golf tours

Donegal … a golfing paradise

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In 2018, The Ballyliffin Golf Course played host to the Irish Open … and there is a good reason why. The challenging terrain is perfect for golf. Donegal is home to some of Ireland’s best links courses. In fact it is probably the luckiest spot on the planet … remote and beautiful, with an abundance of natural links courses.

Seven of the best links courses in Donegal:

  • Ballyliffin Glashedy Course: Host of the 2018 Irish Open. Watch out for the 5th, a stunning par 3 with dramatic views of Glashedy Rock.
  • Ballyliffin Old Course: When a golf club’s second course is ranked in the top 20 courses in Ireland, you know you are in for a golfing treat.
  • Rosapenna Sandy Hills: The newer, tougher & longer of the 2 Rosapenna courses. The 6th and 10th are 2 of the standout holes among many.
  • Rosapenna Old Tom Morris: Old V New. Original 9 designed by Tom Morris in the 1890s with the new nine designed by Pat Ruddy in 2009.
  • Donegal Golf Club: Yet another links masterpiece. Sits on the Murvagh Peninsula . The Par 5 8th is the standout hole, but there are many.
  • Narin & Portnoo Golf Club: The term ‘hidden gem ‘ is often misused … be prepared to be thrilled. The stretch from 7 to 15 is breathtaking.
  • Portsalon Golf Club: One of the country’s oldest links set in a beautiful location. The 2nd is undisputably the best second hole in Ireland.

Golf on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. It is also home to some of the greatest golf courses on the planet. The Wild Atlantic Way alone is blessed with over 40 golf courses , a combination of world famous links classics and hidden gems .. not to mention beautiful parkland courses. As you travel north from the Old Head in Kinsale to Ballyliffin in Donegal, you will encounter some of the greatest golf courses in the world. Links courses such as Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville, County Sligo and Enniscrone regularly feature on the world top golf course listings.

Golf Tours

For further information on tours and how to include these courses in your golfing itinerary, please contact info@wagt.ie or visit our website for suggested golf trips at www.WildAtlanticGolfTours.com .

Wild Atlantic Way … a truly magical experience

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Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way ( WAW ) is a sensational journey of soaring cliffs and buzzing towns and cities.  Discover hidden beaches , epic bays and some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Drive it from end-to-end or dip into it as the mood strikes. Whatever you decide,  you can be sure it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The section from Kerry through Clare and on to Galway is truly unforgettable. Experience some of the most famous locations,  unforgettable drives and breathtaking scenic points on the WAW.  Here are 10 of our favorites :

  • Skellig Michael .. designated UNESCO World Heritage Site ( see image )
  • Ring of Kerry .. world famous drive offering dramatic views and scenery
  • The Dingle Peninsula .. make sure to view the mystical Blasket Islands
  • Loop Head .. spectacular scenery, famous lighthouse and wildlife haven
  • The Cliffs of Moher .. one of Ireland’s most visited and iconic attractions
  • Doolin Village .. renowned globally for the quality of the pub music sessions
  • Burren National Park .. unique landscape & UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Galway Medieval City .. buzzing atmosphere with great pub / music scene
  • The Sky Road .. amazing views over sea and mountain as you enter Clifden
  • Killary Harbour .. stunning fjord in the heart of Connemara

Golf on the Wild Atlantic Way

The WAW in Ireland is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route and is home to some of the greatest golf courses on the island. The Wild Atlantic Way alone is blessed with over 40 golf courses , a combination of world famous links classics and hidden gems. As you travel north from the Old Head in Kinsale to Ballyliffin in Donegal, you will encounter some of the greatest golf courses in the world. Links courses such as Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville, County Sligo and Enniscrone regularly feature on the world top golf course listings.

Golf Tours

Wild Atlantic Golf Tours have designed ‘ The Collection Tours’ which focus specifically on our choice of the best 18 holes on the WAW. For further information please contact info@wagt.ie or visit our website for suggested golf trips at www.WildAtlanticGolfTours .

The best 18 golf holes on the Wild Atlantic Way ?

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Hole 9 of 18 Great Holes on Wild Atlantic Way Golf Tours. one of Best 18 golf holes

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the West Coast of Ireland. The stunning 2,500km of coastline offers breathtaking scenery, invigorating sea swells, gastronomic gems and a warm welcoming atmosphere. It is also home to some of the greatest golf courses on the planet.

Need a bucket list of great golf holes to play as you venture along the Wild Atlantic Way?  Why not play our choice of the best 18 holes on the Wild Atlantic Way.  The holes are played in the correct order they appear on the courses. The ‘course’ is a par 72 with four par 3’s and four par 5’s. Try out our front 9 for starters and let us know your feedback ..

The front 9 :

