Help Me Plan My Ireland Golf Trip For 2027

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, El Gringo said:

The street sign looks familiar 😎. No stops at Ardglass. Too pricey for me…never played. I have heard mixed reports about the course to be honest. 

“Coney Island” by Van Morrison is worth a listen.

[EmperorPenguin]

Given that Ireland has more remote courses, I suppose that it may be worth staying at B&B's instead of staying at a hub hotel.  For example, going to a B&B in at one stop, then drive to the next one looking for another B&B in town, and so on.  I suppose this will be cheaper than a nice hotel anyway?  If I will play twenty courses over two trips in a three-month period, I might as well use the same budget as previous trips to Scotland ($60k?), but have two vacations of ten rounds each all for the price of one?  I guess the golf and accommodations will be cheaper in Eire.  Just a thought.  

[AltC]

You will find that the big name courses in Ireland are just as expensive as Scotland- and the hotel prices in Dublin would make your eyes water - all year round. B&Bs are fine and you can normally book in advance online on various platforms- however I think you should consider getting an Irish tour operator to help secure tee times etc. this may be cheaper than trying to do this yourself plus they should be able to craft accommodation to suit your taste and budget. I don’t have any recommendations but others may have.

[hammergolf]

On 12/23/2024 at 10:35 AM, EmperorPenguin said:

Given that Ireland has more remote courses, I suppose that it may be worth staying at B&B's instead of staying at a hub hotel.  For example, going to a B&B in at one stop, then drive to the next one looking for another B&B in town, and so on.  I suppose this will be cheaper than a nice hotel anyway?  If I will play twenty courses over two trips in a three-month period, I might as well use the same budget as previous trips to Scotland ($60k?), but have two vacations of ten rounds each all for the price of one?  I guess the golf and accommodations will be cheaper in Eire.  Just a thought.  

Keep in mind Ireland is about the same size as the state of Indiana. Yes it’s bigger than Scotland and the courses tend to be a bit more spread out, but you don’t have to sacrifice your preferences. B&Bs would be a bit cheaper than nice hotel, and are a great way to get some local charm no matter where you are in Ireland you’re never further than an hour or so drive from very nice hotels.
As far as total cost, Ireland will be a little less than Scotland, however the green fees of the more popular courses will be about the same. The key to Ireland is planning and logistics. Identify your “must” play courses, your accommodation preferences, and your travel time preferences and create the logistics from there. 

[act0fgod]

On 12/22/2024 at 4:18 PM, El Gringo said:

I need deals…this is why I have been to Rosapenna four times…good deals. 

What was the deal at Rosapenna?

[jvincent]

2 hours ago, act0fgod said:

What was the deal at Rosapenna?

 

They have a 3-day ticket which gets you one round on each of the courses. Rate for 2025 is 450 euro IIRC.

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, jvincent said:

 

They have a 3-day ticket which gets you one round on each of the courses. Rate for 2025 is 450 euro IIRC.

There is this and we played in a three day competition. I think it was Spring Links Tournament. It was really well run.

[Hawkeye77]

2027?

 

LOL, can't make airline reservations and likely can't make many course reservations or lock in any providers until 2026.  

 

A good review of the wealth of info already here, Google and some easy to find books on golf in Ireland probably shouldn't take up more than 3-4 days in the next two years. 

 

We paid for four of us to go to Scotland, two of us to go to Scotland, two of us to go to Ireland, two of us to go to London, golf the first three trips, didn't cost even $40k for all four trips but I don't want to be accused of humble bragging not touting the need to spend $80k.  

 

Ireland is a wonderful country with tons to offer and the people we met and enjoyed at various places enjoyed real folks from all over the world, just like them - the only negatives witnessed that were golf specific (or at all really) were an incident in Scotland and one in Ireland and both driven by Americans who thought their $$ made them special.

 

Just don't be one of those whether spending $3k or a gazillion.  

 

 

Edited January 4 by Hawkeye77

[EmperorPenguin]

Would it be fair to say that Ireland golf is a bit cheaper than Scotland golf?  So far, my experience has only been with Scotland, but I will give Ireland a try.

