What are the Hardest Golf Courses in Ireland?

Any golfer enjoys a challenge…and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you play any of these courses throughout Ireland.

If you remove the wind from the equation, then it’s not all links courses that fill the toughest eight spots; if you remove the length, then it’s not just the muscle parks that cause nightmares. On the island of Ireland, there are some courses that were meant to be challenging.

Royal County Down Golf Course (Co. Down)

Royal County Down (Co. Down) is a magnificent links course with an old school design that makes it both natural and challenging. The course is filled with blind shots that can leave you reeling, bearded bunkers, and slippery greens. There are 6,881 yards in total

Rosapenna Golf Course (Sandy Hills)

In Co. Donegal, Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) is a links that challenges the muscles and the brain. There is also the challenge of tight fairways, long rough and small greens, made more difficult by the constant movements of the land. There are 6,383 yards in all.

Enniscrone Golf Course (Co. Mayo)

Among Ireland’s best links, big dunes create all sorts of thrilling challenges. It has plenty of blind shots and tricky slopes, but you don’t want to be through the green. No way! The distance is 6814 yards.

Headfort Golf Course (New)

There are 12 holes where water can be extremely punishing if your aim or length isn’t perfect. Some of the carries are long as well. 6,741 yards.

Scrabo Golf Course (Co. Down)

It’s a hillside nightmare, but all the same thrilling. The furze is razor sharp and deep, and the greens are small and hard. There are some of the best views anywhere on this course. Just 6,130 yards for a par 72.

Druid’s Heath Golf Course (Co. Wicklow)

You won’t always be able to see where you’ll land the ball or what’s just around the corner on the parkland Heath, which comes with a few tricky greens. There is no doubt that the par four 12th hole is one of the hardest in the country. 6,833 yards.

The European Club Golf Course (Co. Wicklow)

Links courses designed by Pat Ruddy are not for the fainthearted. In spite of the fact that holes vary greatly in length, green approaches are always difficult and rough can be brutal. It doesn’t help to line bunkers with railway sleepers! 6,720 yards.

Carne Golf Course (Co. Mayo)

The dunes in this link are among the biggest you will find within Ireland and if you miss the fairway, a level stance is almost impossible. There are some stunningly shaped holes on this course. The challenge here is not length-related. 6,368 yards.