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Portmarnock (Championship), Ireland |
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Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock
County Dublin
Ireland |  | William Pickeman |  | Joey Purcell |
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 | +353 1 846 2968 |  | 8 miles NE of Dublin |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance - not Sat, Sun & Public Hols |  | John J. Quigley |
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Portmarnock Golf Club is situated on its own sandy peninsula, approximately two miles long and covering some 500 acres. In 1893, William Pickeman, a Scottish insurance broker, and his friend George Ross, rowed across the sea from Sutton to the peninsular and immediately realised that this was prime golfing terrain. In those days, the peninsular could only be reached by boat.
The land belonged to the famous distiller, John Jameson, and from around 1850, the links was used as the Jameson’s private golf course. Nine “proper” holes opened for play in October 1894 and, two years later, the course was extended to eighteen holes. Pickeman was the driving force behind the original 18 holes at Portmarnock and went on to design other courses in Ireland.
There is nothing man-made about Portmarnock – it’s a natural links, and considered to be a very fair golf course. With water on three sides, the course is at the mercy of the wind. Laid out broadly in two loops of nine holes, you are invariably playing in different directions. Measuring over 7,300 yards from the back tees, it is a formidable test of golf. You will need your very best putting game because the greens at Portmarnock are lightning fast and true. Or in the words of Bernard Darwin: “Perhaps the outstanding beauty of Portmarnock lies in its putting greens. They are good and true, which is a merit given to many greens, and they are very fast without being untrue, which is given only to a few, and is a rare and shining virtue”.
There are superb views to the south of the Ireland’s Eye (a small island), home to important seabird colonies and the Hill of Howth (once famous for its electric trams). On a clear day looking northwest, the Mountains of Mourne are visible.
Portmarnock has hosted a number of important events including, on 12 occasions, the Irish Open and the Canada Cup. The closing five holes are especially brutal. Bernard Darwin once commented: ”I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock”. The first of these closing holes, the 14th, requires an accurate approach shot to a narrow green, or in Joe Carr’s case, an accurate drive. Apparently Carr, an amateur, made a hole-in-one on this 385-yard par 4. How on earth did he miss those greenside bunkers?
The par three 15th, measuring 188 yards, plays along the seashore. Any hint of a left to right shaped tee shot will almost certainly end up on the beach, whilst the green is protected at the front by three fearsome bunkers. Ian Woosnam almost came a cropper on this hole in the second round of the 1988 Irish Open. His opening tee shot ended up in the sea, but playing three off the tee, he somehow managed to find the edge of the green and then he holed a 40-footer for a bogey. Clearly inspired by this miraculous save, Woosnam went on to win the title. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | Played Portmarnock Old on Sunday 30th September 2012 and it immediately went into the top 5 of my best of all time. It doesn't have the wow factor of Kingsbarns, the scare factor of Carnoustie or the history of the Old course but as a test of golf and intelligence of the layout it probably beats them all. It's simply a fantastic links course. Very pleasing on the eye but don't let the focus slip admiring the beauty or you'll get punished. A must play if you're anywhere near Dublin! At 175 Euros it's expensive to say the least but all in all it's worth it. The welcome is warm, the practice facilities good and free and we got lunch included in our greenfee. |
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| 09 October 2012
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| My son and myself played 36 holes at Portmarnock on Thursday July 28th at 8:40 AM and 1:00 PM. It was our last links to play for our holiday -- we played The European Club on Sunday and Wednesday, St. Anne's Golf Club on Monday and Seapoint Golf Club on Tuesday. All the links we played were within an hour's drive along the Irish Sea from our hotel in Dublin, ranging from about an hour south to The European to about an hour north to Seapoint. Portmarnock was a short drive from our hotel and was definitely a great experience.
 I would highly recommend golfers play Portmarnock -- they will be challenged by a great natural links, experience the game the way it was meant to be played, and play a links that has a long and storied history. What a great way to end a holiday, having a friendly 36 hole match against my son, on the great Portmarnock, with the sense that Old and Young Tom were watching over us.
On the trip to Ireland, read the book, "Tommy's Honor," the story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris -- golf's founding father and son. This book gave me a great sense of Scottish golf in the earlier days on links such as St. Andrews and Prestwick leading up to the formation of the Open Championship and its earlier days. Reading the book made the trip that much more enjoyable for experiencing links golf in Ireland.
