Ireland Tours
-
About Golf in Ireland
The Irish golf experience can be summed up by actor Bill Murray, “My favorite place to play golf is in Ireland. It’s the most beautiful country to play golf in. And when you come as a guest, you’re treated like a king.” Back Nine Golf Tours wants you to enjoy what Bill and countless others have experienced in an Irish golf adventure. Our team will guide you through an unforgettable tour that will only leave you wanting more. From world famous Royal County Down in Northern Ireland all the way to Old Head Golf Links in County Cork, Back Nine Golf Tours will organize your Irish golf expedition every step of the way!
Get a Customized Quote
Southwest Ireland
Course Locator-
Ballybunion (Old)
A thrilling challenge and supreme test of golf, Ballybunion boasts the largest most formidable sand dunes in Ireland. Recently renovated in 2015 it’s majestic feel simply cannot be compared to any other course on earth.
Ballybunion -
Ballybunion (Cashen)
Ballybunion is an unforgettable experience. While most come to Ballybunion to play the old course, do not overlook the newer Cashen. With the ocean on one side and the river on the other it’s tumbling, undulating free flowing rhythm of line is beauty beyond description.
Ballybunion -
Lahinch
An enchanting place to play golf, it’s rugged, distinctive, unusually varied and immensely entertaining. It’s a traditional out and back layout, situated next to the lovely beach of Liscannor Bay.
Lahinch -
Trump International Doonbeg
The look and feel of the layout is old fashioned and the routing follows the traditional out and back style. Fourteen of the greens and 12 fairways were simply mown showing the natural landscape of this great course.
Trump International Doonbeg -
Old Head
Opening in 1993, Old Head is laid out on a narrow headland jutting out 2 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Old Head is one of the world's most exhilarating sites in which golf is played. You feel as if you are on top of the world. Take extra balls as there is little room for error along the edges of the holes bordering the cliff tops.
Old Head -
Tralee
The front nine at Tralee plays across fairly level links land, but the majority of the holes hug the coastline and the ground is elevated, affording magnificent views from the cliff tops across Tralee Bay to the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The back nine plays through mountainous dunes with fearsome carries across ravines to plateau greens.
Tralee -
Waterville
Waterville plays on a promontory surrounded by the sea. It’s a stunning remote location with views to the northeast of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range and to the southwest across the beautiful Ballinskelligs Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The front nine plays across relatively flat ground while the back weaves its way through the tall dunes. Waterville’s remote location is the only thing keeping it from hosting big competitions.
Waterville -
Adare
The course opened in 1995 after being designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. It boasts cloverleaf bunkers, American mounding and lots of water. Combined with natural features and hazards including stately trees and the River Maigue which meanders through the course.
Adare -
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club
The Killeen Course is the best of the 3 featured at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. It is an inland course that features varied and exciting holes on a magnificent setting. The course was renovated in 2006 and hosted the Irish Open in 2010, testing some of the best in golf. It will certainly test you as well!
Killarney -
Fota Island
Our recommendation is to play the original 18 hole course, now named Deerpark. It is another fine parkland course (in a country known for seaside links courses). It features wide fairways and short rough, but plenty of water to make it a difficult challenge. Multiple sets of tees make the course playable for a wide range of handicaps.
Fota Island -
Cork
An Alister MacKenzie design featuring visually stunning holes running through a quarry and along the River Lee. It is a somewhat inland course, but has a links and seaside feel to it. Typically playing firm and fast, this is a must play on a tour to the region.
Cork
Northwest Ireland
Course Locator-
County Sligo
County Sligo better known as Rosses Point is a strategic links course with dramatic undulations, raised plateau greens, run-offs, high ground, low ground and cliffs, challenging bunkers, burns and dunes. The sheer individuality of each hole and the varied terrain makes County Sligo an absolute must play golf course.
County Sligo -
Ballyliffin - Glashedy
Ballyliffin is Ireland’s most northerly golf club. The holes weave their way through the wild dunes arriving at large greens with frightening undulations and protected by bunkers. The links are certainly good enough and long enough to host important championships like it will when hosting the 2018 Irish Open Championship.
