Golfing News & Tools

Visitors to the coastal town of Ballybunion in County Kerry, Ireland, will quickly realise that the majority of Ballybunion hotels are situated in the countryside surrounding the village. The three hotels selected here epitomize the quality of service, fantastic views and mouth-watering food that the region has become famous for.

One of the more exclusive hotels in the region is the 15th century Ballyseede Castle. The castle’s twelve guest rooms are each uniquely furnished and all have panoramic views of the castle estate and gardens.

The renovation work to the hotel over previous decades has been tastefully done to retain the period charm of the building while including elegant furnishings and artwork throughout. Dining at the castle is a regal affair thanks to the exquisite menu of dishes (a mix of Irish and classic French cuisine) and the ornate style of dining room with its panoramic views.

Glin Castle is yet another authentic old castle in the region, but on a grander scale with a large variety of guest room styles and sizes. The castle sits within a tree-lined country estate with their own walled garden and beautiful lawns stretching down to the Shannon estuary.

The hotel is also a popular spot for weekend lunches and special occasions with their restaurant menu brimming with hearty Irish dishes that all prepared with a modern twist.

Finally for those searching for lodgings with bags of rural charm then the Ballygarry House Hotel has got to be the ideal spot. This country house style hotel has spacious rooms all with a modern design and views of the hotel’s own country gardens.

The real draw for many guests to Ballygarry is their restaurant and Nadur spa. The restaurant has a great hearty menu of Irish dishes that make great use of locally sourced produce. The spa is a new addition to the hotel that has added to its popularity thanks to the relaxing treatments that are available (mud-baths, seaweed soaks, thermal suites).

A key factor in Ballybunion’s popularity is that it is one of the few villages in Kerry not to have been over-commercialized with trendy bars and coffee shops. It has retained a small traditional Irish feel to it that visitors still wish to experience and this charm is just as evident in the warm welcome you receive at hotels in Ballybunion.

If you enjoyed reading this post about hotels in Ballybunion then check out our website for articles about Ballybunion, Ireland and other destinations

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Portugal is widely regarded as one of the best locations in Europe for golf breaks. While it may not have the same heritage and golfing tradition as the British Isles it still has enough world class courses to make choosing a top 5 list as challenging to compile, as the courses are to play.

This list reflects five great courses that are enjoyable to play as much for their beautiful scenery as for their range of game play and quality of fairways and greens. Each one could provide a memorable highlight to any golf holiday in Portugal.

The Palheiro golf club has to have one of the most spectacular backdrops. The course meanders through the volcanic peaks and foothills around the coast of Madeira. Each hole provides a different challenge and good course management wins out over long drivers.

San Lorenzo is one of the gems of the Algarve region. It regularly features on European top 10 lists of courses and boasts finely manicured greens and fairways with a course design that offers a range of holes.

If you spare no expense on golfing holidays then the expensive Vale do Lobo is an exquisite course to play. The green fee cost reflects the fact that the links course design is of the highest quality, the greens and fairways look and play fantastic and the surrounding scenery and sea views are some of the best in this region.

Many day-trippers from Lisbon gravitate to the challenging Praia Del Rey. This is one of the newer links-style courses that provide a combination of forested fairways with ocean views and some holes with unforgiving bunkers and dunes waiting to punish errant shots.

No golfing holiday to Portugal could be complete without experiencing the Vilamoura Old Course. The steep fairways and strategic bunker placement can quickly punish what would initially appear to be accurate drives. The course architecture is sympathetically surrounded with pine trees especially on dog-legs which add to the courses difficulty.

Any top 5 list of Portugal golf courses will always miss out some personal favorites. So while this list doesn’t limit itself to the Algarve (undoubtedly the perfect location to base yourself for a golf break) it hopefully provides some insights into the range of great courses that are available in Portugal.

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday, the Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays Portugal website to learn more.

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Portugal has been competing with Spain for many years to draw in holiday golfers. Its combination of excellent courses, great infrastructure (hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc) and inviting weather conditions has elevated the county to being a highly desirable destination.

The country’s main regions are Estoril (around the capital of Lisbon), the Oeste region, the Algarve and Madeira. Each provides a good mix of golfing/touristic options that will suit any golfing itinerary.

The Estoril region around the Portuguese capital has 10 high quality golf resorts so makes a good spot for those wishing to mix golfing with the cosmopolitan life of Lisbon. Some golfing highlights included the Rocky Roquemore designed Golden Eagle and the two Aroeira courses. While the one must-play course has got to be the Praia d’El Rey.

The Oeste region north of Lisbon is sparse in golfing terms as it attempts to catch up with the rest of the country. The scenery and countryside towns are fantastic but be prepared for some extended drives/day-trips to get to great courses such as Bom Sucesso and Campo Real.

For many seeking a perfect golf holiday Algarve has it all. The area has the biggest selection of courses, resorts and accommodation options. The western coast has some great links courses, such as Boavista and the Penina that are made all the more difficult with the Atlantic Ocean breezes.

