Ireland is famous throughout the world for having some of the finest courses, most breathtaking scenery and fantastic hospitality this is definitely the golfing enthusiast’s choice of a dream holiday.

There is an incredible choice featuring the best golf courses in Ireland and some spectacular accommodation ranging from castles to stately homes overlooking the fairway. A trip to play the best golf courses in Ireland would not be complete without a visit to The K club in Co. Kildare, made famous by The Ryder Cup and PGA European Open events, The Greg Norman designed Doonbeg course in County Clare has some of the best scenery in the country, similarly Royal County Down Club has equally spectacular views. Mount Juliet, designed by Jack Nicklaus has been voted the best parkland course in the country and Ballybunion was voted the world’s best golfing resort. Tom Watson once said "I am now of the opinion it is one of the best and most beautiful tests of links golf anywhere in the world” about the course.

Another of the best golf courses in Ireland is Old Head Course in Kinsale which protrudes magnificently 2 miles into the Atlantic. Portmanock in Dublin is said to have one of the finest holes in the world (14th) and Arnold Palmer once said “I may have designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine” referring to the course at Tralee.
The popularity of golf in Ireland has grown recently due, in part, to current golfers such as Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy and the country now boasts over 300 courses. Every single course has its own unique qualities, its own hidden gem. The courses mentioned above are only a small handful of what the country has to offer the golfer. The Golfing Union of Ireland has a list of all courses and events and BBC Sport has a full list of clubs in Northern Ireland.

Specialist tour operators are available for holidays to include the best golf courses in Ireland , with companies now taking packages to a new level in a bid to lure customers. Extravagances such as heli-golf, where you can play one course in the morning before being flown to another in the afternoon are now available to everyone. Whatever your handicap I am sure this country can provide you with as relaxing and at times challenging round as the game can offer.