CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES
DOC's Golf Tours is happy to arrange tee times at any course of your choosing. Here is just a sampling of some of the courses that our tours frequent. For more information on a specific course, please feel free to contact us and we'd be happy to provide all of the information you require.
THE SOUTH OF IRELAND
Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links
Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land, jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. The links and practice area occupy 180 acres and the remaining 40 acres of unspoilt cliff (rising in places to over 300 feet) frame the course.
Old Head, par 72, comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s – stretching to over 7,200 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole. Nine holes play along the cliff tops, and all eighteen holes provide stunning ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike.
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is located only a mile from the bustling tourist town of Killarney in the heart of south west Ireland. This scenic town is the ideal base from which to explore the world renowned golfing gems of the region, and boasts the best après golf experiences in the country.
With its unrivalled array of bars, restaurants and accommodation it is no wonder more golfers visit Killarney than any other town in Ireland.
The club is nestled within Irelands largest National Park on the shores of Lough Leane with stunning vistas of the highest mountain range in the country – the McGillicuddy Reeks. Three golf courses offer a unique challenge to every standard of golfer, from the local society to the world’s greatest tour players.
Waterville Golf Links
Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.
Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather.
Forget the lob wedge. Think bump and run and creative shot making. Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of Irelands earliest golfers?
Dooks Golf Links
Dooks Golf Links, founded in 1889 is one of the 10 oldest golf clubs in Ireland and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2014.
Dooks is often described as one of the true gems of Irish Golf. It is a true sea-side links situated in a panoramic setting in a corner of Dingle Bay, Co. Kerry. The Atlantic Ocean can be seen from practically every hole and Ireland’s highest mountain range, the McGillycuddy Reeks, overlooks every shot.
Ballybunion Golf Club
Located on the north west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find two wonderfully challenging and unique world class links golf courses at Ballybunion – the Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course.
Whatever your choice,every hole, every hazard and every shot is defined by nature’s infinite presence.
THE WEST OF IRELAND
Lahinch Golf Club
A world renowned links golf course in the village of Lahinch on the northwest coast of County Clare, in northern Munster, Ireland.
Founded in 1892 by officials of Limerick Golf Club Alexander W. Shaw and Richard J. Plummer, they laid out an 18-hole course, the original course had ten holes on each side of the road. It has often been described as the "St. Andrew's" of Ireland.
Lahinch is actually two 18 hole courses, the Old Course, is between the road and the sea, situated at the opposite side of the road from the Old Course is the Castle Course. The Castle Course is a flatter links named after the ruins of a nearby castle tower that stands to the north of the course
Trump Doonbeg
Spanning 1.5 miles of crescent shaped beach and sand dunes, the Dr Martin Hawtree newly re-designed course at Trump International Golf Links Ireland is a stunning sight to behold and offers views of the Atlantic from 16 of 18 holes. The average time taken for a round of golf is four hours and thirty minutes.
The par-72 layout features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back, playing 7,026 yards from the back tees. In line with Norman’s philosophy of ‘least disturbance’, the most natural route was taken in laying the course out through the sand dunes. As a result, the course has a unique combination of five par 3s and five par 5s.
Enniscrone Golf Club
Enniscrone is among the finest and most challenging of traditional Irish links golf courses and offers 27 holes on 400 acres of magnificent links land, featuring the par 73 Dunes Championship Links Course.
The Dunes is one of Ireland’s top-ranked championship links courses; voted “Best in Connacht” by Golfers Guide to Ireland; repeatedly a top-15 links course in Golf Digest’s review of Irish golf courses and a perennial Top-100 UK course from Golf World. A “must play” as described by American golf novelist Tom Coyne.
Carne Golf Links
Carne in North Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near the town of Belmullet. Discover Erris in North Mayo an area that is famed the world over for its golf course and white sandy Atlantic beaches that stretch for miles, its bountiful wildlife and warm welcome. Carne Golf Links was the last links course to be designed by the late Eddie Hackett and it is now believed by many who have played it to be his greatest design. Carne is now rated as the 10th best course in Ireland and among the Top 50 in Britain and Ireland.
The development of Carne Golf Links has caused little disturbance to this wild and ancient landscape. Tees and greens occurred naturally and very little earth moving was involved in the course construction. There are some breathtaking views over the Atlantic and the legendary islands of Inis Glóire and Inis Géidhe.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Royal County Down Golf Club
Located in Newcastle, County Down, this 128 year old course was recently voted the best in the world.
"On a clear spring day, with Dundrum Bay to the east, the Mountains of Mourne to the south and gorse-covered dunes in golden bloom, there is no lovelier place in golf than our new No. 1. Its design is attributed to Old Tom Morris but was refined by half a dozen architects in the past 120 years, most recently by Donald Steel. Though the greens are surprisingly flat, as if to compensate for the rugged terrain and numerous blind shots, bunkers are a definite highlight, most with arched eyebrows of dense marram grasses and impenetrable clumps of heather."
- Golf Digest - World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses
Portstewart Golf Club
The outstanding Championship Strand Course was the host for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Jon Rahm, the 2017 Winner was certainly impressed, “the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen, if not the most”.
Founded in 1894 and home to three fine true links golf courses. Few clubs in Ireland can claim to have three courses under their name.
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Two outstanding, contrasting links courses and 36 challenging holes make up one of the finest golf resorts to be found anywhere in the world. The Old Links has been designed by Nick Faldo and is an immensely enjoyable and challenging golf course. While the Glashedy Links with its incredible dunes is renowned for its peat riveted bunkers and its opening three challenging par fours.
Golfers who play Ballyliffin are always impressed by the unspoiled terrain and spectacular panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, a lasting memory of these magnificent links course.