[jvincent]

49 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

Would it be fair to say that Ireland golf is a bit cheaper than Scotland golf?  So far, my experience has only been with Scotland, but I will give Ireland a try.

 

As a general rule, Ireland is a bit cheaper than Scotland assuming you play the courses with the same calibre / cachet.

 

Especially if you have courses on the west/northwest of the Republic in your itinerary. Dublin area and the popular destinations in NI are a closer to Scotland prices.

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, EmperorPenguin said:

Would it be fair to say that Ireland golf is a bit cheaper than Scotland golf?  So far, my experience has only been with Scotland, but I will give Ireland a try.

Yes, probably about 5 to 10% less on everything except golf. The green fees are about the same at the popular courses though. Keep in mind, with the exchange rate right now vs the euro the actual total price is going to be about 10% lower as well since the Pound is stronger than the Euro vs the dollar. Right now is a perfect time to book are Ireland trip because of the exchange rate!

Edited January 6 by hammergolf

[Irishmist]

On 12/22/2024 at 8:18 AM, El Gringo said:

... I need deals…this is why I have been to Rosapenna four times…good deals. 

 

On 12/30/2024 at 9:40 AM, jvincent said:

 

They have a 3-day ticket which gets you one round on each of the courses. Rate for 2025 is 450 euro IIRC.

 Now 550 euro for "International"

[Irishmist]

I joined Rosses Point as I used to play there when on Holidays as a kid. Will be there late May... Will probably play Enniscrone & Strandhill at (very) reduced rates. Have been on so many trips to Ireland over the years I'm done with driving all over the place and staying here and there. Going to park my butt near Sligo and golf and fish some days. If you're there in late May I may be able to get you out at 1/2 the "International" rate (which is still not a deal 🤒). 

[Schley]

The prices for visitors I gathered and will be a good gauge for the top ranked courses in each country.

 

• For the 16 England courses with prices it would cost $5,506 or $344 per round. This is a 9% increase over 2024 rates. Assuming Sunningdale 36 day promo rate.
• For the 17 Scotland courses with prices it would cost $7,656 or $450 per round. 16% increase over 2024 rates. To be fair, if we take out the outlier which is Trump Turnberry at a 97% increase, the other courses went up by 11%.
• For the 7 Ireland courses with prices it would cost $2,546 or $364 per round. 11% increase over 2024 rates.
• For the 2 N. Ireland courses with prices it would cost $1,004 or $502 per round. 13% increase from 2024.
• For the 1 Wales course listed it would cost $310 per round. 11% increase over 2024.
• For the 43 courses listed it would cost $17,022 or $396 per round. 12% increase over 2024.

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, Schley said:

The prices for visitors I gathered and will be a good gauge for the top ranked courses in each country.

 

• For the 16 England courses with prices it would cost $5,506 or $344 per round. This is a 9% increase over 2024 rates. Assuming Sunningdale 36 day promo rate.
• For the 17 Scotland courses with prices it would cost $7,656 or $450 per round. 16% increase over 2024 rates. To be fair, if we take out the outlier which is Trump Turnberry at a 97% increase, the other courses went up by 11%.
• For the 7 Ireland courses with prices it would cost $2,546 or $364 per round. 11% increase over 2024 rates.
• For the 2 N. Ireland courses with prices it would cost $1,004 or $502 per round. 13% increase from 2024.
• For the 1 Wales course listed it would cost $310 per round. 11% increase over 2024.
• For the 43 courses listed it would cost $17,022 or $396 per round. 12% increase over 2024.

Just got my notification on pricing for Tralee for next year. It’s up to €450 now from €375 this year. Up 20%

[Schley]

18 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Just got my notification on pricing for Tralee for next year. It’s up to €450 now from €375 this year. Up 20%

 Maybe there is no limit to visitor golf inflation?

 

It definitely outpaces inflation by multiples.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Schley said:

 Maybe there is no limit to visitor golf inflation?

 

It definitely outpaces inflation by multiples.

I have a call into my friend who is a member and caddie there. I know they fill the books early so assume they are just trying to maximize revenue. I absolutely LOVE the course, but at $500, I’ll just play Carne or Enniscrone twice and still have money to have lunch. 

