The fabled Southwest Ireland golf courses nestle within Clare, Kerry and Cork, where the Wild Atlantic Way provides spectacular displays to rival the unforgettable holes.
This is the links paradise of your dreams.
This is the irresistible region that lures legions to the Emerald Isle.
And this is your definitive guide on where to play, stay and explore for the perfect golfing adventure in Southwest Ireland.
For simplicity, we’ve ordered these 8 must-play links geographically, from north to south.
But you can expect a tailormade Southwest Ireland golf trip itinerary with IGT.
Now, let’s tee off.
Est: 1892 | Par: 72 | Length: 6,950 yards
An absolutely epic start to your Southwest Ireland golf trip.
Within an hour of Shannon Airport, on the gorgeous northwest coast of County Clare, the 2019 Irish Open and 2026 Walker Cup venue awaits.
Simply put, the legendary Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club is one of the world’s greatest links layouts.
Four generations of celebrated architects, including Old Tom Morris, Alister MacKenzie and Martin Hawtree, infused Lahinch with their unique genius.
What did this never-ending quest for perfection produce?
An eccentric, exciting and exacting championship course that demands every shot in your locker.
Surging in all directions, Lahinch unfolds through rolling dunes, sweeping valleys, and cavernous hallows along lovely Liscannor Bay.
Always expect the unexpected.
Holes are short and long, uphill and downhill, blatant and blind, sheltered and exposed, forgiving and ruthless.
Old Tom’s iconic Klondyke (4th) and Dell (5th) offer the perfect microcosm of your unforgettable Lahinch experience.
Est: 2002 | Par: 72 | Length: 7,026 yards
Lahinch is not the only golf course in Southwest Ireland shaped by Martin Hawtree.
His visits to Clare also included refining Greg Norman’s acclaimed Doonbeg. But you likely know it by its current name.
Only 20 miles south of Lahinch, you’ll find the modern masterpiece that became Trump International Golf Links, Ireland.
The 2026 Irish Open venue is a joy to behold and a pleasure to play.
Set across sumptuous terrain overlooking the golden sands of Doughmore Bay, Doonbeg delivers natural grandeur and an exhilarating shot-making test.
Brimming with undulating fairways, deep bunkers and contoured greens, the out-and-back layout honours tradition.
Yet the uncommon combination of five par 3s and five par 5s defies convention.
You begin with, arguably, the greatest opening hole in the Southwest.
A wonderful introduction to the mammoth dunes that cloak this links course in awe-inspiring isolation, it sets the stage for the magic to come.
Est: 1893 | Par: 71 | Length: 6,739 yards
‘A man would think that the game of golf originated here.’
Tom Watson, like countless golfing pilgrims since, felt that unmistakable primal essence that defines the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club.
So will you.
Even among the greatest Southwest Ireland golf courses, Ballybunion possess a raw, elemental majesty that few match.
Electrifying on every level, this supreme test of links golf stays with you forever.
Welcome to Kerry…
Wild and windswept, the Old Course at Ballybunion is the quintessential Irish links course.
Its otherworldly dunescape allowed for clifftop tees – where waves pound the rocks below – devious doglegs, rollercoaster fairways, and glorious greens along the Atlantic abyss.
The masterful routing accentuates every inch of the natural splendour.
And while Ballybunion abounds with sensational holes, 2, 7, 11 and 15 are especially astounding.
By the end, no matter what your scorecard says, you’ll be intoxicated by this wondrous place.
Est: 1984 | Par: 72 | Length: 6,975 yards
Few golf courses in Southwest Ireland – or anywhere else – seize your attention quite like Arnold Palmer’s captivating creation.
Tralee Golf Club is an all-consuming sensory explosion.
Its elevated, ever-changing terrain reveals truly mesmerising views across Barrow Harbour, Tralee Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Palmer concocted a links course to match this splendid canvas in Kerry.
