the most of your trip from one location, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at one of Ireland’s most prestigious resorts. 

Golf aside, here are some of the best accommodation options in Ireland:

Adare Manor – Host of the 2027 Ryder Cup, the luxurious Adare Manor in Limerick is an excellent choice for golf trips in the southwest of Ireland. With an 18-hole golf course, 5-star rooms and amenities, and a tranquil spa, there’s little reason to leave. 

Grand Central Belfast – Nestled in the heart of Belfast City, Grand Central comprises 300 luxury bedrooms, an award-winning restaurant, and a stunning rooftop lounge. This hotel is a great base for trips to Northern Ireland’s famed golf courses, as well as exploring what the city has to offer .

The Bushmills Inn – Another excellent choice for golf trips in Northern Ireland, The Bushmills Inn offers a complementary blend of traditional and modern amenities. With bedroom suites each offering a unique experience, and a fine dining restaurant in which to unwind after a day’s play, this four-star hotel has it all.

The Davenport   – For those planning to explore the golf courses in and around Dublin , The Davenport is a much-loved choice of accommodation. Here, you’ll find contemporary bedrooms, luxury amenities, and premium dining options. You’ll also be within walking distance of Dublin’s top attractions.

Ebrington Derry – If you’re planning a golf tour of Northern Ireland , a stay at the Ebrington in Derry, Londonderry is a must. This four-star spa hotel has everything you need, from a city central location to modern bedrooms and outstanding dining options.

The Killarney Park – The southwest is home to some of the best courses in Ireland, so it comes as no surprise that the accommodation options here are world-class too. The Killarney Park Hotel is a five-star hotel offering indulgent rooms, a relaxing spa, and a prime location for exploring the vibrant towns nearby. 

Great Southern Killarney – For golfers seeking a little history and culture in southwest Ireland , the Great Southern Killarney is the ideal choice. With striking original Victorian features, six acres of stunning gardens, and an effortlessly luxurious interior, you’re sure to feel at home here.

More reasons to visit Ireland

Golf in Ireland is exhilarating, challenging, and unique. But there are plenty of other exciting things to see and do on the Emerald Isle either side of tee time.

Ireland has some of the most picturesque natural beauty spots in the world. From the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry on the south west of the island to Achill Island on the west coast and the Mourne Mountains on the east. If you’re taking a scenic road trip through the country, you’ll also find historic castles, lively cities, and rich heritage.

Breathtaking landscapes aside, you simply cannot visit Ireland without sipping a glass of Irish whiskey or drinking a pint of Guinness.

You’ll never experience a better stout than when you are enjoying the warm welcome of a quaint pub while listening to traditional Irish music and sampling local delicacies.

For capital city lovers, Dublin is a city full of life, fun, and excellent experiences. We’ve narrowed down some of the must-do activities in Dublin so you can make the most of your time there. However, there is so much to do in this city that you may need to extend your trip.

Alongside the incredible golf in Ireland, whatever you do and wherever you stay, you’ll make friends and memories to last a lifetime.

Where to play on your Ireland golf trip

Northern ireland.

Royal County Down Royal Portrush Portstewart Castlerock Ardglass

Southwest Ireland

Ballybunion Adare Manor Lahinch Old Head Tralee Waterville

Northwest Ireland

Enniscrone Rosapenna Ballyliffin Donegal Carne

Dublin & The East

Portmarnock Royal Dublin Jameson Golf Links The European Club The Island

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” W.B Yeats

Take an Ireland golf vacation with Premier Golf

Premier Golf has been arranging Ireland golf trips since 1988, so we know a thing or two about planning the perfect vacation here. With a full-time office in the country and close relationships with ground handlers, you can rest assured that you will be well looked after when booking a trip through us.

When you first arrive in Ireland, you can expect to be greeted by a Premier Golf representative. Instead of leaving things to chance and the luck of the Irish, our teams will help you with everything you need to get your Ireland golf tour off to the best start.

Our golf travel specialists take pride in developing specific programs for each trip, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. With direct flights from multiple US cities, and a warm Irish welcome guaranteed, Ireland provides an ideal golfing vacation.

Get in touch with our representatives to create your custom luxury golfing break in Ireland.

Ireland Golf Reviews

Thank you for making it happen.

We loved ALL the courses. Adding St Patrick’s was really special. So glad Bill Hogan suggested it.

Adare was our least favorite, but everyone agreed it was ideal for the day we got off the plane to practice for the tournament we ran on the final four courses. Everyone’s favorite was Royal County Down (and mi ne especially because I had 3 birdies including the 18th!).

Drumshanbo was a huge hit. The Shed Distillery tour was fun, and we got a kick out of how everyone in the town knew about our helicopter within an hour. .

Wonderful Trip & Service

Thank you for all your guidance and help on our tour of Ireland. Allan O’Connor’s service – quick response and dealing with whatever we threw at him with a smile is really what made this trip so great.

Ireland is a beautiful country and I cannot wait to return on another trip with Premier Golf.

Thank you so much again for all you have done to make this dream of ours a reality.

Thank You Premier

Northern Ireland was a blast. We were there with the Davidson group and the hotels Bushmills and Slieve Donard were very nice. Our driver was a true gentlemen and took great care of us. Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were our favorite courses, and Ardglass and Ballyliffin were great surprises. I’m so glad we had a driver because after golf we had some of the local Bushmills product each day in the golf clubhouses. 🙂 Next time we will spend more time in Belfast, there is so much to do there. Our half-day tour was not enough, but overall the trip was superb. Thanks to Bill and Matthew and Allan for all the hard work.

Better than advertised!

We worked with your company and Bill Hogan set up the trip. When we got to Ireland Allan had everything perfect, and we wish we could have stayed longer. Kinsale was a nice town to start, and Killarney was our base for five nights to play the courses around that area. Loved Ballybunion and Waterville , they are spectacular. Our last round was at Lahinch and that might have been he best course of the bunch. Thank you to the team at Premier for the great time. We’ll be back!

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Ireland Golf FAQs

It is estimated that there are more than 400 golf courses in Ireland, including both 9 and 18-hole courses. For a country its size, Ireland has a lot of golf courses. Three of Ireland’s most prestigious courses are Royal County Down , Royal Portrush , and Portmarnock .

The oldest golf course in Ireland is The Royal Curragh Golf Club, located in the heathland of the Curragh in County Kildare. There are records of a match being played there as early as 1852. Other old courses in the country include Royal Belfast (1881) & Royal Dublin (1885).

There are four key regions for golf in Ireland, each with its own charms and unique offers:

• Northern Ireland and the North Coast – Visit the home of some of the most challenging and famous links courses, including Royal County Down, Portstewart, Castlerock, Ballyliffin, and Royal Portrush. 
• Southwest Ireland – Find the highest concentration of world-ranked courses like Ballybunion, Waterville, Lahinch, Old Head, and Tralee here.
• Dublin and East Ireland – Get a mixture of sights and golf in the capital, with fantastic links courses such as the European Club, The Island and Portmarnock, and parkland courses including The K Club. 
• Northwest Ireland – Discover hidden gems and undiscovered courses, including natural and rugged links like Donegal, Enniscrone, Carne, and St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna.

These are just some of the key regions for golf in Ireland, but given the sheer number of golf courses here, you’re sure to find more places to play on your trip.

The best time for an Ireland golf trip is subjective for most people and depends on budget, preferred weather, interests, and availability. Generally, however, the golf travel season in Ireland is from April to October when the weather is favorable, and courses are in peak condition. 

To avoid the crowds, the shoulder months of April and October offer greater value, but you must pack warmly and prepare for wind and rain. We recommend May and September, a month after the season begins and a month before the season ends, respectively, to ensure better weather and fewer crowds.

The cost to play golf in Ireland varies depending on the season, currency, course, package, etc. Generally, playing in the off-season or either side of the peak season costs less. Northern Ireland golf packages can cost more than similar tours in other parts of Ireland, and it’s worth noting that Northern Ireland uses the British Pound and not the Euro.

The courses you choose on your Ireland golf trip will also affect the rates, with the most prestigious resorts commanding higher prices. 

At Premier Golf, we offer 6-night, 6-round packages that start at $3,900 per golfer.

There are plenty of stay-and-play golf packages available all over Ireland. The best stay-and-play options for you will depend on what type of experience you’re looking for. Factors to consider include availability, weather, preferred courses, and budget.

To offer an expansive and full experience, we have 4 recommended stay-and-play packages in Ireland; Northern Ireland , The South West , Dublin & East Ireland , and The North West . Each golf tour allows you to sample entire regions for a complete and well-rounded experience.

Like many things, the best courses in Ireland will be subjective. However, based on sources that provide rankings of golf courses in Ireland, the courses considered the best by golfing enthusiasts, pros, and architects include Royal Portrush , Royal County Down , Ballybunion , Lahinch , Rosapenna & Portmarnock .

There are several ways to book a golf tour in Ireland, depending on your preferences and budget. 

The easiest option is to book via a travel agency. Ireland golf packages are designed to include almost everything you will need on a golfing trip here. For instance, Premier Golf specializes in luxury golf tours to Ireland, with a team based in Killarney that will take care of everything for you. 

You could also book a trip yourself via online platforms, booking travel and accommodation separately. You’ll need to check tee times and act as a one-person golf tour agency in this case. This option is a little higher risk as certain courses have restrictions and requirements, such as the need for a caddie. 

A final option is to book via a local golf resort or club, where stay-and-play packages include accommodation and golfing among other amenities.

Depending on which option you choose, your experience will vary.

Several major golf tournaments have been played in Ireland over the years. The most prestigious golf tournament to be held here is the Open Championship, which is one of the four major championships in professional golf. The 153rd edition of the Open Championship is scheduled to take place in 2025 at the iconic Royal Portrush Golf Club . 

In addition, the 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor , having previously been played at the K Club in 2006.

Your Irish Golf Dreams Come True

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Plan your golf tour

Organising your dream golf trip to Ireland is easy with SWING Golf. Choose from our selection of Ireland’s world renowned golf courses, send us your details, and we will do the rest.

Starting from € 1,080 per person

View packages

Our popular Irish golf packages take the leg work out of planning your golf trip. Choose a package and we can help you customise it to suit your group.

Meet the team

When you book your golf trip to Ireland with SWING, you’ll receive personal attention from the outset. Our team is based in Kerry in the heartland of Irish golf in Kerry. We have decades of experience helping golfers plan their dream tour in Ireland.

We guarantee you a friendly welcome, smooth planning, glorious golf and plenty of craic (fun). SWING Golf Ireland will make your golf tour dreams come true.

Golf courses by region

Select a region.

Mount Juliet Golf Club

Par 72 • Parkland, Resort

Royal Belfast Golf Club

Par 70 • Parkland

Waterville Golf Club

Par 72 • Links

Trump International Doonbeg

Par 72 • Links, Resort

Tralee Golf Club

The K Club Golf Course

The Island Golf Club

Par 71 • Links

The European Golf Club

Strandhill Golf Club

Par 70 • Links

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Royal Dublin Golf Club

Royal County Down Golf Club

Rosapenna Golf Resort

Par 70 • Links, Resort

Portstewart Golf Club

Portsalon Golf Club

Portmarnock Resort and Jameson Golf Links

Par 71 • Links, Resort

Portmarnock Golf Club

Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club

Narin and Portnoo Golf Club

Par 73 • Links

Lahinch Golf Club

Killarney Golf and Fishing Club

Par 72 • Parkland

Galway Bay Golf Resort

Enniscrone Golf Club

Druid’s Glen Golf Club

Ring of Kerry Golf Club

Par 73 • Parkland

Dromoland Castle Golf Club

Dooks Golf Links

Donegal Golf Club

Dingle Golf Links, Ceann Sibéal

County Sligo Golf Club (Rosses Point)

County Louth Golf Club, Baltray

Cork Golf Club

Connemara Golf Club

Castlerock Golf Club

Carton House Golf Club

Carne Golf Links

Ballyliffin Golf Club

Par • Links

Ardglass Golf Club

Adare Manor Golf Club

Ballybunion Golf Club

Castlemartyr Golf Club

Par 72 • Resort

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We book golf breaks and luxury golf tours in Ireland

We’re in the business of creating unforgettable golfing experiences in Ireland and are dedicated to making your time in Ireland as enjoyable and seamless as possible.

