The south-west of Ireland has some of the finest golf on the planet. If you’re coming to Adare in September 2027, bring your clubs.
The Ryder Cup comes to Adare Manor from 13 to 19 September 2027. Plenty of visitors will want to play as well as watch. The good news: some of the world’s great links are within easy reach of County Limerick. The bad news: everyone else knows it too. Here’s where to play, and why you should book now.
Links or parkland?
Links golf is played on sandy coastal land, among dunes, with firm fairways, deep bunkers and the wind as your main opponent. It’s golf in its original form, and the west of Ireland does it as well as anywhere. Parkland golf is inland, greener and more sheltered. Around Adare you get both. Play at least one links. You won’t regret it.
Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare
Around 75 minutes from Adare. They call it the St Andrews of Ireland. Towering dunes, blind shots and the Atlantic alongside. Old Tom Morris and Alister MacKenzie both shaped it, and the famous goats are still said to forecast the weather. Non-negotiable.
Ballybunion Golf Club, County Kerry
Around 75 minutes from Adare. The Old Course is regularly ranked among the best in the world. Wild, dramatic and right on the edge of the Atlantic, with holes that run along the cliffs. Tom Watson was its great champion. The Cashen Course, by Robert Trent Jones Sr, is a stern second round.
Tralee Golf Club, County Kerry
Around 90 minutes from Adare. Arnold Palmer’s design sits on a spectacular stretch of coast, with a back nine that plunges through the dunes. One of the most scenic rounds in the country.
Waterville Golf Links, County Kerry
Around two and a half hours from Adare, on the Ring of Kerry. Remote, beautiful and demanding. Build a whole day around it and drive the Ring on the way.
Old Head Golf Links, County Cork
Around two hours from Adare. A headland in the Atlantic, with cliffs on almost every side. Bring a camera as well as your clubs.
Closer to home
Short on time? Limerick has good parkland golf within half an hour, including Limerick Golf Club and Castletroy. Dromoland Castle, in County Clare, has a handsome parkland course around 45 minutes away. Both are ideal for a relaxed round on a free morning.
A three-day golf trip
- Day one: Lahinch in the morning, then lunch in the village and a pint on the way back.
- Day two: Ballybunion Old Course. Stay for a second round on the Cashen if your legs allow.
- Day three: a gentler parkland round near Limerick, then an afternoon in Adare.
Booking tips
- Book early. The big links will be in huge demand in September 2027, with visitors from around 80 countries in the area.
- Check visitor policies. Many clubs set visitor days and times, and some ask for a handicap certificate.
- Respect the weather. The west coast is mild but changeable, and the wind can transform a links.
- Take a caddie. On the great links, local knowledge is worth several shots.
- Leave time for the roads. Most of these courses are down country lanes.
Clare or Kerry?
Adare sits neatly between two of the great golfing counties. Clare gives you Lahinch, plus the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren for non-golfers in the group. Kerry gives you Ballybunion, Tralee and Waterville, with Killarney and the Ring of Kerry thrown in. Short on time? Pick one county and do it properly. Got a week? Do both.
Links etiquette
Irish links golf moves at a brisk pace. Be ready to play, keep up with the group in front and don’t spend too long looking for a lost ball in the dunes. Many clubs prefer carry bags or caddies to buggies on the links, so check before you arrive. Respect the course, repair your pitch marks and enjoy the conversation. Irish golfers are great company.
The 19th hole
Half the joy of Irish golf happens after the round. Lahinch village is full of pubs, perfect for a pint and a bowl of chowder after the Old Course. Ballybunion has its own share of cosy bars. Leave time to linger. Nobody here rushes a post-round pint.
Flying without clubs?
Travelling light? Most of the major clubs offer rental sets, and many golf travel operators can arrange quality hire clubs delivered to where you’re staying. It saves the airline fees and the hassle. Book rental clubs when you book your tee time, because they’ll be in short supply too.
What to pack
Waterproofs, top and bottom. A warm mid-layer. Spare gloves. Good grip on your shoes. September in the west can go from sunshine to squall and back within a hole. Dress for all of it.
Staying in Adare
The Pop-Up Hotel is bringing a luxury pop-up hotel to Adare in September 2027. Tents, suites and motorhomes, great food and drink, and a team to help plan your days, on the course or off it. More soon.
Quick answers
What are the best golf courses near Adare?
Lahinch and Ballybunion are the headline links, both around 75 minutes away. Tralee, Waterville and the Old Head are in reach for a longer day.
Do I need a handicap certificate to play in Ireland?
Some top links clubs ask for one. Check each club’s visitor policy when you book.
When should I book tee times for September 2027?
Now. Demand in the south-west that week will be exceptional.
Book your stay in Adare for September 2027.
