20 hidden golf course gems in Ireland and Northern Ireland - Golfers' Choice 2024

Golf on the Emerald Isle is full of 'craic', the Irish word for 'fun'.
Luttrellstown Castle GCC: #18
A view of green #18 with water coming into play from the right side at Luttrellstown Castle Golf and Country Club.

Almost every American golfer knows the top courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland, from Ballybunion's Old Course to Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links.

Generally, only the locals, though, know where to find the hidden gems, the golf courses that would be wise to play if you're looking for a better value than the bucket-list experiences.

We have compiled our annual Golfers' Choice lists for Ireland and Northern Ireland - the "Emerald Isle" - by analyzing the ratings and reviews submitted by members of our community. In other words, golfers like you. We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages. Courses must offer public access and have received at least two reviews in 2023 to be eligible for this year's list. If you want to play any of these courses, hover your browser over the course photo and if tee times are available, you can click to book directly.

Want to get involved with determining the top public golf courses and hidden gems of Ireland and Northern Ireland in or any other future Golfers' Choice lists? Click here to review a golf course, whether it’s your first or your 100th.

Ireland and Northern Ireland golf courses reviewed in 2023: 218
Reviews of golf courses on the "Emerald Isle" in 2023: 2,048

  1. Mount Juliet Resort

    Green fee: £74-£85
    What they're saying: "Wonderful friendly helpful and funny staff. World class top resort and golf course (with a) great restaurant and facilities." - muller44

  2. Kenmare Golf Club

    Green fee: £30-£55
    What they're saying: "Definitely worth the trip and money. Some stunningly beautiful views and very well maintained course." - ThomasGram

  3. Luttrellstown Castle Golf and Country Club

    Green fee: £50-£65
    What they're saying: "A pleasure to play. Friendly and accommodating staff. Excellent conditioning, greens are some of the best we played in Ireland." - mikewillshome

  4. Claremorris Golf Club

    Green fee: £18-£30
    What they're saying: "Beautiful round of golf this morning in 3 hrs for 2ball. The course looking splendid in the Autumn colours fairways in great condition .Well worth a visit." - Angela53

  5. Knock Golf Club

    Green fee: £25-£32
    What they're saying: "Knock Golf Club came highly recommended. Ok it rained holes 2-3-4 but that didn’t put us off. I really want to play again in better weather. If your looking for 18 holes around Belfast, I can’t recommend it enough." - Harry695

  6. County Longford Golf Club

    Green fee: £20-£35
    What they're saying: "Challenging with a good mix of holes, length, dog legs, elevated greens. Really enjoyed our round." - u314163255496

  7. Blarney Golf Resort

    Green fee: £40
    What they're saying: "Greens in fabulous condition..Savage par 5 13th hole." - u314164342912

  8. Faithlegg Golf Club

    Green fee: £30-£60
    What they're saying: "My 4th time playing here and as usual from the clubhouse welcome to the 18th thé experience was excellent. The course is in great condition for February and the greens were fast." - citation2b

  9. Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort - Sandy Hills Links

    Green fee: £80-£180
    What they're saying: "Loved the course, was in great shape for the time of year, considering the weather that had been thrown at it. Its a playable lynx course with plenty of great scenery." - u380818785

  10. Rathsallagh Golf Club

    Green fee: £32-£45
    What they're saying: "Fantastic course, great value for money. Best course I’ve played in the last six months in Ireland." - u6159543

  11. North West Golf Club

    Semi-Private

    Green fee: £30-£75
    What they're saying: "Just a short review. I played alone and only played nine holes. This was nothing to do with the course as it was in beautiful condition. The pace of play was horrible and unfortunately the two four balls in front didn't recognise that I could play and would have quickly played through." - jarlathcannon

  12. Enniscorthy Golf Club

    Green fee: £18-£25
    What they're saying: "Played today and all I can say is this course is fantastic, Friendly staff, course in immaculate condition, it’s my first time playing here but I reckon the pins were put in the most difficult spot on every green so it made each good score that much more rewarding." - Freshy98

  13. Kirkistown Castle Golf Club

    Green fee: £14-£25
    What they're saying: "Great day out! coming from Fortwilliam after months of rain it was a joy to play on firm turf. The day was highlighted by a hole in one on the 8th by Conor." - Ddeeblues

  14. Tipperary Golf Club

    Green fee: £18-£30
    What they're saying: "Excellent course and in immaculate condition, played at 8:50am in February and the course was in better nick than many courses are in the summer. Would highly recommend and great value for money." - u314163723901

  15. Kilkeel Golf Club

    Semi-Private

    Green fee: £21-£40
    What they're saying: "Scenery to die for. (The) greens (are) great ... and some quite challenging doglegs." - dicklennon

  16. Wicklow Golf Club

    Semi-Private

    Green fee: £25-£40
    What they're saying: "Wicklow Golf Club is a hidden gem. Stunning views on every single hole. It's like a hybrid of a parkland and links course. Lots of challenges throughout." - ianmcgolf

  17. Rathcore Golf and Country Club

    Green fee: £18-£30
    What they're saying: "This course is a hidden Jem. Fabulous lay out. And four of the best par 3 you'll find. The greens are the protection of the course and always in great condition, Winter or summer." - kevin7171573

  18. St. Patrick's Golf Club

    Green fee: £18-£25
    What they're saying: "This course was challenging but very well designed. We had a few heavy down pours and a few of the greens had standing water on them making it almost impossible to putt, but the fairways were in excellent condition." - u314163946315

  19. Castlebar Golf Club

    Green fee: £18-£30
    What they're saying: "Excellent course and quite challenging. Overall very enjoyable and well worth a visit." - u314164663008

  20. Ballinrobe Golf Club

    Green fee: £21-£70
    What they're saying: "This is a gem! We were staying in Tuam and I wanted one more round before the end of vacation. It was wet out there so the course was playing a bit long. But the conditions are great, staff is great and the members are very nice. I don’t think they get many tourists here. Highly recommend if you’re in the area." - Roy4084593

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,200 courses and written about golf destinations in 28 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and X/Twitter at @WorldGolfer.

Comments (1)

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So Royal County Down didn't make this list? Really?

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20 hidden golf course gems in Ireland and Northern Ireland - Golfers' Choice 2024
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