We book golf breaks and tours in Ireland

As one of Ireland leading golf travel experts, we take great pride in creating itineraries that’ll give golfers an unforgettable golfing experience. It’s our goal to make your trip to Ireland as enjoyable and seamless as possible.

What sets us apart?

We're passionate about offering our clients first-class customer service, from the moment we receive first contact until you leave our beautiful island. When booking with us, you will have a dedicated travel expert who will liaise with you right throughout the process. 

Why book with us?

When booking your next golf trip through our travel services, we'll do our very best to offer you as much flexibility as possible. We use our relationships with our partners to ensure our clients get the best payment terms. We will look after you every step of the way! 

What's our flexible booking approach?

Simply contact us through our website, email, or phone, and you’ll be assigned a dedicate golf travel expert. Once contact has been made, you’ll be asked a few questions which allow us to get a better understanding of what you would like to achieve from your golf trip to Ireland. 

Where do I start?

Once you’ve liaised with your dedicated golf travel expert and found a suitable trip, you’ll receive a detailed itinerary, outlining each aspect of the trip. From here, we’ll look after the rest and you can look forward to enjoying an experience of a lifetime.  

What happens when I make a booking?

Our travel services, where to next.

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Dublin & East Coast Ireland

Golf in Ireland.

Golfing in Ireland is simply spectacular and surely a bucket-list item for any golf enthusiast. Our small, but beautiful island, is home to over 25% of the natural links courses in the world, along with a number of well-known parkland courses. Adding this our unrivalled reputation for great hospitality, a golfing trip to Ireland is a must!

We are Ireland's leading golf travel experts

Welcome to the travel services of mygolfGroup. We’re in the business of creating unforgettable golfing experiences in Ireland and are dedicated to making your time in Ireland as enjoyable and seamless as possible. We’re blessed to have one of the most experienced team of golf experts in the country, who are passionate about offering our clients excellent customer service.

Golf in Ireland 2025 Brochure

Download our brochure and start planning your next golfing experience in Ireland.

Lets Play Thru

We recently had the pleasure of inviting the guys from Let’s Play Thru over to Ireland, to experience the popular South West Golf Itinerary. During the golf tour, we played Trump Doonbeg, Lahinch Golf Club, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Tralee Golf Club, and finished off at Ballybunion Golf Club. Golfing in Ireland is simply spectacular, and this itinerary is surely a bucket-list item for any golf enthusiast.

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Speak with our dedicated team of golf experts for tailored golf trips to Ireland.

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Irish Golf Tours. Everything that’s great about golf in Ireland.

Featured tours, classic links south west.

Old Head Golf Links / Ballybunion / Waterville Golf Links / Dooks / Tralee / Lahinch

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Classic Links North

Portstewart / Royal Portrush / Castlerock / Ardglass / Royal County Down

Classic Links East Coast

Royal Dublin / Seapoint Golf Links / Portmarnock / The European Club / County Louth / The Island

The Irish Golf Tours Experience

Over three decades of tailoring the best of the best in irish golf tours..

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Michael, Thanks for all you did relative to the Irish tour. Our week in Ireland was fabulous and we have already recommended you to several others.

Michael, thank you for the wonderful job on our Ireland trip. The Killarney Park Hotel was magnificent and the town is wonderful. Everything worked like clockwork. But the best part was Kevin, the driver. He was charming, knowledgeable and very warm. We had a great trip and will tell our friends who want to go to Ireland about your company.

Michael, Thanks for all you did relative to the Irish tour - our week in Ireland was fabulous and we have already recommended you to several others. Thanks again

Had fantastic time! Will be back next year. Ger the driver was awesome. Made the entire trip much better.

Our holiday in Ireland was even better than last year and that we enjoyed every course we played. I also want to thank you for your attention and for the organization of our holidays, which was absolutely perfect: the hotels were all comfortable, the courses, beautiful, so we just had to concentrate in our golf.

Thought you would like to know that we had a fantastic golf trip and great weather. Our accomodations have been exceptional. Thank you for the follow up and especially for our day golfing together at Adare. This has truly been an incredible trip with many treasured memories!!

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Featured Sample Tours

Southern classic.

Courses: Tralee, Ballybunion Old, The Island, Portmarnock , Lahinch, Trump International Doonbeg , Old Head of Kinsale .

Accommodation: Blue Haven Hotel , 19th Lodge, Ballybunion, Portmarnock Hotel & Links, Trump International Hotel, Ireland .

Dublin Experience

Courses: The European Club , K Club, The Island, Royal Dublin, Portmarnock .

Accommodation: Shelbourne Hotel .

Northern Swing Tour

Courses: Royal County Down , Ardglass Golf Club, Portstewart, Royal Portrush .

Accommodation: Slieve Donard Hotel, Bushmills Inn .

East Coast Classic

Courses: The Island, Portmarnock , Royal County Down , Ardglass Golf Club, Portstewart, Royal Portrush .

Accommodation: Portmarnock Hotel & Links, Slieve Donard Hotel, Bushmills Inn .

Ireland Classic

Courses: Tralee, Ballybunion Old, Lahinch, Trump International Doonbeg .

Accommodation: 19th Lodge, Ballybunion, Dromoland Castle .

Northern Classic

Courses: Ballyliffin, Portstewart, Royal Portrush .

Accommodation: Bushmills Inn .

Featured Golf Courses

• Old Head of Kinsale
• Trump International Doonbeg

Championship

• Ballyliffin
• Rosapenna Golf Club
• Ardglass Golf Club
• Royal County Down
• Ballybunion Old

Featured Accommodation

• Adare Manor
• Shelbourne Hotel
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Featured Tours

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. The Deluxe Southern Tour is a luxury golf tour of Ireland...

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. Dublin Experience is a luxury golf tour of Ireland that combines...

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. Northern Swing Tour is a luxury golf tour of Ireland that...

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. East Coast Classic is a luxury golf tour of Ireland that...

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. Deluxe Ireland Classic is a luxury golf tour of Ireland that...

Golf Ireland specialize in exceptional golf tours of Ireland, providing a range of golf travel packages to suit all specifications and budgets. Northern Classic is a luxury golf tour of Ireland that combines...

Featured Accomodation

Situated in the heart of Adare Village in County Limerick, Ireland – Adare Manor, a luxury Five Star Hotel and Golf Resort...

The K Club luxury five star hotel Ireland boasts 69-room and Apartments, a grand Irish country retreat, set amid 550-acres...

With a seamless blend of traditional luxury and contemporary convenience, The Shelbourne Dublin, A Renaissance Hotel provides...

Named Best Irish Hotel at the prestigious Travel Media Awards, 2012 and Best 4 star hotel in Ireland at the Irish Hotel and...

Located alongside the historic University College Cork, Hayfield Manor is set within a beautiful secluded walled garden and...

Close to the village of Doonbeg, out on the water's edge, sits one of Europe's most distinguished 5-star destinations, the...

Savour your first glimpse of this majestic castle and its enchanting lake, as you pass through the castle gates. This was...

Belfast is a city on the up-and-up, and in the middle of it all is Malmaison Belfast. Once a seed warehouse, it has been...

Featured Course

18 holes - 6,650 yards - SSS 72

Although only opened in 1997, the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links is quite simply one of the most remarkable developments...

18 holes - 6,885 yards - SSS 74

Located near Lahinch, the Doonbeg Golf Links contains so much beauty, it took designer Greg Norman's breath away and that...

18 holes - 6,882 yards - SSS 74

Lahinch Golf Club is one of the most respected links courses in the world. With its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways,...

Old Course 6,046 yards - SSS 71, Glashedy Links 6,494 yards - SSS 72

Two outstanding, contrasting links courses and 36 wonderful holes make up Ballyliffin Golf Club.

18 holes - 6,254 yards - SSS 71

Rosapenna golf course is a superb championships links designed by Tom Morris of St Andrews in 1893 and redesigned by James...

18 holes -5,767 yards - SSS 70

"Anything left of the tee, falls into the worlds largest water hazard, the Irish Sea." Toronto Star.

18 holes -7,037 yards - SSS 71

Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea" that's where you'll find The Royal County Down Golf Club, one of Ireland's...

18 holes - 6,542 yards - SSS 72

Consistently rated as one of the world's greatest golf courses, the Old Course offers the ultimate links golfing challenge....

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Golf Breaks in Ireland

Why book a golf break in ireland.

✅ Full of natural links courses ✅ Spectacular views & dramatic rugged coastlines ✅ Irish charm, pubs, cuisine & culture ✅ Fantastic resorts & the Wild Atlantic Way

A golf break in Ireland is guaranteed to be an absolutely unforgettable experience. There is no doubt that the country is littered with some of the world's most fantastic golf courses, offering some of the purest golfing experiences, but the landscape is also adorned with many top resorts and hotels.

The Emerald Isle is home to an abundance of coastal Championship links , beautiful inland layouts and world famous hospitality, add to this the superb nightlife and numerous points of cultural and historical interest make Ireland interesting for all, and without doubt, the Irish golf tour experience is truly magnificent.

Visiting the K Club's Ryder Cup complex, and the incredible resorts at Carton House & Druids Glen , not only will you experience the phenomenal courses, you will also understand Ireland's reputation for its warm welcome & legendary hospitality. Golf holidays in Ireland at these resorts are perfect for a relaxing Sunday Driver or while the golfers battle the famous Irish elements, fellow travellers can enjoy the first class leisure and spa facilities that the best golf break destinations ensure.

Wether you take a weekend break at a resort, a few days touring the wonderful courses or a week travelling full length of the Wild Atlantic Way , Ireland has so much to offer the visiting golfer.

Our guide to the best golf resorts in Ireland .

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Golf in Ireland

Surrounding the lively & attractive capital of Dublin are numerous golf resorts offering spectacular countryside settings. If you fancy a bit of history and culture during your trip then Cork & the Blarney Stone is a must visit along with some wonderful layouts like Old Head & Fota Island Resort . Breathtaking scenery & spectacular courses can be found in the South West, Killarney is a tranquil & serene retreat of unimaginable beauty while the likes of Ballybunion , Lahinch & Tralee provide incredible golf.

The North West coast of Ireland may be slightly remote but it provides exceptional golf, Ballyliffin and Rosapenna are great traditional links, with fantastic scenery and of course great hospitality. Last but certainly not least is Northern Ireland, base yourself in the thriving capital city of Belfast with golf packages that allow you to experience the wonderful layouts of Royal County Down , Royal Portrush and Royal Belfast .

Our guide to playing the best golf courses in Ireland .

Best destinations for a golf break in ireland, east ireland.

Vibrant lifestyle, picturesque countryside, exciting nightlife, world renowned golf courses and enjoy a drink of the black stuff at the Guinness Storehouse.

A golf break to the Dublin area can be enormously fun and is the perfect place to enjoy a golfing trip.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for an East Ireland golf break:

• Druids Glen Resort
• Carton House

Portmarnock Golf Club

• Killeen Castle

South West Ireland

Ireland's South West tends to benefit from a warmer climate providing a greater variety of links and parkland courses than the rest of Ireland.

The vibrant town of Killarney is a popular base for golfing groups allowing easy access to some of Europe’s best links courses.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a South West Ireland golf break:

• Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort
• Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
• Trump International Golf Links

Tralee Golf Club

Northern ireland.

A visit to the home of champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke & Graeme McDowell offers the chance of playing some of the best golf courses in the world.

The towns of Belfast, Derry and Portrush will provide visiting golfers with a warm welcome, great atmosphere, award-winning food and picturesque scenery.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a Northern Ireland golf break:

• Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort
• Lough Erne Resort

Royal County Down

Royal portrush, north west ireland.

North West Ireland combines an outstanding array of links courses with rugged coastlines accompanied by beautiful beaches for the perfect golf break.

