We've got some thoughts...
If you need some help taking the first steps in planning your dream golf trip, or if you'd like to know the things we think about when we curate a special tour, have a read below!
What area is best for your first golf trip to Ireland?
So your thinking about a golf trip to Ireland and you just don't know where to go, stay and play? Ireland has 4 geographic areas that are easily accessed. Let's touch on the Dublin area and the North (Northern Ireland) all within a three hour's drive from Dublin airport and or Belfast. The choices include Portmarnock, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, The Island, European Club, Baltray, Royal County Down, Ardglass, Royal Portrush and Portstewart. This list includes nine world class courses, there are twenty more courses worthy of playing that are also located in this area. Why golf Dublin or Northern Ireland and not somewhere else? Malahide makes a great location for lodging with close proximity to 5 of the 9 courses. There are great pubs, great dining and you are just a mere 15 minutes from Dublin International Airport. Two hours up the road is county down with Royal County Down and Ardglass Golf Club. There is a world class hotel the Slieve Donard and many good dining choices as well. Two hours west and north is Portrush with Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club. If you are looking for a golf trip where you don't have to travel far to enjoy world class golf, world class views, great dining and wonderful pubs this area could very well be the right choice for your Irish golfing adventure.
Why should you try golf in Ireland?
If you haven't experienced links golf, you haven't experienced golf as it was originally meant to be played. Ireland is home to 40% of the world's links golf courses. Ireland is easily reached with daily flights to Dublin and Shannon from many places in the USA. Why Ireland and not Scotland or England, you may ask? I am a big proponent of bang for the buck. I have found the golf courses of Ireland to offer so many varied forms of links golf that when you pair the cost to play and stay in Ireland it is just heads above the other great links golfing countries. Golfing in Ireland is about finding that little town or village off the beaten path along your journey while playing unbelievable courses. There are little hidden gems in Ireland that have 15% -20% of the volume of play of the big name courses that are equally exciting, challenging and beautiful for a much lower cost to play. Instead of planning a buddies or ladies trip to some of the US golf bucket list areas you should give planning a trip to Ireland a shot. If you do you will never want a golf vacation anywhere else. Lastly, just spend fifteen minutes talking with a local at an Irish golf course or pub and you will understand why you should try golfing in Ireland.