Going to Ireland in June

[JerseyGolfer]

Need a list of courses to play

I'm going to Ireland in Late June of 2008 and I will have three days out of 14 to get in some golf. I'll be traveling from East to West and want to get a list of must plays both coasts. I'm a 10 Handicap if that helps any. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[clog]

Just a few suggestions,

East coast- The European club, Portmarnock

West coast- Lahinch, Tralee

[DaveyH]

if your in ireland you just have to play the k club.

[banistr]

Traveling isnt as easy as you would think in Ireland..the roads are VERY narrow the travel time i almost doubled compared to here in the states. I would say pick a couple courses that are close to each other and stick with that. Most of the links style (coast courses) are alot alike with the "condition" being the only difference. I wouldnt waste the money on the K club.....Doonbeg and Tralee for sure on the west coast. Doonbeg was by far the best conditioned course out of the 10 we played!!

[keno]

My wife is from South West Ireland. I've played Tralee, quality course. Tough to get on it though this time of year as they close it to vistors through the winter.

 

If the weather has been dry a few days before you go, phone up the club the day before, explain your visiting and they may grant you a tee time.

 

When I played at this time of year we have to lift off the fairways and play off the first cut (greens fees was reduced for this). They really protect the course through the winter.

 

I’ve also played Killarney, the Mahony's Point course (they also have 2 others). Really nice setting, on the side of a lake, similar to Lock Lomond in Scotland I guess.

 

Others courses folks talk about in the SW are:

 

Ballybunion

Waterville

Dooks

 

This website is helpful but I’d contact the courses direct, it will work out cheaper.

 

www.swinggolfireland.com

[JerseyGolfer]

Keep it coming. Thanks.

[rankoutsider]

right outside of dublin, and for half the price of the posh courses, i really liked the new city west course, designed by christy o'connor: it is a gem. also, i think it still might be harrington's home course (it was when i played it about 10 times when i was there last). the 18th is modelled on the 18th at the Belfry, and is an absolutely amazing hole: some real gems precede it as well. the whole little complex there is a tad intimidating (the beckhams, harrington, and all of ireland's football stars have condos there, with helicopters landing and bentley limos picking them up). still, the course is not very expensive to play, isn't overly crowded, and was great.

[greencarlito]

Another vote for Ballybunion (Old Course)

[illinikyle]

if your in ireland you just have to play the k club.

 

That may be the worst advice I have ever heard.

[rankoutsider]

hi all: one more vote against the k-club. too expensive, all hype, and a fairly unimaginative track. they are making their reputation on marketing, and the course does not live up to it. i was disappointed in every aspect of my day there, and passed up druid's glen to play it. man, was that a mistake.

[pc2007]

Hey Howellgolf

 

I'm from Kerry but now living and married in Cork. One thing, the road system isn't as bad as according to some visitors !!!

 

Now for the courses... Only Familiar with the west (Best) coast.

 

Co. Kerry

Ballybunion (Old Course) I caddied there for 3-4 years upto age 16, loved every minute of it

Tralee

Waterville

Killeen/O'Mahony's Point Killarney

 

Co. Clare

Lahinch

Dromoland Castle

 

Co. Limerick

Adare Manor

 

Co. Cork

Fota Island

Bantry Bay (I'm a member there, very reasonable price, awesome scenery)

Lee Valley

Cork Golf club Little Island

 

Of all these, I would play Bally B, Adare Manor, Fota Island. A mixture of scenery, luxury, courses and weather!!!

All of these courses are pretty expensive except for Lee Valley and Bantry Bay, which are very reasonable

(But Both very fine courses)

 

Hope this helps, Enjoy

[JerseyGolfer]

Hey Howellgolf

 

I'm from Kerry but now living and married in Cork. One thing, the road system isn't as bad as according to some visitors !!!

 

Now for the courses... Only Familiar with the west (Best) coast.

 

Co. Kerry

Ballybunion (Old Course) I caddied there for 3-4 years upto age 16, loved every minute of it

Tralee

Waterville

Killeen/O'Mahony's Point Killarney

 

Co. Clare

Lahinch

Dromoland Castle

 

Co. Limerick

Adare Manor

 

Co. Cork

Fota Island

Bantry Bay (I'm a member there, very reasonable price, awesome scenery)

Lee Valley

Cork Golf club Little Island

 

Of all these, I would play Bally B, Adare Manor, Fota Island. A mixture of scenery, luxury, courses and weather!!!