Choose to play clifftop layouts with the wind whipping off the Atlantic or the more idyllic countryside courses with flowing rivers and loughs.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a North West Ireland golf break:

• Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort
• Castle Dargan Hotel, Golf & Spa
• Ballyliffin Golf Club
• County Sligo Golf Club

The area of Cork & Kinsale is regarded by many as the gem of the South of Ireland where golfers can expect a warm welcome and a true passion for the game of golf.

Scenic countryside, vast mountain ranges and tranquil lake settings combined with a rugged coastline and breathtaking courses means the area is well worth a visit.

Top golf courses & golf resorts for a County Cork golf break:

• Fota Island Resort
• Castlemartyr Resort
• Old Head Golf Links
• Cork Golf Club

Popular Golf Tours in Ireland

Galway Dublin Belfast Ballyliffin & Letterkenny Doonbeg & Co. Clare Wicklow Kildare

Best Golf Courses for a Golf Break in Ireland

Newcastle, Co. Down

• Ranked best course in Europe and 4th best worldwide • Designed by Old Tom Morris, 3 time Irish Open host • Sensational backdrop of the Slieve Donard Mountains and The Irish Sea • Rory Mcilroy's favourite golf course

County Antrim

• Dunluce Links course is ranked 2nd best in Ireland, 15th in the world • Only Irish course to host The Open Championship (2019 & 1951) • Home course to both Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell • A classic Harry Colt designed seaside links with sensational ocean views

Lahinch Golf Club

Lahinch, Co. Clare

• Ranked 2nd best course in Ireland, top 20 in the UK and top 50 worldwide
• Founded in 1892, traditional links in style
• Host to the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Tralee, Co. Kerry

• Current layout opened in 1984, the course was the first in Europe to be designed by Arnold Palmer
• Traditional links in style, with undulating fairways and towering dunes
• Picturesque views across the course

Portmarnock, Co. Dublin

• Championship course ranked 3rd best in Ireland and in the worlds top 50
• Host to the Irish Open (19 times), The Walker Cup, and the British Amateur Championships
• Views across the Irish Sea from the majority of holes
• 10 miles North of Dublin and 15-minutes from Dublin airport

European Club

Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow

• The 4th ranked course in Ireland and within the world top 100
• Designed by the famous architect Pat Ruddy in 1993
• The course feels very natural and as though it has been there for a century

Reasons to visit Ireland for a Golf Break

• Home to the Irish Open
• Best collection of links golf courses on the planet
• Six courses ranked in the Top 50 in the World
• Perfect for extended golf tours
• Outstanding pubs and music
• Enjoy legendary Irish food and hospitality

Golf Breaks in Ireland are recommended for

Championship golf.

Ireland generally plays host to one tournament each year on the European Tour: the Irish Open. The event enjoys one of the largest galleries on the tour & moves around the country’s top courses, with Portmarnock hosting the tournament an unprecedented 13 times.

In addition to hosting the Irish Open, Mount Juliet has hosted the World Golf Championship twice; which saw Tiger Woods set a tournament record of 25 under-par. Other tournament venues include the Heritage Golf Resort & Druids Glen Golf Resort , both hosting the Seve Trophy.

The K Club's Palmer course hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. Darren Clarke produced a courageous performance inspiring Europe to a 18.5 to 9.5 victory. Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland remains the only Irish venue to have hosted the Open Championship.

Druids Glen is home to two parkland gems, one of which is ranked among the best inland courses in the country, and a top class hotel that serves as the perfect base for tour of Dublin or simply a top value weekend trip with a group. Carton House is a similar prospect, with two vastly different courses (always a winner with societies) located within 40 minutes from Dublin.

One of the real hidden gems of the Emerald Isle is the unheralded Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links . Situated on the north west coast, these two outstanding links courses are simply spectacular. Not recommended for the faint hearted, but if you ask any Irish golfer for the best layouts in the country, these two will definitely feature.

Whether you are looking for relaxation or a spot of romance, there are few better settings for it than Ireland’s gorgeous countryside. The award-winning restaurant & spa at Powerscourt Hotel caters perfectly for couples with brilliant facilities, stunning scenery & close proximity to Dublin while another great golf hotel close to the Capital is Knightsbrook Golf Resort .

Mount Juliet , situated just a short drive south from the medieval city of Kilkenny, is another beautiful hotel offering comprehensive facilities. Set in raw Irish countryside, Adare Manor offers the full 5* experience with the added convenience of easy access to Killarney's selection of restaurants & bars.

Many resorts in Ireland offer Golf & Spa options so there is something to keep both you & your partner entertained.

Dublin is the obvious and best choice for night time entertainment in Ireland, with countless bars and pubs crammed into the city centre. There are a huge selection of venues located within a short drive of a the capital, headed by Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links which is just 15 minutes from the city and only five minutes from Malahide with its bars, restaurants and nightclub.

If venturing to the north, the Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club is only 10 minutes from Belfast and while it’s a 5* venue, it’s certainly fantastic value for money. In the west, the Killarney Plaza Hotel is situated bang in the middle of Killarney in walking distance of all the town’s bars, pubs and restaurants, and is a great base to access the wealth of brilliant golf courses in the area.

Luxury Golf Hotels

For a luxury Irish golf break, it’s hard to look past The K Club Golf & Spa Resort . One of the finest resorts in the world, with two championship courses, Ryder Cup pedigree & 5* accommodation, this really is a bucketlist venue for the serious golfer.

Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa is situated in a beautiful corner of County Cork boasting picturesque 27-holes of golf with lots of water. This is very much a new age 5* venue with the highest quality rooms, dining & spa facilities.

The Heritage Golf Resort & Spa is another top-class 5* destination, popular with weddings due to its quality, with a fantastic spa & championship golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jeff Howes.

Slieve Russell is one Ireland's leading all round resorts offering guests both luxurious accommodation alongside plenty of excellent amenities.

Talk to an Expert on Ireland

So many links courses to choose from, you could spend weeks here playing a different course each day.

Give Sam a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break to Ireland.

Golf Travel tips for Ireland

The Emerald Isle sees golf reach it's high season from May - September with thousands of golfers heading to the great links golf courses and Championship layouts which have features within so many of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World.

Some courses do restrict or close during the winter months so planning well in advance is recommended. With many of the golf courses within easy reach of bustling towns and cities, golf is enjoyed in Ireland year round but you can expect a shower or two during the course of your stay.

Travel by Ferry With 28 daily sailings over 4 routes on the Irish Sea why not swap the stresses of airline travel, pack the clubs into the boot and travel over to Ireland with Stena Line ferries .

Everything to Know about Golf Breaks in Ireland

What can we say about golf in Ireland, where lush green landscapes and world-class golf courses await! In this captivating journey through Ireland, we'll explore renowned courses such as Druids Glen (the Augusta National of Ireland), The K Club, and The European Club and so many more! Uncover what makes Ireland a golfer's dream destination and an unforgettable holiday experience.

But Ireland isn't just about golf; it's a land steeped in culture, history, and hospitality. Between rounds, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin, explore ancient castles, sample the finest whiskies, or embark on a scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way. With its warm hospitality and breathtaking landscapes, Ireland offers a holiday experience like no other.

Frequently asked questions about Golf Breaks in Ireland

Ireland is home to numerous Top 100 Golf Courses, the best golf resorts in Ireland are Druids Glen Golf Resort (Co. Wicklow), Carton House (Co. Kildare), Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links (Co. Donegal), The K Club Resort (Co. Kildare), Castle Dargan Golf Resort (Co. Sligo), Castlemartyr Resort (Co. Cork), Lough Erne (Northern Ireland), Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg (Co. Clare) and Galgorm Resort (Northern Ireland). Some of the best golf courses in Ireland include Royal County Down (Championship), Royal Portrush (Dunluce Links), Lahinch Golf Club (Old course), Portmarnock (Championship course), The European Club , Waterville Golf Links , Trump International Golf Links , County Sligo , The Island and Ballyliffin (Co. Donegal), (Glashedy Links).

Golfers looking to stay in Dublin will find the best stay and play resorts at Portmarnock Links just North of the City and Carton House and The K Club just South of Dublin. Those venturing into the South East will find a superb championship resort at Fota Island and those seeking some links experiences can head East to play Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg in the South and Rosapenna Golf Resorts in the North.

Golfers looking for both a day on the golf course and a relaxing spa before or after are going to find their excellent options at The K Club near Dublin, Druids Glen just South of Dublin and Fota Island in the South East near Cork. These spas include a host of facilities to enjoy with a range of treatments as well as access to some of the best championship golf courses in Ireland.

Contact us today and we'll start helping you plan your very own custom golf holiday.

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Your next golf trip to Ireland: Why you should consider these 15 hidden gems

We’re hearing you better act quick if you plan to travel overseas. Many of the most popular destinations for international travelers are booking up for 2022—and some even for 2023. Golf in Ireland is back after restrictions limited travel for much of the past two years.

Though you likely have courses like Ballybunion Old (No. 17 on Golf Digest’s most recent World 100 ranking) and Royal County Down in Northern Ireland (No. 1 on ours and most World 100 lists) in your sights, we’re here to point you to some hidden gems worth trying to get to. Perhaps these courses will have more availability in the next year or two … even more reason to head there.

With help from our friends at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR , they helped us identify these hidden gems in Ireland.

Dublin/East :

Mixing some sightseeing and golf in and around Dublin is a trip we don’t need to sell you on. It’s a trip any golfer needs to do once in their life. And if you’re planning to do it in the next year or two, we’re here to help.

County Louth, Baltray, Co. Louth

Laurence C Lambrecht

Other Irish gems get more fanfare, but it’s possible County Louth (above) is the best course in Ireland you don’t know about. Ranked in the top 100 of Golf Digest’s “Best Courses Outside the United States” in years past, County Louth ranked sixth in our most recent Best in Ireland list . Tom Simpson worked on an existing layout back in 1938 to create the fabulous links you can play today. Shane Lowry won the Irish Open as an amateur here back in 2009.

Royal Dublin Golf Club

Harry S. Colt repaired and revamped Dublin’s oldest course after the grounds served as a musket training site during World War I. Martin Hawtree did some work to the gentle, mostly flat but rolling land in the early 2000s.

Portmarnock Hotel & G. Links

Located on the original Jameson estate, the Portmarnock Hotel & G. Links is a relatively new, Bernard Langer-designed resort layout that sits on the Irish Sea. It ranked 13th on Golf Digest’s most recent Best in Ireland rankings.

For trip planning purposes, these courses are all proper to pair with the above:

Portmarnock (Old)

The European Club

Interested in booking one of these trips? Click here to start pricing out your trip with our friends at Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR, or call them: (+1) 843.779.7134.

South West Ireland

One of Ireland’s most naturally beautiful regions is the South West, with its rugged outcroppings and rolling topography. That makes the golf in the area so, so good—and though many of the courses are on your radar already, we’re here to tell you about a few others.

Dooks Golf Club

"STEVE CARR GOLF"

A stunning, rolling piece of natural dunesland can be found at Dooks Golf Club, 35 minutes from Killarney. The club was founded in 1889, making it one of the country’s oldest—but Martin Hawtree came in and renovated the course in 2006, securing it as being a must-add to your trip to the area.

Dingle Golf Links

Locals refer to it as Ceann Sibeal as the links sits right on the end of the Dingle Peninsula with incredible views of Dingle Bay and the mountainous Blasket Islands. You’ll have to drive a little out of your way to get to Dingle Golf Links, but you’ll find an open, links layout that feels like it’s been around for hundreds of years—though it was only built in the 1970s.

Like we said, the golf in this region needs no introduction. Trips to Killarney, Shannon and Cork should all include:

Ballybunion

Adare Manor

North West Ireland

Perhaps Ireland’s most underrated region for golf, the Emerald Isle’s dramatic northwest coast is home to numerous hidden gems that stand up with the country’s best.

Enniscrone Golf Club

Enniscrone boasts 27 links holes perched on a peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. Towering dunes line many holes and create a stunning setting on the aptly named Dunes course, which features dramatic undulations and scenic vistas.