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, Schley said:

 Maybe there is no limit to visitor golf inflation?

 

It definitely outpaces inflation by multiples.

You won’t find me paying $5, 4 or 3 hundred for Tralee. Good course for sure, but jeez. 

[buckI]

Capitalism at its finest!   Demand continues to grow so the supply side (courses) keep raising the guest fees.   Only ay they come down is demand drops and honestly do not see that happening.    Most not all people going want to play the big names and maybe fill in with others rather than the opposite.

[njlam]

Just saw this thread so I thought I would weigh in as EP and I had similar Scotland trips in 2023.

Took my first overseas trip to Ireland in 2022 and was fortunate to play:

Ballybunion
Waterville
Lahinch
Port Stewart
County Sligo
Royal Portrush
Royal County Down

Including travel this was a 10 day trip with the biggest time sink being the travel from south to north.

I would definitely play all the course again and have another trip to Scotland planned in 2026 before I can think about Ireland again.

Other courses I would consider 
Old Head - I hear it is great piece of land, but only a mediocre  golf course. Very south and not easy to get to. Not a first trip course, but worthy on a 2nd trip
Hoggs Head - near Waterville and one we should have added to the first trip. Very exclusive
Carne/Ennescrone - between southern and northern Ireland. A good mid country stop like County Sligo.
Portmarnock - In Dublin, would be easy to include on the way in or out.

All of these will be on our next Ireland trip along with RP and RCD. While I have played  RCD before, it was raining sideways so I need another crack at it.

[Chanceman]

17 hours ago, njlam said:

Just saw this thread so I thought I would weigh in as EP and I had similar Scotland trips in 2023.

Took my first overseas trip to Ireland in 2022 and was fortunate to play:

Ballybunion
Waterville
Lahinch
Port Stewart
County Sligo
Royal Portrush
Royal County Down

Including travel this was a 10 day trip with the biggest time sink being the travel from south to north.

I would definitely play all the course again and have another trip to Scotland planned in 2026 before I can think about Ireland again.

Other courses I would consider 
Old Head - I hear it is great piece of land, but only a mediocre  golf course. Very south and not easy to get to. Not a first trip course, but worthy on a 2nd trip
Hoggs Head - near Waterville and one we should have added to the first trip. Very exclusive
Carne/Ennescrone - between southern and northern Ireland. A good mid country stop like County Sligo.
Portmarnock - In Dublin, would be easy to include on the way in or out.

All of these will be on our next Ireland trip along with RP and RCD. While I have played  RCD before, it was raining sideways so I need another crack at it.

Carne is something else.

[st1800e]

20 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

Carne is something else.

[ajgoodal.704]

 

All 27 at Carne are worth a pop and Belmullet is great craic afterwards.  

 

[imkirby34]

I need to get back to Carne if for no other reason than to get a logo ball and a pencil.  Haha.

[EmperorPenguin]

Hogs Head is one I had not considered because I thought it was a private club, but I am now reading that they do allow visitor play?  If this is the case, I will forsake Adare Manor for Hogs Head.  I suppose I will have to book it a year or so in advance?

[Chanceman]

22 hours ago, imkirby34 said:

I need to get back to Carne if for no other reason than to get a logo ball and a pencil.  Haha.

Don’t forget the clam chowder.

[imkirby34]

4 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Don’t forget the clam chowder.

 

Yes, particularly since we didn't have time to eat there either before or after the round.

[EmperorPenguin]

My planner just told me that Hogs Head is indeed exclusive.  The course is for members, their guests, and for non-guests they are more or less VVIP's, so I will go back to Adare Manor.

[hammergolf]

51 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

My planner just told me that Hogs Head is indeed exclusive.  The course is for members, their guests, and for non-guests they are more or less VVIP's, so I will go back to Adare Manor.

You’re not missing out on anything at Hog’s Head. 100’s better in Ireland.

[Wbarksda]

On 7/20/2025 at 2:02 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

My planner just told me that Hogs Head is indeed exclusive.  The course is for members, their guests, and for non-guests they are more or less VVIP's, so I will go back to Adare Manor.

What planner did you end up using? 

Or does anyone have any recommendations on a planner in Ireland?