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, and the hidden gem, the Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted The Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a members club which welcomes visitors all year round to face the challenges of its courses and to brave the testing conditions.
The Open Championship, which was played at Royal Portrush in 1951, is set to once again return to Royal Portrush in 2019 for the 148th Open.
THE EAST OF IRELAND
Portmarnock Golf Links
Situated on the shoreline of a rugged peninsula, The Links Portmarnock opened for play in 1995.
It was therefore fitting that Bernhard Langer chose this magnificent setting to design his first links course being a three time winner of the Irish Open at nearby Portmarnock Golf Club and The Royal Dublin Golf Club.
Along with architect Stan Eby they designed a course that is a challenge for all golfers, set in the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks, the course has played host to professional and amateur events including 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open
Portmarnock Golf Club
Within a picturesque curve of coastline, Portmarnock Golf Club sits majestically on a narrow tongue of shallow duneland. As a measure of its enduring quality, it remains one of the most respected venues in world golf.
No other Irish course has been graced by so many distinguished players in a rich history encompassing a broad sweep of significant events. It is where Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead successfully followed its serpentine route through classic linkland on their way to victory in the 1960 Canada Cup. And it is where another generation of Americans, including Phil Mickelson and David Duval, secured a memorable Walker Cup triumph in 1991. These events, along with 19 stagings of the European Tour's Irish Open Championship, reflect the quality of a searching examination across the link's twenty-seven holes.
The Island Golf Club
The Island Golf Club, founded in 1890, is a traditional private Members’ golf club with a proud history of upholding the best traditions of amateur golf.
Overlooked by the North County Dublin village of Malahide, the links is located in some of the most stunning dunes on the east coast of Ireland.
It is also one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland and was ranked 13th in Golf Digest Ireland’s Top 100 Courses in 2015.
It enjoys a growing international reputation and currently hosts Regional Qualifying for The Open Championship and will co-host strokeplay qualifying for the British Amateur Championship in 2019.
The European Club
The European Club is located in tumbling dunes just south of Dublin and it features sweeping sea views from nineteen of the twenty holes. Yes, there are two extra par-3s here and they are in play most days affording the golfer a 20-hole round which includes five holes running very close to the sea. So close that it is common to find players searching for their golf balls on the beach.
The European Club is widely recognized as one of the last great links courses to be built in the 20th Century.The links of The European Club was designed by Pat Ruddy who continues after thirty years to calibrate the links to meet the challenges of the modern game allowing the champions of today to express themselves while demanding a cerebral approach for true success.
ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND
St. Andrews
The Old Course at St. Andrews is considered the oldest golf course in the world and commonly known as "The Home of Golf." The sport was first played on the Links at St Andrews in the early 15th century.
Since those early days, St. Andrews has played host to The British Open 29 times and has been home to some of the most incredible moments in the history of the game.
Carnoustie
As one of the oldest courses in the world, Carnoustie Championship Course has been played by all the greatest golfing names. But Ben Hogan’s memorable 1953 performance sealed its reputation as a legend. In 2003 the sixth hole was officially named ‘Hogan’s Alley’ to commemorate the outstanding way he negotiated the perilous par 5 during his famous victory.
With a daunting cocktail of gales, thick rough and devilish bunkers, all set against a stunning Scottish landscape, Carnoustie has earned its reputation as one of the most challenging courses in Britain. According to Golf Digest in June 2011, it's also one of the top 50 UK and Ireland Links courses.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns Golf Links is situated 7 miles from St Andrews along 1.8 miles of picturesque North Sea coastline, where each hole embraces the sea. In addition to enjoying a Worldwide Top 100 ranked course, you'll find comfortable, friendly and attentive service complete your “Kingsbarns Experience”.
Kingsbarns co-hosts the annual European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (1 – 4 October 2020) together with the Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie Golf Links. In 2017 Kingsbarns hosted The Ricoh Women’s British Open.
AYRSHIRE, SCOTLAND
Turnberry Ailsa
Home of four Open Championships, the legendary Ailsa course has hosted some of the most iconic names in golf. Reborn in June 2016 at the hands of renowned architect, Martin Ebert, the transformation makes the Ailsa the number one ranked golf course in the UK & Ireland. Set alongside the glorious Ayrshire coastline, with Arran and Ailsa Craig as a stunning backdrop, it is one of the finest golfing destinations in the world.
Named after the third Marquess of Ailsa, who owned the land on which it was built, this par-71, 6,474-yard Championship course is one of golf's storied places. Home to four Open Championships, Ailsa has shaped some of the most remarkable moments in the tournament's history.
Set alongside the glorious Ayrshire coastline, with Arran and Ailsa Craig as a stunning backdrop, it is one of the finest golfing destinations in the world.
Royal Troon Golf Club
One of the great links courses in Scotland, the Old Course is a challenging test of golfing ability. With the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, accurate shot making is essential. Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult.
Home to 9 British Opens, Royal Troon has a storied history dating back to 1878.
Prestwick Golf Club
The Birthplace of The Open. A simple stone cairn to the west of Prestwick’s clubhouse marks the spot where the first Open Championship tee shot was struck in 1860. It identifies the opening hole of the original 12-hole course and the place where modern golfing history began.
The tournament had been arranged following the death of Alan Robertson of St Andrews in 1859. Robertson was one of the first golf professionals to make a living from playing for bets, caddying, ball and club making and instruction, and was considered the best golfer at the time. In fact, he was so good that tradition has it he never lost when playing for money.
Following his death, the members of Prestwick Golf Club agreed a competition should be held to see who would follow Robertson as the Champion Golfer. In due course, the first Open Championship was held at Prestwick on October 17, 1860 and played according to the Rules of Prestwick Golf Club.