Founded in 1845, this is the oldest most distinguished golf club in Galway city. While visitors are welcome on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, it is advisable to book in advance because this club is very popular.

There is no mystery here as to its popularity with its well designed rolling fairways which are bounded by mature woodlands and the spectacular seascape of Galway Bay.

This is a professional club with facilities to hire clubs and caddie car hire. One novel aspect is the recently installed tunnel under the busy road which bisects the fairways.

Relax afterwards in the convivial bar where you can enjoy a pint and some delicious food, snacks, lunch and dinners are served here.

Located approx. 8km from Galway, and 3km north of Bearna village, this golf course is set in typical rugged Connemara countryside with fairways constructed between rocks and heather. The course was designed to suit all abilities. Bearna golf course is already being hailed as one of Ireland's finest. The inspired creativity of its designer R.J. Browne in the siting of tees and sand-based greens in the celebrated beauty of West of Ireland's Connemara landscape has produced a course of glamorously porportioned holes. Water comes into play at thirteen of the eighteen holes, each one boasting unique features which together test the golfer's total repertoire of skills. The final holes especially provide a spectacular finish to a satisfying and memorable experience.

Caddy hire available. Dress code is neat & casual. Full canteen facilities available with full bar menu and restaurant. Course designed by Robert J Browne. Course length (m): 6174

Connemara Golf Course is a 27-hole championship links on the edge of the Atlantic. The back nine of this tough, challenging links has been described as "the equal of any in the world, and the stiff test which course designer, Eddie Hackett has set the golfer, makes it very difficult to achieve the par 72. A true championship links to be enjoyed by both high and low handicappers. Open all year round from dawn to dusk. Located 6.5km west of Clifden.

Holes: 27 Caddy Hire: On Request Dress Code: Casual Canteen Facilities: Full Restaurant Facilities Course Designer: Mr. Eddie Hackett Course Length (m): 6263

The small courtyard which greets arriving visitors contrasts an old-world ambience as it introduces a new and magnificent clubhouse overlooking the course. The original course has undergone massive development in recent years, and has expanded to an 18-hole championship test. Happily, the clubhouse and course have maintained the charm for which they have a delightful reputation. By and large, the course has a traditional character strengthened by modern water hazards which have been introduced on a number of holes.

This is a short challenging course. Golfers have to think and place every shot. If this type of concentration is your forte then this is probably the course for you.

Note the sea comes into play on 6 holes which tends to make the game that bit more interesting.

Tuam is a rural course - 18 holes - with fairways protected by tree plantations and greens requiring careful navigation of bunkers. A fairly flat layout, the course runs to 5670 metres (6200 yards) test and plays to a par of 72. The index 1 comes in at the 7th, 366 metres (400 yards) with bunkers strategically positioned to left fairway and green. The club crest, a raven with golf ball in beak perched on Tuam's Patron Saint Jarlath's broken chariot wheel, gives golfers warning of unusual bird menu preferences on this pleasant course.

Contact: Mr Vincent Gaffney. Caddy Hire: Yes Days best avoided: Saturday & Sunday Dress Code: Neat & Tidy Canteen Facilities: Yes Course Designer: Mr Eddie Hackett Course Length (m): 6045

This is a private members' Golf Club located 15km east of Galway City on the N6 (Dublin Road). It is a parkland course - most holes are tree lined and two feature holes are cut into bordering forest.

The club offers an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all standards, and is uncrowded midweek. A beautiful mix of park and heathland, Athenry displays the elements of old and new following its extension from 9 to 18 holes in the early ninties. Not withstanding a feeling of spaciousness, a number of holes cut their way through adjoining woodlands, particularly on 3 par threes which take to the woods for protection!

Eddie Hackett was course architect and his hallmark appreciation of the surrounding environment is clearly evident on a visit to this very hospitable club.

This club celebrated its centenary in 1994 and has proven its quality through this durability. It attracts golfers back again and again to a challenging course.

This age-old club has had some of its holes re-modelled recently making it a course with some of the highest quality fairways in the county.

One interesting feature is the dogleg on the 2nd hole which may catch your eye as you stroll the fairways.

