Portmarnock Golf Club is arguably the most storied club in Ireland. The club began its life as the personal golf course for distiller John Jameson. Near the end of the 19th century, a new 9-hole golf course was built on the peninsula, and a proper club was established, with Jameson serving as its first president. It’s assumed the clubhouse did not carry Bushmills.
In the decades that followed, Portmarnock became the standard for championship golf in Ireland. The club hosted the first Irish Open in 1927 and has done so a total of 19-times. The list of winners at Portmarnock reads like a Masters Champions Dinner: Crenshaw, Langer, Woosnam, Olazabal, Ballesteros.
Although Portmarnock is a mainstay of Ireland golf packages, the club is often unknown to most visiting Americans. If this sounds familiar, here’s a little preview of what awaits during your round at Portmarnock Golf Club.
1st Hole
By the scorecard, the 380-yard par-4 first hole appears to give a gentle introduction to your round at Portmarnock Golf Club. As every golfer knows, appearances can be deceiving.
The opening tee box is just steps from the clubhouse door and is pressed hard against the estuary. If this hasn’t spiked your pulse, the view down the fairway certainly will. The first hole at Portmarnock is a gentle dogleg left, yet the estuary flanks the right-side for its entire length.
Slicers, beware. Especially in an easterly wind.
12th Hole
The par-3s at Portmarnock Golf Club are truly outstanding. The 12th hole is not even the best of the bunch and yet it still merits a mention here. For most golfers, the hole measures to less than 150-yards, but that’s where the pleasantries end.
The 12th hole plays straight toward the Irish Sea and, as a consequence, directly into the prevailing wind. When the gales are howling, what appears to be an easy low to mid-iron off the tee can turn into a long-iron or hybrid. This, in turn, makes the tiny putting surface seem smaller from the tee. The surrounding bunkers, even larger.
The Closing Five
“I know of no greater finish in the world than the last 5 holes at Portmarnock.”
High praise from acclaimed golf writer Bernard Darwin.
The closing stretch at Portmarnock offers a par-3, a par-5, and a trio of stern par-4s. It’s a “championship finish” that’s fitting for a course which has held more competitions of note than any other in Ireland. Whether it’s the greatest finish in the world is best decided by the individual golfer. But if your scorecard is off to a strong start, don’t count your chickens before the final putt is holed.
15th Hole
Within the closing stretch at Portmarnock, the 15th hole warrants a mention all its own. The par-3 is flush against the Irish Sea, with beachgoers strolling the Velvet Strand just beyond the line of dunes on the right. But not to fear, the wind off the sea will keep them out of harm’s way. Presumably.
While competing in the Irish Open, Ben Crenshaw once quipped:
“That 15th hole is the shortest par-5 I’ve ever played.”
Depending on the wind conditions, you might agree with the two-time Masters champion. You also may join the long list of golfers who’ve listed the 15th at Portmarnock as one of the best par-3s in Ireland.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse at Portmarnock has evolved considerably through the years. Fire and a growing membership has a funny way of doing that. But the current version stands as a stately refuge for members and visitors alike.
Any golf club with a history as long and rich as that of Portmarnock is bound to have its share of memorabilia. Portmarnock is no exception, and could fill a small museum on its own. No visit to the club is complete without at least a few minutes perusing the hardware.
But it’s the panorama from the clubhouse lounge that is likely to be the main attraction. Especially when it’s paired with a cool beverage and lively conversation from the day on the links. Unless, that is, the wagers didn’t go your way.
The Island Golf Club
Although Portmarnock is the headliner, the Dublin area is home to a variety of great courses that are worthy of a place on your Irish golf trip. Just to the north of Portmarnock, The Island Golf Club is a perfect example.
Despite its deceiving name, The Island is, like Portmarnock, located on a peninsula. In contrast, however, the linksland at The Island features more dunes and tumbling terrain.
On The Island, Mr. Darwin provides another insightful quote:
“The best course in Ireland you’ve never heard of. Play it, and tell no one.”
This request, we can’t oblige.
The Dublin Pubs
The pub scene in Dublin is, in a word, legendary. They range from world-famous stops like The Temple Bar to those favored by literary giants such as Davy Byrnes. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite Dublin pubs in this guide.
After your morning round at Portmarnock, a little time in one of these haunts offers the quintessential Dublin experience. Or, as we say, a perfect pairing of Golf and the Good Life.
All images courtesy of Portmarnock Golf Club.
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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