How Much Does it Cost to Play The Best Golf Courses in Ireland
Many of the world's most thrilling golf courses are located in Ireland, which is home to the most visually intoxicating links creations on the planet. Renowned for rolling dunes and spectacular scenery, the golfing landscapes are dramatic and truly unforgettable once you have experienced them.
However, there is no doubt that it can be expensive to play here, as international tourism has driven up the cost of green fees, but you cannot deny the quality that is available, whether it be within the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
If visiting the Emerald Isle is something that you are toying with - and you fancy ticking off a marquee venue or two - we have done our research to see just how much it will cost this summer.
These are the peak greens fees at 20 of the finest courses in the Republic and five of the greatest in Northern Ireland, all of which sit alongside the most celebrated layouts on Earth.
Republic of Ireland
Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course)
Location: Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Green Fee: €350
Review Comment: "Ballybunion Golf Club is the jewel in the crown of Ireland's golf courses and is definitely worth a visit. It should be on every golfer's bucket list and every time you visit you just can't wait to come back. Every day, every game, every hole and indeed every shot is different at Ballybunion and no two rounds will be similar."
Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course)
Location: Lahinch, Co. Clare
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Green Fee: €325
Review Comment: "Wow - not sure I have the superlatives to explain how much I enjoyed this place. Played early, with a member and the place was immaculate and stunningly beautiful. Golf simply doesn’t get any better."
Rosapenna Golf Resort (St Patrick's Links / Sandy Hills Links / OId Tom Morris Links)
Location: Downings, Co. Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Green Fee: €240 / €180 / €180
Review Comment: "The St Patrick’s Links was designed by Tom Doak. Sat on idyllic links land, the routing of the layout will take you through huge dunes, along the coast and then back through more dunes."
Portmarnock Golf Club
Location: Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
Golfshake Rating: 4.82
Green Fee: €325
Review Comment: "The more I play it the more I love it. The wind was so strong the day we played the planes that are usually constantly flying over head to land at Dublin Airport had been rerouted inland. We played the yellow nine then the red nine. A good score wasn't available so I focused on trying low bump and runs and punched shots. Great fun and looking forward to my next round."
The European Club
Location: Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Green Fee: €290
Waterville Golf Links
Location: Waterville, Co. Kerry
Golfshake Rating: 5.00
Green Fee: €325
Review Comment: "Perhaps the nicest course I have ever played. Got it on a glorious day and have rarely enjoyed a game so much - it really is out of this world."
The Island Golf Club
Location: Donabate, Co. Dublin
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Green Fee: €270
Review Comment: "This is my favourite golf course all year round. It provides the best challenge of shot making: straight drives, super iron shots, clean chip shots off tight lies and super quick putts."
The County Sligo Golf Club
Location: Rosses Point, Co. Sligo
Golfshake Rating: 4.91
Green Fee: €250
Review Comment: "A super course providing a stern test of golf for all handicaps but also offering the opportunity for good scoring if played well. Stunning views all round and well worth the visit."
County Louth (Baltray) Golf Club
Location: Drogheda, Co. Louth
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Green Fee: €260
Review Comment: "Course is extremely fun to play. The back 9 is really outstanding. Each hole changes dramatically from 100 yards and in, it is almost like playing two different holes. Greens were fast and true and in great shape."
Ballyliffin Golf Club (Glashedy Links / The Old Links)
Location: Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Green Fee: €260 / €240
Review Comment: "Perfection. 36 holes of the highest quality. I have played 452 courses in Ireland and this is the best. I joined as a member although it's a four hour drive from my house."
Carne Golf Links
Location: Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Golfshake Rating: 4.84
Green Fee: €160
Review Comment: "Easily my favourite course in the world, and I've played a few. Simply the most natural, dramatic links course anywhere. It's location means that it gets far fewer visitors than those in the south west and, as such, it is far less manicured which may not be to everybody's taste. Similarly, the club facilities, while adequate, may not be to the standards of some visiting groups. The course, however, is amazing."
Enniscrone Golf Club
Location: Enniscrone, Co. Sligo
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Green Fee: €195
Review Comment: "The first thing to be said is that this is an Irish links, not a British one. This means huge dunes and constant changes of elevation. This is a cracking links course, with dunes almost as big as Carne down the road. An excellent routing and some spectacular views of the beach and ocean."
