The stunning course at Mount Juliet Golf Club was designed by Jack Nicklaus and has a distinctly American feel, with plenty of tricky bunkers and water hazards to overcome. Alongside being a bucket list destination for avid golfers, it has also has hosted a series of major international events, including the Irish Open from 1993 to 1995.
Designed by and named after the legendary Arnold Palmer, the Palmer North Course at The K Club in Kildare is one of the jewels in Ireland’s golfing crown. The tree-lined course has hosted 11 European Opens, multiple editions of the Irish Open (including 2023 and 2025) and, perhaps most famously, the 2006 Ryder Cup, when the European team won convincingly against an American team led by Tiger Woods. This tough course is a challenge for any golfer but it’s always a privilege to play.
Wicklow's scenic Druids Glen Golf Resort consists of two beautifully manicured courses, Druids Glen and Druids Heath, both designed to test every element of your game. Druids Glen, nicknamed the ‘Augusta of Ireland’ thanks to its distinctive design and rich floral displays, is the more famous of the two, but the more links-like Druids Heath is an equally wonderful test of golf.
The Nicklaus-designed Killeen Castle Golf Club is built around a castle that dates from 1181, but the golfing experience here is anything but old-fashioned. Nicklaus referred to it as one of his "proudest designs" and it is every bit the test of golf.
Enjoy a great round of golf and panoramic views over Lough Ree at Glasson Golf Club. The family-run course was designed by Christy O'Connor Jr. in 1993 and remains a great challenge to golfers, both pro and amateurs alike, having hosted two events on the European Challenge Tour. With fast greens, memorable par fives and a testing tournament layout, it makes for a really fun course to play.
Stretched out along the shores of the River Shannon, the beautiful parkland course at Portumna Golf Course offers incredible natural scenery as well as some interesting challenges to overcome. The mature trees that line many of the fairways bring a splash of seasonal colour, but tough holes like the par-five 17th ensure that there’s more to this course than just good looks.
Rolling hills, slick greens, water hazards, elevated tees, uphill par threes, valleys that you have to clear to reach a green – Carlow Golf Club is a tremendously enjoyable course that has it all. The trick here is to avoid the temptation to play fast and loose as it also has some nasty bunkers that can derail your game if you’re not careful. Take your time and try to admire your surroundings.
First founded in 1884, Woodenbridge Golf Club is one of Ireland’s oldest clubs. This parkland course has only improved with age, with several updates having been made over the years, including brand new clubhouse facilities. The course is set right where Aughrim meets the Avoca Rivers, providing a beautiful backdrop for the action and some tricky water hazards to avoid, too
Past host of several notable tournaments, Westport Golf Club comes in at 6,980 yards of challenging holes and beautiful views of some of Mayo's famous landscapes, including Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. The opening holes are relatively straightforward, but the later holes are much more difficult, so brace yourself for a stiff challenge and some exciting golf.
Although there are three courses at Killarney Golf Club, the Killeen Course is the cream of the crop and a former venue for the Irish Open. With the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks in the background and Lough Leane running alongside it, this is an amazing setting for a game of golf. Plus, the course's water hazards are a great way to practice precision and restraint.
Warm up your swing and get excited for a round in some of Ireland's best golf courses.
