Links golf was born in Scotland and since has spread all over the UK. Few courses are genuine links tests though and outside Scotland, Ireland is perhaps the best place to test your skills on a traditional links course. The Emerald Isle is firmly in the golfing spotlight at the moment thanks to the success of Irish golfers in the Majors in the last few years. Paddy Harrington kicked it all off with three quick fire majors and since then Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlory and, most recently, Darren Clarke have joined the party. Darren’s recent Open victory has raised serious questions over the Open visiting Northern Ireland in the near future and it is high time that it does so. Here are some of the very best links courses from Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Castlerock Golf Club is just down the coast from Portstewart.
Castlerock at dawn…the best time to tee off if you can drag yourself out of bed early enough!
Portstewart Golf Club
Royal Portrush…thank god for those massive dunes!
Golfers can enjoy stunning sea views from all over the course at Royal Portrush.
Royal County Down. Rory McIlory holds the course record of 61…he was 16 when he shot it!
Needless to say the rough and the bunkers around Royal County Down are to be avoided!
Rosapenna sits on some naturally rugged terrain that is simply perfect for a golf course.
Greg Norman’s stunning Doonbeg.
Doonbeg pot bunkers…an essential part of any traditional links.
The 14th hole at Doonbeg. At 111 yards it’s still long enough to set the knees trembling!
Bernhard Langer’s effort at the Portmarnock Hotel Links.
On a calm day the links at Tralee can be such a peaceful place.
At low tide the strands provide a dramatic backdrop to this stunning golf course.
If you catch Tralee on a day like this you have done well!
The Island Golf Club near Dublin is a hidden gem and a great test of links golf when the wind rills in off the Irish Sea.
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Great photos of the Ireland golf courses, just hope the weather shines like that when I visit Dublin in September!
These are the gorgeous pictures I have been looking for. Is there a way I could view larger images? I would really love to see the fine detail.
Nice looking courses. I will have to make a trip out that way soon and practice my 100yrd putts!
Played Doonbeg in May this year, the best links I have ever played ! Loved the other photos and hope to play one of the courses in Northern Ireland this year.