Where to Stay: Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
Portmarnock Golf Links
Portmarnock Golf links not to be confused with Portmarnock Golf Club is a wonderful new golf course designed by Bernhard Langer with the assistance of Stan Eby.
The Portmarnock Golf Links has hosted a number of amateur and professional events since opening in 1995. Most noticeably the 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open.
The golf course makes full use of the natural terrain incorporating the fine dunes and heavy gorse, the design of the links course will satisfy even the purest of links aficionados. The tee boxes are generally elevated and give you a grand old view of the holes ahead but with blind approach shots and a number of dogleg holes, the course differs somewhat from a most associate with Irish Links golf.
The Course has over 98 bunkers spread over the 18 holes and for such a new golf course is somewhat understated. Arguably this will always be the case considering the location a mere 5 minutes from its 101-year-old next-door neighbor.
The Love of Links Golf
The golf links does in fact play as expected true to the traditions of links golf and the only hole where Langer and Eby have completely removed the ground from your Arsenal of golf shots is on the 11th. There are bunkers in front of most of the greens on the course yet well placed running shots can still be played with great success.
Signature Hole
Our Signature Hole would have to be the 18th Hole. This a superb closing hole where from the championship tees fortune favors a left to right shape avoiding at all costs the right fairway bunker. The approach from the right-hand side is by far the easier second shot. The green is lightning quick and the views from this hole are out of this world.
Why Play?
It is easy to find a midge of snobbery due to the name of this course and making comparisons with next door that absolutely no doubt has more history and prestige. However, this is a great stay and play venue. The golf course is excellent, You are 30 minutes in a taxi from Dublin, The hotel is absolutely fantastic and it is incredible value for money. For the same price as a limited green fee next door you will receive 2 nights with 3 rounds of links golf. For that reason, it is entirely unfair to make comparisons and appreciate what Portmarnock Golf links is and it is fantastic.
