Finding time for leisure is essential for a well-rounded life. Some people enjoy staying at home, playing games, or just chilling. Some enjoy extreme sports like mountain climbing, trekking, and others, but if you are around Ireland and looking for an activity to enjoy, you might want to try golfing!
Whether you are a seasoned golfer or just a beginner, check out our recommendations for the best golf clubs in Ireland!
How much does golfing cost?
When you start golfing, you might be daunted by the sport is expensive. But do not fret. With proper research, you can enjoy golfing that fits your budget. Below you can find a general list of costs when you start golfing.
Please note that prices may vary according to the area, market, and regulations.
Best golf clubs in Ireland
Before we jump to the list, we must discuss what factors we included in the list—understanding these lets you ascertain which club suits you best according to your interest and budget.
1. Tralee Golf Club
| Range of Course | ★★★★★ |
| Services | ★★★★★ |
| Cost | ★★★★☆ |
| Review and Popularity of Club | ★★★★☆ |
First on our list is situated around the rugged and beautiful Atlantic coast, found in Ireland’s southwest.
Tralee Golf Club is a stunning golf club that features multiple landscapes and courses to cater to its wide range of clients. From towering dunes, fairways, trees, and expansive greens, Tralee Golf Club will serve you satisfaction.
What makes this club stand out from our recommendations is that it is intricately designed and built by Arnold Palmer, where its courses and facilities represent a premium and a true paradise. Its courses are globally-acclaimed, and it is linked as one of the world’s finest golf courses.
Aside from its courses, it offers a wide range of facilities to ensure its clients can enjoy their stay.
The club is open to all visitors for a fee (€180 for Mid Season, €250 for High Season). And if you enjoyed their accommodation, you can sign up for their membership which comes with discounts and a variety of freebies for you to enjoy!
Judging this list fairly, Tralee could have been the perfect golf club if their regular operating hours were made available on their website.
Overall, if you are looking for a golf club that simply offers the best golfing experience, Tralee Golf Club will surely bring a smile to your face.
Pros
- Offers different courses with beautiful landmarks and sceneries
- Delicately designed and built for enjoyment
- Wide range of facilities
- Offers both visiting and membership
Cons
- Strictly via reservation
- No regular operating hours provided
Customer Reviews
Simply 10 out of 10
“Simply amazing true links course! Between the history on the front nine and the best views and layout you can ask for on the back, no wonder is an Arnie favorite. 10 out of 10!!” – Dino Damelio, Google Reviews
The best among them all
“Tralee may be the most beautiful course in Ireland. I thought Waterville was great, but it’s not close to Tralee. Arnie did a wonderful job laying it out. As the saying goes…Arnie layer out the front, but God laid out the back.” – Kevin Coughlin, Google Reviews
2. The European Club
| Range of Course | ★★★★☆ |
| Services | ★★★★★ |
| Cost | ★★★★☆ |
| Review and Popularity of Club | ★★★★☆ |
The European Club is built upon its proud history where over 30 years was allotted to develop and calibrate the club to meet the challenges of modernity.
Situated in the lovely Brittas Bay, south of Dubin, The European Club boasts its beautiful links with four different ranges from approximately 7,500 yards down to 6,000. The course is perfect for those looking for a challenge as it presents obstacles and tricky bunkers to keep golfers on their toes.
The club also offers rentals of their clubs, trollies, golf cars, and other necessities. They also have a clubhouse for their clients to sit and relax. Visitors can also visit their resto to grab a quick bite after a round of golf.
What sets this club apart from others is its delicate design to challenge golfers, even the professionals.
However, it would have been better if more accessible courses were available. It is also helpful that interested clients must know that the club is strict with rules and regulations in playing golf; reading their website can surely help you prepare for your trip.
The European Club will surely be your best bet if you love classic golf, silence, and basking at the moment.
Pros
- Professionally designed and crafted courses made for competitive golfers
- Pricing is available on their website
- Rentals are available
- Clubhouse, restaurant, and shop are also available
Cons
- Courses can be too tricky for non-competitive players
- Strict rules and regulations
Customer Review
Fantastic
“Fantastic part of our world. Team Ruddy does it their way, and what a way it is. Highly recommend any golfer with interest in course design should play this masterpiece.” – TJ Kelly, Google Reviews
Challenging Course!
“What a course! I played it in a gale but still had fun. Course in great shape, but those bunkers are TOUGH.” – David Egan, Google Reviews
3. County Louth Golf Club
| Range of Course | ★★★★☆ |
| Services | ★★★★★ |
| Cost | ★★★★☆ |
| Review and Popularity of Club | ★★★★★ |
Next on our list is the County Louth Golf Club which is known for its highest pedigree. Dubbed as a ”snapshot of the way golf should be” by Golf Digest, this club is located on the historic East coast of Ireland, the Boyne Valley.
County Louth Golf Club boasts 14 playable courses with smaller areas to enjoy multiple courses with different difficulties and landscapes. Each course is designed carefully to cater to your enjoyment and challenge your skills in golfing!
To immerse you further, they offer a 3D interactive aerial view using your smartphone!
