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A lot has changed since I last updated this site. For some reason (work, marriage, kids etc.) it has taken me four years to return to publishing this site. In that time Ireland has undergone monumental changes. Some for the better and, as is always the case, some for the worse. Golf wise Ireland has only gotten better.
The boom in the economy (the best in the first world at the turn of the century) has spread money all over the country. Courses are better kept, clubhouses more luxurious, roads with more than two lanes! However inflation has been out of control for the last few years. It has been felt everywhere from restaurants, to hotels, and of course, green fees at most, but not all, courses have skyrocketed. An additional factor and perhaps a more important one is the shift of American tourism from Scotland to Ireland. One thing the Irish realized very quickly is that Americans will pay almost anything to get out on the links of the old country. In fact I recently played Royal County Down ($271) and the caddy mentioned that 90% of those that play are American. Whereas 5 years ago a championship course would cost you $60-80 at most, they now run upwards of $200. The great courses in the North-West will still cost about that much, but anything near the touristy areas (South-West and Dublin) can easily be triple the price.
So are they worth it? Being of the more frugal breed I find it hard to justify large sums of money on golf in general. However having just returned from a 10 day golfing vacation in Ireland I am of the opinion that everyone must try it at least once. Imaging playing 10 of the world's top 100 courses for the price of a week in South Carolina or a couple of rounds on the Monterey Peninsula. In fact less than a week after returning from my most recent trip one of my playing partners was already planning his return to Ireland to play more courses.
So why Ireland? Simple, Ireland has the best courses in the world. Golf Digest's top ten courses in the world feature three of Ireland's courses. In fact Northern Ireland is listed in the top five of places to go for golf, exceeding even the Carolinas.
Put simply, there is a type of course at your price to suit you.
Courses range from the rugged links of Royal County Down (Voted No.1 in the World), to the modern K Club, home of the 2006 Ryder Cup.
If you want links courses, and you do, Ireland exceeds even Scotland in
terms of quality. In fact Ireland has over 1/3 of the world's links courses. If you want parkland courses you'll find them too.
The beauty of Irish golf is that whatever you want you will find it.
Several courses stand out and are listed as the best in the world; Royal County Down, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Ballybunion, Doonbeg, for links; and Adare Manor, K Club, Mount Julliet, Fota Island, and Druid's Glen for Parkland.
It's true that many of the famous courses are hard to get on during
the summer, but if you pay attention, I'll tell you about the hidden gems
that can be played virtually at any time of the year.
I'll be honest, if I had my choice of any course in the world, my top three choices would be Augusta, St. Andrew's, and Lahinch. These would
be followed by Portmanock, Ballybunion, and Royal County Down. Portmarnock
and Ballybunion both have hosted Irish Open's recently and Royal County
Down several Senior British Opens.
The amount of good golf available in Ireland is staggering. Even if you can't get on the "famous" courses there are dozen's of "sleepers" where you can find a fantastic round, at a very reasonable price.
In conclusion, Ireland is the place to be for golf. There are many
courses here that are virtually empty that would be listed among the
best in America. Value for money and the beauty of the scenery is something
that one must experience at least once in their lifetime. Be warned though, if
you play here, you are likely to come back every year for the rest of your
life!
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