An Ireland Golf Vacation

If you're a golfer, taking a golfing tour of Ireland has to be as close to heaven as one can imagine. The green of Ireland is only intensified on the immaculately trimmed courses, with many of the courses right next to sea, affording gorgeous ocean views, as well. This is not to take anything away from the beauty of the inland courses, offering their own attractions.

It is generally recommended that if you plan to golf in Ireland, you sign up for a tour to ensure you'll have a tee time, or that you've made your own arrangements well before you arrive (for many courses, you can do this on the internet). But however you've made your arrangements, be prepared for an outstanding, challenging, and some say magical, experience. Oh, and about the challenge part, you should also be aware that a great many of the courses in Ireland do not allow buggies, or motorized carts. Some of the larger courses will offer the services of a caddy, and most will allow a pull-along cart for your bag, but count on doing a lot of walking.

Here are a few courses you might want to check out, in no particular order:

Royal Dublin Golf Club. Located just a few miles north of Dublin, on Bull Island, it was the first course in Ireland to have 18 holes. It is described as a pretty, flat course, and has hosted the Irish Open in the past.

Druids Glen. This course, located 30 minutes south of Dublin in County Wicklow at Newmountkennedy, is described as Europe's answer to Augusta National, Georgia. It's a beautiful course and worth the visit if only to say you've been to Druids Glen and Newmountkennedy. It also won the European Golf Course of the Year award in 2000.

Ballybunion - Old. This course was established in 1893, set alongside the Atlantic Ocean 20 miles north of Tralee. It is said to be the favorite of American visitors, and the town welcomes visitors with a statue of President Clinton in full golf swing.

Ballybunion - Cashen. The second course at Ballybunion, considered even more dramatic and challenging than the Old Course. As with the Old Course, the spectacular views of ocean, dunes, and greens is breath-taking.

The Killarney Golf & Fishing Club. This is home to three courses: Killeen, Lackabane, and Mahony's, and is located west of Killarney town, on the Ring of Kerry Road, a drive worth taking after you finish your round at these spectacular courses.

Lahinch, Old Course and Castle Course. Often described as 'the St. Andrew's of Ireland,' these courses can be found 30 miles from Shannon airport in County Clare.

These are only a few of the amazing golf courses to be found in Ireland. A quick tour of the internet will give you details on the hundreds more to be enjoyed. Whether you go on a tour specific to golfing or just want to go a few rounds while you're visiting other places, you can be assured of an incredible experience. The warmth and hospitality of Ireland is just as prevalent here as in every other part of Irish life. A little planning, some learning of local custom, a wee drop to warm you, and you're in for a great day of golf.