Top 4 Tips For First-Time Golfers Traveling To Ireland

Golf ball. Photo: Mick De Paola

Every avid golfer always seeks new countries to hit the links there. You may be tired of the same old golf clubs and terrains at home, and now you’ve decided to travel the world searching for great golf games. One of the countries that can offer you an amazing golfing experience is certainly Emerland Island - Ireland. Ireland is famous for its nature and amazing golf terrains, so if you are packing your bags to visit this country, here is what you need to know. 

Plan a Proper Itinerary

Even though Ireland may seem small, its narrow roads are often hard to navigate if you are not native to the country. This can make your whole travel tiring and stressful, so make sure to create a proper itinerary. You don’t have to go to Ireland and chase all the top 100 golf courses in the country. If you don’t have enough time for your travel, this is simply impossible. Rather, pick one section of this beautiful island and create a list of courses you can visit there. 

Also, even though this is a golf trip, that doesn’t mean you can’t leave some space for other adventures. If you are visiting the Dublin area, then you certainly should explore the city. You can even leave a day or two to simply resting and pass the time with your favourite games or books. And if you are from New Zealand visiting another beautiful golf-packed country, then you can leave room to play online casino games on your favourite website and see how much luck being in the luckiest country on Earth can bring you. Make sure to leave that resting time in between golf trips so you can recharge your batteries. 

Pick the Right Airport

If you are travelling from afar, like New Zealand, for example, or any other country, you should know your airport options. There are Dublin and Shannon airports that accept direct overnight flights from all over the world. These two are even the best choices for US citizens, too. Also, picking the airport will depend on the itinerary you planned for this trip. If you land in Dublin, then you can easily get to the Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. And if you land in Shannon, you have a chance to visit the Southwest loop, as well as the Northern loop, and enjoy some amazing golf courses there. 

Pack Properly

No matter if you are getting a rental car or driving your own through Ireland on this golf tour, you should pack wisely. Cars do have limited space and that’s why you should focus on essentials. However, you should also bring layers of clothing that you can wear. Even a pair of long underwear can be a much-needed item as cold rains can you to the bone in Ireland. You will also need a good rain suit and some rain gloves, as the weather can get wet in Ireland, even during the summer.

Additionally, you might want to get those extra tees, shag balls, and ball markers out of your golf bag to make it lighter. Even if you are going to get a golf cart, a light bag is a lifesaver, as the courses are big. All those extra balls and other equipment can easily fit into your bag or suitcase and you can easily get them into your bag when needed. 

Be Prepared to Avoid Jet Lag

If you are not from Europe, you are going to be extremely jet-lagged when you get to Ireland. And this can cost you an entire day or even being tired and dazed throughout the whole trip. The best way to avoid jet lag is to simply power through it. You can easily find a close golf course near the Dublin or Shannon airports and find accommodation near there. Then, simply unpack and hit the links for the first golf game in Ireland. This game will tire you out enough and help you stay awake until sundown, when you can go to bed and avoid jet lag completely.

Going to Ireland for a golf course tour is an amazing idea and an excellent trip. But, before you set off to your destination, make sure you are prepared and do some thorough research to plan your itinerary to the T.