Prepare for a thrilling ride across craggy clifftops, over plunging ravines and through soaring sandhills, where the line between glory and disaster is always razor-thin.
From the outset, Tralee bombards you with heroic shots.
On the 2nd and 11th, both par 5s, you face hefty drives and do-or-die doglegs.
Then there’s the fearsome carries on 3 and 11, The Castle and Ryan’s Daughter, with ancient ruins, crashing waves, and an Oscar-winning beach turbocharging the drama.
As these high-stakes holes knit together like scenes from a blockbuster movie, every moment feels more momentous than the last.
Est: 1924 | Par: 72 | Length: 6,737 yards
Shaped by the ceaseless ocean smash, the cinematic landscapes of County Kerry are a treasure trove of world-class golf courses.
Dingle Golf Links is a lesser-known gem from this priceless collection that you’ll be delighted to discover.
Known locally as Ceann Sibeal, Europe’s most westerly course unfurls across the remote, dreamlike Dingle Peninsula.
Sure, it’s an off-radar detour on your Southwest Ireland golf tour.
But Dingle amply rewards the journey.
Set on lush, lilting terrain, this wonderfully natural layout gives you joyous links golf at its purest and picturesque best.
Ceann Sibeal is cerebral, intimate and subtle.
Except for the meandering stream in play for 13 holes! Unsurprisingly, accuracy off the tee is key.
Plus, with swirling winds and countless twists and turns, you need a measured approach to those exceptional fescue greens.
Meanwhile, the haunting Blasket Islands, Mount Bandon and Three Sisters peaks loom over the vast Atlantic horizon.
Est: 1889 | Par: 71 | Length: 6,511
Like Dingle, Dooks Golf Club sprang from the beautiful mind of Eddie Hackett.
Like Dingle, Dooks showcases Hackett’s gift for designs in total harmony with the organic surroundings.
And like Dingle, Dooks often gets overlooked by travelling golfers in Kerry.
Don’t miss it.
Though not as renowned as other Southwest Ireland golf courses, Dooks is an authentic traditional links set on the most sumptuous stretch of seaside turf.
Dooks exudes a timeless charm and untouched beauty that warms your soul.
Overlooking the ravishing Dingle Bay and framed by the brooding MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, this secluded, tranquil place seems made for great golf.
Certainly, the course – among Ireland’s oldest links – makes a compelling case.
Dooks is exciting, intriguing and inspiring.
With water on three sides, the routing effortlessly flows across subtle duneland, where rumpled, narrow fairways and wickedly undulating greens keep you guessing from one memorable hole to the next.
Est: 1889 | Par: 72 | Length: 7,347 yards
Waterville Golf Links is pure box office.
Nestled in the far-flung reaches of the stunning Ring of Kerry, this treasured track delivers panoramic splendour, strategic mastery and relentless energy on an uncommon scale.
Eddie Hackett transformed Waterville into an 18-hole undertaking. Then Tom Fazio upgraded the handsome brute.
Their behemoth championship links rivals the best courses in Ireland – and the world.
Waterville puts the wild in the Wild Atlantic Way.
A heady mix of formidable dunes, blazing gorse and native grasses, it plays on a narrow strip of classic linksland that divides the ocean and Lough Currane.
For backcloths, from east to west, you have MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Ballinskelligs Bay.
The course masterfully complements the fairytale location.
Every hole at Waterville brings you its own absorbing challenges, high-stakes shots and magical vistas.
Yet the blistering closing stretch – 16, 17 and 18 – is the crowning glory of this silent giant.
Est: 1997 | Par: 72 | Length: 7,150 yards
A finale for the ages.
Old Head Golf Links boasts what might be the most mind-blowing setting of any course on the planet.
Truly, there’s nowhere else like this dizzying, daring, diamond-shaped creation in County Cork.
Prepare to be astounded.