Carne Golf Links

Hardly any land was moved in creating Carne, resulting in tees and greens nestled among the dramatic sand-covered dunes that resemble the lunar landscape. A third nine was built in 2013 on the most dramatic part of the property and is incorporated into the original design on every second day.

Donegal Golf Club

Situated on the tip of Murvagh peninsula, Donegal draws comparisons to Muirfield for its distinctive layout that runs in two large loops. Unlike many courses along Ireland’s rugged northwest coast, Donegal is relatively flat and presents subtle undulations and strategic bunkering.

County Sligo Golf Club

The 27 holes at County Sligo offer intriguing variety with dramatic elevation changes, forced carries and meandering burns. Several elevated tees provide scenic panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding mountains.

Narin & Portnoo Golf Links

Gil Hanse and his design partner Jim Wagner recently renovated this rustic layout, bringing to life the natural features that make this seaside links compelling. The revitalized Narin & Portnoo offers a blend of tight doglegs and generous fairways, with soaring dunes, raised greens and natural bunkering present throughout.

Rosapenna Golf Resort

Three hidden gems await at Rosapenna , located in the very north of Ireland, including the Old Tom Morris Links (designed by its namesake in 1893) and the Tom Doak-designed St. Patrick’s Links, which opened in 2021.

Ballyliffin Golf Club

Ballyliffin is Ireland’s northernmost golf club and, with two championship links courses, is widely regarded as the country’s finest 36-hole facility. The Glashedy Links , the younger (and longer) of the two courses, hosted the 2018 Irish Open, won by Scotland’s Russell Knox.

Strandhill Golf Club

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Knocknarea Mountain with views of both, Strandhill plays just 6,350 yards from the tips but challenges golfers with imposing dunes and intriguing green complexes.

Northern Ireland

Anytime Golf Digest does a survey of bucket-list destinations, Northern Ireland is near the top of the list. And for good reason: The stunning visuals and topography (in addition to other sights to see, ala touring the Game of Thrones sites) create dramatic golf that competes with the best in the world.

In fact, the actual best course in the world, Royal County Down , can be found here. Though it’s private, travelers can inquire about getting on— click here for more information.

Of course, you must also attempt to play Royal Portrush ’s Dunluce course , which was eighth in our latest World 100 Greatest rankings, and hosted the 2019 Open Championship after the game’s oldest championship returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years. Don’t forget the Valley course as well.

Here are the other courses we’d build around:

Castlerock Golf Club (below), ranked fourth on Golf Digest’s most recent Best in Northern Ireland rankings , was altered by Harry Colt in the 1920s, cementing its places among the best links courses in the land.

Ardglass Golf Club is just down the road from Royal County Down, making it the perfect complementary loop. The back nine is splendid, all along the water with some dramatic topography. Take a breeze through the clubhouse, believed to be the oldest in the world, with part of the building dating back to 1405.

Portstewart would not make any ‘hidden gems’ list among avid architecture fans, but it can get lost in the shuffle with the amazing golf in Ireland. Ranked on Golf Digest’s most recent World 100 rankings, the Strand course .

We’ll let Golf Digest equipment editor Mike Stachura, as avid of a travel/design buff as you’ll find, describe the setting: “The first tee at the Strand is set on high dunes, like you’re surveying the kingdom, with beach and waves down to your right and all of County Antrim in front. It’s no wonder the television series 'Game of Thrones' has used the nearby land as scene-stealers.”

Thus why Northern Ireland sits at the top of nearly every traveling golfer’s bucket list.

Game of Thrones Country

Visit the locations throughout northern ireland.

Indulge in 5 Star Luxury

Taking your irish golf experience to the next level.

Customising Your Experience

Itineraries that encompasses the very best of ireland’s attractions.

Driven by quality

We take complete care of your ground transfers, customised golf tours.

South West Ireland

Epic golf courses on the wild atlantic way.

From Old Head, Cork to Lahinch in Clare this itinerary will have you playing some of Irelands Championship Links Golf Course. Travel along Irelands Wild Atlantic Way, Irelands spectacular coastal route.

Dublin & Northern Ireland

Follow the footsteps of the golfing giants.

This tour invites you to experience some of the courses on which many of the Irish golfing greats cut their teeth, including McIlroy, McDowell, Clarke, Lowry and Harrington

West & Northwest Ireland

Mystical atlantic islands on your doorstep.

The wild and untamed beauty of Ireland, captured by poets and celebrated on the silver screen, is beautifully framed on this incredible tour – with so many ‘wow’ golf experiences along the way.

Premium Personal Golf Travel in Ireland

Explore the exceptional.

You want to experience Ireland and you want to do it in style. You want to be assured tee times on some of the country’s top courses, complemented by fine hotels and a customised touring itinerary that lets you see Ireland at its most beautiful. You deserve it – along with a warm, personal touch that says ‘we hear you and we care.’

So whether you’re ticking off a bucket list goal, celebrating a milestone birthday or taking your four-ball to play Ireland’s first class links – let Scales take care of everything. From selecting the hotels that is just perfect, to luxury road transport with a personal driver to ferry you in comfort and style. From exclusive restaurant bookings to the best theatre tickets.

This is what the 3-generation-old tradition of Scales Golf and Travel is all about.

Get in Touch

Let's talk about your holiday, to discuss how we can put together a personal golf experience for you, please get in touch with us., testimonials, a word from our customers.

It is hard to imagine that we could have had a better time in Ireland or a better guide & driver than you. Thanks for showing us around and educating us on Irish history and tradition. Thanks also for going the extra mile above and beyond more than once... Thank you for sharing your wonderful count...

Linda & Jeff

My family and I returned to the U.S. yesterday afternoon. Our eight day vacation in Ireland was fabulous. A key element of our trip was engaging Scales Golf & Travel to take care of us for five days. This was a important decision for us as spending five days in close quarters with someone you have...

Patrick R. Hunt

Sullivan Golf  Travel is a family company that has been assisting golfers from all over the world with the ultimate in golf travel experiences since 2004. We are committed to offering you our customer with the highest level of service, a quality product to suit your needs and most importantly the warmest of welcomes.

From time of booking up until you depart our shores, you will  have an on call Sullivan Golf  Travel Representatives ready to assist you with any queries.

On behalf of all the staff of Sullivan Golf  Travel, we would like to pay special thanks to our excellent partners in the travel industry who are also committed to delivering the best product tailored to the needs of the golf traveler.

We do hope we can assist in delivering these promises to you someday.

Customer’s comments

Sullivan Golf Travel would be my choice and my recommendation for any trip to Ireland or to Great Britain because I know the treatment and attention to detail would surpass what any other firm had to offer. I know this because I have experienced that service and it is the best.

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St. Andrews is the Birthplace of Golf and you can apply to play this course in 2018. Click here for more info!

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The South West of Ireland is regarded as one of the great golfing area’s in the World, rightly famed for the quality of its many magnificent links.

The very mention of Golf in St. Andrews and Fife commands the attention of golfing purists everywhere. It is here that the game has its traditional home & is a pilgrimage that every golfer should take.

The variation of golf courses in England , is perhaps totally unique, especially topographically and with more golf courses than Ireland, Scotland and Wales put together, there’s plenty of options to choose from.

Select your Links Golf Course Destination

Ireland packages.

Choose your Package Ballybunion, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Waterville, Tralee, Doonbeg, Carne, Enniscrone..

Scotland Packages

Choose your Package   St. Andrews Old Course, Turnberry, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Nairn, Royal Dornoch, Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart…

England Packages

Choose your Package   Royal Birkdale, Formby, Wallasey, Royal Lytham & St. Annes,Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale,  Royal Liverpool..

• Links Golf Ireland

Where Heaven and Earth Meet

Northern ireland.

The Home of Three Major Champions & two of worlds top ten links courses in Royal Portrush & Royal County Down.

Dublin & The East

The Eastern Seaboard of Ireland has hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup & Solhiem Cup in recent times. Great selection of Links & Parkland Courses close to Irelands Capital City.

The great links of the North West Atlantic Coastline combine the excitement of truly amazing golf with some of the most beautiful unspoilt scenery in the World.

• Links Golf Scotland

Where it all began

St. andrews & fife.

The very mention of Golf in St. Andrews and Fife commands the attention of golfing purists everywhere. It is here that the game has its traditional home & is a pilgrimage that every golfer should take.

Home to Three Open Championship venues, the West Coast of Scotland gives you the opportunity historic courses with many stories to tell.

Within an hour of Edinburgh, you have a whole selection of world class links and parkland courses from Muirfield to Gleneagles. Unlike privileged courses around the globe, these fabled courses are available for public to play.

Highlands & North East

From Royal Dornoch to Royal Aberdeen, this area of Scotland may be remote but it offers the quintessential Scottish Experience with the finest scenery in the U.K.

• Links Golf England

England’s Golden West Coast

• Royal Birkdale

Founded in 1889, the Open was last played at Birkdale in 2008 when Padraig Harrington lifted the Claret Jug for back to back Open Championships. Royal Birkdale has hosted two Ryder Cups, the Walker Cup as well as Nine Open Championship.

Wallasey was founded in 1891 by members from nearby Royal Liverpool, perhaps because their links was becoming crowded. This Open Qualifying Venue was desgined by Tom Morris senior of St Andrews, four times Open champion.

Royal Lytham

One of the premier links courses in the World, Royal Lytham & St. Annes will host the 2012 Open Championship. Founded in 1896, the course has also hosted two ryder cups along with 10 British Opens.

This gem of a links courses is located near to Southport and Royal Birkdale so it is possible to play 54 holes along the train line that runs through the courses. Founded in 1912, it is a must play in this area.

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Travel Ireland Golf

Luxury golf transport ireland & uk.

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To all golf courses in ireland, northern ireland & uk.

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To suit all group sizes & needs.

Golf Transportation Specialists

Are you an individual, group or tour operator looking for a transportation provider for an upcoming golf trip? If you seek a professional company, with local expert knowledge, a modern fleet of vehicles that can carry 3 to 41 passengers and a team that can even help with planning schedules, Travel Ireland Golf has got you covered. We are a specialist golf transportation company that provides luxurious, modern and affordable transportation to all golf courses in Ireland…

Sightseeing & Attractions

There is more to Ireland than great golf. Why not take time out from your Golf Game to see the beautiful scenery and sights, ancient heritage, local cuisine, fine arts and performances on offer. Whatever you want to see and do, or where ever you want to go, Travel Ireland Golf can take you there. Our in-house planning team can work with you to create a custom experience that matches your time available, budget and interests…

Executive Vehicles – Up to 6 Passengers

Travel in ultimate luxury in our new S Class and V Class Mercedes range. Suitable for small groups of 3 to 6 passengers, these vehicles embody the best in comfort and high end amenities with impeccable styling and features including ambience lighting, heated and ventilated massaging seating and sliding panoramic windows .

Small Coaches – Up to 16 Passengers

Our Mercedes Sprinter, Touring and Iveco Small Coach range can seat from 9 – 28 passengers and have been fully customised to give passengers the ultimate luxury transportation experience. These high-roof coaches offer plenty of legroom for passengers along with creature comforts like air conditioning, HD TV & DVD player & tinted windows.

Large Coaches – Up to 41 Passengers

Volvo Jonckheeres are the largest luxurious touring coaches in our fleet and are capable of carrying up to 41 passengers.  With bright, airy interior design, theatre floor and world-class seats that feature renowned Scandinavian ergonomic design these coaches take passenger comfort to the next level.

Portmarnock Golf Club

A favourite of Tiger Woods and described by Paul McGinley as ‘probably the fairest links golf course I have ever played’, Portmarnock remains tantalisingly under the radar. This is a course where ‘subtle ripples and undulations, combine to create a supreme whole with no weak element from start to finish…

Royal County Down Golf Club

Royal County Down Golf Club is located in Newcastle, County Down. It opened 129 years ago 23 March 1889 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. It has two 18-hole links courses, the Championship Course and the Annesley Links…

Ballybunion Golf Club

Founded in 1893, Ballybunion Golf Club located on the north west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where you’ll find two wonderfully challenging and unique links golf courses, the Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course…

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Royal Portrush Golf Club is located in County Antrim and home to two of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world. The two courses are the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links. The former is one of the courses on the Open championship rota and will next host the tournament in 2019…

Lahinch Golf Club

Lahinch has been described as ‘The St Andrews of Ireland’ and is renowned for the way it has retained all of its old virtues. It has benefited from the willingness, over the decades, to move with the times and is regarded as one of the best and most enjoyable challenges to be found anywhere in the golfing world…

The European Club

The European Club is located between the coastal towns of Wicklow and Arklow, about 30 miles south of Dublin. It’s Pat Ruddy’s creation and he and his family have stayed there ever since. This is a unique experience, a 20-hole links set amongst rugged dunes and ranked in the World’s Top-100 Golf Courses…

Giants Causeway

Commonly called ‘the 8th wonder of the world ”, the ancient stones of the Giants Causeway is the only world heritage site in Ireland. For centuries it has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it…

Titanic Belfast Experience

Titanic Belfast extends over nine interactive galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition, drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and interactive features. Explore the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began…

Bushmills Whiskey Distillery

Bushmills is Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery. It is a ‘grain to glass’ distillery handcrafted in small batches on one site and distilled in copper pot stills. Bushmills was one of the first distillerys in the world to make both single malts and blended whiskeys…

Guinness Storehouse

Located in the heart of the St. James’s Gate Brewery, the Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. It’s the home of the Black Stuff, the heart of Dublin and an unforgettable start to your Irish adventure…

The Cliffs of Moher

Bursting with national treasures and UNESCO recognised sites, the Cliffs of Moher is not one to be missed. Journey to the heart of the West to witness spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning Burren National Park…

Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula

The Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are undoubtedly some of the most stunning locations in Ireland. With dramatic cliff faces, imposing mountains, lush green vegetation and a wild Atlantic Ocean, Kerry offers an exhilarating step into an almost-untouched, beautifully rugged landscape…

Belfast City

Belfast has some of the coolest pubs, superb shopping and enough eateries to satisfy every taste and budget. You’ll also find fascinating walking, bus and taxi tours, cultural escapes, scientific exhibitions and literary inspirations…

Dublin City

A lively capital city that’s as intimate as a village and as friendly as your local Irish pub. With its seamless blend of classic visitor sights, excellent social scene and the natural playgrounds…

Derry is a city that sits on the River Foyle known for the intact 17th-century walls with 7 gates. Within the walls, spired St. Columb’s Cathedral displays artefacts from the 1688–9 Siege of Derry. Near the Peace Bridge, the Tower Museum has city views and historical exhibits…

Victoria Square Belfast

Victoria Square features four levels of luxury brands, high street stores, restaurants and the Odeon Cinema. Brands include Urban Outfitters, Mango, Pull & Bear, Hollister, Cruise, Reiss, LK Bennett and Ireland’s only Apple Store…

Brown Thomas Dublin

The 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m2) Dublin store on Grafton Street is the chain’s flagship location. It includes boutiques for Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Jo Malone, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Burberry, Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Ted Baker, Gucci and the like…

Kildare Village Shopping Outlet

Discover a world of luxury at Kildare Village. Home to 100 fashion and lifestyle boutiques including Armani, Louise Kennedy, Mulberry, Brooks Brothers, Anya Hindmarch and Diane von Furstenberg, each boutique offering savings of up to 60%

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At Experience Ireland Golf & Travel we design bespoke itineraries, with overnights in some of the most outstanding hotels in Ireland, to cater for all requirements of our discerning guests.

Whether you prefer sightseeing, golf or a medley of both, we can tailor the perfect trip for you. We also provide 24 hour support & concierge service while you relax and enjoy your holiday in Ireland.

We only book the very best hotels, golf courses and chauffeur companies, we have spent years building and nurturing our relationships with 5 star luxury hotels like The Merrion Hotel, Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Hayfield Manor and the Killarney Park Hotel, along with the very best golf courses such as, Old Head of Kinsale, Ballybunion Golf Club, Portmarnock and Royal County Down.

With years of experience working in the best Hotels in Ireland, providing the finest chauffeur vehicles and offering the top golf clubs & attractions throughout the Island of Ireland the Experience Ireland Golf & Travel Team have a wealth of knowledge and we just love to boast about what our country has to offer.

• Tom Kennedy

• Helen Whittall

• Conor Madigan
• Our Drivers

Tom is our President & CEO – Chief Experience Officer!

He has an extensive wealth of experience in Golf, Hospitality & Marketing having worked in the Irish Golf Industry since 1996, starting at Adare Manor and then onto Old Head Golf Links, Doonbeg, My Golf Group, Mount Juliet and The Heritage in Ireland. He has also worked at Bighorn Golf Club in California and spent over 15 months as National Director of Golf Ghana, working with Paul McGinley and The R&A.

Before joining Experience Ireland, Tom has successfully ran his own Golf Consultancy company working with clients such as The Heritage, Dooks Golf Links, Hedge Funds Care, Carne Golf Links and Great National Ballykisteen Golf Hotel. Tom is also Tournament Founder for The Social Media Open Social Media Links Challenge which play host to several hundred golfers a year across the country’s best courses.

Tom is also a keen golfer and living in Killarney he is very lucky to have the likes of Tralee Golf Club, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Ballybunion Golf Club, Waterville Golf Links, and Dooks Golf Links not too far from his doorstep, which Tom takes great advantage of!

Tom and the Team at Experience Ireland look forward to discussing your next golf itinerary with you.

Born in the UK, Helen moved to Killarney in 2013 with her Irish husband who wanted to ‘come home’ before it was too late! Traveling to Ireland for 10 years regularly before making the big move, there are not many places in Ireland that she hasn’t travelled too so she has an incredible knowledge of the best locations to visit, things to do and where to stay at during a trip to the Emerald Isle so she knows first-hand how to create the best visitor experience.

Helen joined us in 2019 originally for 6 months as maternity cover, but we couldn’t let her go!! With a strong background as an Executive Assistant for the Managing Director of a FTSE100 listed company, her planning and organisation skills are paramount to running all that goes on behind the scenes in the office once you confirm your tour. Regularly booking international travel and events for the Executive Team and entire Company in her previous role, she is also extremely experienced and pulling together itineraries however difficult.

The relationship she builds with Clients in the run up to their trip is incredibly important to her as she wants them to have the very best experience they can and will ensure that no stone is unturned to make that happen.

Conor Madigan is the newest member of the Experience Ireland team having started with us in November 2022!

Having started his career in the golf industry under the watchful eye of PGA professional David Keating in Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Conor spent 3 years there where he gained valuable experience in the Golf & Tourism industry. From there he completed his business degree and worked in a Marketing role before joining the team at Experience Ireland. Having played the most famous Links courses in Ireland under championship conditions on the Irish amateur golf circuit Conor has a wealth of course knowledge and is sure to give you some valuable tips as he helps build your dream Itinerary on the best golf courses Ireland has to offer.

Conor also plays off 1 handicap so he’s currently the best Golfer in the Experience Ireland office!!

Meet some of our drivers that make touring around Ireland an interesting, fun and authentic experience. Here are just a sample of our drivers.

Kevin O’Sullivan Kevin O’ Sullivan has been driving coaches since he was 24 years of age. The first time Kevin ever drove the Ring of Kerry was back in 1978 and he has completed the Ring of Kerry a few times since then! Before Kevin was a coach driver he was a Milk Man and still drinks a pint of milk every day!

Interesting fact about Kevin, he was the second driver in Ireland to drive a one man double decker bus in March 1986! Kevin’s claim to fame was he appeared in a video with the chieftains and the Lurey Band from Canada.

Kevin is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to Ireland and has nearly 40 years’ experience, there is no part of Ireland that Kevin has not stepped foot on!

Mike Moynihan Mike has been driving coaches since 1997 and before that Mike worked in a factory. Mike is interested in all sports especially the GAA which includes Gaelic football & hurling. When we asked Mike what was the strangest place he had been asked to take clients he said it was a Castle in the middle of a farm in Galway.

Mike also once drove Glen Campbell the American singer, guitarist and songwriter.

Mike considers himself somewhat of a comedian so you are guaranteed a barrel of laughs if Mike is your driver!

Pat Breen Pat has been driving coaches for 8 years and before that Pat was a primary school teacher. Pats favorite places to visit are Connemara & Antrim. Interesting fact about Pat, he was All-Ireland Pitch & Putt Junior Champion in 1976 and still plays today! Pats most interesting client was a Capuchin monk and his father.

Pat has extensive historical knowledge of Ireland and can tell you Irish Folklore’s & Legends of Ireland!

Maurice Kelly Maurice has been driving for 45 years. Before Maurice joined us he was a sales rep for Jacobs’s biscuits. Maurice’s favourite place to visit is the view from Killary Sheep Farm in Leenane, Co Galway. Maurice enjoys golf, reading & walking when he is not driving! He once visited Ireland’s most haunted Castle with 4 witches from the USA and also drove J. Blum, the ex CEO of KFC & Subway.

So if you would like to hear more stories of witches & Sheep farms why not request Maurice on your next trip to Ireland!

Call us at +353 64 662 2830

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CREATING UNIQUE EXPERIENCES & MEMORIES FOR LIFE

Being a golf travel leader for over 35 years’ in some of the world’s greatest golf destinations is no mean feat, though Carr Golf has managed it. Built on the legacy of my father Joe Carr, Carr Golf benefits from a rare combination of experience, tradition and a reputation for delivering unique golf experiences. We help create memories for life. Our expert team is ready to help plan your special experience, tailor-made to your personal preferences. We look forward to offering you, your friends and family a warm welcome to Ireland, Scotland or England. You have my assurance that we will do everything to ensure you enjoy the very best of ‘craic’ on your journey with us.

Warm regards,  Marty.

GOLF IRELAND

Ireland is a veritable treasure chest of golfing gems with over 450 golf courses in play.

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Golf england.

Not as famous as Ireland & Scotland for golf, England is a forgotten golfing paradise steeped with history.

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ICONIC GOLF TOURNAMENTS

Carr Golf Travel has been hosting world-renowned golf tournaments and events globally for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on creating the best experiences encompassing great golf, great craic and even greater friendships in some of the world’s most special locations.

WORLD INVITATIONAL FATHER & DAUGHTER GOLF TOURNAMENT, WATERVILLE

World invitational father & son golf tournament, waterville.

7 – 11 August 2024

AER LINGUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC 2024

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Roddy Carr Previews the 2024 PGA Championship

The father & daughter world invitational is undefeated, augusta green 2024, happy birthday jb carr, ireland – where golf is the most natural thing in the world, creating something bigger than ourselves: the world invitational father and daughter golf tournament, gladiators set for battle in rome, ron kirby – farewell my friend, the open 2023 preview: liverpool’s irish connection, this generation’s greatest putter and in-form rory’s return, patience and perseverance the key as us open goes to los angeles, travel tips, best time of year to travel to ireland, scotland & england to play golf.

Traditionally the golfing season starts in mid-April and runs through to mid-October. Most links courses open year-round but may have restrictions on play during the winter season.

When should I book my trip to ensure best availability?

Early planning is essential to guarantee tee times on the world’s most sought-after courses. Generally, most courses will open their tee-sheets from July the year prior to play. As an Authorized Provider of coveted tee times at the Old Course St. Andrews, our team submits all client requests in February the year prior to play, so we advise that you submit your desired tee time as early as possible.

Caddies in Ireland, Scotland & England

Carr Golf will assist in requesting caddies if required during your trip. Typically, caddies in Ireland will carry two bags. In Scotland, Northern Ireland & England, caddies will generally carry 1 bag each. Caddie costs differ per course but are generally around €/£ 50-75 per golfer per round, plus gratuity. Please check with your Fulfilment Executive on specifics relating to courses for your itinerary.

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To make a golf break enquiry simply call 01 697 5734, fill out the enquiry form online or drop into us at 75 Talbot Street, Dublin and let us tell you about some amazing golf offers!

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Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for golf holidays and also offers the best choice of golf including the Algarve and Lisbon Coast. We have a fantastic range of golf resorts including the 5* resorts of Dona Filipa on the Algarve and Penha Longa Lisbon and of course lots of 4*products in Vilamoura.

