South West vs. North Coast: Choosing Your Irish Golf Itinerary
The Two Great Pilgrimages of Irish Golf
Every serious golfer planning a trip to Ireland faces the same agonising decision: Do I go South West or North Coast? It is the defining fork in the road, and the answer shapes everything — the courses you play, the landscapes you see, the pubs you drink in, and the memories you take home.
Both regions contain some of the finest links golf on the planet. Both are worthy of a dedicated trip. And critically, both are too far apart to combine into a single week without spending half your holiday in a car.
The South West: Kerry, Clare & The Wild Atlantic Way
The Courses
The South West is the spiritual heartland of Irish links golf:
- Ballybunion (Old Course) — The course that made Tom Watson weep. Towering dunes, crashing Atlantic waves, and the most natural routing in golf.
- Lahinch (Old Course) — The St Andrews of Ireland. A charming links town with a course that has hosted generations of Irish golfers.
- Waterville Golf Links — A remote, windswept masterpiece on the Ring of Kerry. Payne Stewart's favourite course in Ireland.
- Tralee Golf Club — Arnold Palmer's dramatic clifftop design overlooking Banna Strand.
- Old Head of Kinsale — A polarising but visually stunning course perched on a 200-foot cliff peninsula.
The Vibe
The South West is warmer (relatively speaking), greener, and more traditionally "Irish." The towns of Killarney, Dingle, and Lahinch are postcard-perfect, with colourful pubs, live traditional music every night, and a pace of life that forces you to slow down.
Best For
- First-time visitors to Ireland
- Groups who value culture, pubs, and scenery as much as golf
- Golfers who want the "classic" Irish links experience
The North Coast: Antrim, Down & The Causeway Coast
The Courses
The North Coast is where championship golf lives:
- Royal County Down — Frequently ranked the #1 course outside the United States.
- Royal Portrush (Dunluce) — Host of The Open Championship (2019, 2025).
- Portstewart (Strand Course) — The front nine is considered one of the greatest opening stretches in links golf.
- Castlerock (Mussenden) — A hidden gem with a spectacular opening hole through a railway cutting.
- Ardglass — The oldest golf club in the world with a clubhouse in a castle.
The Vibe
The North Coast is wilder, more rugged, and less touristy. The Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, and the Dark Hedges (made famous by Game of Thrones) are all within striking distance.
Best For
- Experienced golfers who want a serious test
- Groups who have already done the South West and want something new
- Golfers who care about championship pedigree and history
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | South West | North Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate to Hard | Hard to Very Hard |
| Scenery | Lush, green, dramatic cliffs | Rugged, wild, mountainous |
| Culture & Pubs | Traditional, warm, musical | Gritty, historic, emerging food scene |
| Booking Difficulty | Hard | Very Hard |
| Best Season | May – September | May – August |
| Ideal Trip Length | 5–7 days | 4–6 days |
Our recommendation: If this is your first trip to Ireland, go South West. Save the North Coast for your second trip, when you are ready for a tougher, more focused golf challenge.
And whatever you do, do not try to combine both into one week. The drive from Killarney to Portrush is over 5 hours.
Not sure which region suits your group? Use our [AI Trip Planner](/plan) — it will build a geographically optimised route based on your preferences.