With scenic locations, natural links courses and almost 400 affiliated golf clubs, Ireland stands out as a premier destination for avid golfers. Learn more about what the island has to offer and check out some of the best golf courses in Ireland.

Why Ireland?

Every year, more than 240,000 golfers come to Ireland to experience its impressive fairways and breathtaking scenery. The island has been recognised as an iconic golfing destination, being named an International Golf Destination of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. Ireland has also hosted prestigious golfing events and will be hosting more in the future, including the 153rd Open (2025) and the Ryder Cup in 2027. Lastly, some of the world’s best golfers come from Ireland, including Graeme McDowell, Leona Maguire, Pádraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy.

What we’re trying to say is that Ireland is one of the world’s best destinations for golf, bar none. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro looking to play golf in a new destination, then this guide is for you. We’ll cover some of the best golf courses in Ireland, ranging from links courses with massive sand dunes to championship courses.

The Best Golf Courses in Ireland

With four golfing regions (Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western), Ireland offers a great variety of exceptional natural terrain that makes it the ideal golf destination for many golfers. The southern region, for example, is home to the Ballybunion and Killarney golf courses, while the western region (Mayo, Sligo and Galway) offers great links courses like Enniscrone and Carne Golf Links. Northern Ireland is the home of iconic courses like the Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush, the Ballycastle Golf Club and the Ardglass Golf Club. Where you’re on the island, it’s worth visiting Northern Ireland, especially if you’re a golfing history buff.

Want to discover some of the best courses the island has to offer? This list will give you a glimpse of some of the locations that will be covered during Trendsetter’s 2025 Ireland Links Golf Tour.

St. Anne’s Golf Links

St. Anne’s Golf Links in Bull Island—a UNESCO Wildlife Sanctuary—was originally founded as a course with nine holes. Today, it offers an 18-hole links course and is highly rated by both locals and international golfers who have played on its fairways.

Druids Glen Golf Course

This golf course blends a rich history, spectacular landmarks and, yes, a modern irrigation system. Known as the ‘Augusta of Europe’, it is home to a reimagined golf course designed by renowned Irish course architect Pat Ruddy and legendary golfer Tom Craddock. As one of Ireland’s top 30 courses, it has hosted several Irish Opens (1996-1999).

The European Club

As a top golf course in Ireland, The European Club offers a unique experience. Here, you get a 20-hole links in sandy rugged dunes with sweeping views of the Irish Sea. Some of the world’s top golfers have given its links course a go, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.

Druids Heath

This championship course is a stone’s throw away from Druids Glen. It’s a mix of heathland and parkland that offers several links as well as amazing views of the Irish countryside and the Wicklow mountains. Druids Heath was the venue for the 2006 Irish PGA Championship and has hosted many tour players, including Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia.

Dingle Golf Links

This golf course in the Dingle Peninsula offers an immersive experience and challenging holes, with pars ranging from 3 to 5. Originally designed by Irish course architect Eddie Hackett, this golf course effectively blends playability and difficulty. It is home to naturally undulating fairways and a meandering stream on 13 of the course’s 18 links holes. It’s also one of Ireland’s top courses.

Beaufort Golf Club

This golf club in Killarney, County Kerry is home to an 18-hole modern parkland championship golf course with amazing green sites and fairways. The course itself was redeveloped by renowned golf architects McKenzie and Ebert Architects. Players get to bask in the beauty of nature surrounded by centuries-old trees, the ruins of a 15th-century castle, lakes and a rolling landscape.

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club

As one of Ireland’s most prestigious and historic clubs, the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club has hosted the Irish Open six times. It also offers two 18-hole championship courses, including the Killeen Course. When you join Trendsetter’s 2025 Ireland Links Golf Tour, you get to play the Killeen Course. On this course, you get to take in picturesque lakeside scenery while enjoying challenging plays. The 18 holes range from par 3 to par 5, with handicap indexes ranging from index 1 to 16.