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Outside Ireland and the UK ,Spain offers more golf holiday options than any other European destinations, including the Costa Del Sol ,Murcia, Huelva and of course the Costa Brava. Spain also offers plenty of sunshine, lots of night life and hundreds of golf courses.

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Tenerife golf holidays are becoming more and more popular, this is due to the amount of choice offered, the fabulous golf courses on the island, and the old favourite of scenery, sand, sea, and sun. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and also one of the most popular.

Golf Breaks in Ireland

The Emerald Isle! With its fantastic choice of parkland and stunning links courses, you will be spoiled for choice! You are also sure to receive a warm welcome wherever you may go. A golf break to Ireland offers a unique and wonderful experience.

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34 episodes

Your guide for golf travel to the great courses of Scotland, Ireland, England, and Beyond. Produced by Haversham & Baker Expeditions. The leading provider of international golf travel to America's private clubs and their members. Golf and the Good Life offers insight and expertise for your time both on and off the great golf courses of Scotland, Ireland, England, and Spain.

Golf and the Good Life - Your Guide for Golf Trips Across the Pond Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions

• 5.0 • 11 Ratings
• MAY 15, 2024

Our Favorite Par-3s in Scotland

Join Connor and D.J. as they explore some of their favorite par-3s from the great golf courses of Scotland. From the famous to the off the beaten path, the list touches every corner of golf in Scotland. Did your favorite make the list? Mentioned in this Episode Prestwick Golf Club Cruden Bay Golf Club Brora Golf Club The Old Course at St. Andrews Turnberry Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands Royal Dornoch Crail Golfing Society Western Gailes Golf Club

• MAY 1, 2024

The Channel Coast of England

The Channel Coast of England has long lived in the shadow of the other marquee regions for golf travel in the U.K. and Ireland. But as Connor & D.J. discuss in this episode, it deserves more attention from the traveling golfer. By the end of the episode, you'll learn: Where to Play Where to Stay Notable sites to see off the golf course Additional Resources Where to Play Golf on the Channel Coast of England 7 Things to See at Royal St. George's Mentioned in this Episode Royal St. George's Golf Club Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club Prince's Golf Club The PIG at Bridge Place Bell Hotel, Sandwich Dover Castle White Cliffs of Dover

• APR 17, 2024

Lahinch Golf Club – Legendary Links

Our Legendary Links series returns with a visit to Lahinch Golf Club. Join Connor & D.J. for an in-depth exploration of one of the most beloved courses in Southwest Ireland. Along the way, you'll learn about its rich history, the famous goats, and why it belongs on every golf trip to this corner of Ireland. Additional Resources Golf & the Good Life in Southwest Ireland 7 Things to See at Lahinch Golf Club Mentioned in this Episode Lahinch Golf Club Vaughan Lodge Doonbeg Resort Adare Manor

• APR 4, 2024

Our Favorite Spots in St. Andrews

Join Connor & D.J. as they return to The Home of Golf to share some of their favorite off-the-course spots in St. Andrews. From restaurants to 19th holes to coffee, they've covered all the bases for your time in St. Andrews. Additional Resources 10 Things to See in St. Andrews The Best 19th Holes in St. Andrews Mentioned in this Episode 18 St. Andrews Tailend St. Andrews Jannetta's Gelateria Fisher & Donaldson The Jigger Inn The Dunvegan Black Sheep Coffee R&A World Golf Museum St. Andrews Cathedral & Cemetery

• MAR 20, 2024

The Old Course at St. Andrews Ballot and Singles Daily Draw

The Old Course at St. Andrews Ballot and the brand new Singles Daily Draw are two of the most common ways to score tee times at The Home of Golf. But they also provide countless questions from golf travelers with St. Andrews on their itinerary. In this episode, Connor and D.J. explain how The Old Course Ballot works and how to boost your odds of finding a slot on the tee sheet. They also walk through the process for the new Singles Daily Draw, which recently replaced the Singles Queue. Additional Resources The Complete Guide to Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times St. Andrews Links Ballot Site St. Andrews Links Singles Daily Draw

• MAR 6, 2024

Prestwick Golf Club – Legendary Links

Our Legendary Links series returns with a visit to Prestwick Golf Club. Join Connor & D.J. for an in-depth exploration of The Birthplace of The Open Championship. Along the way, you'll learn about its rich history, unique course, and why it belongs on every golf trip to Scotland's west coast. Additional Resources 7 Things to See at Prestwick Golf Club

• © Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions

Customer Reviews

Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the Prestwick blog March 6th. Just lucked into the site, 1st time listener. Timing couldn’t be better as I am heading to Scotland for a wedding in September and after several trips and only playing the New Course(couldn’t get on the Old Course)- informed my wife I’m going early and playing golf. The 1st course I scheduled was Prestwick and I can’t tell you how excited I am to play it after listening to your podcast. Thank you-a new fan!

Great listen and help!

Not only do the great guys at Golf and the Good Life kick out amazing listens, they have been extremely helpful on the side guiding me through getting tee times as a single in Ireland. The result is a booking at Lahinch and Royal County Down. In addition to this assist - they were also very helpful with additional caddy FAQs I pinged them on following that great episode. Great talent and kind fellas over there!

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Every traveler is different and each Brendan vacation is handcrafted to ensure your trip is unforgettable. Our dedicated team of Celtic experts has over 55 years of experience and is here to help you plan your dream vacation to Ireland and Scotland. Here’s how we do it:

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Follow your appetite through Ireland and Scotland on these foodie experiences, from tastes and food tours to Michelin-star fine dining.  

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Retreat from the city center for a peaceful stay at our collection of Manors and Homes, set amongst Ireland and Scotland’s scenic backdrops.   

BED & BREAKFASTS

Experience the warm welcome of the Celtic people with a stay in a local home, each vetted personally by Catherine.   

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Decide When To Travel

Unhurried days, relaxed locals and vibrant hues across forests, glens and Highlands. This is the harvest season and a great time to visit to break bread and connect with the people of Ireland and Scotland.  

Explore The Season

Shorter days, longer nights and every moment filled with warmth and famed Celtic hospitality. Discover the best way to enjoy Ireland and Scotland in the winter, including our legendary castle stays.  

The festivals of Ireland and Scotland are in full bloom come Spring. St. Patrick’s Day, St. Bridgid’s Day and Easter are just a few that draw visitors each year. Explore the perks of traveling at this time of year.   

The warmest of days across Ireland and Scotland are found during the summer, which means it’s the perfect season for outdoor activities, family summer vacations and vibrant festivals across the Celtic Isles.   

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Stories to Inspire Your Trip.

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Ireland: Donegal Links Classic 2024

Rosapenna, Co. Donegal, Ireland

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About this trip

A 4x person team event where teams can be mixed. 

Arrival/Departure Derry/Belfast/Dublin International Airport

3x exceptional championship golf courses

Accommodation with breakfast daily

Rental Vehicle or Luxury Coach with Driver added upon request

A lifetime of memories.  

All reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking  

* Additional activities must be booked in advance and are subject to availability on the day. Any additional activities that are not available will be refunded

What’s included

• Accommodation Classic Twin Room
• Breakfast Breakfast served daily
• Taxes All taxes are included
• Tournament Registration Donegal Links Classic 2024
• Practice Facilities Practice Facilities & Driving Range at all courses (Tokens may be required)
• Golfers Requests Caddies, Golf Buggies, Electric Trollies & Rental Clubs can be requested in advance of arrival
• Golf Rounds Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) Portsalon & Ballyliffin (Old)

What’s not included

• Flights Arrival & Departure times need to be advised in advance
• Pro Shop Purchases Caddies, Golf Buggies, Electric Trollies, Rental Clubs and Pro Shop purchases are not included and must be paid on the day of play by the client. Caddies are paid directly by the client
• Parking Parking at attractions where the parking is the admission fee
• Attractions Entry costs to attractions unless specified
• Meals Lunch & Dinner is not included
• Additional Consumables Refreshments and snacks are not included
• Ferry Charges River Ferry costs if applicable
• Transportation Vehicle Rental (Ford Galaxy or Similar Class) has been listed separately

Available Packages

Available options.

Arrive (BFS) Belfast International or (DUB) Dublin International Airport @ TBC

Pick up Rental Vehicle (Renault Trafic or Similar Class) @ Airport (Optional Add-on)

Check into Accommodation

Accommodation @ Arnold's Hotel, Dunfanaghy (Classic Twin Room)

Evening at Leisure

Overnight in Hotel

Breakfast @ Hotel

Golf @ Rosapenna Golf Resort, Downings (Sandy Hills Links) (Donegal Links Classic) @ TBC

Accommodation @ Arnold's Hotel, Dunfanaghy

Overnight @ Hotel 

Golf @ Portsalon Golf Links (Donegal Links Classic) @ TBC

Overnight @ Hotel

Check out of Accommodation

Golf @ Ballyliffin Golf Club (Old Links) (Donegal Links Classic) @ TBC

Accommodation @ Ballyliffin Townhouse Boutique Hotel (Superior Twin Room)

Drop off Rental Vehicle @ Airport (if required)

Depart (BFS) Belfast International or (DUB) Dublin International Airport @ TBC

Hope to see you again in 2025...

Your Organizer

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Golfweek's best 2024: top 100 international golf courses, share this article.

Welcome to Golfweek’s Best newest course ranking, the Top 100 International Courses.

Golfweek’s Best has ranked classic and modern international courses in the past, but 2024 marks the first year in which all ages of courses have been combined to build one comprehensive ranking of layouts outside the U.S. 

The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on our 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged to produce an overall rating. Each course is then ranked against other courses in the region.

This list focuses on the golf courses themselves, not resorts as a whole or other club amenities. Each golf course included is listed with its average rating from 1 to 10, its location, architect(s) and the year it opened.

Courses must meet a minimum threshold of votes to qualify, and it can take several years for a layout to garner enough votes to show up. Several new layouts either did not open in time to make the 2024 list or have not been played by enough raters to qualify yet – South Cape in South Korea, Ellerston in Australia and Cabot Saint Lucia’s Point Hardy are good examples.  

With all that said, we hope you enjoy our inaugural list of Top 100 International Courses. 

The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland (Courtesy of St. Andrews Links)

1. Royal County Down (Championship) 8.93 Newcastle, Northern Ireland; George L. Baillie, Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry S. Colt, Donald Steel (1889)

2. St. Andrews Old Course 8.75 St. Andrews, Scotland; Unknown first designer, Old Tom Morris (Unknown)

3. Royal Dornoch (Championship) 8.71 Dornoch, Scotland; Old Tom Morris, John Sutherland, George Duncan (1877)

4. Royal Melbourne (West) 8.70 Black Rock, Victoria, Australia; Alister MacKenzie (1926)

5. Muirfield 8.65 Gullane, Scotland; Old Tom Morris (1892)

6. Shanquin Bay 8.56 Hainan, China; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (2012)

7. Hirono 8.54 Hyogo, Japan; Charles H. Alison (1932)

8. Royal Portrush (Dunluce) 8.52 Portrush, Northern Ireland; Harry S. Colt, Martin Ebert (1929)

T9. Tara Iti 8.41 Mangawhai, New Zealand; Tom Doak (2015)

T9. Sunningdale (Old) 8.41 Sunningdale, England; Willie Park Jr., Harry S. Colt (1901)

Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia, Canada (Courtesy of Cabot/Jacob Sjöman)

11. Cabot Cliffs 8.39 Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (2015)

12. Trump Turnberry Resort (Ailsa) 8.35 Turnberry, Scotland; Willie Fernie, Mackenzie Ross, Martin Ebert, Tom MacKenzie (1901)

13. Ballybunion (Old) 8.32 Ballybunion, Ireland; Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson (1893)

T14. Barnbougle (Dunes) 8.25 Bridport, Tasmania, Australia; Tom Doak, Michael Clayton (2004)

T14. Golf de Morfontaine (Le Grand Parcours) 8.25 Mortefontaine, France; Tom Simpson, Kyle Phillips (1927)

