The best courses in Ireland, ranked

Nov 9, 2024, 2:24 PM•golfdigest

Golf Digest

Our new top-25 list will help you plan your next trip. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

It’s a good and worthy debate: Who has the better links courses, Scotland or Ireland? If it can’t be answered decisively, we should at least acknowledge that the courses from each country are different.

In general, the links of Scotland are subdued, embedded with small intricacies, sly strategies and dunes that only occasionally rise to the level of Herculean. Ireland’s links are wild and wooly, bouncy and rugged.

There’s no debate, however, that links golf in Ireland is anything less than rip-roaring fun. To help you plan your next trip to the Emerald Isle, check out our ranking of the 25 best courses in Ireland.

Golf Digest+ Courses

The 11 courses we predict will make the biggest moves in our next course rankings
By Derek Duncan

Our favorite budget golf-trip destinations
By Drew Powell

Our definitive* ranking of the best drinks in golf
By Drew Powell

Golf Digest+ Instruction

Do layers of clothing slow down swing speed? Our test reveals surprising results
By Drew Powell

Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America (2025-2026)
By The Editors

10 advanced golf swing stats that can make you smarter—take note
By Luke Kerr-Dineen

Golf Digest+ Popular Stories

Tour Pro’s Little Helper: Does nicotine create a competitive advantage?
By Peter Morrice

Why is Tony Finau being sued?
By Joel Beall

An inside look at the new way to get onto any private course
By Max Adler

Follow Golf Digest

Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list.

Have questions? Take our survey or email us here.

Latest Emails from golfdigest

golfdigest

10:02 AM (Today)

Wild Ryder Cup fan accommodations in store for 2027

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

11:01 PM (Yesterday)

Jon Gruden claps back at YouTube golfer, Gary Player's controversial list and the great simulator debate

SIGN UP | VIEW IN BROWSER VIEW IN BROWSER Jon Gruden had the perfect response to YouTuber Grant Horvat having no idea who he is Put some respect on Gruden's name. Read More WATCH HERE Gary Player

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

8:08 PM (Yesterday)

Don't fall into this mental trap

Does a wet ball cost you distance off the tee? More than you think (and that's not all) SIGN UP | VIEW IN BROWSER Mental game The mental trap every golfer falls into, and how to avoid it We think

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

10:02 AM (Yesterday)

Gary Player gives himself a shout-out

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Wed 8:08 PM

America's 25 most beautiful courses, ranked

Jon Gruden had the perfect response to YouTuber Grant Horvat having no idea who he is SIGN UP | VIEW IN BROWSER Courses America's 25 most beautiful golf courses, ranked Pebble Beach, Augusta

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Wed 10:02 AM

Old Course, new course changes

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Tue 8:08 PM

Trump's granddaughter to make LPGA debut

Stuck between forgiveness and low-spin when choosing a driver? Why our data will blow your mind SIGN UP | VIEW IN BROWSER Kai Trump President Trump's granddaughter to make LPGA debut Kai Trump was

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Tue 5:06 PM

Forget everything you know about car rentals. 🚘

Renting will never be the same again. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Tue 12:32 PM

New PGA Tour winner’s crazy accomplishment

Read full newsletter →

golfdigest

Mon 11:01 PM

An adorable golf moment, a graphic of the year candidate and a Jason Day fan's wild move

SIGN UP | VIEW IN BROWSER VIEW IN BROWSER Billy Horschel's son mirrors dad's golf swing The most adorable golf moment of the year, by far. Read More WATCH HERE Michael Brennan Korn Ferry Tour

Read full newsletter →