Heading east in the Algarve brings you to Vilamoura town and its dozens of courses and resorts. Certainly there is enough variety to base yourself there and take day trips out to the Vale Do Lobo Ocean and Royal courses or play the more mature Oceanico Old Course.

While the tropical island of Madeira (500 km south-west of Portugal) provides something quite different in terms of golf holidays Portugal can offer. Visitors here enjoy the islands three courses, each embedded into the volcanic hills and valleys with awe inspiring vertical cliffs.

Each area adds to the variety of courses to play on golf holidays in Portugal. It is true to say that many golfers will focus on the Algarve but it is definitely worth going the extra mile (along some scenic drives) to visit the many coastal golf courses around the country.

Discover golf holidays in Portugal. For the perfect golfing holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all.

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Any good golf holiday in Portugal needs to include a variety of course, preferably without too much driving. Thankfully the huge rise in the number of golf clubs in the country has resulted in some top-class courses to play.

The following five courses are picked for their course design, variety of holes and scenic context. It would be all too easy to select a list just from the Algarve so this list brings together some gems from around the country.

Troia: The adventure at Troia starts even before reaching the course. Golfers need to take a ferry from Setubal to get over to the links course. This adds to the uniqueness of a round here, as does the Atlantic breezes and lightening fast greens.

Porto Santo: Host to the 2008 Madeira Open, this course winds its way around the tropical island through a variety picturesque golf holes. The main challenge is not being distracted by the steep cliffs and trying to predict how the swirling wind will catch high-flying shots.

Monte Rei: Fans of Jack Nicklaus will savor playing this course on the East Algarve. Jack designed this course to make best use of the hilly terrain and it proves to be a tough course to play, even from the short tees.

Oceanico Faldo: Located on the western Algarve coast, this course follows a desert-style design by Nick Faldo which makes this course unique and memorable in the region.

Parque Da Floresta: This is partly notable as being the most westerly course in Portugal. But once played, it will be the memory of how the courses 18 holes run along a steep hillside with magnificent views that will remain with you.

As with any good golf holidays Portugal has plenty of courses which will stick in the memory as highlights of a trip. Just make sure to pack sun-block in summer and practice low ball-height shots prior to playing the links courses.

For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit Golf Holidays Portugal for more details.

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To the uninitiated, Ballybunion is a wonderful coastal village in County Kerry in Ireland that has been attracting visitors in droves over the years to its beaches and world class golf course.

This resort town is seeing a resurgence in popularity of late principally for the fact that it has held on to its old style charm and not given in to the waves of fast-food restaurants and caf bars. This factor has drawn in Irish & foreign visitors looking for a more traditional Irish experience.

The town has two main attractions of note. The first, which all the family will enjoy, are the beaches in Ballybunion. The second is the world renowned Ballybunion Golf Club.

In summer, Ballybunion beach becomes the focal point for most visitors. Some come to relax on the beach, swim in the clean sea water or even join in with some of the surfing (the local surf school also rent out equipment).

Ramblers, and those seeking a more tranquil setting, can set off from the main beach along the cliff walk. This takes in some magnificent sea & countryside views, passing the ruins of Ballybunion castle and leads to a number of quieter beaches.

Ballybunion Golf Club, which consists of the Old Course and The Cashen course, is renowned as one of the most prestigious golf courses in Ireland, regularly making the top 25 courses in the world according to most golf magazines (and certainly in the top 5 of the world links-style courses). This links-style course was founded in 1893 and has panoramic views on all holes out across the Atlantic Ocean. Prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and booking ahead is certainly recommended during summer. As is bringing good protective waterproof clothing!

A place of honor has been set aside for one of Ballybunion’s most famous golfing visitors. Former president Bill Clinton visited the golf club in 1998 to play a round of golf and to commemorate the visit the town elders installed a full size statue of Mr. Clinton in the town centre (the first such statue for the former president anywhere in the world).

The town’s remote location does however result in a lack of Ballybunion hotels and guesthouse options. This has been touted as a principal reason why the Irish Open Golf Championship has not been played there. As a result, many visitors base themselves in hotels in the nearby towns around Kerry, Clare and the Dingle Peninsula.

In summertime the town and surrounding area has a number of festivals and fares which are well worth visiting. Details are usually available from your hotel or from the Ballybunion tourist office (located on the main street).

Visit the Ballybunion Hotels HQ website for independent advice about hotels, amenities, day trips and Ballybunion Golf Club

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A golf holiday to Portugal may be something that a great many foreign visitors won’t initially consider. In terms of European golf, the country is competing against the golfing super-powers of the British Isles, with its golfing heritage, and neighboring Spain, with its range of courses.

The array of top quality golf courses combined with the Mediterranean climate has been a huge draw for golfing breaks. The Portuguese government and the tourism board have also seen the tourism potential of holiday golfers so a great many golf resorts have begun to spring up in several regions.

To get your bearings, Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe sitting alongside Spain. The principal golfing regions are the Algarve (in the south), Lisbon and the Estoril Coast (in the south-west), the Oeste Region (west coast) and the island of Madeira.

