​
​
Ireland
Ballyliffin, Glashedy
Okay, let's start with the only minor drawback: the Ballyliffin Golf Club is not exactly easy to get to. It's the northernmost course in the Republic of Ireland and that means it's not easy to get to: You have to want a round on one of the two courses very much. But once you're there, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic course at Glashedy. The massive dunes, the view of the sea: it's all very impressive.
​
Bundoran
The mixed links and parkland course designed by Harry Vardon was the first international layout I have ever played while traveling around Ireland in 2008. I must admit I have limited memories, but what I still remember very clearly is the massive green bunker at the short par 4 5th «O'Connor's Dell». I tried hard but was unable to bring the ball back into play. When I asked the two members I played with, how they usually handle the bunker, «hand wedge» was the answer.
​
© Bundoran Golf Club
Carton, O'Meara
The impressive Carton House hotel in Kildare, some 30 miles east of Dublin, features two championship courses designed by two of the sport's greatest. The Montgomerie, which is described as an inland links, was the venue of the Irish Open on three different occasions. I played the O'Meara. A classic parkland outfit with some very nice holes. I liked the stretch from 14 to 16 the most. Even after dunking a couple of balls in the waters of River Rye.
​
Castlerock
A few miles west of Portstewart you will find the Castlerock Golf Club, whose Mussenden Course ranks relatively high. I played there in March and was a bit disappointed, I must say. While some of the holes are really downright beautiful, I found a green fee of 145£ despite playing from the first cut to be just way too high.
​
Donegal
Solidly ranked in the Top 100 Irish golf courses, I have fond memories of my round on the Donegal Golf Course. Originally designed by the legendary Eddie Hackett, the course has been enhanced in recent years by Pat Ruddy. The golf journalist and course designer to whom we owe the European Course in Brittas Bay, among other top courses. Those who find themselves in the beautiful landscape of the north of the Republic of Ireland will have a lot of fun on this course. It might be a bit windy, though. Very windy, in fact.
​
The European
Ranked in the Top100 of Golf Digest's World's Greatest, golf writer and course designer Pat Ruddy's links masterpiece in Britta Bay, south of Dublin, has it all. Stunning views over the Irish Sea, truly some of the best holes in the world, a 125 yard green and monstrous pot bunker! Did I mention the bunker? Yes, they are frightening, and so is the rough. Would I ever play there again? Tomorrow!
​
K Club, North
In 2006, the Ryder Cup was played on the Plamer North Course, as it is called today. (18 1/2 : 9 1/2 for Team Europe). This year (2023), the Irish Open will be held here. In between, I was able to play a round on the course, which is characterised by a large number of water hazards and plenty of trees. I had a good score that day and that's why I rated the course highly. But actually, it was probably more the combination of a great hotel, a super pro-shop and the history of the course that excited me. If someone invites me, I'll be happy to come back.
​
Malahide
Founded in 1892, the Malahide Golf Club is one of the oldest in Ireland. However, the current 27 hole design is relatively new dating back only to the year 1988, when Eddie Hackett, among other things, planted some 45,000 trees to spice up the layout. I played the course in a monsoon and yes, I lost a good amount of my balls in the trees. The 45,000 trees.
​
© Malahide Golf Club
Portmarnock, Jameson Links
Portmarnock just north of Dublin, hosts two great links courses. The famous Portmarnock Golf Club from 1894 – ranked solid in almost every ranking ever made. And also the Bernhard Langer design of the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links – the first course the great German Masters champion ever drew. I played the hotel links twice while I stayed there for a few days during the annual matchplay event with my brother. Did I win? I can't remember. Did I like the links? Oh, yes!
​
Portstewart, Strand
They say the front nine of Portstewart's Strand Course are some of the best links golf has to offer. I would agree with that, and definitely add the team in the pro shop. I have rarely been looked after so nicely. As for the course itself, you could compare it to a hyena: A powerful set of teeth in front, but unfortunately a rather weak rear end. Which is why it came to nothing to become the king of the animal kingdom, which in this region is certainly called Royal Portrush.
​
​
Rosapenna, Morris
Architects: Old Tom Morris (1893) , James Braid & Harry Vardon (1906), H.S. Colt (1912). Do you need more information? The Old Tom Morris Links is the oldest and the lowest ranked of the 3 courses at Rosapena. When I was there, I actually had a start time at the Sandy Hills Links, but the course were closed at short notice. I don't know if I would have had more fun there, but it doesn't matter because I had a blast that way. And I imagine that also included some of the players behind me, whom I provided with plenty of balls that I carefully hid in the dune grass. Next time I will stay for longer and give the other two courses a try.
​
Strandhill
«Friendship in Sport» is the perfect match for the motto of Strandhill Golf Club, a beautiful links layout very close to the City of Sligo in the northwest of Ireland. The club was founded in 1931 as a nine-hole golf course. The current layout dates back to 1973 - so it is almost 80 years younger than the course at Rosses Point on the opposite site of the bay. This lack of history helps to hold the green fee to €160 – almost a bargain compared to the €245 - €220 for the County Sligo links.
​
© Sligo Tourism