Lush green landscapes, charming towns, and friendly locals are the first things that come to mind when you think of Ireland. But the best thing about visiting this impressive country is that everyone can find something to do while there.

If you like exploring, there are a number of iconic landmarks, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway, and the Ring of Kerry. For the outdoor adventurer, the endless hiking trails, stunning coastal views, and awe-inspiring cliffs are sure to leave a lasting impression. 

But today, we are going to talk about Ireland’s other major attraction: its golf courses. Ireland is well-known for its many golf courses that offer a challenge to even the most experienced golfer. So, if you’re looking for something to refresh your game, you must take a golf tour!

Taking a Golf Tour of Ireland

Due to its landscape, Ireland is home to some of the most stunning golf courses in the world, from the legendary links of the west coast to the parkland gems of the east. Here, you have the wonderful chance of playing on several championship courses and testing your skills in some of the most challenging terrains and conditions. 

Furthermore, a golf tour of Ireland is a great way to experience the country’s natural beauty and unique culture. And the good news is, you don’t have to do anything to organize the trip. You just need to find a golf tour organizer that can set you up with a predefined tour or can help you design your own (read more here). 

Ireland’s Best 3 Golf Courses

To give you an idea of what to expect, we put together a list of the top 3 golf courses you can visit on this type of tour.

1. Royal County Down Golf Course

Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland

This championship links golf course is widely considered one of the best in the world, with its stunning coastal views and challenging undulating greens. The course features two 18-hole links courses, the Championship Course (a par 72 and is 7,124 yards long) and the Annesley Links Course (a par 69 and is 6,812 yards long).

The Royal County Down golf course was built in 1889 and is well known for its stunning views of the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay. Besides great scenery, there’s also a Pro Shop, a Clubhouse, a Practice Range, and a Putting Green. This way, you can play at your heart’s content.

2. Ballybunion Golf Club

Location: County Kerry

This world-renowned 18-hole links golf course is located in the seaside town of Ballybunion and offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also one of the oldest golf clubs in the world (founded in 1893).

There are two distinct courses, the Old and the Cashen course, both of which are renowned for their beauty and challenging features. The Old Course is home to some of the most difficult holes in golf, while the Cashen Course is a little less challenging, making it a better fit for amateurs and beginners.

Side note: Ireland is also home to the oldest pub in the world (Sean’s bar), so once you’re done with golfing, you can go exploring the culture in a different way.

3. Old Head Golf Links

Location: Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork

This course is one of the most picturesque in Ireland, with its dramatic cliffs, rolling fairways, and ocean views. This is an 18-hole championship golf course that opened in 1997. Since then, it has hosted many professional golf tournaments, including the Irish Open in 2006 and the Irish Open Pro-Am in 2009. 

Plus, due to its dramatic scenery, several movies and television shows were filmed there.

Key Takeaway

Ireland is the perfect country for golfers and explorers. So, if you’re lucky enough to be both, you may not want to leave anytime soon.