16. Cape Kidnappers 8.23 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand; Tom Doak (2004)

17. Royal St. George’s 8.21 Sandwich, England; Laidlaw Purves (1887)

T18. Kingston Heath 8.08 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Dan Souter, Alister MacKenzie (1925)

T18. Vidauban Golf Club (Formerly Prince de Provence) 8.08 Vidauban, France; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1999)

T18. North Berwick Golf Club (West Links) 8.08 North Berwick, Scotland; David Strath, Ben Sayers (1832)

The South Course at Te Arai Links in New Zealand (Courtesy of Te Arai Links/Ricky Robinson Photography)

21. Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club 8.01 Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones (1997)

22. Royal Birkdale 8.00 Southport, England; George Lowe, F.G. Hawtree, J.H. Taylor (1897)

T23. Cape Wickham 7.98 King Island, Tasmania, Australia; Mike Devries (2015)

T23. Te Arai (South) 7.98 Tomarata, New Zealand; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (2022)

25. Swinley Forest 7.95 Ascot, England; Harry S. Colt (1909)

26. Lahinch (Old) 7.94 Lahinch, Ireland; Old Tom Morris, Charles Gibson, Alister MacKenzie, Martin Hawtree (1894)

27. Carnoustie (Championship) 7.91 Carnoustie, Scotland; Robert Chambers, Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid (1830s)

28. Kingsbarns 7.90 Kingsbarns, Scotland; Kyle Phillips (2000)

29. Trump International Scotland 7.87 Balmedie, Scotland; Martin Hawtree (2012)

30. Barnbougle (Lost Farm) 7.83 Bridport, Tasmania, Australia; Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw (2010)

Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada (Golfweek files)

T31. Fairmont Banff Springs 7.80 Banff, Alberta, Canada; Stanley Thompson (1927)

T31. St. George’s G&CC 7.80 Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada; Stanley Thompson (1930)

33. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge 7.78 Jasper, Alberta, Canada; Stanley Thompson (1925)

34. Royal Porthcawl 7.77 Porthcawl, Wales; Ramsey Hunter, J. Simpson (1895)

35. Kauri Cliffs 7.76 Matauri Bay, New Zealand; David Harman, Rees Jones (2000)

36. New South Wales Golf Club 7.74 La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia; Alister MacKenzie (1928)

37. Sunningdale (New) 7.73 Sunningdale, England; Harry S. Colt, John Morrison (1923)

T38. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) 7.72 Woodhall Spa, England; Harry Vardon, J.H.Taylor, Harry S. Colt, Stafford Vere Hotchkin, Tom Doak (1905)

T38. Cap Cana (Punta Espada) 7.72 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Jack Nicklaus (2006)

T38. St. George’s Hill 7.72 Weybridge, England; Harry S. Colt (1913)

T38. Ardfin 7.72 Isle of Jura, Scotland; Bob Harrison (2017)

Cruden Bay in Scotland (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)

42. Royal Lytham & St. Annes 7.71 Lytham St. Annes, England; George Lowe, Harry S. Colt, Herbert Fowler, Tom Simpson, C.K. Cotton (1897)

T43. Cabot Links 7.70 Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada; Rod Whitman (2012)

T43. Koninkiljke Haagsche 7.70 Wassenaar, Netherlands; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt (1938)

T45. Ganton 7.69 Scarborough, England; Tom Chisholm, Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Harry S. Colt (1891)

T45. Cruden Bay 7.69 Cruden Bay, Scotland; Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler (1899)

47. Loch Lomond 7.67 Dunbartonshire, Scotland; Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf (1993)

48. Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart) 7.66 Inverness, Scotland; Gil Hanse, Mark Parsinen (2009)

49. Naruo 7.65 Hyogo, Japan; H.C. Crane, Charles H. Alison (1920)

T50. Rosapenna (St. Patrick Links) 7.62 Letterkenny, Ireland; Tom Doak (2021)

T50. Les Bordes (New) 7.62 Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France; Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner (2021)

Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic (Gabe Gudgel/Golfweek)

52. Capilano 7.61 West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Stanley Thompson (1937)

T53. Rye Golf Club 7.60 Rye, England; Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Sir Guy Campbell (1894)

T53. Kawana Hotel (Fuji) 7.60 Shizuoka, Japan; Charles H. Alison (1936)

55. Royal Troon (Old) 7.59 Troon, Scotland; George Strath, Willie Fernie, James Braid (1878)

T56. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) 7.56 La Romana, Dominican Republic; Pete Dye (1971)

T56. Diamante Cabo San Lucas (Dunes) 7.56 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Davis Love III (2009)

58. National Golf Club (Gunnamatta) 7.55 Cape Schanck, Victoria, Australia; Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Michael Woolveridge, Tom Doak (2000)

59. Sagebrush 7.54 Quilchena, British Columbia, Canada; Rod Whitman, Richard Zokol, Armen Suny (2009)

60. St. Enodoc (Church) 7.50 Wadebridge, England; James Braid (1907)

Royal Melbourne’s East Course in Australia (David Cannon/Getty Images)

T61. Waterville 7.49 Waterville, Ireland; Eddie Hackett (1973)

T61. Old Head Golf Links 7.49 Kinsale, Ireland; Eddie Hackett, Joe Carr, Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins (1997)

63. Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie) 7.47 Bridge of Don, Scotland; Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson, James Braid (1888)

T64. Hamilton (West & South nines) 7.46 Ancaster, Ontario, Canada; Harry S. Colt (1915)

T64. Alwoodley 7.46 Leeds, England; Alister MacKenzie (1907)

T64. Walton Heath (Old) 7.46 Tadworth, England; Herbert Fowler (1903)

67. Portmarnock (Old) 7.44 Portmarnock, Ireland; George Ross, W.C. Pickeman, Mungo Park (1894)

T68. Victoria Golf Club 7.43 Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia; William Meader, Oscar Damman, Alister MacKenzie (1927)

T68. Royal Melbourne (East) 7.43 Black Rock, Victoria, Australia; Alex Russell, Mick Morcam (1931)

T68. Tokyo Golf Club 7.43 Sayama City, Japan; Komei Otani, Gil Hanse (1940)

T68. Royal Cinque Ports 7.43 Deal, England; Henry Hunter, James Braid, Guy Campbell (1892)

Apes Hill Golf Club in Barbados (Courtesy of Apes Hill/Russell Kirk)

T72. Utrecht GC De Pan 7.42 Bosch en Duin, Netherlands; Harry S. Colt (1929)

T72. Lofoten Links 7.42 Gimoysand, Norway; Jeremy Turner (2015)

T72. Apes Hill 7.42 St. James, Barbados; Ron Kirby (2022)

75. Machrihanish 7.40 Machrihanish, Scotland; Old Tom Morris, J.H. Taylor, Guy Campbell (1876)

76. Pulpit Club (Paintbrush, formally Devil’s Paintbrush) 7.39 Caledon East, Ontario, Canada; Dana Fry, Michael Hurdzan (1992)

77. Fancourt (Links) 7.37 George, South Africa; Gary Player (2000)

78. Queenwood 7.35 Ottershaw, England; David McLay Kidd (2001)

79. Goodwood Golf Club 7.34 Goodwood, Ontario, Canada; Martin Ebert, Tom Mackenzie (2007)

T80. Golf de Morfontaine (Valliere) 7.32 Morfontaine, France; Tom Simpson (1913)

T80. Greywolf 7.32 Panorama, British Columbia, Canada; Doug Carrick (1999)

T80. Coppinwood 7.32 Goodwood, Ontario, Canada; Tom Fazio (2006)

Royal Adelaide in Australia (Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

T83. Toronto GC (Colt) 7.31 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Harry S. Colt, Martin Hawtree (1912)

T83. Blackhawk 7.31 Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada; Rod Whitman (2003)

85. Royal Adelaide 7.29 Seaton, South Australia, Australia; H.L. Rymill, Alister MacKenzie (1906)

86. Memphremagog 7.28 Magog, Quebec, Canada; Thomas McBroom (2008)

87. Mid Ocean Club 7.27 St. George’s, Bermuda; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor (1921)

T88. Mad River 7.26 Creemore, Ontario, Canada; Bob Cupp (1991)

T88. The European Club 7.26 Brittas Bay, Ireland; Pat Ruddy (1992)

T90. Renaissance Club at Archerfield 7.25 Dirleton, Scotland; Tom Doak (2008)

T90. Prestwick 7.25 Prestwick, Scotland; Old Tom Morris (1851)

Nos. 91-100

Hogs Head in Ireland (Courtesy of Hogs Head)

92. Moonah Links (Open) 7.24 Fingal, Victoria, Australia; Peter Thomson (2002)

93. Westmount 7.22 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; Stanley Thompson (1931)

T94. Hogs Head 7.19 Waterville, Ireland; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (2018)

T94. Bigwin Island 7.19 Baysville, Ontario, Canada; Doug Carrick (2002)

T94. Sandy Lane (Green Monkey) 7.19 St. James, Barbados; Tom Fazio (2004)

T97. Golf de Fontainebleau 7.18 Fontainebleau, France; Julien Chantepie, Tom Simpson, Fred Hawtree (1909)

T97. Notts (Hollinwell) 7.18 Kirkby in Ashfield, England; Willie Park Jr., J.H. Taylor, Tom Williamson (1901)

T99. Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) 7.17 Hoylake, England; Robert Chambers, George Morris, Harry S. Colt, Donald Steel (1869)

T99. Valderrama 7.17 Sotogrande, Spain; Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1974)

T99. Royal West Norfolk 7.17 Brancaster, England; Holcombe Ingleby (1892)

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• Business Of Sport

The Pitch: Fears up to 100 golf clubs could fold over iGolf scheme

Ballyliffin Golf Club ahead of the 2018 Irish Open. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

The general manager of one of the country’s leading golf clubs has warned that a plan to issue handicaps to non-club members has the potential to devastate the industry.

In an interview with The Pitch, John Farren of Ballyliffin Golf Club in County Donegal, said the Independent Golfer scheme would prove “economically inviable” for many clubs who depend on membership revenue to survive.   “It doesn’t add up for the smaller golf club, for whom there is no regard for the consequences, and that could mean as much as 50-100 clubs going out of business,” said Farren.

“I think it could be that high, because a lot of smaller clubs are reliant on subs and memberships and if you take 10 or 20 per cent of that business away it makes them economically inviable.” 

Farren was the first and most high profile figure in club golf to raise objections to the iGolf scheme, following a shock announcement to introduce the plan, by GI chief executive Mark Kennelly at a webinar in April.

Since then, Farren says, up to 40 golf clubs have raised protest around the scheme, and he has contacted the governing body for details on what mechanisms can be put in place to appeal the decision.

“This firmly needs to be voted on by the clubs, the clubs need to have their say around this and they cannot be decreed upon from above,” he adds.

“There needs to be a proper debate about the plan and its impact to clubs here, rather than something that is imposed by the governing body.

“They’re (GI) thinking it’s a done deal and they’re going to sneak it under the radar, but that cannot happen.

“Look what’s happened with the World Handicap System (WHS) and what it has done to competitive golf with a ridiculously high handicap limit in place, and this is another worrying development.” 

The chief concern with the WHS is that many low handicap golfers see themselves as being punished by a scoring system which appears to favour high handicappers or less skilled players.

Others will say that the system offers a level playing field for players of all abilities, but the key point is that the issue needs further discussion and debate, similar to the iGolf initiative.

There is a feeling with the Independent Golfer scheme there has been zero debate and the initiative has been steamrolled through by the governing body.

While Golf Ireland readily admits iGolf is designed to introduce more people to the sport with the hope of them then joining clubs, that is no good, says Farren, if courses are closed due to falling revenues and declining membership incomes.

The fear is that younger people in particular will leave golf clubs and sign up to the far cheaper options, as well as the effect it has on the large number of rural clubs which encourage distance memberships as part of their revenue strategy.

GI is set to impose a 12-month moratorium for current club members wishing to join the scheme, in the hope that it will put people off leaving their clubs, but that limit has been reduced in England to 30 days, where a similar scheme is in operation.

