Doonbeg golf course is a study in contrasts: the rugged and quintessentially Irish beauty of the Clare coastline against the 2006 American-built stone castle which overlooks it. And the miles of flat farmland which stretches inland against the towering sand dunes which dominate this stunning links.
And yet anyone who has stood here, felt the power of the ocean forcing its way along the coastline and tasted its salt washed air, knows what a special piece of land this is. The backdrop is Doughmore Bay and its crescent-shaped beach which clings to Doonbeg like a child to its mother – 16 of 18 holes are in sight of the Atlantic at some point – it’s hard to go wrong with this canvas.
Nature is, however, both a friend and an enemy in this part of the world. Doonbeg, as the locals refer to it, or Trump International Golf Links Ireland as it is officially known, has been battered by huge winter storms in recent times, a timely reminder not only of the power of Mother Nature but also just how much this golf course and the land on which it sits, is at her mercy.
DOONBEG GOLF COURSE: MOTHER NATURE RULES
Set on the Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare, Doonbeg is a Greg Norman links that has since been reshaped by the renowned architect Dr Martin Hawtree and, in a mark of how far it has come, it will host the DP World Tour’s Irish Open for the first time in September 2026. Between them, they have produced a Doonbeg golf course that feels like it has been built with hands and shovels, not bulldozers. It is immediately clear that this entire resort makes the most of the incredible natural beauty of the land. And although we know that greens have been ripped out and replaced, tees moved and bunkers added – you would never know it.
Whatever your political views about the owner (and this is a golf website, not one about politics), this resort is hard to find fault with: some 300 jobs now exist here where they did not before and no detail has gone unnoticed. The isolation of Doonbeg is part of its allure. The style is very much modern luxury meets manor house, chimneys everywhere and tall glass windows set beneath granite arches. The public areas are beautifully done, the restaurants are excellent and there are a multitude of diversions for non-golfers, including dolphin-watching, treatments in the spa, or the simple joy of drinking a pint while watching golf and the endless ocean beyond. I was, however, here to play golf and not watch it, thank the Lord.
The story of Doonbeg Golf Course
This land was first eyed for golf in the late 19th century when, so the story goes, officers of the Scottish Black Watch regiment went looking for somewhere to play. The remoteness, and the lack of transport, put them off, and they chose a site a short drive up the coast instead. Lahinch was born.
It took another century for Doonbeg to find its moment. As the new millennium dawned, former world number one Greg Norman declared himself “the luckiest designer in the world” as his creation took shape. His intended routing was complicated by the discovery of a colony of protected microscopic snails, but Norman used the towering dunes and natural contours to plot an old-school links of nine holes out and nine back, tracing the curve of the beach. It opened in 2002.
The Trump Organization bought the resort in 2014 and brought in Hawtree, who has worked on Open Championship venues and designed Trump’s Aberdeen links, for the reshaping that has readied Doonbeg for a professional field.
THE DOONBEG GOLF COURSE TODAY
Some of Hawtree’s changes were forced by the ocean, some by the demands of championship golf. The old closing hole, nibbled away by erosion, has been reversed and now plays as an elegant opener, a sweeping right-to-left par-5 (a par four for the professionals) from an elevated tee that hugs the beach, playing to the same dune-framed green long regarded as one of the best in Ireland.
The original home green, meanwhile, has become a superbly sited practice putting surface above the surf. The storm-hit 14th has been rebuilt ninety degrees to its old self, running along the coast, downhill, but into a prevailing wind that wreaks havoc with club selection.
What hasn’t changed is the character. Doonbeg is packed with fun. Wide fairways and generally forgiving rough keep play moving; the pot bunkers are predictably penal; and the tumbling green surrounds reward a little imagination. With an unusual make-up of five par-3s and five par-5s, every golfer leaves with their own list of favourites. It plays to a par of 72 and just over 7,000 yards from the tips, but from the right tees, on a soft day, it is one of the most enjoyable links you will ever walk.
The holes you’ll remember at Doonbeg
The outward nine catches fire from the par-5 4th, a genuine three-shotter that rewards an aggressive drive down the left, where a stray one right earns only a blind second rather than disaster. The 5th then climbs to a narrowing fairway and an infinity green flanked by high dunes, before the exposed 6th, played high above Doughmore Beach, where the forecaddie’s advice is simply to aim at the sea and let the wind bring it back. On the way home, the run of the uphill 13th (take one more club than you think), the short 14th and the par-four 15th, with its hidden dip and a green half-swallowed by mountainous dunes — is as good a stretch as the course offers.
Our day was made, too, by the caddies who carried our bags. It took us seven holes to work out that Douglas and Odhran Lynch were brothers; their stories, humour and wit kept us laughing even when the course was punishing our wayward drives. You could do worse than ask for them, though if Douglas tells you a putt breaks left, it may well break right.