"Far and sure." That is what Old Tom and Young Tom said before the first swing at St. Andrew's as golfers had done for centuries before. Old Tom might have said, "far and sure," but he knew that position mattered whether you were long or short. On playing Portmarnock, I found playing sure was the way to play, whether long or short -- just as Old Tom had done in becoming a great champion. The links was exceedingly fair with bunkers and other hazards clearly visible from the tee or fairway. I used the links course guide which helped to identify the bunkers and distances to avoid. The hazards at Portmarnock were very difficult, but the challenge of the links can be clearly seen in front of you.
 I also enjoyed that Portmarnock only had 4 buggies. Golfers play Portmarnock for the pure enjoyment of links golf and the pace of play was perfect. The condition of the course was excellent, the greens rolled true, and the complete overall experience was exceptional. I thought the par 3 15th was one of the most scenic and challenging holes during our visit. Hitting the first shot next to the clubhouse was a great send-off to the day. The starter/caddie master was great to talk to if you want to find out something about Portmarnock, or anything for that matter, he is the person to talk to. He talked about the great history of Portmarnock and mentioned the beer bottle episode in The Open by Harry Bradshaw, long-time Portmarnock professional.
Between rounds, we ate lunch in the Bradshaw Room in the clubhouse. There was definitely an aura of history in the clubhouse as we got ready to challenge the links again as all of the great players that had done over the previous 100 plus years.
Having played The European Club the day before, the starter/caddie master asked me after our second round what links we liked the best. That is a very difficult question as both links are great in their own unique ways. Portmarnock is flatter while The European has great sand dunes. Both have excellent views of the Irish Sea. Both were in excellent condition, were very fair, and positioning shots was clearly in front of you on both links. I thought the railway sleeper style greenside bunkers were more difficult at The European while the difficulty of getting out of the fairway bunkers was equally penalizing at both. One thing I do know, both links were a treat to play and excellent tests for the golfer. Portmarnock has history on its side but The European, while having a brief history, is a great links with a great history ahead of it. The European has some of the most fantastic views I have ever seen. As the clubs are ranked #2 and #3 in Ireland in this Ireland Top 100 ranking, I could easily switch one for the other and not be disappointed.
Thank you Ireland for a great golfing experience for the links we played. You made my son and myself feel most welcome and looking forward to a return trip someday. Jim Brady |
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| 01 September 2011
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| Response: | | | Keith Baxter | 01 September 2011 | | Click here to see a video slideshow with some excellent photographs of Portmarnock Golf Club courtesy of the reviewer. Please note, the video has a musical soundtrack. Keith Baxter - Editor |
| | | This course is a real treat to play. Our welcome from the pro shop and clubhouse staff was second to none, and we even got a ride from the pro to the practice tee to warm up before our 12:30 tee time!
This is a classic championship links with excellent strategic bunkering and subtle twists and turns to the fairways that demand accurate driving. On the front or red nine, #4 was a stiff 441 yards into the wind where 4 was an excellent score. 5 called for a blind tee shot with a large mound protecting the green, while 6 is a brutal par 5 to a vexing elevated green. The blue or back nine got even better, especially the difficult par 4 14th which played directly into the wind. The par 3 15th is simply beautiful with views of the ocean to the right competing with the menacing OB markers. The finish at 17 and 18 demand great play from the tee to the green.
Overall this is a championship quality links. The course was in perfect links condition, playing hard and fast with penal rough to catch the wayward drive. The greens were indeed quite quick for a links course and the wind made choosing a putting line a challenge. I thought this would be a great course, but it was really better than I had thought. I think anyone who enjoys links golf will love this course.
Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| 03 August 2011
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| Response: | | | Todd Howell | 05 May 2012 | | Richard: I played the course last week while in Ireland and just LOVED it. I'd read the reviews here before I went and didn't know what to expect. It was a great time and I loved the course. | | | Richard Smith | 09 May 2012 | | Glad you enjoyed it Todd. I assume this is our loyal local weatherman and BSF member so I'm glad to know you you're able to get across the pond and enjoy the wonderful golf in Ireland. Why don't you post some of your own reviews? |
| | | If you were to highlight a difference between Irish links courses and their Scottish cousins, you’d say that the former are known for their high dunes and the latter for flatter and more subtle land forms. Using this categorisation, Portmarnock is clearly in the wrong country. There are no massive sand hills like at County Down, Lahinch or Ballybunion and this is perhaps one of the reasons that some of the below reviewers are under whelmed on first visit. But Portmarnock is a masterpiece of classic design and has a charm all to its own that rewards more and more on repeated visits. The routing is wonderful, twisting and turning and moving you around the property in a natural flow. Little has been changed in the design for the past 80 years and so the course has some wonderful natural green sites that are often little more than extensions to the fairway. Unlike many links courses that have been endlessly tinkered with, Portmarnock has not fallen foul of the modern design trend to create containment mounding and “framing” dunes. Because of this, it can deceive the golfer and offers a mental challenge as well as a physical one in addition to providing open views and a grand scale. It is hard to sing the praises of any one hole over another. There are few wow factor moments like there are at the other courses mentioned above. Yet there is not one single weak link and this is often the real marker stone of quality. Do not go to Portmarnock and expect the drama and sheer beauty of County Down. Instead go and revel in the history and the small details of a fabulous course. |
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| 15 February 2011
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| Response: | | | Richard Smith | 09 May 2012 | | No offense, but if the magnificent 15th, a par three along the water is not memorable, what constitutes a memorable hole for you? |
| | | Played Portmarnock a week ago and have to agree with some of the comments below. We had some really great expectations when we arrived there. And I as well cannot point out a single hole that stood out. Yes, great course and great finish but not superb in any way. Played The Island the day before (for the second time) and in my opinion it´s MUCH better. A lot of holes that really catch your eye - and which you remember as well. The day after playing Portmarnock we visited the more "easier" course Corballis Links and all of us were astonished over that course. The first 11-12 holes are just amazing. So, I cannot say that you shouldn´t play Portmarnock. But... Looking at the cost of playing it I would easily play Corballis six times instead - for the same amount of money... |
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| 11 September 2010
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| | Having come with very high expectations, we were somewhat disappointed. This is definitely a very good course with a lot of history, but I am surprised that it ranks so highly on many lists. Course layout is strong and course conditions were good but nothing around this course was exceptional. On top of that, we felt a bit like second class citizens here. Seems like at least some members would rather not have any visitors around.
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| 10 June 2010
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| Response: | | | Jonathan | 06 September 2010 | | I recently played the course in idyllic conditions. It was very pleasant until we were "bustled" by a group of 4 members driving buggies asking us to go faster. We called them through but they said they weren't ready. Then drove their shots passed us. We now insisted for our safety that they play through. This is a course where the members don't want visitors (or women). If you are looking for an Irish welcome may I suggest Lahinch! |
| | | Of all the courses we played this was the most overrated by far. Flat without a single hole that sticks out in my memory. Played the European Club the following day and was amazed at the contrast. The Euro is a diamond by comparison. Portmarnock isn't a bad course it's just not even close to great. |
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| 04 June 2010
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| Response: | | | Kevin Whitson USA | 22 July 2010 | | Not sure why all the negative comments as I played the course today and was met with open arms,experienced caddies and a wonderfully conditioned track including great greens. I'll be back |
| | | Admittedly I had very high expectations, I'd been told I would love this course and it surely is a great links course with it's history and pedigree, however I was more impressed by The European Club and by Saunton, Not the most well maintained course when I played it. Not sure how this would be at the top of anyone's list. I'm pleased to have played it, as one off my list, but I won't be hurrying back |
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| 14 September 2009