A mature and testing parkland course, Ballinasloe is well maintained and noted for its strategic dog legged layout. It winds its way around, through and over a number of elevations which add interest and perspective to its challange. The long dog leg fifth is one to watch and requires careful approach shots to make the green in regulation. The course was extended to 18 holes twenty years ago and is playable all year round

One of the hidden gems of Irish golf Portumna is a beautiful parkland course which sweeps its way through forest and woodlands close to Lough Derg, the last and largest lake on the River Shannon. Its mature and graceful trees backdrop the full range of seasonal colour to provide a different but challenging experience no matter what time of the year it is played. Laid out over undaulting land Portumna has lots of interesting shots including a number of elevated tee box positions.

Designed by Ryder Cup star, Christy O' Connor Junior, and officially opened in August 1996, Gort Golf Club is an 18 Hole Championship Golf Course, set in 160 acres of picturesque parkland on the edge of the world famous Burren and within 200 yards of the historic monastic settlement of Kilmacduagh.

A rolling parkland course extended to 18 holes under architect Eddie Hackett in 1992. Generous fairway layout is counterbalanced by strategic tree plantations and fast greens. While short by today's standards, the test here is for considerable accuracy with approach shots to greens. Surprisingly, there are only two par fives and both are on the back nine. The course measures 5261 metres (5755 yards) and plays to a par 69.

A delightful parkland course whose features include a medieval castle and the remains of an old lime kiln. The course is relatively young but fine stands of old trees add a sense of age to its modern layout.

Water comes into play on 7 holes but the visual impact of the thirteenth, a montage of water, green and lime kiln will remain for considerable time. The course has five par fives and plays to a par of 73 over its 6234 meters (6850 yards) distance. Clooncastle Estate is an idyllic setting for such a magnificent championship course. Whether playing as a visitor or as a new member ,you will discover that Ballinrobe means the best in golf in the friendliest of atmospheres.

An interesting parkland course set in a beautiful location. Main features are elevated greens protected by well-positioned bunkers and attractive spinneys which are strategically placed to come into play. The course is essentially a nine-hole layout offering different tee positions for front and back nine. Water features on the second (eleventh). Total length runs to almost 5486 metres (6000 yards) but with only 2-par fives, there is good distance in most par fours.

Caddy Hire: Yes Dress Code: Casual Canteen Facilities: Bar Food Course Length (m): 5,443 metres

Mr John Mooney

Castlebar Golf Club is located 3km south of Castlebar and 17km from Westport. This course has been completely re-modelled to USGA Specifications. It is a tree-lined course, which has an abundance of water features and greens of a superb texture. This wonderful parkland course has a graceful maturity to please the most discerning golfer. It runs a distance of 5486 meters (6000 yards) and plays to a par of 71. Two of the three par fives are in excess of 457 meters (500 yards). Castlebar has a spectacular finish with a three eyed cut stone bridge and water to front of undaulting green. While there are some elevations the course is characterised by its flowing fairways, spinneys and trees.

Caddy hire available. Days best avoided are Sunday Mornings. Dress code is neat & casual - no denim. Full canteen facilities available. Course designer by Peter McEvoy. Course Length (m): 5902

Running a distance of almost 6218 meters (6800 yards) Claremorris is a fine test of golf. Open lake water comes into play on six holes while streams and drains seem ever present throughout the course. The sixth is the index one, a par four challenge of over 402 meters (440 yards), but surpisingly, lake water is absent. The index 3 seventeenth is an interesting soul searcher with water both left and right of the green - exceptional approach play essential to keep a good card going to the final hole.

Westport Golf Club, which played host to the 2002 Smurfit Irish P.G.A. Championship, is a magnificent 18-hole parkland course with breath-taking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. There is the 18th -the new feature hole at the Carrowholly course. This is a monster par 5 with water all the way up the right-hand side culminating in another massive undulating green. A warm welcome is guaranteed and when you are less than a mile from Ireland's tidiest town, you cannot go wrong.

