Golf Links Rd,
Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
Office
+353 (0)1 846 2968Pro shop
+353 (0)1 846 2634Fax
+353 (0)1 846 2601Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Francis Howley (Head PGA Professional)The Course:
27 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original layout by founders George Ross (Capt) and William C. Pickeman (Secretary), assisted by Scottish professional Mungo Park (who stayed for a year as the Club's first pro). Third nine added by Fred Hawtree (1971); modifications to the Championship layout by Fred's son Martin Hawtree (2002).
Above distances are for the Championship course (Red & Blue nines). The Yellow-nine (at 3,461 yds from back tees) is slightly shorter than the other two nines.
53.407498
-6.124148
19 km NE of Dublin
From the M1 motorway north of Dublin, take the Skerries / Donabate exit (R132) and follow direction Swords R132 / N1. After 2.7 km at 3rd roundabout (Malahide Rd roundabout) turn left onto the R106 direction Malahide / Portmarnock. After 2 km, at Statoil Filling Station in the centre of Portmarnock, turn left into Golf Links Road. After o.8 km you'll reach the gatehouse to Portmarnock GC.
Portmarnock Golf Club (Old course): Amongst the many seaside links golf courses of Britain and Ireland, there is clearly an elite dozen or so. If each of the respective nations had to pick their standard bearer, then Ireland would need look no further than Portmarnock. Together with the other standard bearers, Portmarnock is characterised by a wonderful layout of understated simplicity, which belies its undoubted golfing challenges.
Portmarnock is home to 27 excellent links golf holes. The Red and Blue-nines make up the Championship Course, while the Yellow-nine (added in 1971) also lays down a thorough test of your shot-making and all round game. The course at Portmarnock Golf Club is often called the "Old" course, distinguishing it from its neighbour, the more recently established Portmarnock Links course, which is attached to the Portmarnock Hotel.
Here at Portmarnock you tee it up alongside the Sluice River, and embark on one of Ireland's essential links golf experiences. Along the way are some of the finest revetted pot bunkers you'll find anywhere, and there's plenty of them, scattered alongside the tumbling fairways and around the fabulous greens.
While the sand dunes may not be the most impressive in golf, they are big enough to give good definition to each hole. Sea views are occasional, rather than ever-present, with the best of them coming at the long, spectacular and knee-trembling par-3 15th. The course is pristinely maintained, but retains a thoroughly natural look, and an abundance of timeless charm.
Visitors welcome on weekdays (not Weds) and Sundays.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Good
Portmarnock's Championship course (the Red and Blue nines) has hosted many top level golf tournaments, not least the Walker Cup in 1991, and several Irish Open Championships over many years For more details see Top Golf Tournaments at Portmarnock GC, Old course.
To the north east of Dublin lie the Howth and Portmarnock peninsulas. The latter, with the Irish Sea on one side and a river estuary on the other, is almost entirely occupied by two excellent links courses. The southern section of the 2-mile long peninsula is home to the 27-holes of the Portmarnock Golf Club. Above it sits the 100 years younger Portmarnock Links. Both courses occupy sandy links terrain, which was originally part of the Jameson Estate ... that's Jameson of Irish whiskey fame.
Ireland's 4th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 14th best course (Golf World, 2024).
World's 59th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 22nd best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
+353 (0)1 846 0611
Visit websiteThis luxury 4-star hotel combines modern elegance with the grandeur of a 19th century home once owned by members of the Jameson Whiskey dynasty. The hotel’s design ensures all guest rooms have a view over the Irish Sea, the hotel gardens or onto the 18-hole Portmarnock Links golf course.
Portmarnock Links
Portmarnock; Royal Dublin.
The Island; St Margaret's; Luttrellstown Castle; Grange.
Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
+353 (0)1 833 2321
Visit websiteClontarf Castle is a luxurious Irish castle hotel, dating (in parts) from the 12th century. It is located just two miles from the heart of the city and only five miles from Dublin Airport.
No
Royal Dublin; St Anne's; Portmarnock; Portmarnock Links.
The Island; Roganstown; St Margaret's; Castleknock; Luttrellstown Castle; South County; Grange; Powerscourt; Woodbrook.
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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