Golf in County Clare: The Complete Guide
County Clare means Lahinch, the St Andrews of Ireland, a wild Old Tom Morris and Alister MacKenzie links above the Atlantic, with the Greg Norman dunes of Trump Doonbeg down the coast and castle parkland at Dromoland. Best of all, every round sits within an hour of Shannon airport, which makes Clare the easiest great links trip in Ireland to reach.
Photograph: Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare, via Google
Why County Clare
Because it holds one of the world's great links, and it is the simplest of all the famous Irish golf counties to reach. Lahinch, founded in 1892 and shaped by Old Tom Morris and then Alister MacKenzie, is the heart of it, a tumbling, quirky, joyful links known across golf as the St Andrews of Ireland and host of the 2019 Irish Open. Twenty minutes of coast away, the Greg Norman links at Trump International Doonbeg gives the county a second modern championship course in the high dunes, and inland the five star castle resort at Dromoland adds polished parkland and a place to stay in real grandeur.
The clincher is Shannon. Ireland's western gateway airport sits in County Clare, so a Clare golf trip starts the moment you land, with Lahinch under an hour from the terminal and Doonbeg and Dromoland closer still. It also makes a natural base for the wider southwest: the great links of County Kerry are a couple of hours south, and the cliffs of Moher, the Burren and the music pubs of Doolin give the non golfing half of a party plenty to do. We cover Kerry on its own hub; this page is the Clare links.
The courses that matter
Lahinch, Old Course
The reason golfers come to Clare and one of the most loved links in the world. Laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1892 and redesigned by Alister MacKenzie in 1927, Lahinch is a wild, tumbling links among towering dunes, famous for the blind par 5 Klondyke and the blind par 3 Dell, two holes preserved from another age that golfers either treasure or curse. It hosted the 2019 Irish Open and ranks among the very best courses in Ireland. The indicative 2026 green fee is 450 euros, with visitors required to take at least one caddie per group; the South Course alongside is far cheaper. Read our full Lahinch course profile. Always confirm directly before booking.
Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg
Twenty minutes south of Lahinch in the high dunes above Doughmore Bay, the Greg Norman links at Doonbeg, opened in 2002 and remodeled by Martin Hawtree in recent years, is the county's second championship course and a regular in the top ten of the Republic of Ireland. It is a dramatic, exposed, modern links wrapped around a luxury hotel and lodge, ideal for a group that wants its golf and its accommodation on one Atlantic estate. Indicative peak green fees run to around 375 euros; see our Doonbeg course profile and confirm rates directly before booking.
Dromoland Castle
For castle golf and the grand stay, Dromoland is the inland counterpoint to the links. The parkland course winds through the 450 acre estate of a five star castle hotel near Newmarket on Fergus, minutes from Shannon airport, redesigned in the modern era to give a stern but handsome test beneath the towers and along the lake. The indicative green fee is around 80 to 90 euros, a fraction of the marquee links, and the resort makes a memorable base for a couples or special occasion trip. Confirm current rates and packages directly.
Spanish Point, Ennis and the value courses
Clare rewards the golfer who looks beyond the headline names. Spanish Point at Miltown Malbay is a charming nine hole links on the Wild Atlantic Way, an authentic and affordable taste of Irish seaside golf, while inland the parkland courses at Ennis and Woodstock and the cliff top links at Kilkee give the county honest, friendly, good value rounds to fill out a trip. They are the relaxed counterpoints to the championship links, welcoming to visitors and easy to book.
Season and fees at a glance
| Course | Indicative 2026 fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lahinch, Old | 450 euros | Caddie required for visitors; book months ahead for summer |
| Trump International Doonbeg | Around 375 euros peak | Greg Norman links, hotel and lodge on site |
| Dromoland Castle | Around 80 to 90 euros | Five star castle resort parkland near Shannon |
| Spanish Point / Ennis / Kilkee | Value; confirm directly | Nine hole links and friendly parkland, easy access |
Best months: May to September, with the links firmest in high summer. Check tee time availability or browse County Clare golf stays.
Getting there and where to stay
Shannon Airport, in the county itself, is the gateway and the great advantage of a Clare trip: Lahinch is under an hour away, Doonbeg and Dromoland closer still, with no long transfer to eat into the first day. For a links centered trip, base in the seaside village of Lahinch, where hotels, guesthouses and the pubs of the town sit a short walk from the first tee and within easy reach of Doonbeg and Spanish Point. For the grand version, stay at Dromoland Castle or the lodge at Trump Doonbeg and let the resort handle golf, rooms and dinner. Clare also pairs naturally with County Kerry to the south for a two county southwest links tour. Always confirm access, caddie rules and fees directly before booking.
Plan your County Clare golf trip
Tell us your dates, group size and whether you want Lahinch and Doonbeg at the heart of it, a castle stay at Dromoland, or Clare as the start of a wider southwest links tour. One concierge handles the caddie rules, the tee times and the base, and costs the trip to the head. No obligation.
County Clare golf questions
What is the best golf course in County Clare?
Lahinch Old Course is the best and most famous golf course in County Clare, known as the St Andrews of Ireland, an Old Tom Morris links redesigned by Alister MacKenzie in 1927 and home to the blind Klondyke and Dell holes. Its closest rival in the county is the Greg Norman links at Trump International Doonbeg, with Dromoland Castle offering parkland castle golf. Always confirm access and fees directly before booking.
How much does it cost to play Lahinch?
The indicative 2026 green fee for the Lahinch Old Course is 450 euros, following a rise this year, with visitors required to take at least one caddie in their group. The South Course is far less expensive. These are indicative figures, so always confirm current rates, caddie requirements and tee times directly with the club before booking.
Can visitors play golf in County Clare?
Yes. Lahinch, Trump International Doonbeg, Dromoland Castle, Spanish Point and the parkland courses at Ennis and Woodstock all welcome visitors. The marquee links fill summer dates many months ahead, so book Lahinch and Doonbeg first; the parkland and value courses are more flexible. Always confirm visitor days, caddie rules and fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in County Clare?
May to September gives the best weather, the longest days and the firmest links turf at Lahinch and Doonbeg, along with the highest fees and busiest tee sheets. April and October are good value shoulders with quieter courses, while winter golf is possible but wet and windy on this exposed Atlantic coast. Book the marquee links first and plan the trip around the dates you secure.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Course access changes, openings and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Access, history and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.