Golf by day, Guinness by night — that’s how you do it here.
Ireland isn’t just a place to play golf. It’s a way of life. The windswept fairways, misty mornings, and roaring Atlantic backdrops are only the beginning. What truly makes Irish golf special is what happens after the 18th hole — the pub, the stories, the music, and the warmth of the people around you.
This is your guide to playing golf the Irish way — a rhythm that moves from the tee box to the bar stool, from birdies to ballads.
Step 1: Choose the Right Course
Ireland has over 400 courses — from major championship links to charming local clubs tucked into the countryside. To get the full experience, mix a few world-famous names with lesser-known gems.
Must-play links legends:
- Royal County Down (Down): Stunning and demanding. A visual masterpiece.
- Lahinch (Clare): Rugged, quirky, and constantly shaped by the wind.
- Tralee (Kerry): Designed by Arnold Palmer — dramatic from start to finish.
- Waterville (Kerry): Remote, pure golf — and one of Tiger’s personal favourites.
Add a hidden gem or two:
- Enniscrone (Sligo): Towering dunes and coastal charm.
- Dooks (Kerry): Shorter, but rich in history and heart.
- Carne Golf Links (Mayo): Wild, remote, and unforgettable.
Step 2: Plan the Perfect Route
There’s no rushing golf in Ireland. The courses are world-class, but so are the towns, the pubs, and the conversations in between. Base yourself near clusters of courses and give yourself time to enjoy what’s off the fairway, too.
Suggested bases:
- Southwest: Killarney or Tralee for Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee, and Dooks
- Northwest: Sligo for County Sligo, Enniscrone, and Carne
- East Coast: Dublin for Portmarnock, The Island, and County Louth
Step 3: Embrace the Weather (and the Craic)
You’ll get sun, wind, rain, and maybe all three in the same round. Pack layers, a proper rain jacket, and your patience.
But more importantly — embrace the craic. It’s that unbeatable blend of humour, warmth, and shared experience. You’ll find it in the pub, on the tee, and anywhere two golfers compare bad bounces and good stories.
Step 4: Hit the Pub — Where the Round Really Ends
No clubhouse in the world compares to an Irish pub after a round. It’s where the day’s highs and lows become stories worth retelling.
What you’ll find inside:
- Live trad music: Fiddles, flutes, and a crowd that knows the words
- Local drinks: Guinness, Smithwick’s, Redbreast, Powers — take your pick
- Hearty food: Chowder, Irish stew, or a Guinness pie will set you right
Where to go:
- Killarney: Head to The Laurels or Murphy’s — good food and great music
- Lahinch: Kenny’s Bar is a golfer’s home from home
- Portrush: The Harbour Bar is a legend for a reason — whiskey, warmth, and welcome
Step 5: Rest Up — Then Do It All Again
Irish golf isn’t one-and-done. It’s a rhythm:
Tee time → Wild round → Pub pint → Trad session → Sleep → Repeat
Stay in a local B&B, a seaside inn, or splash out on a castle if you’re feeling bold. Either way, the hospitality is real, the breakfasts are massive, and there’s always another round waiting down the road.
Why You’ll Remember It
You might come for the courses — and they won’t disappoint — but it’s everything else that stays with you. The laughs. The views. The strangers who feel like friends by the second pint. Golf in Ireland is more than sport. It’s culture, connection, and pure joy in the middle of it all.
Bring your clubs, sure. But bring your curiosity, your stories, and a bit of patience for the unpredictable. Because out here, the best round of your trip might not be the one you post — it’ll be the one you’ll talk about for years.