  1. Trump International Golf Links .. Par 5 .. Doonbeg is without doubt the best opening hole on the Wild Atlantic Way. An elevated tee has you staring down a dune lined hole to a green in the distance. The towering dunes create a truly magical amphitheater effect around the putting surface. Take time to admire the Atlantic Ocean which roars to your left. Globally recognised as a beauty.
  2. Portsalon Golf Club .. Par 4 .. The second hole in Portsalon is an absolute classic with long carries and stunning views. An elevated tee has you driving across a beach and river. Careful positioning is required as your second shot also requires you to carry the same river. Consistently voted the best second hole in Ireland.
  3. Tralee Golf Club .. Par 3 .. The back 9 is Tralee is often heralded as the best in the country. However there are also some great holes on the opening 9. The 3rd at Tralee is our choice for our Wild Atlantic Way list. The green sits delightfully on top of the rocks in front of the round tower. The scenery beyond is stunning.
  4. Old Head Golf Links .. Par 4 .. Of all the courses on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Old Head undoubtedly has the biggest ‘wow’ factor. The views will simply blow your mind. The ‘Razor’s Edge’ 4th hole is a classic. Playing along the cliff edge towards the lighthouse in the distance. Absolutely exhilarating and recognised the world over.
  5. Ballyliffin Golf Club Glashedy .. Par 3 .. Ballyliffin boasts two of the best courses in the country … The Old Course and Glashedy ( host of the 2018 Irish Open ). The stunning 5th on Glashedy makes our list. This hits straight out towards the sea with Glashedy Rock in the background. The green is slightly below , which enhances the views even further.
  6. Lahinch Golf Club .. Par 4 .. Recently celebrated it’s 125th birthday and host to the 2019 Irish Open, Lahinch Golf Course is a must play for all serious golfers. The thrilling 6th would mount a serious challenge for the best hole in Ireland. Surrounded by dunes, a blindish drive sets up a tough second shot towards the Atlantic Ocean. Watch out for the hollow!!
  7. Dooks Golf Club .. Par 4 .. Take your camera … the walk from the first green to the second tee opens up some of the most stunning scenery on the island. The long 7th hole is a classic links hole requiring a careful drive through a narrow channel of punishing dunes. This aerial view of the course is a taster of what you will experience at Dooks.
  8. Donegal Golf Club .. Par 5 .. Donegal Golf Club sits on the Murvagh peninsula and it is a links masterpiece. Playing over 7,000 yards with five par 5’s … the 8th is the pick of the bunch. This hole has everything … dunes and sea views to the right, a tilting fairway, a hollow, a drop , rough in front of the green and a bunker.
  9. Narin & Portnoo Golf Club .. Par 4 .. There is a stretch of holes from 7 to 15 which would rival any in the country for sheer quality and breathtaking views. The 9th hole is a gem. A long par 4 with the sea to your right which will test any golfer. Unlikely that you will get closer to the sea on any course on the Wild Atlantic Way. See image above.

Golf Tours

Wild Atlantic Golf Tours have designed ‘ The Collection Tours’ which focus specifically on our choice of the best 18 holes on the WAW. For further information on tours and how to include these courses in your golfing itinerary, please contact info@wagt.ie or visit our website for suggested golf trips at www.WildAtlanticGolfTours.com .

2019 Irish Open will return to the Wild Atlantic Way

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Hole 6 of 18 Great Holes on Wild Atlantic Way Golf Tours - Home to 2019 Irish Open

The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be played at Lahinch Golf Club from July 4-7, 2019, the European Tour recently announced. The former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley will host the event which will see some of the world’s greatest players return to the Wild Atlantic Way. Lahinch Golf Club recently celebrated it’s 125th anniversary and the Old Links course is widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in the world. Lahinch is situated in County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland, less than an hour from Shannon International Airport.

This year’s Irish Open takes place at The Glashedy course at Ballyliffin in County Donegal, yet another great golf course on the Wild Atlantic Way.

 

Golf on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route and is home to some of the greatest golf courses on the planet. The Wild Atlantic Way alone is blessed with over 40 golf courses , a combination of world famous links classics and hidden gems .. not to mention beautiful parkland courses. As you travel north from the Old Head in Kinsale to Ballyliffin in Donegal, you will encounter some of the greatest golf courses in the world. Links courses such as Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville, County Sligo and Enniscrone regularly feature on the world top golf course listings.

Golf Tours

Wild Atlantic Golf Tours have a number of tours focused specifically on the WAW. We also include a tour which showcases some of the golf courses on the West Coast which have had the honour of hosting the Irish Open. For further information on tours and how to include these courses in your golfing itinerary, please contact info@wagt.ie or visit our website for suggested golf trips at www.WildAtlanticGolfTours.com .

Wild Atlantic Way features prominently on Ireland’s best 100 golf courses

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Ireland's best 100 golf courses feature many along the Wild Atlantic Way - Atlantic Way Golf Tours

The Wild Atlantic Way ( WAW ) is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. The stunning 2,500 km of coastline offers breathtaking scenery, invigorating sea swells, gastronomic gems and a warm welcoming atmosphere. It is also home to some of the greatest golf courses on the planet. The Wild Atlantic Way is blessed with over 40 golf courses, a combination of world famous links classics and hidden gems .. not to mention beautiful parkland courses.

 

Golf Digest Volvo Top 100 courses in Ireland

The ‘Golf Digest Volvo Top 100 courses in Ireland’ was recently published. Once again links golf courses on the Wild Atlantic Way dominate the top 25. In fact 15 of the best 25 courses in Ireland are dotted along the Wild Atlantic Way. Driving North from the Old Head Golf Links in Cork to the Ballyliffin Golf Club in Donegal, you will encounter countless classics on your trip as you pass through Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo. The WAW is littered with golfing gems which offer golf at its best and jaw dropping scenery.

Evergreen top 10 courses such as; Lahinch, Waterville, Tralee and Ballybunion, are joined this year by the Glashedy Golf course at Ballyliffin, host of the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Also featuring in the top 25 are; County Sligo, Enniscrone, Old Head, Carne, Ballyliffin Old Course, Doonbeg, Donegal, Portsalon, Dooks and Rosapenna Sandy Hills.

The Volvo-sponsored list was drawn up by “a panel of industry experts and a second panel of 80 readers” who “spent months visiting golf courses throughout the island of Ireland,” the magazine said in a press release.

 

Golf Tours

Wild Atlantic Golf Tours have a number of tours focused specifically on the WAW. We have compiled a listing of the best 18 golf holes on the WAW and designed a number of tours around these golf courses. All 18 golf courses feature on the Golf Digest listing. For further information on tours and how to include these courses in your golfing itinerary, please contact info@wagt.ie or visit our website for suggested golf trips at www.WildAtlanticGolfTours.com .

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