Portmarnock Golf Club
Historical significance & setting
Portmarnock Golf Club, founded in 1894, is widely regarded as Dublin’s great members’ club and one of Ireland’s most respected links courses. Located just north of Dublin along Dublin Bay, Portmarnock exudes tradition and calm—a place where the game has always come first. The club offers 27 holes, led by the renowned Championship Course, complemented by a strong additional nine that enriches the club experience.
Playing style and character
Portmarnock is pure, honest links golf. Natural dunes, firm turf, and near-constant coastal wind demand precision, patience, and strategic thinking. The course appears open and straightforward, yet is tactically deep: positioning from the tee is critical, and the greens reward only well-executed approaches. It is a course that avoids spectacle, but consistently demands quality.
Championship pedigree & future outlook
Portmarnock boasts an impressive championship history, having hosted the Irish Open on multiple occasions. Thanks to its routing, location, and strong club culture, it is often mentioned as a serious future host for The Open Championship—a step many see as a natural evolution.
An authentic members’ experience
What truly sets Portmarnock apart is its enduring members’ atmosphere: understated, traditional, and free from excess. This is golf as it was meant to be—balanced between nature, history, and club life. For purists, Portmarnock is not an attraction, but a benchmark.
The Island Golf Club
Historical significance & location
The Island Golf Club, founded in 1890, is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s great links courses. Remarkably close to Dublin, the course lies on the city’s northern edge, hidden within an expansive dune system near the Malahide Estuary. Despite its proximity, The Island feels completely remote—a rare balance of accessibility and total seclusion.
Playing style and character
The Island is a raw, uncompromising links, shaped by towering dunes, narrow fairways, and ever-changing winds. Visually intimidating yet strategically brilliant, it demands strong positioning from the tee, while the greens require both precision and confidence. This is links golf without concessions—challenging, honest, and constantly in dialogue with the elements.
An authentic links experience
The Island Golf Club offers the best of both worlds: world-class links golf just minutes from Dublin. For the purist, this is not an optional stop but an essential experience—rugged, immersive, and unforgettable.
Royal Dublin Golf Club
A historic links course on Dublin Bay
Royal Dublin Golf Club, founded in 1885, is located on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, just minutes from the city centre of Dublin. This unique setting—nestled between city and sea—makes Royal Dublin one of the most distinctive urban links courses in the world. Natural dunes, open terrain, and the ever-present sea breeze create the perfect stage for classic, traditional links golf.
Tournament history & iconic moments
Royal Dublin boasts a rich tournament history and has hosted the Irish Open on multiple occasions. Its most memorable moment came in 1985, when Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer battled in a legendary playoff, ultimately won by Ballesteros. That duel cemented Royal Dublin’s reputation as a championship course of international standing.
Strategic design & pure experience
The course demands strategy, precision, and thoughtful course management. Wind, firm turf, and subtle greens force golfers to play creatively and make constant decisions. Despite its proximity to the city, Royal Dublin feels remarkably calm and timeless.
At Royal Dublin, everything revolves around pure golf: tradition, character, and a deep connection to the game’s history.
Portmarnock 'Jameson' Golf Links
Historical significance
Portmarnock Links, set along the Irish coast just north of Dublin, is closely tied to the legacy of the Jameson family. The Jameson Golf Links was developed on historic linksland adjacent to the legendary Portmarnock Golf Club (founded in 1894), forming a modern yet respectful addition to this iconic golfing region.
Design
The course was designed by Bernhard Langer, who created a natural and honest links focused on strategy, wind play, and playability. The layout follows the dunes and coastline, avoiding artificial shaping and allowing the landscape to dictate the game.
Playing style and character
Portmarnock Links is a true links course, fully exposed to the sea. Wind and firm turf ensure constantly changing conditions, where precision, creativity, and intelligent course management are essential.
A pure golf experience
With sweeping views over Dublin Bay, unspoiled fairways, and a distinctly maritime atmosphere, Portmarnock Links (Jameson) delivers an authentic golfing experience where nature, design, and Irish tradition come together.
Howth Golf Club
Historical significance
Howth Golf Club, founded in 1880, is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland and is spectacularly located on the Howth Peninsula overlooking Dublin Bay. The course breathes history and offers golfers the chance to play on ground that has been cherished for generations, with the skyline of Dublin and the Irish Sea as a constant backdrop.
Unique character & magnificent views
Howth is not a traditional links course, but an elevated seaside course laid out across rolling, hilly terrain. From multiple tees and greens, you can enjoy panoramic views over the cliffs, Howth Harbour, and Dublin Bay—on clear days even as far as the Wicklow Mountains. The elevation changes and coastal setting create a dynamic round in which the landscape and views are just as impressive as the game itself.
Strategic and full of character
The routing follows the natural contours of the land and demands positioning and insight, with holes that flow along the hills and offer open sight lines over the sea. Wind and elevation play their part, but the course’s true character lies in its combination of height, space, and panorama. Howth delivers a fair, authentic golf experience with a distinctly Irish coastal feel.
A smart choice around Dublin
Howth Golf Club offers excellent quality at a relatively friendly green fee, especially compared to the more famous and expensive courses around Dublin. For golfers seeking a spectacular seaside experience with history, views, and character, Howth is an attractive and distinctive alternative.
St Annes Golf Links
A historic treasure on the Lancashire coast
St Annes Old Links Golf Club, founded in 1886, sits along the coast of Lancashire beside the world-famous Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. Despite its illustrious neighbour, St Annes has always maintained a strong identity of its own and is widely regarded as one of the purest examples of traditional English links golf.
Playing style and character
The course is a true links, shaped by natural dunes, firm turf, and the ever-present coastal wind. Strategically positioned bunkers, subtle doglegs, and greens that reward precise positioning ensure that intelligence and control matter far more than brute power. Wind can completely alter the character of each hole, making every round feel different.
A pure golf experience
St Annes Golf Links is celebrated for its honesty and simplicity. There is no unnecessary spectacle or theatrical design—just golf reduced to its essentials: shotmaking, strategy, and adaptation to nature. In the shadow of Royal Lytham, St Annes offers a quieter yet equally authentic experience, appreciated by purists for its understated quality and timeless character.
For lovers of classic links golf, St Annes is not a secondary stop, but an essential destination along England’s Lancashire coast.