Where to stay and eat at Doonbeg
This is a five-star resort with service to match. Accommodation runs from ocean-view suites in The Lodge to the excellent four-bedroom Links Cottages, each bedroom lockable, a shared lounge and kitchen at the centre, and a putting green on the doorstep, which make Doonbeg a natural base for a golf-society trip. There’s a courtesy shuttle to the clubhouse, restaurants and the White Horses Spa. Dining runs from bountiful breakfasts at the Ocean View Restaurant to Trump’s Bar & Restaurant in the evening, with picnic baskets for lunch on the links and a Coffee Dock by the pro shop. For a change of scene, Tubridy’s in the village — a family-run Irish pub dating back to 1777, serves proper local cooking.
Getting to Doonbeg and what’s nearby
Doonbeg sits on Ireland’s west coast in County Clare, about a 45–50 minute drive from Shannon airport, which has direct flights from New York and Boston, and from Manchester and Edinburgh. Dublin is roughly three hours by road. You needn’t stray far for more great golf: Lahinch is the closest, around 20 miles north; Ballybunion about 35 miles south; Tralee and Dooks a little over two hours; Waterville and Old Head around three. Away from the fairways, the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and the Aran Islands are all within easy reach, though, honestly, with a course this good you may not want to leave.
The Wandering Verdict
I genuinely didn’t expect to fall for Doonbeg the way I did, I arrived ready to be critical, if I’m honest. And yet it all melted away, not because of the luxurious resort but because of the golf, which I fell head over heels for. It may not have the history of near neighbours Lahinch and Ballybunion, but make no mistake: this is first and foremost a tremendous golf course, and then a resort. Park your preconceptions at the gate and let the golf win you over. Because it will.
DOONBEG GOLF COURSE SCORECARD
DOONBEG GOLF COURSE: KEY FACTS
Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg (formerly Doonbeg Golf Club)
Location: Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland — on the Wild Atlantic Way
Designer: Greg Norman (opened 2002); redesigned by Dr Martin Hawtree
Type: Links
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,026 yards: five par 3s and five par 5s
Green fees: seasonal and premium. For the latest information or to book, click here
Nearest airport: Shannon (~45–50 min); Dublin ~3 hrs
Stay: The Lodge suites and four-bedroom Links Cottages; White Horses Spa
Nearby courses: Lahinch (~20 mi N), Ballybunion (~35 mi S), Tralee, Dooks, Waterville, Old Head
Of note: hosted the DP World Tour’s Amgen Irish Open for the first time, 10–13 September 2026
Best for: links lovers, golf-society trips, anyone chasing the drama of the Wild Atlantic Way
DOONBEG GOLF COURSE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Where is Doonbeg golf course?
Doonbeg is on the west coast of Ireland, in the village of Doonbeg, County Clare, on the Wild Atlantic Way, about 45–50 minutes by road from Shannon airport.
How do I get to Doonbeg?
Fly into Shannon (direct flights from New York, Boston, Manchester and Edinburgh); it’s a 45–50 minute transfer by road. Dublin is around three hours by car.
How much are Doonbeg green fees?
Green fees are premium and vary by season, with stay-and-play packages usually offering better value. Check current pricing and tee times directly with the resort before you travel.
How much is membership at Doonbeg?
Doonbeg offers several membership categories — Irish resident, family, corporate and international — with benefits including access to other Trump golf properties. Fees depend on the category, so request current details from the club.
Are caddies available at Doonbeg?
Yes, and they’re worth booking in advance. Caddie and forecaddie fees are set by the club, confirm current rates when you reserve.
Is Doonbeg worth playing?
Yes. It’s a genuinely world-class links in a spectacular setting, playable for a wide range of golfers from the right tees, and backed by five-star service, now with a national open to its name. For links lovers it’s unmissable.
What are the best golf courses near Doonbeg?
Lahinch is closest, around 20 miles north; Ballybunion about 35 miles south. Tralee and Dooks are a little over two hours away, with Waterville and Old Head around three, making Doonbeg an ideal base for a south-west Ireland links trip.
What is the Doonbeg scorecard like?
Doonbeg is a par-72 links of just over 7,000 yards, with an unusual make-up of five par threes and five par fives. Confirm the current scorecard when you book, as the Hawtree redesign has reshaped several holes.
Does Doonbeg host the Irish Open?
Yes. Doonbeg hosts the DP World Tour’s Amgen Irish Open for the first time from 10–13 September 2026. See our [Irish Open 2026 at Doonbeg preview] for dates, tickets and the field.
DOONBEG GOLF COURSE MAP
Such a wonderful write-up, thank you!
Just commenting to show my support. Your post and writing is really well crafted. Nice job!
Vivid and wonderful review. Really enjoyed it. Doonbeg is going on my ‘Must Play’ list