Parklands in their prime: 10 of Ireland's greatest golf courses
Many golfers have a preference, while others will answer differently, depending on the day. That’s the beauty of golf: Variety and choice, and in Ireland we have bucket-loads of both. I was sitting with Mike, at Shannon Golf Club, when he posed the question. I took a moment to think and, in that time, many of Ireland’s great courses crossed my mind. Here are 10 of them.
Comes with a temporary asterisk as it is closed until 2017 as the resort enjoys a €30m makeover, but as my favourite Irish parkland I already have goosebumps over what’s to come.
The walk past Adare Manor to reach the 1st tee is as elegant a start as you could ask for… and elegant is the word that describes the entire round, as holes glide through trees to create a deep, dark and captivating rhythm. Everything about this estate feels big and every shot you face fills you with anticipation. Then, there’s that final stretch of holes beside the River Maigue.
Green fees: N/A at present
For such an impressive course, Dromoland Castle doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Set in 400 acres of mature woodland, with several sweet changes in elevation, there are few better courses to wind up your driver. Standing on tee boxes is thrilling, as you look at what’s laid out before you. There are natural lakes and streams, ancient trees, dense forest and old stone walls… not forgetting the 16th century baronial castle (and five-star hotel) which provides a stunning backdrop to the par three 7th and the par five 18th. It is a strong test of golf and, once you get the three quiet holes (four to six) out of the way, Dromoland Castle just gets better and better.
Green fees: €63 to €110
A club boasting the revered name of Alister MacKenzie is always going to be special, but the landscape he worked with at Cork offered plenty of variety, too.
The quarry holes may be the most startling and the holes beside Cork Harbour the most beautiful, but the entire round is full of entertainment. There are constant surprises, too. MacKenzie was never shy about creating intriguing green complexes and several greens here will test the best — the par three 7th is a perfect example. You’ll need a member to help you aim for the best part of the green. The recent bunker upgrades are both brilliant and sympathetic to MacKenzie’s original style.
Green fees: €70 to €80
Hosting the Irish Open on three occasions will always give you kudos, but Fota Island hasn’t been sitting idly as it laps up the plaudits. The course continues to be enhanced year after year and, with its 27 holes and full resort experience, it is highly attractive to groups of golfers. This big estate parkland covers much of the island’s 580 acres, giving holes lots of space and a very easy rhythm. It is not designed to be too tough for the average golfer, making it all the more welcoming. Wildlife, lakes, streams, and Fota Wildlife Park (behind the 4th green) all add character. First class clubhouse, too.
Green fees: €70 to €95
For such a pretty course, Portumna has remained in the shadows for far too long. It flows over undulating terrain and around sentinel-like oak trees and bursts of woodland. There is such an easy flow that you’ll consider this a lazy day’s golfing. It almost lulls you into a state of contentment as you move from one hole to the next, reaching eagerly for your driver as you eye up the fairway ahead. The course is surrounded by dense forest, which is home to hundreds of deer; they often wander onto the course to give Portumna an extra dose of charm. Exceptional value, too.
Green fees: €20 to €25
This is another big parkland to host the Irish Open, but Killarney Golf Club also boasts one of our most bucolic inland settings. Lough Leane brushes alongside several holes, deer appear frequently and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks are ever present across the water. It is perfect Irish scenery and the golf course continues in the same vein. You’ll need to employ smart strategy to score well and, while driving will unlock the door, it is your approach play that will count most. Given the flooding this course has endured in recent years, be sure to put it on your ‘to play’ list this spring/summer.
Green fees: €55 to €110
Mount Juliet tops the “Ireland’s best parkland” list for many golfers and, with the Jack Nicklaus pedigree, that is little wonder. Now under new ownership, the course is benefiting from heavy investment (€1m in machinery costs alone) as it seeks to return to its very best.
The plush hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant ensure that golfers will enjoy a five-star experience from start to finish, but it is the sylvan setting of the course that draws golfers from near and far. Mount Juliet — for the most part — is also surprisingly generous, playable by golfers of all abilities.
Green fees: €50 to €95
Sitting on the east coast, Druid’s Glen is the biggest adventure you can have in Ireland. You walk passed a druid’s altar, over a suspension bridge, alongside old stone walls and you even have to figure out how to play Ireland’s toughest hole (the par four 13th). The old estate setting means big trees and pretty water features are everywhere. Six of the back nine combine the two to brilliant effect, particularly the par three 12th and 17th. Indeed, Druid’s Glen boasts the best set of par threes in the country and a par on any of them feels like victory. The resort also has a hotel and second golf course.
Green fees: €40 to €90
There may be bigger and more prestigious parkland courses across the country (Headfort, Killeen Castle, Lough Erne, and Slieve Russell, among them), but Birr has a very special place in Irish golf. The natural eskers over which the course is routed give it a unique wave-like rhythm. They create a handful of blind shots, but also natural green settings which sit down low or up high. It is therefore a fabulous course for shot- making and the par fours vary significantly in length, which adds to the experience. Put simply, Birr is bundles of fun… and excellent value, too.
Green fees: €20
As host to this year’s Irish Open (May 19-22), interest in this former Ryder Cup venue is going through the roof. It is a glamorous parkland with all the frills (five-star hotel, a second course, extensive practice facilities) and it also boasts a highly impressive set of par fives. The dark River Liffey appears on several holes and there are plenty of other water features to keep the pressure on. It was designed by Arnold Palmer and, while some will find it a bit overdone (and over-priced) it remains a special round of Irish golf.
Green fees: €120 - €240
A bonus course to enjoy, with Adare undergoing renovation. Of the two courses in Kells, Co Meath, the New is the one that enjoys the muscle and the more
majestic setting. There aren’t many inland golf courses which have two natural, arboretum-like islands as their centrepiece , are there? The course was routed by Christy O’Connor Jnr over Headfort’s grand old estate, with swathes of mature trees, bountiful water features and a quietly lilting landscape proving the ideal canvas for a fabulous golf course. Headfort is not short (6,164m middle tees) but every shot is enjoyable and big hitters will love it. The par threes are particularly strong.
Green fees: €25-€70
Kevin Markham
Links or parkland? You don’t need coastal winds to savour these 10 beauties
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