“It’s very much a one-sided argument, the game will not grow if you close the smaller clubs but if you remove their basic revenue streams, many of the smaller clubs will have no options but to close.

“That’s not going to grow the game, it creates a completely false economy under the pretence of bringing hundreds of thousands of causal golfers, but if the game doesn’t have the facilities it’s going to decline.” 

Michael McCarthy, Club Secretary at Borris Golf Club in Carlow said a key issue was that there was no discussion around the plan, and it was “being rammed through with no debate”.

“It is being done by stealth, there is very little information on what it means or what the timeline is,” says McCarthy “My first reaction when I heard about it was to pick my jaw off the floor and all I could think about was the amount of younger members we’re going to lose.

“Nobody knows what the cost is, or what the impacts will be, but a whole swathe of younger members will jump ship, of that there can be no doubt.” 

At Cobh Golf Club, Honorary Secretary Mary O’Grady said the reaction had been “generally negative” but she has faith in Golf Ireland that it would do the right thing.

“How can this be positive to us, but I haven’t read it in-depth,” she said before adding that the membership and committee would be discussing the matter this week.

Someone with vast experience from the club and governing side of golf is Ger Ennis, from Athy Golf Club in County Kildare.

Ennis is a renowned figure particularly through Golf Ireland’s elite juvenile player programme and he like many feels that the issue is so serious for clubs, it requires meaningful debate.

“The main feeling is that this is seen as a fait accompli but it’s something that requires discussion at AGM or appropriate level,” he said.

“Provincial clubs like ours are part of the area in which they’re located and that cannot be threatened. This isn’t going to affect the big clubs in Dublin, or the ‘Ballybunions’ of this world, but it will affect the smaller clubs.

“I don’t like the way it has been bulldozed through.” 

It’s difficult to determine why Golf Ireland is willing to risk such a fragile economy, one that has dealt with global recession and pandemic in the recent past.

It denies that the issue has been secreted through, and that Independent Golfer was mentioned in its Strategic Plan, at its 2023 AGM, and again this year, “in significant detail”.

Some of the biggest unknowns are how many people will be attracted to the programme, with GI saying there are 300,000 causal golfers in Ireland playing the sport versus approximately 225,000 registered players.

“The Independent Golfer Scheme is targeted at these (casual) golfers,” it said in a press release to members this week.

The Pitch understands, however, that Golf Ireland will see the intiative as a success if 12-14,000 new members sign up, based on similar comparisons overseas, in countries like New Zealand and Australia.

In England, for example, 40,000 out of a figure of 1m casual golfers signed up, representing a 4 per cent return rate – that would compare to just 14,000 here.

That then raises the question: why, for such a modest number of new officially registered participants, is Golf Ireland so willing to risk so much for so little return, but with so much at stake?

Forbes reveals world’s highest paid athletes 

For the fourth time in his career Cristiano Ronaldo has made it to the top of the world’s most recognised rich table - Forbes Higest Paid Athletes List.

Ronaldo earned $260m for the past 12 months through onfield earnings of $200m from his contract with Saudi side Al Nassr, with an additional $60m through endorsement deals from Nike, Binance and Herbalife.

In second place was Jon Rahm on $218m, shooting towards the top of the charts less than six months after joining the LIV Golf tour for an estimated $350m, half of which was paid up front.

Lionel Messi sits in third on $135m, whith LeBron James in fourth place on $128m.

Interesting there are no female stars in the rich list, but the likes of Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff and Nelly Korda expected to make serious inroads over the coming year.

The highest postionioned Irish athlete, based on annual earnings, is Rory McIlroy, who sits at 19th place on the Forbes list, with an income of $80.1m.

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86-year-old says her greenhouse business isn’t stopping anytime soon: ‘I’m still here’

EDDINGTON, Maine ( WABI /Gray News) – More than six decades ago, a young woman from the UK uprooted her life to follow her heart and move to Maine. These days, the business her late husband started is still in full bloom.

At age 86, Beth Hutchings might not be the mayor of Eddington, but she does hold court over her own corner of town.

Hutchings was born in Northern Ireland and lived there until fate intervened and brought her across the ocean.

“Well, I met my husband in Northern Ireland. He was in the Navy. Belfast is a big city, and I went with my uncle to look around the ship that came in there, and that’s how I met him,” Hutchings said.

After that chance encounter, Hutchings eventually followed her new love back to Maine where they put down roots and raised a family.

“I love the state. I love the people here. Mm-hmm. I do!” she said.

Gardening was among the Hutchings’ shared interests. Soon, that bloomed into a business.

“I always had a garden, yeah. And he had a garden and had extra [plants]. This is how he started. He had extra plants and put them at the side of the road. People got them, and then they got more, and more, and more,” Hutchings recalled.

That business still stands today. Over time, Hutchings Greenhouse has grown in size and popularity.

“We seem to be getting bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “It’s a great business. People love it. They’ll tell you. The prices are good.”

Hutchings has been running Hutchings Greenhouse since her husband LeRoy’s death in 2015. Their daughter, Joanie, returns from Northern Ireland every February and stays until the fall to help out.

If you think Hutchings takes it easy during the off season, though, think again.

“I knit sweaters in the wintertime,” she said. She formerly worked at a knitting factory for 26 years.

But every spring, Hutchings returns to her roadside oasis. And even after celebrating her 86th birthday earlier this month, she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

“Well, I’ve done it all of these years and I’ve loved it all of these years. So, I’m still here!” she said.

Hutchings Greenhouse is located at 445 Riverside Drive in Eddington, Maine, and is open daily from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Copyright 2024 WABI via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Endless cruise set to tour the world – and it'll always be summer

U nder a blazing blue sky in the legendary Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, where the Titanic was once built, the modestly sized Villa Vie Odyssey sits in dry dock, dwarfed by the huge 12-deck Caribbean party boat that looms beside it.

But when it sets sail on May 30, after intense refurbishment and cosmetic work, this 31-year-old ship will be one of the hottest new innovations in the cruise industry. It will be one of only two residential cruise ships in operation – and its world tour will have successfully launched where others have very dramatically failed.

Around 300 passengers – or "residents" – will be on board to start the voyage from Belfast which will visit 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents, circumnavigating the globe every three-and-a-half years.

For this is to be a cruise without end, where passengers can choose between pay-as-you-go and ownership options, spending as little as 35 days or the whole of their natural life on board, with the ship itself being replaced around every 15 years.

1,301 days of summer

The relatively small size of the 924-capacity vessel means it's capable of docking in the heart of destinations, with port stays ranging from a leisurely two to seven days, rather than the typical "hit and run" cruise ship approach. These long-term cruise residents do, after all, have all the time in the world.

The global itinerary , broken down into 16 "segments" over 1,301 days, has been carefully designed so that it catches the spring-summer seasons in both the northern and summer hemisphere. Residents, if they so choose, may never feel the winter chill again.

There's no commitment to stay on board for the full three and a half years, or to get off when that's over. Residents can pick and choose between segments as they like. South America is the most popular part and the transatlantic section the least, Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson told the dry dock press tour Sunday.

Learning from the past

Takeup has been high. Of the 295 cabins available at launch, 270 have been sold, with some residents choosing to join later in the voyage. Petterson expects all cabins to be fully booked by the end of the Northern European segment, which ends in August, and more will be opened up during segment two, which is Greenland to Miami.

"We have a significant amount of people that want to come and see the ship themselves before committing, for obvious reasons," says Petterson. It's been a long journey to this upcoming launch and this is not the first venture of its kind.

In November 2023, Life at Sea Cruises canceled its three-year voyage shortly before departure, having not secured a ship, leaving passengers stranded and pursuing refunds of tens of thousands of dollars.

Villa Vie was started by Petterson and other former members of the Life at Sea executive team who quit when the original team split in May 2022. He says they've been able to learn from the mistakes of those who've gone before.

Conservative option

The ship now known as Villa Vie Odyssey was constructed in 1993 and – as the 495-cabin MS Braemar – was purchased from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines last year for $13 million. A further $12 million has been spent on the refurb and getting it fully recertified and up to standard.

"At $25 million all in, it's less than half of what anyone else has been trying," says Pettersen. "The ship is much cheaper, the financing is in place, the equity's in place, the sales are more than twice what Life at Sea had, so we're just in a completely different position."

The reason the team chose this conservatively sized and priced vessel is "because we wanted to make sure we could pull it through," he says. "The challenge has all been with the technical and getting her from asleep to awake. We're largely there. We're moving onto the hotel and that's the easy bit," he laughs.

The boat is wearing its age well and it's not all been an uphill struggle. In 2009, it was enlarged during a refurb, and was renovated again in 2019, with many of the public areas getting a stylish new face.

"A lot of these spaces were only in service for four months since they were last revitalized, so we haven't had to do anything to them," explains Pettersen. There are plans to keep updating spaces after launch, too – like a lived-in home rather than an off-the-peg hotel.

Under $33,000 a year

As the Odyssey, the ship will have eight decks, a wraparound promenade and an enlarged pool – combining the Braemar's two, so that passengers can swim laps. And when that feels too energetic, there are two Jacuzzis to lounge in.

There will be three restaurants, five bars and lounges, a spa, a fitness center, a library and a medical center. Then there's the spacious business center with sea views, internet from Starlink and Viasat 3, and an "interactive culinary center" for those missing the kitchen, as well as for cooking classes.

There will also be a golf program with a simulator on board and outings to greens around the world.

It's also surprisingly affordable, as round-the-world cruise experiences go. Over on megayacht The World – the other residential cruise ship – prices start at $2 million a year. But on Villa Vie Odyssey, an annual rental works out at less than $32,485, while a three-year stint will set you back $97,455.

An inside cabin is $89 per person per day, outside cabins start at $119 per person per day, and balconies at $199. All food and soft drinks are included, plus alcohol at dinner, as well as Wi-Fi and medical visits (but not procedures or medicines). There'll also be 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping and bi-weekly laundry service at no extra cost.

Endless Horizons

Meanwhile, buying entails paying outright for a cabin – starting at $99,000 for an internal one, $149,000 for an outdoor and $249,000 for a balcony. Owners must then pay monthly fees starting at $1,750 per person, $2,500 per person, or $4,000 per person respectively – or $21,000, $30,000 or $48,000 per year.

Owners can then rent it out to other people themselves (for no charge) or through Villa Vie for a fee.

Those buying a cabin will be guaranteed it for 15 years, which is the estimated life of the ship. And then there's the newly introduced Endless Horizons program, where residents make a one-time payment of ​​$299,000 for lifetime access to a cabin, transferring ships when the cruise does.

Prices are based on double occupancy. Solo travelers get discounts of 30% for an internal cabin, 20% for an outside one and 10% for a balcony.

There are also a lot more solo travelers than one might expect on a typical vacation cruise – 50% of this first takeup are single. In the under-40s range, there are a lot more single male travelers than female, but post-retirement age, there are more women. The average age of traveler is 58 and 80% are from the United States, with Canadians being the next biggest group.

Floating community

A few of them are on board during the dry dock tour, such as John and Melody Hennessee, flamboyantly coordinated in hats and vests. They've made headlines around the world for selling their worldly goods to live on cruise ships for the rest of their lives, and they were there Sunday to plan out their triple-cabin with the team.

As these are people's homes, there are generous customization options afforded to residents, with requests accommodated where possible. There are a small number of large suites available to the ritziest of passengers – the biggest has a price tag of $900,000.

New Zealand couple Mark and Katrina Howard, in hard hats to get their first look at their home for the next three and a half years, have no problem with the downsizing requiring to fit their belongings into a two-person cabin. "We've done motor-homing," says Katrina.

As for cruise ships, "we met on one in 1994, out of Auckland," she says, and now "we'll be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on board" Villa Vie Odyssey.

It's just one of the many celebrations, landmark moments and life-changing events that are set to take place among this floating community of strangers who are about to become close and near-permanent neighbors. Whatever waves or storms lie ahead, the summer-led itinerary ensures the sun will largely be shining.

READ MORE: Endless cruise set to tour the world – and it'll always be summer

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