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| | My third time of playing the Old course and to be honest, a little scruffy in places. There is no doubt that this is a stand-out classic links but the conditioning has dropped since my previous visits. I hope that this is only a temporary blip but the team at the club have to be wary that the conditioning is deteriorating and cannot be ignored. In October ’04 I gave this a 6-ball rating…the design is still a 6 but course condition drops it to a 4 this time…. I will continue to return though. |
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| 07 July 2009
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| | It was thrilling to play Portmarnock recently as it's undoubtedly one of the best designed courses in Ireland and marked changes have been made to the greens which have improved the challenge even further. In my mind, there is no doubting the challenge of this course as it is supreme, fair and honest but it was the worst conditioned course of five that we played on a recent golfing trip to the Dublin area. Perhaps we caught it on a bad day but the bunkers were a mess and had all been cut around the edges but the grass had been left in the sand. We started our round early in the morning and we saw only two greenstaff on the course so wonder whether the reverent Portmarnock is cutting back on its course maintenance in these hard times. The 5th was total mud as the fairways had been cored and they had not yet picked up the dirt from the coring. The sixth fairway was scarred in a similar way but not as badly. Tee boxes were scruffy and the greens were OK but not conditioned as well as any of the other courses we’d played earlier in the week. Portmarnock is a historical monument that has recently been voted the best course in Ireland. It’s not my personal Irish favorite but it’s a truly fantastic course that should be nurtured and loved and presented in a manner that reflects its not insignificant green fee. I’d like to give this course 3 balls for conditioning but will err on the side of generosity as it is one of Ireland’s greatest monuments. I just hope they don’t let it fall into terminal decline. |
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| 26 June 2009
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| | Played here in August 2008 in a fairly windy conditions. My word it's tough in the wind! Greens were immaculate and slick, the rough wasn't overly punishing and all in all it is a very fair test. Is it worth a green fee of 180 Euros? Not for my money. Royal St David's, Wallasey and Southport and Ainsdale are far less expensive and just as enjoyable. |
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| 20 August 2008
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| Response: | | | dslattery | 22 August 2008 | | A great great links. With its location in Dublin it was logical venue for Ryder Cup when it was held in Ireland. Alas, money won out!! |
| | | My least favorite of the courses i played recently in Ireland. Hard to recall any holes after the round as the course is flat. It seems you could create thsi course almost anywhere. Did not compare to County Down, Ballybunion, Portrush, Tralee, and Waterville. I also thought Portstewart was much better. I would not go out of my way tp play this course again. |
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| 18 August 2008
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| Response: | | | cmcp | 06 September 2008 | | the beauty of the course is that its flat natural links thats what links golf is all about. i played rcd and really enjoyed it but the blind shots ruin it in my opinion | | | Morais | 07 July 2009 | | This course is great because it doenst need to be a seaside course to be great. You take these golf holes and palce them in LAS VEGAS or in the middle of LONDON and it will be a great course. IT is a great course without the wind. The holes, the layout of each hole, the strategy of how to play each hole, the bunkers and their locations, the greensites. This is what makes a golf course great.. not just becuase it is along side the ocean. You take Pebble Beach and place it in the middle of nowhere and you have just a golf course, the location of Pebble makes it what it is. Portmarnock does not depend on its location.. but its design. Yard for yard, the layout is just as tough as Carnoustie and if they let the rough and heather grow probably a sterner test.... |
| | | Portmarnock really is a great course. I actually didn’t suspect it would be that good, having read here and there it was overrated. It is absolutely not and Nick’s words from April 1st 2008 are spot on. This was my worse round on a week tour in Ireland in terms of the quality of my game and yet it is the course I will most be looking forward to playing again (with RCD, let’s be serious!!). 12th, 14th and 15th are really top drawer with 14th one of the greatest par 4 I have seen! Getting a chip-in birdie there was definitely my highlight of the day. Now, how previous reviewers can advise to rather play the European (definitely a great course though) or even funnier the Island instead of Portmarnock leaves me speechless!! Portmarnock is in Premier League, the Island is not! The club house is a very special place to end your round. I hope to be back sooner than later! Cédric |
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| 09 May 2008
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| What a thrill to follow in the footsteps of the golfing greats who have won competitions at Portmarnock… Vardon and Taylor from way back, Irishmen Daly and Carr, American giants Snead and Palmer, not forgetting more modern heroes like Ballesteros and Langer – they’ve all graced the fairways of this classic links on what’s now called the red nine and blue nine (Fred Hawtree added a complementary yellow nine in the early 1970’s).