Tralee Golf Club
Location: Barrow West, Co. Kerry
Golfshake Rating: 5.00
Green Fee: €300
Review Comment: "I had friends down from Dublin who loved Ballybunion but thought Tralee was majestic, despite it being very dry as a result of all our great weather. Greens were fast and rough was best to be avoided if possible. Bunkers were challenging, as always. Food in the bar afterwards was excellent with a wide choice. In summary, a great course!"
Old Head Golf Links
Location: Kinsale, Co. Cork
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Green Fee: €450
Review Comment: "An amazing experience. If I had one round left in my life and could play anywhere in the world, this would be my choice, the views are one of a kind. Pebble Beach on steroids."
Narin & Portnoo Links
Location: An Fhearthainn, Co. Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.40
Green Fee: €250
Review Comment: "One of the best courses I have ever played! It was in spectacular condition and really could not fault it in anyway. After a straightforward first three holes, the course winds down towards the sea and some breathtaking views. Straight driving is a must to return any type of score and the par 3s, while all well within reach for all golfers, must be landed on the green or you pay the penalty! The three par 5s in a row on the back 9 will either make you or break you, stamina is key to playing this course."
Donegal Golf Club
Location: Laghey, Co. Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Green Fee: €210
Review Comment: "Donegal Golf Club is a very traditional links course. An absolutely fantastic layout, long winding par 5s, incredible mix of par 3s, and great par 4s. Bring your A game, as this is a tough track to play to your handicap. Choose your tee boxes carefully as this will add to your enjoyment immensely. A must play if you are a fan of links golf."
Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Links
Location: Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Green Fee: €275
Review Comment: "Renovations have certainly strengthened some of the weaker areas of the course. The fact that talks are underway to create a golfing package encompassing Jameson Links, Old Portmarnock, The Island and Royal Dublin suggests the resort is well and truly sitting at the same table as the region’s elite."
Portsalon Golf Club
Location: Portsalon, Co. Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Green Fee: €150
Review Comment: "True test of links golf. If you find yourself in Donegal playing various courses, It's well worth playing Portsalon. Quality venue, friendly staff. Course in fabulous condition."
The Royal Dublin Golf Club
Location: Bull Island, Dublin
Golfshake Rating: Not Yet Rated
Green Fee: €220
Connemara Golf Links
Location: Ballyconneely, Co. Galway
Golfshake Rating: 4.46
Green Fee: €180
Review Comment: "Was pleasantly surprised by this course, as didn't know much about it in advance. Front nine was brutal, with all but one hole playing into the wind. The back nine was brilliant, with some fantastic driving holes. Signature par 3 was an experience in itself."
Northern Ireland
Royal County Down Golf Club (Championship)
Location: Newcastle, Co. Down
Golfshake Rating: 4.96
Green Fee: £425
Review Comment: "It is one of the best golf courses in the world, steeped in history and prestige. The design, condition, including impeccably manicured grounds, the layout, and challenge are first class and make it one of the greats in the world."
Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links)
Location: Portrush, Co. Antrim
Golfshake Rating: 4.90
Green Fee: £340
Review Comment: "The views were stunning and the course was in excellent condition when I played in late October. The greens were fabulous and playing on the course had a real Open Championship feel to it. The starter was an entertaining guy and the clubhouse had a real sense of history. The view as you walk onto the 5th green is breathtaking. It was fairly tough and expensive to play the course, but it was worth it to play one of the top ten golf courses in the world."
Portstewart Golf Club (Strand Course)
Location: Portstewart, Co. Londonderry
Golfshake Rating: 4.84
Green Fee: £275
Review Comment: "Undoubtedly a great course, particularly over the first few holes that weave through the dunes. Like all links courses you have to pay for the privilege and accept it's going to be busy. But it's a slick operation and marshalls keep everybody moving. The clubhouse and pro shop match the course in expectation and I can't imagine anybody going home without having had a good day's golf."
Lough Erne Resort (Faldo Course)
Location: Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
Green Fee: £175
Review Comment: "An absolute gem of a course with magnificent views, great holes and in great condition. I'd play again in a heartbeat."
Castlerock Golf Club (Mussenden Links)
Location: Coleraine, Co. Londonderry
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Green Fee: £145
Review Comment: "A great course to play links golf without spending loads of dosh. The greens were in fantastic nick and the course is really beautiful with lovely views. Wind plays a huge hand. A real challenge. The tee boxes and fairways are not in quite the same nick as the signature courses. A fantastic course all the same."
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