Best Golf Courses in Dublin

Ireland’s capital city is without doubt one of the most attractive and vibrant in Europe, add to this the surrounding golf courses and you have one of the best destinations in the world for a golf break.

A great mix of courses are on offer around Dublin, from Championship layouts like the Ryder Cup course at The K Club, fantastic coastal courses such as The Island and Portmarnock Links to the resort courses of Druids Glen and Carton House.

With so many of the best courses in one place, you can't beat a golf break to Dublin. Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Dublin or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Dublin >>

Jutting out into the Irish Sea just beside Dublin, Portmarnock is surrounded by water on 3 sides, making for spectacular views and changeable winds. The layout is such that every shot is potentially played with the wind coming from a different direction, however, from the tees to the greens nearly every feature is in sight, providing a fair test to golfers of any ability.

The 19-time host of the Irish Open is deserving of a mention on any list of Ireland's greatest courses.

More info on Portmarnock Golf Club >>

"A great links experience that was very fair and playable and a course that I'd recommend to anyone visiting Ireland."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

Potentially Irish Golf’s best-kept secret, The Island Golf Club is well over 100 years old and until 1973 could only be accessed by boat. Becoming increasingly more popular as word spreads, this course is one of the most spectacular in all of Ireland, the isolation only adding to the serene beauty.

Of all the links courses in Ireland, The Island claims the highest sand dunes making for natural golf holes that have kept the integrity of the land intact.

More info on The Island Golf Club >>

"A fantastic links golf course that deserves all the praise it receives. One of the most memorable things of playing here for me is firstly the views, they're amazing but also the lies that you can experience when you stray offline."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Tom about playing this course.

This stunning links course is consistently rated in the Top 100 Courses in the World and has hosted the Irish Open a mere 19 times. It is a true test to your golf ability, with typical links features even more accentuated thanks to the elements. It's breezy, undulating and the huge pot bunkers are a trap you don't want to fall into. It is class.

After a round on this traditional style course, be sure to head to Dublin city centre (only 15 minutes away) to enjoy a round or two of Guinness'.

More info on Portmarnock Golf Links >>

"A great place to visit when staying and playing in Dublin. The golf course at Portmarnock Links is a very good challenge even when the wind is calm."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Originally designed by Harry Colt, Royal Dublin is the second oldest golf club in Ireland and displays its heritage perfectly to this day. Just a short drive from Dublin city centre, this coastal course is relatively flat for a links course but is by no means easy.

More info on Royal Dublin Golf Club >>

"With long narrow drives, accuracy off the tee is required while the bunkering and run off areas around the greens means your short game will also be in for a stern test."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Tom about playing this course.

One of the oldest courses in Ireland at over 600 years old, Luttrellstown Castle is regularly voted as one of the Top 100 courses in Ireland. With improvements to the course made by Donald Steels design team aka Tom MacKenzie, the course was brought up to date in 2006 including a new practice area.

It is now championship length at over 7000 yards and only 20 minutes from the heart of Dublin.

More info on Luttrellstown Golf Club >>

"The 5th hole here stands out in my memory thanks to the blind tee shot, meaning club selection is key in order to score well."
Jordan (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 5)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Jordan about playing this course.

This might be one of the shortest links courses in the country (4500 yards, par 66) but it demands accuracy. Play between dunes, across fairways and along the coast and onto greens as pure as they come.

Owned by the County Council, this stunning course offers views across the Irish Sea. Blind tee shots here are plentiful too making this all in all a tricky yet handsomely quirky round of golf.

More info on Corballis Golf Links >>

"The par 3's here especially keep you on your toes, playing from elevated tees, with unforgiving rough waiting to hide you ball if slightly off line."
Gabriella (Marketing: Handicap 26)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Gabriella about playing this course.

With two extremely picturesque courses on-site both measuring over 7000 yards, this venue is a championship test for all levels of golfer. Not only does Druids Glen present one of the best courses in Dublin, it is renowned for having one of the best par 3's in golf.

You may have heard of Druids Glen being referred to as the Augusta of Ireland, and this is because the 8th hole here is reminiscent of the 16th at Augusta National. It is simply stunning.

More info on Druids Glen >>

"Ireland is famous for its links golf and rightly so, but when it comes to a relaxing day on a beautiful parkland layout, it's tough to beat a round at Druids Glen."
Huw (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 5)

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Although a regular feature in the Top 100 Courses in Ireland, County Louth was brought into the limelight when it hosted the 2019 Irish Open which saw then amateur Shane Lowry win the tournament and make history.

Set out in two loops of nine, this championship links course definitely fits the category as best in Dublin with its unique layout and character running alongside the stunning coast.

More info on County Louth Golf Club >>

"Visually, the 12th hole stands out most in my mind with the green sitting behind 3 very deep pot bunkers and the fairway also protected by more bunkers."
Huw (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 5)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Huw about playing this course.

With Ian Woosnam leading the way, the 2006 Ryder Cup saw one of Europe's most dominant performances. A week which was somewhat overcast by emotion for Darren Clarke, he stepped up and was part of an incredible final day which saw Henrik Stenson sink the winning putt.

The stadium style course is one of Ireland’s best and despite the wealth of quality links layouts on the Emerald Isle, this inland course is simply majestic.

More info on The K Club >>

"I don’t think I’ve played a more green and lush course than The Palmer / Ryder Cup course at The K Club. It’s incredibly well manicured and the greens were lightning quick even in October."
Oliver (Marketing: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Oliver about playing this course.

There are two very different courses at Carton House - an inland links course designed by Colin Montgomerie and the O'Meara, a parkland style course.

The Montgomerie course has hosted the Irish Open more than once and is a course where the deep bunkering easily come into play. It's an interesting layout with long grass and is heavily undulating and best yet, it's only 15 miles from the city so makes for a perfect golf and city break.

More info on Carton House >>

"My tip before you arrive here is to practice your bunker play, as there are a lot of deep bunkers, and when the wind gently catches your ball you know that's where they'll end up!"
Rick (Marketing: Handicap 12)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rick about playing this course.

Some helpful information for planning and playing golf in Dublin. From lush parkland golf courses to fast-running links golf courses, Dublin has everything you'd need to play some great golf.

Handicap: 18
Favourite Course: Royal Portrush
My 'Expert' areas: Wales, Scotland, Open Championship Courses
Best trip I've done: Trump Turnberry
Where my next trip is to: Valderrama,the first European Ryder Cup venue.

Give Rob a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.