Strandhill
Eddie Hackett extended Strandhill to a full 18 hole links in 1973, threading the holes through the dunes on a narrow neck of land between Strandhill Beach and Culleenamore Strand, with the bulk of Knocknarea rising behind. A par 70 of about 6,243 yards, it is raw, windswept links golf within minutes of Sligo town, and one of the best value rounds in the Irish northwest.
Photo: Strandhill via Google.
The verdict
Eddie Hackett, the most prolific and best loved of Ireland's native architects, gave Strandhill its 18 hole shape in 1973, building on the nine hole layout the club had played since 1931. He worked with what the land gave him, and the land here is exceptional: tumbling dunes, blind crests, and the Atlantic wind that rarely takes a day off.
It will not trouble the championship rota, and it does not try to. What Strandhill offers is honest, characterful links golf in a setting few courses can match, beneath Knocknarea and the cairn of Queen Maeve, with green fees that make it one of the great value rounds in the northwest. Pair it with Rosses Point a few miles away and you have a Sligo double worth the drive.
Strandhill at a glance
- Opened
- 1973 (18 holes)
- Designer
- Eddie Hackett
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,243 yds
- Green fee
- From €30
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Green fees are indicative for 2026 and change by season, so always confirm current rates and access directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The round climbs and falls through the dunes, the fairways narrow and the stances rarely flat. Local knowledge counts for a great deal at Strandhill, where blind shots and humpback greens reward the player who has seen the line before, and the wind off the Atlantic dictates club selection on almost every hole.
The short holes are the heart of the course, played across dune valleys to greens perched among the hills, exposed to the full force of the weather. The closing stretch runs back toward the village and the clubhouse with the beach on one side and the mountain on the other, a fitting finish to a genuine links experience.
This is golf to be enjoyed rather than conquered. Strandhill rewards a low, controlled ball flight and a sense of humor about the bounces, and it gives back a walk through some of the finest duneland on the west coast of Ireland.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visitors welcome seven days; book ahead in summer and around local competitions |
| Green fee | From about €30, rising to around €100 in peak season (indicative, 2026); always confirm current rates directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the golf shop or online; tee sheets fill quickly on summer weekends |
| On the day | Walking links; carts are limited, caddies are not standard, dune terrain suits the reasonably mobile |
| Getting there | Strandhill village, about 8 km west of Sligo town and 10 minutes from Sligo Airport |
| Best months | May to September for the longest days and the driest links turf, though the wind is year round |
Access and fees verified June 2026; policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base in Sligo town, ten minutes away, with a good spread of hotels, guesthouses and seafood restaurants, or in Strandhill village itself, a surf and weekend town right beside the course. The setting puts the beach, the dunes and a lively local scene on the doorstep.
For a golf focused trip, a Sligo base pairs Strandhill naturally with County Sligo at Rosses Point, with Enniscrone and Carne an easy run further along the coast. It is one of the great underrated corners of links golf, and an ideal region to build a northwest Ireland itinerary around.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Strandhill.
Build a Sligo links trip
We pair Strandhill with Rosses Point, Enniscrone and the best of the Irish northwest, secure the tee times and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Strandhill questions
Who designed Strandhill Golf Club and when did it open?
Strandhill was founded in 1931 and played as a nine hole course for over forty years until Eddie Hackett extended it to a full 18 hole links in 1973.
What is the par and length of Strandhill?
Strandhill is a par 70 links of about 6,243 yards, laid out through the dunes between Strandhill Beach and Culleenamore Strand in County Sligo.
How much does it cost to play Strandhill?
Indicative green fees start from about €30 and rise toward €100 in peak season (2026). Rates change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Strandhill?
Yes. Strandhill welcomes visitors seven days a week. Booking ahead is advised in summer and around local competitions.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.