If you’re beginning the planning process for an Ireland golf trip, chances are there’s one question, among many others, that’s lingering in the back of your mind:
How much does an Ireland golf trip cost?
Perhaps you’re also researching how to choose the right golf travel company, but you’ve noticed that prices are frustratingly absent from almost all of our websites. For most companies, as explained in this video, this has more to do with hiding the prices from their competition than from you, the potential traveler.
At Haversham & Baker, we don’t have pricing on our website because we don’t have standardized itineraries. Every Irish golf trip that we plan is custom built around the precise expectations and desires of the individual group. We don’t put a single plan to paper until we’ve first gotten to know you, your travel companions, as well as those expectations. Only then does both your itinerary and your price start to come together.
What most of our travelers are really seeking in this stage of the planning is a clear understanding of the decisions which will influence their total price.
Here are some of the important factors to keep in mind which will ultimately drive the overall cost of your golf trip to Ireland.
For additional insight, the topic of cost was covered in-detail on the Golf and the Good Life podcast. Tune-in below or wherever you get your podcasts.
When You Go
The golf travel season in Ireland runs from April through October. Sure, the courses are open the rest of the year, but the limited daylight, frequent storms, and frosty temperatures makes a trip outside of this timeframe less than ideal. June through August is typically the peak of the golf and tourist season in Ireland and rates at both hotels and golf courses are priced accordingly.
You’ll generally find that prices and temperatures move in lockstep. If you’re looking to capture a little savings, consider the shoulder months of April, September, and October for your Irish golf vacation. The fall months may also be ideal if you are a little late to the planning game.
Because this factor is so influential on the overall cost of your trip, we’ve covered the best time of year for an Ireland golf trip in greater detail.
How You Pay
Ireland is one island with two currencies. Which of the two is in play for your trip will certainly impact your total price.
Northern Ireland – home to Royal Portrush and Royal County Down – utilizes the British Pound. The Republic of Ireland, which includes Dublin and the links of the Southwest coast, uses the Euro.
Due to a more favorable exchange rate with the Euro, Northern Ireland golf trips will typically run a little more expensive than similar itineraries in the rest of Ireland.
Where You Play
From the #1 ranked course in the world, to the newest member of The Open rota, to the string of Top 100 golf courses along the famous Southwest coast, Ireland’s abundance of outstanding golf is almost without equal.
As one might expect, the bigger the name, the bigger the green fee. Every golfer should experience the thrill of Old Head Golf Links, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush, but they should also be prepared to part with extra Euros for the opportunity.
The wonderful thing about golf travel in the British Isles, however, is that it doesn’t always have to be about the bucket-list courses. In fact, most would agree that some of the most memorable experiences on a golf trip to Ireland come at places they haven’t heard of until the moment they arrived.
This is where we’d suggest leaning on the expertise of your H&B Expedition Planning Manager. Their custom approach to Ireland golf packages means you can discover some of these under-the-radar courses that both fit with your itinerary and the dynamic of your group, while delivering a memorable and value-rich experience.
Who is Behind the Wheel
Transportation is one of the overlooked considerations for many travelers when planning an Irish golf trip. There are many things to take into account when choosing whether to self-drive or hire an H&B Driver-Host. Cost is one consideration, but not the most important factor for most of our travelers.
Instead, they weigh the potential savings versus sitting back and enjoying the view with their beverage of choice, while letting a local navigate the narrow, windy, and sometimes poorly maintained roads. For them, the choice is an easy one.
What’s better, with a group of 8 travelers, the cost consideration is virtually non-existent because the savings is as well.
When You Book
Given the inflationary pressures on travel of late, it pays to book your trip early. The longer you wait to begin the planning process, the more it is likely to cost you.
Additional Tips
Single vs Double Occupancy
Among all the decisions you make regarding your Ireland golf vacation, single vs double occupancy will impact your final price perhaps more than anything else. If you’re looking to save some Euros for the souvenir budget, having a roommate will certainly do the trick.
The Road Less Traveled By
While all of the world-ranked courses in Ireland are concentrated in one of three regions, there’s a fourth region that should not be overlooked. The links courses in the Northwest are as spectacular as they are remote. But the reward for this journey off the well worn path is the best value for the dollar in all of Ireland.
Caddies
Here’s some of our most frequently asked questions related to caddies in Ireland, not the least of which is cost. Approximately $100 per caddie is generally a safe guideline to add to the budget.
As you can see, there are numerous factors that contribute to the answer to the question “How much does an Ireland golf trip cost?” From where you play and stay to when you go, many of the decisions you make during the planning process will ultimately impact your final cost.
But with the service and expertise of an H&B Planning Manager, those decisions get a lot easier. By first getting to know you, your group, your expectations, and your budget, they’ll take all the heavy lifting off your shoulders and craft an itinerary that fits precisely with all of the above.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Ireland.
To continue researching your golf trip to Ireland, visit the pages below, read our Ireland golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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