Contact: Mr Paul O'Neill. Caddy Hire: E4 Days best avoided: None Dress Code: Smart, Casual Canteen Facilities: Food & Beverage Course Designer: Fred Hantree Course Length (m): 6670 yards.

This is a classic links course set in towering sand dunes of Carne overlooking Achill Island. The course is located 3km west of Belmullet on the Mullet Peninsula. Eddie Hackett, Ireland's most prolific architect reckoned that, ultimately, Carne would be the benchmark by which all his other creations would be compared. If by 'ultimately' he meant later generations, he was somewhat off the mark. Already, Carne has attracted world attention. This links has every imaginable test a sand dune terrain can throw. Its tough, its exposed, and off the championship tee, 6120 metres (6694 yards). This is links at its wild and very best.

Caddy hire available. Dress code is neat & casual. Full canteen facilities available. Course designed by Eddie Hackett. Course length: 6119m.

Club Roscommon Golf Course is a formidable 18-hole championship course. It’s feature holes are the 9th and 13th which are both water holes. It is only 1km from the town centre.

Caddy Hire: Yes Course Designer: Eddie Connaughton Course Length (m): 6059

Situated on the brink of the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht, this unique island course has some of the finest golf holes in the country. It is located 25 miles from Galway City, along the coast road, to this unique island course, perched on the Atlantic Ocean.

Holes: 9 Caddy Hire: Yes Days best avoided: Bank Holidays Dress Code: Neat Canteen Facilities: Yes with Bar Course Designer: Tom Craddock & Pat Ruddy Course Length (m): 1640 approx. (5260 yards)

Contacts: Mr Sean / Tony Lynch

Set in the geographical center of Ireland, this fine course has many testing holes, notably its par threes. The par three second is all carry from an elevated tee with out of bounds on the right and a steep fall to the left. The course brings water into play on a number of occasions notably on the 16th. which is tightly routed with water left and out of bounds right. A spectacularly beautiful setting with fine views over Lough Ree.

Ballina is set against the scenic splendour of the Ox Mountains. Lush fairways, manicured greens well protected by water and sand, are features of this parkland layout. It runs just over 5486 meters (6000 yards) and plays to a par 69. Water comes into play on 3,8 and 10. The par 3 fifth at 192 meter (210 yards) will challenge the irons and is the toughest test on the outward run, while there is a late sting in the tail with a 440 yard index 2 at seventeen.

The recent extension to 18 holes skirting Boyle River is set to make this parkland a test of considerable stature. The development was undertaken by architect Martain Hawtree and his attention to detail has produced and experience which will be remembered as much for the quality if the course as for the beauty by which it is surrounded. The course winds its way close to water edges, through wetlands, and over hillcocks.

Pro V1 golf balls at value price.

Fine new course opened to the public in 1995. Situated two miles west of Galway at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, the exclusive five-star hotel in a secluded serene area of Galway.

The Glenlo course has twin, interconnected greens which facilitate 9 and 18 hole play.

The 4th hole features a green which is surrounded on three sides by the River Corrib.

Golf Range & Pro Shop. PGA Approved. Individual and group tuition. Club repair services. Also sells golf equipment.

Bring the whole family for a fun, yet challenging day out playing Pitch and Putt. Open from dawn until disk, Spring to late Summer. Balls and clubs provided.

This is a 9 hole course which will offer a challenge to golfers of all ages and abilities.

A fairly flat course surrounded by forest.

Renvyle House Hotel is set amid the wild splendour of Connemara Ireland. Enjoy all that Renvyle House Hotel has to offer from golf and fishing to theme weekends and croquet all on our own grounds.

Golf equipment and lessons. Proprietor: Declan Cunningham PGA professional.

Tuition available daily from PGA professionals.

The Golfing Union of Ireland, which was founded in 1891, is the oldest Golf Union in the world.

Today there are 394 affiliated clubs - an increase of 120 in the last ten years - representing a total membership of over 200,000 golfers, with more than 1,200 registered societies.

This Par 72 PGA Championship course measures 6537 metres and is open daily for visitors. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, the course offers stunning sea views. There is a purpose built Golf Acadamy on site. Host to Irish National PGA Tournament and European Tour.

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