Planning SW Ireland Trip in 2024 - Courses to Play

[TK3]

Good morning Gents,

 

My buddies and I are planning to go to SW Ireland for his 60th in 2024.  We will be booking soon as I read on another thread that the euro is low now compared to the US $, so there's money to be saved.

 

The courses we are looking at are:

1. Ballybunion - Old Course
2. Tralee
3. Old Head
4. Waterville
5. Lahinch
6. and maybe Doonbeg

 

I know many of my fellow WRXers have been to Ireland, please let me know if our picks are worthy or if I missed some "must-play" courses.

 

Cheers,

TK

Edited November 11, 2022 by TK3

[jvincent]

Those are definitely the traditional top-tier visitor courses for that part of Ireland.

 

Depending on how long you are staying it might be a good idea to slot in a couple of "local friendly" courses just to get a feel for what the average golfer in Ireland plays.

[puttnforthe8]

52 minutes ago, TK3 said:

Good morning Gents,

 

My buddies and I are planning to go to SW Ireland for his 60th in 2024.  We will be booking soon as I read on another thread that the euro is low now compared to the US $, so there's money to be saved.

 

The courses we are looking at are:

1. Ballybunion - Old Course
2. Tralee
3. Old Head
4. Waterville
5. Lahinch
6. and maybe Doonbeg

 

I know many of my fellow WRXers have been to Ireland, please let me know if our picks are worthy or if I missed some "must-play" courses.

 

Cheers,

TK

Here is my list.    So you have a good start.  I know people don't want to play parkland golf when they go, but Adare is a great course. 

 

Republic of Ireland

1. Lahinch
2. Tralee
3. Waterville
4. Carne
5. Ballybunion
6. The Island
7. Adare Manor
8. Rosapenna
9. European Club
10. Ballyliffin

 

Other options:  Dooks, Spanish Point(9), Doonbeg, Hogs Head, Killarney FC, if you travel a little more Dingle (worth a visit to Dingle anyways), Fota Island, Cork CC

Northern Ireland

1. Portrush
2. Country Down
3. Lough Erne (PL)
4. Portstewart
5. Portrush Valley
6. Ardglass

Edited November 11, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[TK3]

Putt,

Adare, Euro Club, Rosapenna & Ballyliffin are all candidates for our list. 
 

Much would depend on driving distance between GCs 

 

Thanks bro

[puttnforthe8]

30 minutes ago, TK3 said:

Putt,

Adare, Euro Club, Rosapenna & Ballyliffin are all candidates for our list. 
 

Much would depend on driving distance between GCs 

 

Thanks bro

 

Nice - Adare is close to SW, just inland.  EC and Bally are pretty far away.  If you are not intending on going to the East coast or up north, then they are not worth the single trip/drive from the SW. You have plenty in the SW area to keep you busy.

 

 

 

[hammergolf]

The courses on your list are indeed the most popular and are great courses. However, there are so many great courses in Ireland. I just returned from another trip to Ireland last month. As much as I enjoyed my trip to SW Ireland 2 yrs ago, I had an even better trip this time on my visit to the Sligo/Donegal area. For me, Carne, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Donegal, and Narin & Portnoo we’re every bit as good as the more famous courses. Another plus is that these courses are around half the price of the ones in the SW.

[Chanceman]

If you plan to stay in the SW part of Ireland then consider adding Dooks to your list. Btw Are you aware that Lahinch will take you a couple of hours North? 

[TK3]

Hi Chance

No, I wasn’t aware of that - thanks for the heads-up. 

[Chanceman]

9 hours ago, TK3 said:

Hi Chance

No, I wasn’t aware of that - thanks for the heads-up. 

No worries. Others to look at might be Cork ( Dr Mackenzie design), Hogshead (near Waterville) and Castlegregory (9 holes).