 The opening four holes each veer slightly right to left, favouring golfers who draw the ball, then a surprising blind drive over a ridge on the 5th sees the tee shot drop back down to a lower level on the other side. The par five 6th was the pick of the holes for me on the outward half; rising gently all the way from tee to green, its fairway shaped slightly right to left again with a pond located to the front left of the green. On the back nine, holes 12 through 15 were absolutely top drawer; the two brilliant par threes on the dunes at the 12th and 15th coming before and after a double doglegged par five at hole 13 and a wonderfully bunkered, left doglegged par four on hole 14 – surely one of the best holes in Ireland. Portmarnock, like Muirfield, is a somewhat understated track but - like its Scottish counterpart - it serves up an exacting and honest test of golf over terrain where you see everything that lies before you. Jim McCann |
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| 06 May 2008
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| | This is the way golf was meant to be played. Nothing tricky just a traditional links course. I have been fortunate to play many Irish and Scottish links courses and this is one of my favorites. Anytime I am near Dublin, I make an effort to play this classic golf course. Although it may be overrated, it is fair and can be real tough when the wind gets up. |
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| 02 February 2008
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| | Fabulous. The setting of the 1st tee is wonderful. The first two holes are straightforward but after that it is all very tough. Deep bunkers, elevated & very trick greens and the wind usually a big factor. Although it is definitely in the Premier league (Top 25 in Britain & Ireland) I'm not sure it deserves to be ranked quite so high. |
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| 28 September 2007
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| | Great golf course but very overrated. The setting is special and there are a lot of great holes but, there are many average holes. Does not derserve to be in this spot. The conditioning was a 5 out of 10. If you want to play a great links course play The Island just outside Dublin. It is spectacular. |
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| 24 September 2007
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| | a wonderful links course....played it in 2005 on a sunny autumn morning. A pleasure...great aura about the place. I have to say i did think the course was a bit short & It has not evolved with technology...however I am sure if the wind blows then its a different story...on the whole a very good course |
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| 22 December 2006
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| | The first thing you will notice about Portmarnock is its solitude. Being surrounded by water on three sides the course stands isolated. Solitary trees stand arched back humbled by the sea. They stand in testimony to the wind that blows much stronger and more menacing than on the Langer designed Portmarnock Hotel Links. The latter is set down in the dunes and is somewhat sheltered. The former is wholly exposed. It is the flatness of the course in my mind that is the courses enduring character. It shares this feature with St Annes and to an extent Royal Dublin (both on Bull Island). It is this prevalent feature that provides the course with its fairness. If you are travelling over to play then pay the extra money to play old Portmarnock over the Hotel links. If you love golf you have to play this course. |
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| 25 August 2006
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| | Surely a good links course with many very good golf-holes but overrated in my opinion. Save the money and play the great European. |
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| 22 June 2006
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| Response: | | | nick | 01 April 2008 | | to say portmarnock is overrated,is pure golfing ignorance.Portmarnock is quite simply the fairest and best test of pure raw ball striking on the planet,there are no gimmicks or trick shots required such as at rcd,it is the best examination of how to strike your ball around a course as you will find |
| | | Very solid course, although overrated, in my opinion. Holes are challenging, and fair, but lack distinguishing characteristics. One to play, if your schedule permits, but there are better courses to be played in Ireland. |
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| 11 May 2006
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| | Whata tough course. Wind and rain, RAIN - I've never seen anything like it.....and what a course !
Tough, tough holes and a great finish; as everone says the last 5 are great......but so are all the holes.I had a good round in horrendous conditions and even managed to birdie no.17 - my personal hghlight. Pro-shop very friendly and helpful - wonderful people. If you get the chane then play Portmarnck Old course. Just don't forget the waterprooofs. |
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| 05 October 2005
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| | From the moment you step on the first tee you get the feeling that you about to play a very special course and you won't be dissapointed.There is not a weak hole on the course and if the wind is blowing it will test every part of your game.
Distance, accuracy and control are a must and if you leave any of these in the locker room you're in for a tough day, if you play to within 5 shots of your handicap you've had a blinder. |
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| 25 October 2004
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| | I love this course. Forget the fact that reaching most of the par 4s in 3 was the order of the day, this place will blow you away, literally. Its condition is what you would expect from a course rated so highly. Personal favorite holes being the 14th (tough approach to the green) & par 3 15th along the coastal boundry (aim 30yards left and watch nature do its thing).
Top quality in every aspect. |
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| 22 October 2004
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| | How tough do you want your golf ? This is the ultimate test and you'll love it here. There really are no weak holes in the slightest and there are many that are stunning. Right from the off you are under pressure to play to your handicap but what a pleasure it is. After playing the 3rd, stand and look back from the 4th tee and admire the hole you have just played - brilliant. This is not a championship course for nothing - really hard and the final 2 holes (into the wind when we played) are so tough - both par 4's but there will be more 6's than 4's here. Highly recommended ....... |
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| 22 October 2004
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| | There are no towering dunes - the course is rather flat but it's brilliant nonetheless - you get a feeling of quiet isolation. Your game needs to be in order because Portmarnock is a tough cookie. A very natural course that cannot fail to impress any links lover. |
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| 21 July 2004
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