Would you like to join the 11 million travelers who visit Ireland each year?
An Ireland vacation needs no introduction. The rolling hills, scenic coastline, and charming villages are a delight to any traveler. But as a golf enthusiast, have you ever considered taking a golf trip to Ireland?
Here are five reasons why you absolutely should.
1. World-Class Courses
If you browse a list of the world’s top golf courses, you’ll find Ireland well-represented. How many of these famous course names do you recognize?
- Old Head Golf Links
- Ballybunion Golf Club
- Royal Portrush Golf Club
- Royal County Down
- Killarney Golf Club
- Tralee Golf Club
That’s right — they’re all in Ireland! They’ve been designed by some of the greatest course architects in history as well, including Harry Colt, Greg Norman, Eddie Hackett, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
As if that’s not reason enough, you’ll find these courses in some of the most spectacular landscapes you could ever imagine.
2. Short Travel Distances
Another great thing about a golf trip to Ireland is you won’t waste long hours in your rental car. In fact, the entire country of Ireland is roughly the same size as South Carolina or Maine!
This means you can pack several amazing golf courses into a single Ireland vacation. For example, in the south, a two-hour drive from Shannon airport will take you to Killarney, Tralee, or Ballybunion. And in the north, Royal Portrush is less than two hours from Royal County Down.
3. Options for Every Budget
Sure, you’ll pay a pretty penny for a round at a Top-100 course (and believe us — it’s worth every penny). But if you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll still find an incredible array of courses that won’t break the bank.
A round at Tralee or Lahinch’s sister courses cost half of what their famous counterparts charge. You’ll also find plenty of nine-hole courses like Castlegregory, Spanish Point, and Cruit Island where you can play two rounds for around $40.
4. Unique Golf Villages
Golf isn’t just a pastime in Ireland — it’s a way of life. This is evident when you visit one of the country’s charming golf villages and see locals carrying their clubs through town.
Take a stroll through Portrush, Bushmills, and Donegal to see what we’re talking about. These are also the perfect spots to do some shopping or grab a drink at a local brewhouse or distillery.
5. It’s Closer Than You Think
As you do your trip planning, you might be surprised by how short the travel distances are between Ireland and your home country.
For example, a flight from New York to Ireland is a mere six hours. If you live in mainland Europe, you can reach Ireland in half that time. And if you’re in England, Scotland, or Wales, you’ll barely even have time for a cup of tea on that short flight over to Ireland!
Plan Your Next Golf Trip to Ireland
If you love golf and you love to travel, why not combine both ideas into one fabulous golf trip to Ireland? As we discussed above, it’s one of the best vacation destinations for golf enthusiasts!
Need more trip planning advice for your Ireland vacation? Want to learn more about the most popular trip destinations around the globe? Stay right here and keep browsing our site for the best travel advice.
