Lahinch Golf Club

Lahinch Golf Club was originally laid out in 1892, before the most famous golf architect of the time, Old Tom Morris, designed a new links course that opened in 1894 – declaring it to be the finest natural course he had ever seen. Later, world-renowned golf architects Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Martin Hawtree also left their mark on the Old Course.

These days, Lahinch Golf Course is continually rated among the top 50 in the world in most prestigious rankings, and its collection of par 4s is considered the finest in Ireland. It also forms part of the South West Ireland Golf Tour, where enthusiasts have the opportunity to play the finest golf courses in the region.

Members of the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army set out in the early 1890s to identify a site among the great sand dunes of southwest Ireland that would be a suitable tract for a proper links golf course. Interesting to note that their first choice was the site where Doonbeg now sits, but at the time the railroad did not go close enough to make it feasible. Their second choice was the area where the famed Lahinch Golf Club is now situated.

While two other world renowned golf architects, Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Martin Hawtree have also left their mark on the Old Course, two of Morris’ original holes “Klondike,” the 4th a 475-yard par 5 and the world famous 3rd “Dell”, a 154-yard, basically blind par 3 remain relatively untouched since they were first played in 1894.

Dr. Mackenzie’s main contribution in 1927 was making many of the green complexes into triple-tiered masterpieces. Requiring an accurate approach shot to the correct level in order to score. MacKenzie took the lessons learned at Lahinch and went on to design equally highly regarded courses around the world including; Augusta National, Royal Melbourne, and Cypress Point.

In 1999, Martin Hawtree, the R&A’s ‘go-to man’ for Open Rota course tweaks and redesigns, was brought in to modernize the Old Course. He brilliantly rerouted four holes into the dunes closer to the Atlantic Ocean, rebuilt 16 tees, and completely reshaped 14 green complexes back to MacKenzie’s original intention, while leaving “Klondike” and “Dell” untouched.

Be sure and be on the lookout for the famous Lahinch goats who double as weather forecasters. If the forecast for the day is fair, they will be found on the course, if the day calls for Irish liquid sunshine, they tend to congregate close to the clubhouse.

For a great 36-hole day, play Lahinch Golf Club’s second course – The Castle, named after the ruins of the 14^th century Dough Castle on the site. While not as challenging as its sister course it has all the attributes of a true links course with wonderful views and fabulous greens that won’t break the budget.

Lahinch is a private club with a large national and overseas membership that graciously allows limited visitor play. Interest over the years has grown tremendously and in order to avoid disappointment we suggest planning your visit at least a year ahead of your visit.

A perfect stop on a golf tour of the South West of Ireland, Lahinch Golf Club is renowned for its natural beauty, challenging play, and rich history. With two courses running along the Atlantic coastline, players can expect typical links conditions, rugged dunes, and quirky holes.

Quite unusually, Lahinch Golf Club is home to many feral goats who enjoy a long history with the club and even feature on its logo. Golfers visiting may also come across rabbits, hares, foxes, otters, and seals, as well as several species of birds.

The first game at Lahinch Golf Club was played on Good Friday in 1892, on what is known as the Old Course, making it one of the oldest courses in Ireland. Since then, the club has continued to evolve, with the 9-hole Castle Course built in 1963, before being extended to 18 holes in 1975.

Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland has also hosted major tournaments in recent times, including the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup.