Trump Doonbeg: 2026 Access and Booking Update
Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg, the dramatic Greg Norman and Martin Hawtree links on the Clare coast, takes centre stage in 2026 as host of the Amgen Irish Open. Here is what is happening, how access works, and how to play it.
The news: the Irish Open comes to Doonbeg
The headline for 2026 is significant. Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg in County Clare is the host venue for the Amgen Irish Open on the DP World Tour, scheduled for 10 to 13 September 2026. It is only the second time the tournament has been staged in County Clare, after Lahinch hosted in 2019, and it puts the towering dunes above Doughmore Bay in front of a global television audience.
Hosting a tour event of this scale is both a showcase and a practical consideration for travelling golfers. It confirms the standing of the links among Ireland's elite resort courses, and it also means the calendar around mid September will be dominated by the championship, with availability and arrangements for visitors affected in the run up to and during the week itself.
The course itself
Doonbeg was designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2002, with Padraig Harrington playing the opening match alongside the architect. After the Trump Organization acquired the property in 2014, the course was reworked over roughly two years under Martin Hawtree, the architect behind much of the modern Royal Birkdale and other Open venues, who addressed dune erosion and reshaped several holes.
Today it plays as a par 72 of around 6,885 yards with a layout that is unusual at the top level: five par 3s and five par 5s frame a links routed tight against the Atlantic, where the wind and the giant dunes dictate strategy. Paired with the resort's hotel, spa and lodges, it functions as a complete stay and play destination on the Wild Atlantic Way rather than a course alone.
How to play it in 2026
The practical reality for 2026 is that Doonbeg is a resort links open to visitors and hotel guests, with tee times bookable directly or as part of a stay. The major caveat is the Irish Open: expect tighter availability, course preparation and adjusted arrangements around the September championship, so if your trip falls near that window, book very early and confirm exactly what access looks like with the resort.
On cost, peak summer green fees have been in the region of 375 euros in recent seasons, placing Doonbeg among the most expensive rounds in Ireland, with twilight and off season rates softening the figure. Treat that as indicative for the 2026 season, and confirm green fees, tee availability and any tournament related restrictions directly with the resort before booking, as rates and access change.
Our take
Our take is that Doonbeg is one of the most scenic and atmospheric links in Ireland, and the Irish Open will only sharpen its profile, but the quirks of the routing and the premium price mean it rewards golfers who come for the spectacle as much as the scorecard. The dunes and the ocean setting are the draw, and they do not disappoint.
If you are planning a 2026 Clare trip, build Doonbeg into a wider southwest itinerary with Lahinch and the other links of the region, and decide deliberately whether to chase the Irish Open atmosphere or steer clear of the September crush. Travel with a tolerance for wind, book well ahead for any date near the championship, and confirm everything directly with the resort before you commit.
Plan your County Clare golf trip
From the Irish Open stage at Doonbeg to Lahinch and the great links of the southwest, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Is Trump Doonbeg hosting the 2026 Irish Open?
Yes. Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg in County Clare hosts the 2026 Amgen Irish Open on the DP World Tour, scheduled for 10 to 13 September 2026. It is only the second time the tournament has come to County Clare, after Lahinch in 2019.
Can visitors play Trump Doonbeg?
Yes. Doonbeg is a resort links open to visitors and hotel guests, with tee times bookable directly or as part of a stay. Expect tighter availability and adjusted arrangements around the Irish Open in September 2026, so book early and confirm access directly with the resort.
Who designed Doonbeg and how much does it cost?
The links was designed by Greg Norman, opened in 2002, then redesigned by Martin Hawtree after 2014. It is a par 72 of around 6,885 yards with an unusual five par 3s and five par 5s. Peak summer green fees have been around 375 euros in recent seasons; treat that as indicative for 2026 and confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, tournament, season and access details verified June 2026 from tour, resort and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.