The best golf courses along the Wild Atlantic Way

Ballyliffin Golf Club 

Although open since 1973, Ballyliffin Golf Club and its two well-designed courses remained a relative secret among locals and golf fanatics. It wasn't until the club hosted the 2018 Irish Open that it began to be recognised as one of the best golf courses in the world. The Glashedy Links brings towering dunes, elevated tees and testing greens, while the Old Links keeps you guessing with rippling fairways and unpredictable seaside bounces. Both make full use of the natural terrain, with the Atlantic breeze ensuring there’s plenty to think about between shots. Once you're here, it won't take long to understand why Rory McIlroy called it a "must play on any golf trip in Ireland." 

Rosapenna Golf Resort 

The three 18-hole courses at Rosapenna Golf Resort take different approaches, but all use the natural scenery to deliver tests that challenge any golfer. While the more traditional Old Tom Morris Links runs alongside the dunes and requires thoughtful game-play, you will need perfect precision to conquer the narrow fairways throughout the Sandy Hills Links course. But no visit to Rosapenna is complete without enjoying a round on the club's latest addition, the St Patrick's Links. Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2021, the course is generously spaced out, letting you take in the scenery while avoiding its many hidden obstacles.

Portsalon Golf Club 

Golf has been played at the Portsalon Golf Club since the 1890s and the course has continued to evolve ever since. First designed by Old Tom Morris and later improved upon by Paul McGinley, the course follows the natural dunes and contours of the landscape, making it feel as if Mother Nature has designed the course. A perfect example of this can be found on the 13th hole, where you play across a beach inlet, and not to mention the wind that sweeps in from Ballystocker Bay which can test any good golfer. 

Cruit Island Golf Club 

Resting on its own island off the coast of West Donegal, the nine-hole links course at Cruit Island Golf Club is often called the best nine-hole course in the world for its collection of views and beautifully laid out holes. These include several par threes that require precise iron play, while the undulating terrain means your ball is always at risk of running out of fairway. 

Narin and Portnoo Golf Club 

The natural course at Narin and Portnoo Golf Club combines the pleasures of traditional links golf with a few surprises. Founded in 1930, the club has been transformed by designers Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, who made the most of its rolling dunes and uneven terrain to create testing approaches and memorable par threes. The closing par five gives you one final challenge, bending around sand hills on the way home. Add sandy beaches and views across Gweebarra Bay, and there’s plenty to enjoy whatever the scorecard says. 

Donegal Golf Club 

Known as the ‘Muirfield of Ireland’, the exhilarating 18-hole Donegal Golf Club on the Murvagh Peninsula features two demanding loops of nine holes. Although the championship links was later revamped by Pat Ruddy, the intentions of its original legendary designer, the late Eddie Hackett, still ring true today – the terrain dictates the holes, focusing on rewarding good positioning rather than playing tricks on its visitors. Alongside the obvious water and wind hazards due to its location, the par 73 course poses several dilemmas for golfers, from its high dunes and woodland-framed holes to the 7,000-yard stretch from the back tees. But by the time you wrap up, you'll see why Darren Clarke regards it as one of his favourite courses in the world.

County Sligo Golf Club 

While the 9-hole Bomore Course at the County Sligo Golf Club is ideal for a shorter visit, it's the 18-hole Colt Championship Course that draws people in. Named after its designer Harry Colt, the two halves of the course serve up their own individual challenges. The front nine's strategic bunkering and proximity to the water demands precision, while the bigger dunes and wind exposure on the back nine will test your patience and approach. This, combined with the incredible views of the Atlantic and Benbulben, makes the course a natural host for the annual West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship. 

Enniscrone Golf Club 

The impressive Enniscrone Golf Club can rightfully claim to be as challenging as any links you’ll find in Ireland. Set along the stunning shoreline of Killala Bay, the course is well-known for its imposing dunes. While they may shield the manicured fairways from the weather's strength, the dunes have also been maximised to create elevated tees and tricky blind spots that reward the bravest of golfers. But, whether you're playing the round of your life or struggling to make double bogey, the views alone will have you coming back for more.

Carne Golf Links 

There aren’t many places that have been called ‘nature’s gift to golf’ but it’s a fitting description for the remote 27-hole Carne Golf Links at Béal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet). The club's 18-hole Hackett Course was the last, and some would argue the best, links course to be designed by Eddie Hackett and embraces the wild nature of this corner of Ireland – think rugged greens, massive dunes and expansive views of Blacksod Bay. Alternatively, if you're looking for a quick round that is still a challenge, the Kilmore Course's exposed nine-hole layout is the one for you. 

Connemara Championship Golf Links 

The 27-hole Connemara Championship Golf at Ballyconneely offers a serious test, with its championship layout stretching to 7,229 yards from the back tees. Without towering dunes to provide shelter, the open terrain delivers panoramic views of the coast and mountains – and gives the wind free rein to complicate your round. Bring your concentration, determination and a little imagination: smart club selection and well-judged shots will serve you well here.

Dooks Golf Links 

Dooks Golf Links in Glenbeigh has been welcoming golfers since 1889, making it one of Ireland’s oldest clubs. Several upgrades have refined the challenge without losing its original character, with a setting at the head of Dingle Bay that’s hard to beat. The Atlantic stretches out on one side and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks rise on the other, but give the golf your full attention: this relatively short course demands accuracy on its narrow fairways and a careful touch on its sloping greens. The opening hole heads towards the sea, so expect the Atlantic breeze to have a say from your very first drive. 

Golf Chumann Ceann Sibéal

Like a jigsaw puzzle, the traditional layout of Dingle’s Golf Chumann Ceann Sibéal was built piece by piece. Originally founded in 1924, the club was first in Doonsheane before it found its home along the Dingle Peninsula. The Hackett-designed course was built in two instalments, both making use of the natural landscape. While most holes feature gentle slopes, calculated bunkering and humps and hollows that will keep you on your toes, it's the meandering burn that adds a layer of difficulty to even the simplest of holes. 

Ring of Kerry Golf Club 

Unlike most courses found along the Wild Atlantic Way, the 18 holes at the Ring of Kerry Golf Club is a parkland course, but that doesn't prevent it from having some of the best coastal views. Almost every hole overlooks lovely Kenmare Bay while still making use of the environment's wooded areas to set an appropriate challenge for its players. That said, the course appeals to golfers of varying handicaps, the forward and middle tees suit the average golfer, while the back tees test experienced players.

Bantry Bay Golf Club 

One of the biggest challenges of golfing at Bantry Bay Golf Club is not getting distracted by the scenery. Sat on a clifftop above the head of Bantry Bay, 14 of the course's 18 holes overlook the Atlantic Ocean, and while its six lakes make for tricky water hazards, they also add to the course's peaceful atmosphere, even when your round isn't going your way. Although there are a number of blind spots and testy greens, the fairways are quite generous, ideal for new players.