Aside from the courses, their club offers a shop where you can buy different merchandise and golf equipment. There is also a restaurant to provide you with meals or quick bites that you can enjoy yourself or with your company.
What we love about County Louth is that, like the others, they offer visitors both booking and membership options. But what sets them apart is that their membership provides different options.
This includes a short five-day membership for those away from Ireland who would like to golf in their club. And for a more specific membership option, they also offer student and junior and minor memberships, which have different benefits and packages.
If you love smaller multiple courses, would like to have options in their memberships, and would like to bask in the rich history of Boyne Valley, the County Louth Golf Club ticks all the boxes for you!
Pros
- Friendly to non-competitive players
- Shorter courses with many to choose from
- Multiple options for membership
- Visitor booking available
Cons
- Shorter courses
- No flat pricing available
- Membership can be seasonal depending on-demand
Customer Review
Fantastic Golf Course
“Super links golf course on a beautiful day is easy and enjoy. Poor weather is challenging golf course.” – David Smyth, Google Reviews
A Long Visit.
“I haven’t played here in 15yrs but cant wait to go back; the course is in pristine condition, fairways are like most other clubs’ greens, and the greens are so fast and true. If you are slightly off target, you fall off, and the bogies rack up. You can see why they draw in visitors from abroad, and to be fair to them, they put plenty into the course, manicured to death. It’s well worth the money for the experience alone.” – Michael Harte, Google Reviews
4. The Royal Dublin Golf Club
| Range of Course | ★★★★☆ |
| Services | ★★★★☆ |
| Cost | ★★★★☆ |
| Review and Popularity of Club | ★★★★★ |
The Royal Dublin Golf Club did not fail to enter our list as it is famous for its magnificent links course where it has hosted many Irish golfing championships since 1894.
Gifted with spectacular coastal views, a course designed with dunes, fescue grasses, and natural hazards, The Royal Dublin Golf Club is considered one of the 246 authentic links courses in the world, which is regarded as an exclusive group in the world of golf. Designed by a specialist link architect, Martin Hawtree, the link is over 7,300 yards with over 72 links of outstanding quality.
The club also provides a complete practice area which they call The Garden, where you can find the driving range, chipping and putting green space, and practice net for you to use and hone your skills.
While the club is open to visitors, there is an option to become a member to be officially affiliated with the club. However, no information was found on their website about membership.
The club also sports a clubhouse where visitors and members can stay and freshen up after a game. They also have a shop where you can buy merchandise and golfing needs.
As a proud member of the exclusive group of golf clubs in the world that sports an accurate links course, The Royal Dublin Golf Club will surely not disappoint you and will promise to serve you with world-class service.
Pros
- True links course
- World-class courses
- Provides a complete set of practice facilities
- Clubhouse and shop facilities
Cons
- Can be limited to professional and competitive plays
- Membership information was not found
- No flat or range pricing was included
Customer Reviews
Great Quality and Location
“Given its quality and location, the Royal Dublin Golf Club is perfect for anyone staying in the city and looking to play a great links golf course.” Pádraig Harrington lifted from the official The Royal Dublin Golf Club website.
Extremely Welcoming.
“I had a great experience there. The course is in superb condition. The starter with met there is extremely friendly and welcoming. I would love to be back there again.” – Wit Wannakrairoj, Google Reviews.
5. Strandhill Golf Club
| Range of Course | ★★★★☆ |
| Services | ★★★★☆ |
| Cost | ★★★★☆ |
| Review and Popularity of Club | ★★★★☆ |
Next on our recommendations is the Strandhill Golf Club which started as the premiere nine-hole golf course in 1931 and is highly regarded as Ireland’s first golf club. Improving its course and holes, Strandhill focuses on its upgrades while preserving local flora and fauna.
With over 6,200 yards of fairways and unforgiving shortcuts, the golf course at Strandhill promises unforgettable and fun experiences for all who play it! Coupled with the breathtaking scenery of Knocknarea Mountain, Culleenamore Strand, and Strandhill Beach, you can relax while enjoying the 18-hole round.
They also provide junior golf experience for younger enthusiasts where safety officers are deployed to ensure safety.
The visitor rate is around €30 and for international visitors €100. They also provide special prices for Fridays and student rates. They also offer hiring for buggies, glider member, pull trolly, or golf club hire.
At Strandhill, you will not feel away from home as they provide accommodations for you and your company. Some of the accommodation facilities you can choose from are lodges and suites, which offer luxury self-catering accommodation.
In conclusion, Strandhill Golf Club will surely be the best choice if you are looking for a quiet and homey club to play golf.
Pros
- 18-hole course design
- Provides in-village accommodation
- Budget-friendly
- Available Clubhouse
Cons
- Limited facilities
- No membership
Customer Review
Amazing Course
“What an amazing course. So fun to play. Course architecture was fantastic. Enjoyed today’s round.” – Ruairi Fallon, Google Reviews
Lovely Golf Club
“Lovely Golf course and clubhouse, helpful staff, the weather was abysmal when we played it, but the course in excellent condition and a lovely layout, a hidden gem, well worth a visit” – Fred Hoey, Google Reviews