Perched on a 300ft headland jutting two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, Old Head serves up a breathless mix of clifftop and links golf that generously rewards courage but ruthlessly punishes complacency.
It’s not for the faint of heart!
Don’t mistake Old Head for a showy spectacle.
Comprising five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s, this is a genuine championship course.
That said, sensory overload is unavoidable.
Seabirds soar above. Waves rattle through caves below. Biblical winds whip off the coast. Every view is frameable.
Add in nine cliff-edge holes, such as the perilous 12th, 13th, 17th, and 18th, and you have yourself a bucket-list golfing experience.
Here are answers to the most common questions about travelling to and playing golf in Southwest Ireland.
If you want to know more about the region or are ready to plan your trip, you can contact Irish Golf Tours here.
When is the best time to play the Southwest Ireland golf courses?
May to September is peak season for golf in Southwest Ireland. This period has the warmest temperatures, longest daylight hours, least rainfall, and best playing conditions.
However, such is the demand for courses and hotels, it’s typically the most expensive time to travel.
Alternatively, the quieter, increasingly popular shoulder season (early April to mid-May and late September to early October) offers you greater flexibility and availability, often at premium prices.
Whenever you plan to arrive, remember to pack the following essentials:
• Warm midlayers (sweaters)
• Waterproof rain gear
• Water-resistant golf shoes
• Caps and extra socks
• A durable umbrella
How much does a golf trip to Southwest Ireland cost?
Generally, a packaged Southwest Ireland golf trip with IGT costs between €5,100 and €7,600 per person.
This includes a tailored group itinerary with:
• 6 rounds of golf
• 7 nights B&B
• Daily transportation
• Travel logistics
• Local support
Furthermore, depending on your budget, our Travel Planners can arrange club shipments, caddie hires, sightseeing experiences, and dining reservations.
In short, we design and deliver every detail of your links adventure. View the prices for all our Ireland golf packages here.
What is the best 7-day itinerary for a Southwest Ireland golf trip?
So what can you expect on your journey across this majestic linksland?
Here is a sample 7-day Southwest Ireland golf tour itinerary that’s always popular with our guests:
Should I allow for extra days?
Ultimately, that depends on how much of the Southwest you want to explore. The region boasts a remarkable concentration of world-class golf, but these venues are dotted along a significant stretch of coastline. So a week may not be sufficient to visit all your must-play links.
A 10-day stay allows you to add amazing courses like Doonbeg and Dingle to your itinerary without feeling rushed or the need to golf every day.
You’ll also have more time to enjoy the other unmissable local attractions, such as the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park, the Burren, and Cliffs of Moher.
Is it better to self-drive or use chauffeured transport?
Both have their benefits.
A self-drive Southwest Ireland golf tour offers freedom, flexibility, and a cost-effective option for smaller groups. However, the narrow roads, drive times, and unpredictable weather can be challenging, particularly after a full day of golf.
Meanwhile, a chauffeur-driven coach guarantees a seamless, stress-free experience, from airport transfers to transport to and from courses. Plus, with our experienced local drivers, you have your own expert travel guide. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view!
Which Irish airport is best for travelling to Southwest Ireland?
Shannon Airport is the ideal arrival point for your Southwest Ireland golf trip. Respectively, it’s approximately 90 minutes and 50 minutes (by coach) from Killarney and Lahinch, the two bases on your itinerary. Shannon operates routes to and from New York, Boston and Chicago.
Dublin Airport, though not as conveniently close, offers a wider range of flights, including from New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Toronto.
From the world-class courses to the enchanting towns, natural wonders, and luxury stays, Southwest Ireland promises you an adventure like no other golf destination.
You just need the right itinerary to bring it to life.
Enter Irish Golf Tours. Since 1993, we’ve been designing and delivering bucket-list Golfer Journeys, as our happy guests can attest.
Speak to our expert Travel Planners and get your dream Southwest Ireland golf trip underway.
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Author: Tom Rooney
