County Louth (Baltray)
Dublin & The East
Known throughout the area as “Baltray,” County Louth Golf Club was founded in 1892. The original course was redesigned by architect Tom Simpson in 1938 and it has basically remained the same since. Situated just 4 miles from the historic town of Drogheda on Ireland’s east coast, County Louth is links golf at its very best. A “hidden gem” amongst Irish Courses, this course provides a challenging test of golf with its well placed bunkers and undulating greens. County Louth has a tradition of hosting national and international events, playing host to the 2004 Irish Open and the 2012 Irish Ladies Open.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range and Putting Green
- Dress Code: Appropriate golfing attire
Druids Glen
Dublin & The East
Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, Druids Glen Golf Course opened in 1995. This picturesque parkland course has often been described as the ‘Augusta of Europe’. The flora and fauna of the Glen provide a stunning and colourful backdrop to a magnificent golf course. Perhaps the best inland course in Ireland, Druids Glen has played host to the Irish Open on several occasions, and is a past winner of the European Golf Course of the Year.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Practice area and putting green.
- Dress Code: No denim or trainers allowed.
The European Club
Dublin & The East
A major links course 30 miles south of Dublin, The European Club opened in 1993 and has quickly established itself as one of Ireland’s premium links courses. Set amongst large sand dunes, with great views of Arklow Bay and the backdrop of the Irish Sea, the European Club is unique in that it offers 20 holes of golf for those who don’t feel satisfied after the 18th.
- Caddies Available: No
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (medical certificate required)
- Practice Facilities: Practice area and putting green.
- Dress Code: No denims (includes non-golfers also)
The Island Golf Club
Dublin & The East
The Island Golf Club, situated 15 miles from Dublin Airport, is a beautiful links course set in splendid isolation. Established in 1890 and originally requiring golfers to take a ferry across the estuary, the golf club enjoys a unique setting, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Completely in harmony with its surroundings, the course abounds with flora and fauna, including skylarks — also found on The Island Club’s emblem. The course has recently played host to several important tournaments, including the Irish qualifying of the Open Championship, and has also hosted the Irish PGA.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (medical certificate required)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area. putting green and large practice area.
- Dress Code: No denims or collarless shirts.
The K Club
Dublin & The East
The K Club course was designed by the famous Arnold Palmer, and has proved to be a golfing dream. Set in amongst 220 acres of prime Kildare woodland, the Palmer Ryder Cup course features 11 lakes and has the River Liffy winding through it. This beautiful inland course is home to the European Open, and also hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006. The K Club also has a second course, the Smurfit course. A very different golfing experience, this second course has sloping greens, water hazards a-plenty, and dune type mounding throughout.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green.
- Dress Code: Appropriate golfing attire.
Mount Juliet
Dublin & The East
Opened in 1991, the Mount Juliet Golf Course in south-east Ireland gives the impression of having been around for a century or more. Mount Juliet has many fine holes, but number three is the signature hole, played from an elevated tee across a large lake to an island green. This is a course well worth playing, with lots of water and challenging tee shots requiring accurate iron play. This is the first course in Ireland to be designed by Jack Nicklaus and definitely warrants a visit.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (limited)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire.
Portmarnock Golf Club
Dublin & The East
The championship course at Portmarnock Golf Club is, without question, one of the finest links layouts in the world, which is interesting as there is no famous architect name tied to this course. Opened in December 1894 as a 9-hole course, then extended in 1896 and 1971, it is classic links golf at its best and only gets better with time. The course hosted the Walker Cup in 1991, the first year it was televised. Voted as one of the best by the European PGA Tour players, Portmarnock Golf Club is located only 10 miles to the north of Dublin on Ireland’s east coast.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (medical certificate required)
- Practice Facilities: Driving range, short game area and putting green
- Dress Code: No denims or collarless shirts.
Portmarnock Links
Dublin & The East
Designed by Bernhard Langer and known as the Links Portmarnock, this is a classical seaside links course set on 180 acres. There is little doubt that the course offers all a golfer could wish for and possesses each characteristic required for the gratification of the links purist. According to Langer: “There were very few locations in Europe that could have allowed me to design a classic championship links course. I hope all those who play it discover its magic and challenging beauty”. With elevated tees, blind approaches and doglegs all features of the course, you will find Portmarnock Links a true test of ability.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (limited number available)
- Practice Facilities: Short game area, practice nets and putting green
- Dress Code: No denims and tailored shorts only.
Royal Dublin
Dublin & The East
Royal Dublin is a links course situated on North Bull Island, just outside Dublin. The club, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2010, was instituted in 1885 and has been in its current location since 1889. It is Ireland’s 2nd oldest club and received in ‘Royal’ status in 1891. Extensively redesigned by Harry S. Colt in the 1920s, the course has recently been brought up to date by Martin Hawtree. Like all links courses, the wind plays a large part in the game, especially over the last few testing holes. Royal Dublin is a course well worth playing.
- Caddies Available: Yes (Request in advance through The Golf Travel Group)
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (only 6 available)
- Practice Facilities: Practice area and putting green
- Dress Code: Shorts must be tailored and worn with white socks
St. Margaret’s Golf & Country Club
Dublin & The East
Located just outside of city center Dublin, St. Margaret’s Golf & Country Club has already hosted 3 international tournaments. The club boasts big dramatic holes like the roller coaster twelfth, which rolls between two lakes and across a babbling brook to a majestically elevated green. Seven of the par 4 holes are over 400 yards long and the mighty eight is all of 525 yards — a big challenge for the biggest hitters. As well as awesome struggles there are broad forgiving fairways, terrific par threes and greens that play very true on this fascinating course.
- Caddies Available: No
- Pull Carts Available: Yes
- Electric Buggies Available: Yes (only 6 available)
- Practice Facilities: Practice area and putting green
- Dress Code: Appropriate golf attire