Ballyliffin -
Ballyliffin - Old
Ballyliffin is Ireland's most northerly course. The Old course is a classic links where a perfect drive will often end up with an awkward lie. Combined with the newer Galshedy, you will play two 18 hole courses that complement and contrast each other brilliantly. Nick Faldo claims it's "one of the most natural courses I've ever played".
Ballyliffin -
Rosapenna - Sandy Hills
Right off the first tee you are in a lunar landscape, amongst the gigantic dunes. Going over and through the provides a platform to drink in the stunning views across the old course to Sheep Haven Bay and beyond. Each and every hole has precise definition with fairways framed by dunes so the immense challenge is clearly visible from each tee. Make sure your approach shots are accurate too, because the greens are invariably cut into the dunes or seated on an elevated plateau.
Rosapenna -
Narin & Portnoo
Tucked away in the Southwest corner of Donegal, Narin and Portnoo is a links course that deserves to be discussed with many other natural, unspoilt courses that should be given more recognition.
Narin & Portnoo -
Enniscrone
The location is ravishing and the course itself compliments its surroundings. The fairways pitch and roll between towering shaggy dunes, greens are raised on plateau and protected by deep valleys and ravines. There are elevated tee shots and panoramic ocean views. Enniscrone really is a breathtaking golf course with a serious challenge attached.
Enniscrone -
Donegal
Sitting upon a peninsula jutting out onto Donegal Bay the layout is configured in two elongated loops of nine. Fairways roller coaster up and down, flanked by huge shaggy sand dunes. There is no doubt this is a very challenging links course and should be at the top of the must play list for any serious golfer.
Donegal -
Carne Golf Links
Situated on a peninsula with gigantic dunes, Carne was designed as a tourist attraction to a relatively remote area of Ireland. Opening in 1993, the layout gives you the feel that the course has been there an eternity. It emits an extremely natural feeling. If you are willing to make the trip, you won't be disappointed.
Carne Golf Links -
Connemara
Easily one of the toughest links courses in the world, Connemara can stretch to 7,200 yards from the back tees. The wind here is typically a major factor as there are no sand dunes to protect the players. Make your score on the shorter, outward nine, as the turn for home (and the last 6 holes in particular) are sure to test your ability.
Connemara -
Portsalon
Undergoing significant remodeling in 2000, Portsalon has quickly become a "must play" on any tour to Ireland's Northwest. Include it with your stops at Ballyliffin and Rosepenna and you'll have 3 terrific courses to compare and contrast. The course can stretch over 7,000 yards and weaves its way through sand dunes for much of the round.
Portsalon
Dublin
Course Locator-
County Louth
One of Ireland’s best kept secrets, the course is laid out in two 9 hole loops, with most holes running in different directions. The greens at County Louth are their signature - they are among the very best in all of Ireland. The back nine is entertaining with a number of holes running close to the shore with distant views of the Mountains of Mourne.
County Louth -
The Island
The Island course was once on an island, it has since been connected to the mainland. It’s still isolated and sandwiched between the Irish Sea, the Beach of Donabate and the Broadmeadow estuary. This is a no frills golf course with nothing artificial. Dublin is certainly awash with outstanding links golf courses and the Island is right up there with the very best.
The Island -
Portmarnock
Portmarnock Golf Club is situated on its own sandy peninsula. There is nothing man-made about Portmarnock; it’s natural links and considered to be a very fair golf course. With water on three sides, the course is at the mercy of the wind. With greens lightning fast and true you need to bring your very best putting game.
Portmarnock -
European Club
An inspiring place for golf with the only thing missing is history. Having opened in 1993, The European Club is a unique golf experience, a 20 hole links set, huge dunes provide tremendous definition and the Irish Sea is very much a backcloth.
European Club -
Druid's Glen
With its card wrecking stretch of holes (12 - 14) called Ireland’s Amen Corner, it's no surprise that Druids Glen is generally regarded as Ireland's Augusta National. The views are pretty pleasing and the challenge is not insignificant, but if you can keep on the immaculate and generous fairways, scoring well is a real possibility. There are many varied challenges as well, not least the threatening water, which seems to be everywhere.
Druid's Glen -
Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links
The Hotel Links is a very natural and understated course. There is nothing showy about the design; the natural links land is used simply and effectively. One of the best and most challenging courses in Ireland.
Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links -
Carton House (Montgomerie)
The Montgomerie course gets its definition from manufactured undulations, swaying fescue grass and the many deep pot bunkers. It has a modern look and feel with one good hole after another.
Carton House -
K Club (Palmer)
The K Club is the most opulent golf club in Ireland and played host to the 36th Ryder Cup in 2006. The River Liffey meanders through the course and becomes a hazard on numerous holes. It is a challenging test of golf that will provide plenty of entertainment. The holes are designed to shock and intimidate even the best golfers. It is aesthetically pleasing, immaculately maintained and a course you will never forget.
K Club -
K Club (Smurfit)
This is an Americanized course so traditionalists may not be interested in playing here, but the course is big as it took over 200 acres of flat farmland and created a well-bunkered layout with significant mounding, loads of water and undulating greens. Many sets of tees make it a course for all skill levels.
-
Killeen Castle
One of the best parkland courses in Ireland. Construction was completed in 2008 and it has hosted the 2010 Ladies Irish Open and 2011 Solheim Cup since its completion. Killeen Castle is a Nicklaus Signature course so it has an American course feel to it. It's big, long and expansive.
Killeen Castle -
Royal Dublin
The greens were redone in 2006...and nearly to perfection as they are some of the best in all of Ireland. In addition to the greens, the course can stretch out to nearly 7,300 yards, so bring your "A" game. This course undeservedly flies a little under the radar as it lacks the scenery and rolling hills that many of the popular Irish courses boast.
Royal Dublin
Northern Ireland
Course Locator-
Portstewart
A mix of the old and the new, set amidst imposing, giant sand dunes with panoramic views across the Atlantic mouth of Lough Foyle to the Inishowen peninsula beyond. With one of the best opening nine holes in golf it is incredibly challenging and thoroughly enjoyable golf course.
Portstewart -
Royal Portrush (Valley)
Set in a tumbling terrain with holes cut between the dunes you often feel enclosed. The Valley course has its fair share of bumps, hollows and undulations to be found on any links course. Valley is a fine test of links golf with greens, in particular, every bit as tended as those next door at Dunluce.
Royal Portrush -
Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
The Dunluce links is named after the ruined Dunluce castle that overlooks the course. It was the venue for the first professional golf tournament in Ireland in 1895. It also lays claim as the only course outside Scotland or England to host an Open Championship. The fairways nestle in natural valleys between towering sand dunes. The small greens blend perfectly into the landscape. It has very few bunkers, but doesn’t need them as it’s natural hazards to wreck a scorecard.
Royal Portrush -
Castlerock
Living in the shadows of its more famous neighbors Portstewart and Royal Portrush, Castlerock Golf Club is every bit as good. It is one of the toughest links courses around with no easy holes at Castlerock.
Castlerock -
Lough Erne (Faldo)
A luxury golf resort with amazing facilities that sits on a spectacular site along the shores of Lough Erne. Castle Hume Lough and its many wetland areas come into play at most of the holes. Accuracy around this course is absolutely essential to score well.
Lough Erne -
Royal County Down
Often ranked as one of the best courses in the world, Royal County Down is a brute and fantastic course. With one of the finest outward nine holes in golf. With a number of blind drives and some of the bunkers are fringed with coarse grass only adds to the charm.
Royal County Down -
Belvoir Park
One of the definitive classic parkland courses in Ireland. Lush fairways, meandering streams, wonderful bunkering and super putting surfaces make Belvoir Park a delight to play.
Belvoir Park -
Malone
Malone golf club is one of Ireland’s best parkland golf courses and it is virtually unknown. Accuracy off the tee is a must as many mature trees wait to stymie any wayward shots. The front nine called Drumbridge and the back nine is called Ballydrain after the local area, is a solid test of golf and should be recognized as such.
Malone -
Concra Wood
An absolute gem. The par 5 4th hole is arguably one of the best par 5's in Ireland. It is a top class facility and the course, while not painfully long, will test nearly ever club in your bag. A relatively new course (mid 2000's), this club will not remain a secret for long.
Concra Wood
Quick Links
Scotland Tours
Ireland Tours
England Tours
Wales Tours
Get a Quote
Contact Us
Back Nine Golf Tours
64 NW 7th St
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-385-1811 or 561-707-4065
info@backninegolftours.com