If you've not booked your tee times to the big six in Ireland for the summer rush of inbound overseas travellers, you might have left it a little late. However, bargains are still to be had and the shoulder seasons are a great way to enjoy the world's best at reduced rates.
Royal Portrush is pretty much booked but we give you the top tip that can get you access to the Members only tee sheet. We give you all the important information for the big six and slip in a cheeky recommendation for fun links golf when you arrive or depart from Dublin...
Photo Credit - Clyde Johnson
The best value of the entire lot, St Patrick's is only getting better. Compared to the other world-ranked courses, this is a bargain. If you haven't been yet, start planning now and make this the cornerstone of your trip.
Friday, April 11th is opening day. €280 for 18 holes or €100 if you can produce Irish ID. The course is open from April through October.
If you're going that far, why not get the Three Links Ticket and play Old Tom and Sandy Hills to bookend your tee time at St Patrick's Links?
Photo Credit - Cody Cunningham
April 22nd is opening day. €375 for 18 holes and caddies, or at least one fore caddy is required. The course is open from April through October 10th.
There are still a handful of tee times available for visitors, but most are in the late afternoon... be quick to get one of the last remaining tee times.
Photo Credit - Gary Lisbon
April 1st is opening day. €405 for 18 holes with lunch is included. Visitors' days are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The course is open through October 31st. The only civilised approach is to take the 36-hole offer and soak it all in.
Ireland's Muirfield, Portmarnock is an elite course and club. Tipped to host The Open in due course, the premier club in Dublin will only become more exclusive and tee times harder to get... now might be the best time to play before the rest of the world catches on.
Photo Credit - Gary Lisbon
April 14th is opening day. €400 for 18 holes and visitors' days are Monday to Friday in the morning. Book here. The course is open through October 3rd.
One of the highest-ranked links in Ireland, it is only bettered by Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
Photo Credit - Gary Lisbon
Available from mid-April (the 15th) to October, visitors are welcome on Mondays and Tuesdays, Thursday mornings, and Sunday afternoons. £425 for 18 holes or £575 for 36. Book here.
All the courses on the list need to be played once. If you're coming all this way, take a caddy, play from the forward tees and walk 36.
Photo Credit - Gary Lisbon
Available from April 1 to October 31, visitors are welcome every day except Wednesdays. Aligning with the other top tier courses, it's £385 for 18 holes.
Tee times are hard to come by and the course will be affected before, during and after The Open but there is something cool about playing with the grandstands!
Here's the top tip to access the member's Tee Sheet - stay on-site at The Rosses. The new accommodation is superb and the best you'll find almost anywhere in Ireland - certainly the most stylish and modern dormie accommodation we've ever seen. Learn more. With a stay, you will be able to access the member's tee sheet - with the exception of certain dates (like Sunday afternoon at The Open...) Get in touch with the club for more details.
After a long haul flight and before taking on bucket list courses, most of us like a range session or perhaps a warm up round... One of the wee gems near Dublin is Corballis. With green fees from €25, the little links will get you off and running. Book a tee time.
A great introduction to links golf if you've never been before, it'll soften the blow of stepping up the first tee at Royal County Down with zero links exposure and a lifetime of American parkland golf under your belt...
