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The Global Golfer Top 100
Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course
Lahinch, County Clare, Republic of Ireland · #10 in the World
Location: Lahinch, County Clare, Republic of Ireland | Ranking: #10 — The Global Golfer Top 100
Type: Links | Partner Stay: Lahinch Golf & Leisure Hotel; Dromoland Castle
Editor’s Note: “The St Andrews of Ireland” is not hyperbole. Lahinch’s Old Course sits on the wild Atlantic coast of County Clare with a golfing lineage stretching to 1892, when Old Tom Morris first laid it out. Alister MacKenzie later revised it — his famous blind par-3 Dell hole and the equally blind Klondyke par 5 provoke fierce argument about blind holes in design, and the course is entirely unapologetic. Add Lahinch’s resident goats and the most raucous post-round pub scene in Irish golf, and you have a course of incomparable personality.
1. Travel & Logistics
- How to Get There: Lahinch is on the Clare coast, 35km west of Ennis on the N85. From Shannon Airport, approximately 45 mins.
- Nearest Airport: Shannon Airport (SNN) — 45 mins. Kerry Airport (KIR) — 1h 30m.
- Scenic Route: The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher (10 minutes from the course) are both unmissable.
2. Contact & Booking
- Tel: +353 (0)65 708 1003 | Email: info@lahinchgolf.com
- Website: lahinchgolf.com
- How to Book: Online booking available year-round. Summer fills extremely quickly — book 3–4 months ahead.
- Course Rating / Slope: Championship: 74.5 / 141 | Medal: 72.8 / 137
- Green Fees: From €175 (Old Course, peak season)
3. Championship Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 36 |
| Yards | 384 | 528 | 368 | 475 | 165 | 156 | 473 | 341 | 395 | 3,285 |
Par 4
Par 3
Par 5
Total
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 72 |
| Yards | 355 | 437 | 474 | 174 | 474 | 188 | 383 | 432 | 549 | 3,466 | 6,950 |
4. Hole-by-Hole Strategy
Hole 2 — Klondyke (Par 5, 528 Yards)
- Strategy: One of golf’s most controversial holes — the second shot is entirely blind over a massive dune ridge, aimed at a white post marker. Drive to the right side; aim the second directly at the marker post and trust the line. The green beyond is generous but the dune face punishes anything left of centre.
Hole 6 — Dell (Par 3, 156 Yards)
- Strategy: The most famous blind hole in golf — a white stone marker on the ridge indicates the pin position, moved daily by staff. Aim directly at the stone; the ball should land on the slope and feed down. Infuriating, charming, completely irreplaceable.
Hole 18 — Home (Par 5, 549 Yards)
- Strategy: A sweeping downhill par 5 finishing in front of the packed clubhouse bar. The generous fairway rewards the confident driver. Birdie is very much on; the Guinness after is non-negotiable.
5. The 19th Hole — Where to Stay & Dine
- Lahinch Golf & Leisure Hotel (4★): 200 metres from the first tee — the most convenient base for back-to-back rounds. Book via Expedia →
- Dromoland Castle (5★): Ireland’s finest castle hotel, 45 minutes from Lahinch. Golf course, spa and 16th-century interiors.
- O’Looney’s Bar, Lahinch Beach: Seafood chowder, brown bread and Guinness overlooking the beach. The entire village converges here after golf.