| In Ireland golf courses abound, both links | | | | Golf high season: June, July, August |
| and parklands varieties, about 410 in total, | | | | |
| and this is a good number compared to the | | | | Mid season: May, September, October |
| population of almost 6 million (4 million | | | | |
| people in the Republic of Ireland, and 1.8 | | | | Low season: November through to April |
| million in Northern Ireland). Ireland is one | | | | |
| of the world's great venues for a dream | | | | Book tee times well in advance of your |
| golfing holiday. | | | | vacation. About 20% of Ireland golf courses |
| | | | have their own website on which you can make |
| Links golf courses are usually found around | | | | a booking. Visit the author's website to see |
| the coastline where they've been scratched | | | | a list of them. - Ireland Golf Vacation |
| out of the abundant sand dunes, where the | | | | |
| wind often challenges players, especially on | | | | Take care of how you dress. You may have |
| the west Atlantic Coast side of the island. | | | | difficulty at some venues if you do not take |
| Their designers have also used the proximity | | | | notice of the following advice regarding |
| of water to make the game on these courses | | | | clothing. Wear proper shirts with sleeves |
| more interesting. One of the most famous | | | | and collars, golf shoes and sports socks, |
| links courses is the Ballybunion Old Course, | | | | trousers or smart, tailored shorts. Clothes |
| whose contures and sea breazes challenge | | | | NOT TO WEAR include - denims, short shorts, |
| every player. | | | | trainer shoes or runners, track suits, |
| | | | sweaters without shirts, clothing with |
| Parkland golf courses are mainly inland | | | | slogans. |
| amongst the naturally hilly landscape where | | | | |
| woodlands provide tree-lined fairways, which | | | | Always be at the course well before your tee |
| are used to advantage by their designers to | | | | time. Most courses allow spikes - some |
| test the competence of even the best of the | | | | encourage their use in wet weather. Many |
| pros. A notable parkland's course is the K | | | | links courses do not allow motorised golf |
| Club just outside Dublin, which has been | | | | buggies because of the hilly terrain. |
| chosen to hold the Ryder Cup in September | | | | |
| 2006. The Slieve Russell course in the Irish | | | | Take your handicap certificate with you as |
| midlands is also another fine example. | | | | many golf courses will insist on visualising |
| | | | it. The handicap limit will usually be 28 for |
| Seven of Ireland golf courses are included in | | | | men, and 36 for women. |
| a list of the best 100 golf courses worldwide | | | | |
| (Golf Digest) | | | | If you are taking your own golf clubs with |
| | | | you, you'll need to acquire a very strong |
| They are: | | | | golf bag to protect them during manhandling |
| | | | by luggage personnel. Some find an easier |
| In Northern Ireland: Royal Portrush Golf Club | | | | solution is to hire golfing equipment in |
| (Dunluce) and the Royal County Down | | | | Ireland, in which case this should be done at |
| | | | the earliest time, when booking tee times. |
| In the Irish Republic: the "Old" club of | | | | |
| Ballybunion (in the 1st ten world ranking), | | | | You'll find a friendly welcome not only from |
| Lahinch, Portmarnock, The European Club and | | | | the Irish golfing community, but also from |
| Waterville. | | | | the population in general. Ireland has now |
| | | | become a very popular venue for a stimulating |
| GENEARL INFORMATION | | | | golfing vacation. |
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