A bucket list course for any serious golfer, Lahinch Golf Club’s Old Course is consistently ranked among the top 20 courses in Europe and the 50 best in the world. As soon as you step out onto the first tee and gaze across its verdant, undulating links, you’ll soon see why Lahinch is known as the St. Andrew’s of Ireland.
Lahinch Golf Club was founded in 1892, its original Old Course designed by Old Tom Morris. It was reworked by Alistair McKenzie in the 1920s and then dramatically modernised in 2003. The entire course is perched on the Atlantic Coast – you can hear the waves crash as you walk the fairways, and many a golfer has felt compelled to pause mid-swing to take in the breathtaking views of the nearby Cliffs of Moher.
The rugged Old Course, with its crosswinds, blind tee shots and unique design, including fairways that cross one another, has attained legendary status. Golfing greats such as Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk have all competed on Lahinch Golf Club’s Old Course. It is an enchanting course, but a treacherous one that demands perseverance and rewards creative shot-making.
For those who may prefer a slightly less challenging 18 holes, Lahinch offers a second course. Named the Castle Course, after the nearby ruined castle tower, this is a shorter and flatter option but by no means an easy one.
However you choose to play at Lahinch, you’ll be golfing in one of the most striking and historic clubs in all of Ireland, if not the world.