Waterville Golf Links

With towering dunes and gently undulating fairways, the Waterville Golf Links is one of the best Irish courses. Aside from breathtaking views and unique golf holes, the Links are a Hackett/Fazio design with a par 72 championship golf course that comes with five tees.

Carne Golf Links

On the island’s north west region, players get to enjoy amazing courses that offer unique challenges. One such course is the Carne Golf Links on Ireland’s west coast. Designed by Eddie Hackett, it was originally an 18-hole course. Today, it offers 27 holes, including the Wild Atlantic Dunes Course, recognised as one of the world’s best natural links.

Enniscrone

Still in Ireland’s north west region, Enniscrone Golf Club is home to the Enniscrone Championship Links Course. It offers 27 holes spread across 400 acres, with a par 73 dunes links course. It’s recognised as one of Ireland’s top courses and was voted ‘Best in Connacht’ by the Golfers Guide to Ireland.

County Sligo Golf Club

Also known as Rosses Point, County Sligo Golf Club has been recognised as one of the world’s 100 greatest courses. It is the home of the West of Ireland Amateur Championships and has hosted other notable amateur events. What started out as a nine-hole course extended to 18 holes at the turn of the 20th century. Playing at the County Sligo Golf Club, you get to see arresting views courtesy of sights like Table Mountain, Drumcliffe Bay and the Ox Mountains. You also get to experience the Wild Atlantic Links (Colt Championship Links), which include Bomore, Ewing’s Profile and Lissadell (par 4).

Carne Golf Links – Hackett Course

At the Hackett Course, you get to play the original Hackett 18 holes, including the 9-hole Wild Atlantic Course. The course blends deep hollows, shallow greens, bunkers and undulating fairways. It’s also home to one of the best golf holes in Ireland, as recognised by the Irish Golfer in 2022, Hackett Course’s hole 17. With one of the relatively shorter par 5 opening holes, the course’s first hole, Macalla (Echo), offers well-sheltered greens. Tour hosts David Cooper and Adrienne Witteman played the original course in 2009 and have deemed the course worthy of its inclusion on the 2025 Ireland Links Golf Tour.

Tackling an Irish Golf Course: What You Need to Know

These tips will help you make the most out of your golfing trip in Ireland:

  • If you’re playing on a championship course, get a caddy. They’re familiar with the fairways and can help you save shots. If you’re planning to book a caddy, buggy or cart, it’s best to call ahead. Note that costs will vary.
  • Follow traditional dress codes when you’re playing in a golf club. Go with a smart casual look and don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and some waterproof gear. When it comes to golf shoes, it’s best to check with the club about what type of cleats they allow.
  • While you don’t need to have a handicap certificate to play in Ireland, it’s best to bring it along with you just in case you’re planning to play on more challenging courses.

The 2025 Ireland Links Golf Tour

If you’re looking to combine golfing with a dash of adventure on the side, then we invite you to join our 2025 Ireland Links Golf Tour. From 25 May to 10 June 2025, you’ll get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in one of the world’s best golfing destinations.

What sets this hosted golf tour apart is that instead of focusing on popular or big-name courses in Ireland, it brings you to the best available Irish links courses. These include St. Anne’s Golf Links, Druids Glen Golf Course, Dingle Golf Links, Killeen Course and Carne Golf Links.

You get to enjoy 12 games of golf, all of which are optional, over 17 days and 16 nights. Throughout the tour, guests get to stay at stunning accommodations, including a five-star resort (Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort) and an estate bursting with old-school charm (Mount Falcon). During the tour’s final leg, guests will be transferred from County Mayo to Dublin, where they’ll stay at a five-star hotel, have the afternoon off to explore Dublin’s sights and enjoy a farewell dinner. For more information about the 2025 tour, check out this page. It includes a detailed itinerary, tour inclusions, cost breakdown and insurance details. You may also contact your host David Cooper via email or phone.

If you’re looking to embark on a European tour to enjoy the best of European golf design, Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours also offers cruises and land tours within the region. Mark your calendars for these upcoming golf cruises, which include: