GOLF in Ireland’s county CLARE

Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course): Established in 1892, Lahinch is a world-renowned links course on Liscannor Bay. Designed by Old Tom Morris and refined by Alister MacKenzie, its 18-hole par-72 layout (6,613 yards) features towering dunes, blind shots, and Atlantic breezes, making it both quirky and challenging. Ranked 5th in Ireland by Golf Digest, it hosts the South of Ireland Amateur Championship and has attracted golfing greats like Phil Mickelson (Honorary Lifetime Member). Visitors love its authentic links experience, caddie tradition, and vibrant clubhouse. The 4th hole, “Klondyke,” a 475-yard par-5. This iconic hole features a blind approach over Klondyke Hill, with a flagman signaling when it’s safe to hit. Favoring the right side off the tee and clearing the hill with enough club is key ,with a chance for eagle but punishing missteps with bogey or worse. Its unique design is a visitor favourite.
Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg: Located in Doughmore, Doonbeg is a premier links resort course redesigned by Martin Hawtree in 2016 after Greg Norman’s original layout. Spanning 400 acres along the Atlantic, this 18-hole par-72 course (7,026 yards) offers ocean views from 16 holes, massive dunes, and challenging greens. Known for its warm hospitality, it’s a bucket-list course for visitors, especially Americans, and is praised for its stunning setting and playability across skill levels. The 14th hole, a 111-yard par-3. This short, scenic hole plays to a green located in a natural amphitheater of dunes, with the Atlantic as a backdrop. Precision is crucial due to the small target and swirling coastal winds, making it both picturesque and treacherous.
Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club: Set on a 450-acre estate near Newmarket-on-Fergus, Dromoland is one of Ireland’s finest parkland courses, designed by Ron Kirby and JB Carr. This 18-hole par-72 championship course (6,824 yards) blends rolling hills, ancient trees, and water hazards, a challenging yet scenic experience. The luxurious castle hotel, top-tier practice facilities, and welcoming clubhouse make it a favourite for visitors seeking a high-end golf holiday. The 7th hole, a 460-yard par-4. Known as the “Island Hole,” it features a green surrounded by water, demanding a bold approach shot. The castle’s towers in the distance add to its grandeur, making it a thrilling and visually striking challenge.
Shannon Golf Club: Founded in 1966, Shannon Golf Club, near Shannon Airport, is a premier 18-hole par-72 parkland course (6,763 yards) designed by John D. Harris. Its fairways, lined with spruce and deciduous trees, and mix of sand-based and traditional greens provide a balanced challenge. The course, which has hosted national amateur championships, is noted for its charm, accessibility, and high maintenance standards, making it ideal for visitors starting their Irish golf tour. The 17th hole, a 165-yard par-3. This picturesque hole requires a tee shot over the Shannon Estuary to a green guarded by bunkers, with water and wind adding drama. Its waterside setting and strategic demands make it a standout.
East Clare Golf Club: Situated in Bodyke, East Clare is an 18-hole par-71 parkland course (6,000 yards) designed by Arthur Spring, opened in 1997. Set near Lough Derg, it offers breathtaking views, especially from elevated greens, and features water hazards and multi-tiered greens that test precision. Having hosted the 1998 West of Ireland Seniors Championship, it’s praised for its scenic beauty and welcoming atmosphere, appealing to visitors seeking a quieter, affordable round. The 12th hole, a 170-yard par-3. This elevated hole offers panoramic views of the Clare countryside and requires a precise shot to a green protected by bunkers and slopes, with Lough Derg in the distance. Its scenic beauty and challenge make it memorable.
Ennis Golf Club: Established in 1907, Ennis Golf Club, just outside Ennis town, is an 18-hole par-70 parkland course (5,706 meters) known for its tight, tree-lined fairways and small greens. Its relatively flat terrain makes it accessible for holiday golfers, while its strategic design challenges all skill levels. Visitors highlight the warm hospitality, competitive golf packages, and excellent bar facilities, making it a great choice for societies. The 9th hole, a 154-meter par-3. Played from a plateau, this hole requires a shot to a green guarded by water on three sides and a bunker on the fourth, a friendly yet demanding test with a scenic backdrop.

County Clare:

Ireland’s county Clare is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and traditional heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher offering breathtaking views over the Atlantic. The Burren’s unique limestone landscape provides hiking and rare flora, while Bunratty Castle offers medieval history with its restored interiors. Check out the traditional music scene in Doolin and the county’s coastal beaches. Clare is Ireland’s eighth largest county by size (3,188 square km) and 19th largest by population (127,938). Population peaked at 286,394 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 73,597 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Clare is Ireland’s sixth most visited tourist county with around 485,000 international visitors per year.

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