Portmarnock Golf Club Key Information
There are no tricks or gimmicks here, but instead a wonderfully subtle and old-school links that has moved very sympathetically with the times keeping the best of its heritage while catering for modern equipment and tastes. Almost completely surrounded by water, it is a fabulous place for a game of golf.
Reasons To Play Portmarnock
– This historic links has hosted many leading championships and tested many of the game’s greats
– The course is tough but totally fair and kept in immaculate shape
– The Yellow nine is also well worth playing
Rankings
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 28
Portmarnock Golf Club is located on an easy-walking and wonderfully sandy peninsula to the north of Dublin. The three loops of nine holes look to be on land that was specifically created for golf. It doesn’t have the towering dunes or elevation changes that occur elsewhere in the country, but this is still a serious championship examination that has long been ranked as one of the very best golf courses in Ireland.
Golf was first played here in 1894, since when the club has hosted countless prestigious titles. This has included many Irish Opens, whose champion in 1986 was the legendary Seve Ballesteros. More recently, in 2019, it was the home of the Amateur Championship, which the club prepared for by upgrading some of the championship tees and bunkers, adding various areas of new mounding and a new irrigation system.
The course is surrounded by water on three sides with terrific views out to Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island and the Dublin coastline. In more recent times, much has been done to try and optimise the internal views over the course, and the external views out to sea and across the estuary to the mainland.
Mounding to the right of the 1st hole was removed and the fairway realigned to open up the views of the estuary, while the buckthorn that flanked the excellent short 15th was removed to give this fabulous hole the sea views that it so richly warranted. Elsewhere, blind or semi-blind tee shots on both the 6th and 11th holes were eliminated, while non-native grasses and shrubs were removed throughout to improve both the playability and the quality of the grasses and playing surfaces.
Overall, this excellent course can best be described as firm but fair. It is full of strategically strong holes that combine to make a complete test of shot making that will reward good play. With lovely views out over the water, it is also enjoyable by all.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
Glorious links setting with raised tees giving inspiring views across the course and further afield along the coastline and Irish Sea. Wonderful condition with beautiful links fairways and excellent greens. A very special place where its natural magnificence gives a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world.
The welcome was truly exceptional. Attention to detail at every turn, a wonderful course, beautiful setting and glorious experience from arrival to departure.
Conditioning as good as that of Muirfield - nothing flashy but always excellent.
The course is beautifully presented and the journey from the tee to green is a manicured delight. One of the fairest tests of golf with a great historical connection. Easily the best course in the greater Dublin region.
Portmarnock Golf Club Location
Portmarnock Golf Club Green Fees
Portmarnock Golf Club Red and Blue Scorecard
Best Courses Near To Portmarnock
Best Places To Stay Near To Portmarnock
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links - Book now via Booking.com
The hotel combines modern elegance with the grandeur of a 19th-century residence. Rooms all have views of the ocean, gardens or the Bernhard Langer-designed golf course.
Marine Hotel, Sutton - Book now via Booking.com
There are rooms with views over Dublin Bay, as well as Cucinos, an authentic Italian restaurant, and an indoor pool and sauna. Lunch is served in the Galley Carvery, and Schooner’s Bar offers a bar menu and drinks all day.
Portmarnock Golf Club Gallery
Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I
- 2023/24 28
- 2021/22 27
- 2019/20 26
- 2017/18 27
- 2015/16 25
- 2013/14 29
- 2011/12 26
- 2009/10 29
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Portmarnock hosted the Irish Open?
The club has been the venue for the Irish Open a record 19 times with champions including Ben Crenshaw (1976), Severiano Ballesteros (1986), Bernhard Langer (1987) and Jose Maria Olazabal (1990).
How many courses are there at Portmarnock?
This excellent club has 27 holes of its own, while immediately next door is the Langer designed Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links which is in the Next 100.
