Southwest Ireland Golf Travel

Southwest Ireland - everyone's first golf pilgrimage.

Along Ireland's wild Atlantic coastline, Southwest Ireland presents golf enthusiasts with an extraordinary collection of links courses that rank among the world's most spectacular. Here, where dramatic cliffs meet pristine beaches and towering dunes, every round becomes an unforgettable journey through golf's purest form.

Ballybunion Old Course stands as the region's crown jewel, stretching along the northwest coast of County Kerry where centuries of wind and sea have sculpted towering dunes into natural amphitheaters for golf. The beautifully contoured fairways tumble through a blanket of grassy dunes, creating holes consistently rated among the world's finest. The opening hole, playing alongside an ancient cemetery, sets the tone for a round where each hole feels discovered rather than designed. The back nine, winding through massive duneland, offers some of the most dramatic golf holes in existence. Its sister course, the Cashen, while often overshadowed, presents an even more spectacular and unforgiving test with higher dunes, deeper valleys, and more undulating greens.

Lahinch Golf Club, often called the "St. Andrews of Ireland," showcases the evolution of golf course design through the work of three masters: Old Tom Morris, Alister MacKenzie, and Martin Hawtree. Their combined brilliance created a masterpiece where local goats still predict the weather and blind shots challenge golfers to trust their instincts. Morris's famous Klondyke and Dell holes, the latter completely hidden from view, epitomize the imagination and creativity required to score well here.

Further south along the Kerry coastline, Waterville Links emerges from a remote peninsula like a golfer's dream. A mystical experience over 100 years old, this top-five Irish course combines classic links elements - sand dunes, gorse, native grasses, firm fairways, and sod-faced bunkers - with ever-changing weather conditions that have made it a favorite practice venue for Open Championship winners. Nearby, Tralee Golf Club, Arnold Palmer's first European design, presents what many consider golf's most dramatic back nine, where towering dunes, undulating fairways, and cliff-top tees create an unforgettable challenge.

The clifftop marvel of Old Head Golf Links extends two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, creating perhaps golf's most dramatic setting. Built on a 220-acre diamond of land, with caves running beneath the playing surface, the par-72 layout stretches beyond 7,200 yards with nine holes directly along cliff edges that tower 300 feet above the surf. Each hole offers stunning ocean views, with multiple tee options ensuring an enjoyable challenge for players of all abilities.

Doonbeg (now Trump International) embraces Dr. Martin Hawtree's philosophy of 'least disturbance,' offering Atlantic views from 16 of its 18 holes as it winds through natural sand dunes along 1.5 miles of crescent beach. Meanwhile, Dooks Golf Club offers a more sheltered links experience, where Martin Hawtree's 2002 enhancements highlight the natural beauty of gorse, heather, and wild flowers while maintaining the traditional challenge of narrow, sandy fairways and well-contoured greens.

Destination Experiences: Culture & Leisure

Southwest Ireland captivates visitors with its perfect blend of dramatic landscapes and authentic Irish culture. The region's rugged coastline, part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way, presents a mesmerizing backdrop of towering cliffs, hidden coves, and windswept peninsulas that have shaped both the land and its people.

Killarney serves as an ideal base, where Irish hospitality reaches its pinnacle. The town sits at the gateway to Killarney National Park, a magnificent expanse of ancient woodlands, crystal-clear lakes, and mountains. Here, visitors can explore historic Ross Castle by traditional jaunting car, cruise the Lakes of Killarney, or hike through pristine wilderness. As evening falls, the town's streets come alive with traditional music sessions spilling from cozy pubs, while restaurants serve exceptional cuisine crafted from local Kerry ingredients.

The Ring of Kerry offers one of Ireland's most spectacular driving routes, where each turn reveals breathtaking vistas of mountains meeting sea. Along this route, stop at charming villages where traditional Irish culture thrives in authentic pubs and local craft shops. The colorful fishing town of Dingle captures hearts with its vibrant streets, traditional music scene, and famous resident dolphin, while also serving as a gateway to the dramatic Slea Head Drive.

Cork City, known as Ireland's culinary capital, presents a sophisticated urban experience anchored by the historic English Market, where local producers have traded for centuries. Nearby, the historic town of Kinsale enchants visitors with its maze of narrow streets, world-class seafood restaurants, and perfectly preserved 17th-century architecture. For history enthusiasts, Blarney Castle offers the chance to kiss the famous stone, while the Jameson Distillery in Midleton reveals the secrets behind Ireland's beloved whiskey tradition.

Practical Information

Location & Access:

• Shannon Airport (SNN) and Dublin Airport (DUB) serve as primary gateways

• Killarney and Lahinch offer ideal base locations for exploring the region

Best Time to Visit:

• May through September offers optimal playing conditions and longest daylight hours

• July and August see peak tourism and warmest temperatures

• Spring and autumn provide spectacular golf with mild conditions and fewer crowds

Planning Your Visit

Whether you're planning a dedicated golf retreat or combining play with Ireland's cultural attractions, our team specializes in crafting bespoke itineraries that maximize your experience. Contact us to discuss preferred tee times, accommodation options, and supplementary activities that will make your Irish golf journey truly memorable.