All of these courses are pretty expensive except for Lee Valley and Bantry Bay, which are very reasonable

(But Both very fine courses)

 

Hope this helps, Enjoy

 

Thanks,

 

This will help alot! I can only play about 2 or 3 times so I'll have to choose carefully. I'll be leaving Dublin and heading to the Cork area and then to the West coast. Then it'll be back to Dublin for the trip home. Thanks again.

 

Colm McAuley...

[kiclub690]

Doonbeg and Lahinch

[heydrew]

Another vote for Waterville!

[shooter1544]

I went to Ireland this last June on a golfing trip with my father.

 

We stayed on the Western side of the island.

 

I would recommend heavily

 

Ballybunion (Of course!)

 

Doonbeg (Norman Design, terrific dining facility, good caddies)

 

Carne Golf Club (The most pleasant surprise the entire trip, I hit every club in the bag)

 

Enniscrone (Good Views, "easiest" golf course we played mostly because of the yardage)

 

County Sligo at Rosses Point (The most difficult course we played mostly due to the 40-50 MPH winds)

 

 

The Courses that Didn't Meet Hype

 

Tralee (The Front Nine is boring, while the Back Nine is the opposite)

 

Lahinch (Not due to the course. Caddy experience was mediocre at best. Caddies "greased' Caddy Master to get loop, Caddy repeatedly pulled clubs when instructed to give yardage and "actual" yardage only. Caddy repeatedly fell behind causing Pace of Play to suffer. I know the caddy is a small part of our day, however, after seeing the quality of caddies elsewhere it became apparent that the experience was hindered a little bit.)

[johndaly07]

another vote for the european club one of the truest links golf courses u can play for a parkland maybe roganstown ?

[SHERO]

County Sligo is lovely, Also Ring of Kerry and Enniscrone

[JerseyGolfer]

Do most of these courses require caddies or can you play w/out?

[johndaly07]

the majority u hav to pre book a caddie as a request

[animalistic]

-

[emc]

On the east coast, the european club and baltray would be ones to play. In the south west, Old Head(if you have the money it's really really awesome), BallyB Old, Waterville and Dooks would be ones to play

[1iron]

Baltray is great (aka County Louth) you can stay in the clubhouse, they have 5 or 6 rooms. If you play Baltray play SeaPoint it is just north of Baltray the courses almost touch at one point along the coast.

[FairwayFred]

Do not miss Lahinch if you are in that area. One of the most fun and challenging golf courses I have played.

[Rory]

I'm from Dublin and I'll throw my two cents in, I'll stick to the Dublin Area.

Advanced booking is a must for the following courses. Consider them treats;
[url="http://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/"]Old Portmarnock Golf Club[/url] - Co. Dublin. 15 mins from airport. (Links) (website down when tested)
[url="http://www.theeuropeanclub.com/"]European Club[/url] - Brittas, Co Wicklow (Links)
[url="http://www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com/home.htm"]Royal Dublin Golf Club[/url]. (Links)
[url="http://www.theislandgolfclub.com/opencontent/default.asp"]The Island Golf Club[/url] - Co. Dublin. Very underated. (Links)
[url="http://www.druidsglen.ie/course/course.htm"]Druids Glen[/url] - Co. Wicklow (Parkland)
[url="http://www.countylouthgolfclub.com/"]County Louth GC[/url] (aka Baltray) - Drogheda (1 hour from dublin) (Links)

Not so expensive;
[url="http://www.golftravelireland.net/courses/St._Margaret"]St Margrets[/url] - Co Dublin. (Parkland)
[url="http://www.roganstown.com/roganstown_golf.php"]Roganstown[/url] - Swords, Co. Dublin. (Parkland)
[url="http://www.portmarnock.com/golf.php"]Portmarnock Links [/url]- Co. Dublin (Links)
[url="http://www.golfdublin.com/corballis/default.asp"]Corbalis Golf Club[/url] - Co. Dubin. This is a little gem. Pay and play. Just turn up wait 20 mins. Bernhard Langer used to practice here before the Irish open when it was held in Portmarnock. (Links)

[Denny62]

I would like to jump in on this thread with a question also. I am going to Ireland in August. Since I am going with my wife and friends who don't golf, I am only golfing once :friends: Since we will be in southwest and western Ireland, I am thinking about playing Connemara golf course outside of Clifden. I have not seen this one mentioned. Does anyone have any feedback for me?

 

Thanks

Denny