South West Of Ireland … Classic Links Golf

The Lahinch Golf Club, perched on the Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare, will host the 2019 Irish Open. In fact Lahinch is just one of many globally renowned golf courses nestled on the Wild Atlantic Way. The South West of Ireland is considered by many to have the best concentration of links courses on the planet.  There is nowhere better for a group to enjoy great golf, spectacular scenery, excellent food … and an opportunity to relax in some of Ireland’s famous pubs listening to traditional music. 

Seven of the best links courses in the South West … and the holes to watch out for :

  • Lahinch Golf Club : recently 125 years old, Lahinch will host The 2019 Irish Open. The 6th is a hole of pure beauty playing out to the sea
  • Trump Doonbeg : stunning course with views of the Atlantic on 16 holes. The 1st is simply the best opening hole on the Wild Atlantic Way
  • Ballybunion Old Course : a course that does not need an introduction. Is there a better hole in golf than the 11th? .. ask Tom Watson
  • Tralee Golf Club : Arnold Palmer designed. The 3rd green sits delightfully on the rocks with a round tower and ocean in the background
  • Dook Golf Links : the walk from the first green to the second tee opens up some of the most stunning scenery on the island
  • Waterville Golf Links : the best finishing hole the Wild Atlantic Way. A long straight closing hole with spectacular mountain and sea views
  • Old Head Golf Links : the biggest ‘wow’ factor on the WAW. The ‘Razor’s Edge’ 4th hole is a classic. The views will simply blow your mind

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

For customised golf trips , please contact info@wagt.ie. Further information available on www.WildAtlanticGolfTours.com .

Best golf holes on the WAW … The back 9

Best-Golf-Holes

Following on from our recent post featuring the best 18 golf holes on the Wild Atlantic Way, here is the back 9. Why not play our choice of the best golf holes on the Wild Atlantic Way. WAGT will customize the best golf tours for you and your groups in Ireland. Play classic Irish links courses such as Ballybunion, Waterville, Lahinch and Tralee.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the West Coast of Ireland. 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.

Best Golf Holes : The back 9 :

  1. Rosapenna Golf Resort , Sandy Hills .. Par 4. Rosapenna is another club blessed with two great golf courses, Old Tom Morris and the newer Sandy Hills. The 10th on Sandy Hills is a great little links hole. A carefully placed drive to the bottom of the dunes sets you up for your second to a green well above you. The 6th hole is another absolute cracker.
  2. Ballybunion Golf Club, Old Course .. Par 4. Perhaps the most famous golf hole on the Wild Atlantic Way. Known all over the world as Tom Watson’s favourite , the 11th is quite possibly the signature hole of the entire country. An elevated tee, a steep drop to a second fairway and a narrow approach to the green . Great views over the Atlantic to the right.
  3. Galway Bay Golf Resort .. Par 4. The course sits on Galway Bay and offers amazing views along the Wild Atlantic Way. The 12th is a long dog-leg requiring precision off the tee. The second shot requires a fearless approach over water to a green which is perfectly placed with Galway Bay in the background.
  4. Connemara Golf Links .. Par 3. Enjoy the stunning views as you drive to the course. Connemara is set on beautiful and rugged landscape. Playing over 200 yards, the 13th is an absolute beauty. Never mind the feeling of isolation as you stand on the tee, think about the chasm and bunkers you have to clear to hit a sloping green.
  5. Carne Golf Links .. Par 3. Prepare to be mesmerised. Carne is one of the true hidden gems of Irish golf .. unspoilt and rugged. This is a remote course with so many great golf holes. It is also home to some of the largest dunes you are likely to experience on a golf course. The 14th stands out for its quality, remoteness and stunning ocean views.
  6. Strandhill Golf Club .. Par 4 .. The 15th is an uphill dog-leg that requires precision off the tee to avoid the dunes. However , it is the second shot that makes this a great hole as you hit straight towards a flag that appears to hang in the sky. Knocknarea mountain looms in the background.
  7. Enniscrone Golf Club .. Par 5. Enniscrone has everything a great links course requires .. mesmerising fairways, huge dunes, thrilling blind shots and beautiful views. The 16th is truly a great golfing hole set between the dunes and the ocean. A precise approach is required to an elevated dune framed green.
  8. County Sligo Golf Club .. Par 4. Set on Rosses Point, this is a glorious links course with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the mighty Ben Bulben ever present on the other. Spoiled for choice with many great holes, the 17th is the pick of the bunch. It starts on flatter ground and rises to an amphitheater green to your left.
  9. Waterville Golf Links .. Par 5. There are many great closing holes on the Wild Atlantic Way but the 18th at Waterville gets our vote. Try not to be distracted by the amazing mountain and sea views as you head back towards the clubhouse. The 18th is a long straight finishing hole beside the sea.

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 .