My husband and I will be visiting Ireland in early November. We will be traveling primarily in the Galway region southward along the coast to Cork. We will not be able to take our own clubs along, but if we wanted to rent clubs and play at one course (unfortunately that's all we have time for)which one would you recommend? Our goal would be to find a course with beautiful scenery so I wouldn't feel bad about missing a day of touring the country. Difficulty of course is not that important since I'm not that good and my husband isn't a whole lot better! LOL Thanks, Lenore

We seem to be having the same questions. =) We are staying at Dromoland Castle our last night and my husband is planning on playing golf there.

Lahinch is a great course...links. And yes you can rent your clubs. Its a lovely little village with some nice B&B's and shops and pubs. It will probably be cold wet and windy so be prepared but a treat indeed

Well, I'm sure Lenore is gone on her vacation by now, but this was just topped so I'll respond.<BR><BR>There are a couple of beautiful parkland courses outside of Killarney. There are three courses and a 9 hole at the hotel. The site for the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is<BR>http://www.killarney-golf.com/<BR><BR>There are also a couple of courses around Kenmare that are quite nice. <BR>The Kenmare Golf Club<BR>http://www.kenmaregolfclub.com/<BR>The Ring of Kerry Golf Club<BR>http://www.euroka.com/golf/<BR>And I believe Parknasilla is a nine hole on the Road between Kenmare and Sneem.<BR><BR>I believe thse are all &quot;Parkland&quot; as opposed to &quot;links&quot; courses. They may be a bit less windy than the Links courses, especially in November.<BR><BR>Bill

This is too late for Lenore, but maybe someone else can use the info:<BR><BR>I've only played one course out in the west, but loved it. It was the Connemara Golf Club near Clifden. Try the link below for more info.<BR><BR>It was pretty spectacular--right on the ocean, and gigantic hares bounding around the course. I must have lost 12 balls that day in the rough.<BR><BR>We were able to rent clubs there.<BR><BR>http://www.golfeurope.com/clubs/connemara/index.htm

Ann:<BR><BR>I've always wanted to play that course. We will have family on our next trip, so I'll have someone to play with. Do you drag your own clubs with you?<BR><BR>Bill

topping this because the last question is important - do you take clubs or rent them?

If you are only playing a round or two there is really no need to schlep your clubs over. Most courses have them for hire. If it is primarily a golfing holiday though, where you are playing nearly every day - then you likely will want your own clubs. If you are a scratch/low handicapper your own clubs might be more important. Otherwise I'd leave them home.

After you cross the Shannon estuary on the Killimer-Tarbert ferry you can go west to Ballybunion then east along the coast to Kinsale, County Cork where Old Head Golf Links is ... both those are in the 150 euro plus range.