The Portuguese capital Lisbon and the Estoril coast provide a good mix of golf courses combined with the range of accommodation, dining and entertainment on offer in the capital. The IAGTO voted the region (in 2007) as the best European golfing destination. Highlights include the mature Aroeira golf club, the Penha Longa championship course, the tough links at Troia and the region’s most famous course – the windswept Praia d’El Rey.

The Algarve, in the south of Portugal offers the largest range of clubs to play, and for every type of budget. The southern Portuguese coast benefits from a balmy Mediterranean climate that ensures all year round golfing is possible.

The central area hosts Vilamoura, a range of top-class courses, plush hotels and holiday resorts. The Oceanico golf clubs are highlights of the area especially the Old Course which is a ‘must-play’ course to this area. To the east, the climate becomes a little cooler and the courses become a little more elite and pricey with the Jack Nicklaus designed Monte Rei being the jewel of the area.

Getting to the island of Madeiramay discourage some visitors due to the need to get connecting flights from mainland Europe (a five hundred kilometer flight off the south west coast of Portugal). However, this picturesque paradise island can provide a golfing holiday with a difference.

The Santo da Serra is a 27-hole course that can be played in 3 combinations which does offer some variation in the courses played. For most golfers though, it is the wonderful scenery that is a backdrop to the golf clubs that offers a unique golfing experience. Steep mountains cliffs surround the island and its isolation makes for a unique laid back atmosphere.

Finally, the Oeste region marks a more recent golfing area which doesn’t yet boast the range of golf seen elsewhere, but what it lacks in championship clubs it makes up for in tranquil scenic countryside and charming villages. Of all the regions it is also the one place where a number of new courses are springing up with future developments expected in Sizandro Village, Vimeiro, Paimogo, Falsia del Rey and the Rainha Golf and Spa.

The majority of Portuguese golf clubs have green fees ranging from 50 Euro in winter to 85 Euro in the high season. Championship courses and more mature clubs (mostly in the Algarve) are generally over the 120 Euro mark.

The majority of courses can be booked online and it is highly recommended to book in advance. Dress codes are usually informal but it is worth checking club websites online.

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golfing holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays Portugal Guide to learn more.

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Each and every year, golfers from all around the world travel to the United States to play golf. The United States is often considered the golfing Mecca of the world. The United States is filled with popular golf resorts and courses. Many of these resorts and courses are backed by mind boggling history. Many of these courses are the sites in which the legends made their names and built their legendary stories.

There are many old golf resorts in the US including the Pinehurst Resort which has a history dating back to 1895. This golf resort which is located in North Carolina is often referred to as the home of golf. This is one of the largest golf resorts in the world consisting of eight different courses. The most played course on the resort is the second course which was designed by Donald Ross.

Containing a total of eight different golf courses, the Pinehurst Resort spans an area of over two thousand acres. This resort is extremely well known for having more courses that any other resort in America. The courses range from very challenging to very easy. There are classic style courses like course number one and three. Course number one, which is extremely short, was opened in 1898. Although it is only a seventy par course, a few mistakes can force a long day.

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which is located near Charleston, South Carolina, is the second most popular golf resort in the US. The resort is filled with many extremely challenging courses as well as a stunning hotel. This resort is made of up five courses which were designed by legends of the sport including Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. Many tournaments have been held at the resort including the 2007 PGA.

The 2012 PGA Championships is going to be held at the Ocean Golf Course which is part of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The Ocean Golf Course was named the most famous and best golf course in South Carolina by Golf Digest. Pete Dye designed the Ocean Golf Course which offers a unique challenge because of the westerly and easterly winds. This course is often ranked within the top twenty five best courses in America.

The Kapalua Resort is one of the most popular golf resorts in the United States. This resort which overlooks the Pacific hosts a classic Ritz-Carlton hostel as well as the world class Plantation Course. This resort which is located in Lahaina, Hawaii is set on a former Maui pineapple plantation. The resort stretches over twenty three thousand acres. This extremely popular United States golf resort consists of two world class Maui golf courses.

The Bay Course is an extremely popular golf course which is located on The Kapalua Resort. This seventy two par golf course which stretches over six thousand six hundred yards was designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. The Kapalua Resort is also home of the Plantation Course which is a seventy three par course that stretches over seven thousand four hundred and eleven yards. This course is the home of the PGA Tour SBS Championship.

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So you have finally bought that brand new spanking set of golf clubs. You are raring to go out to the course and strut your stuff. But wait, aren’t we forgetting something? That’s right; you need something to fit your golf clubs in! Now you are not going to hand carry all your golf clubs around the course are you?

There are a many different types of golf travel cases you can choose from when it comes to fitting your golf clubs in. Choosing the right one for you is important because buying a golf bag that is not right for your golf gear could mean possible damage to it if you can’t them in. Or it might get knocked around easily. So what kind of golf bags should you look for to ensure that this doesn’t happen?

There are many brands you can choose from when it comes to golf travel cases. If you have the money and have just bought some pretty expensive golf gear, then you might want to invest in something that has lots of room space and especially sturdy. Most golf-stores would have these in stock and you can ask the salesperson for a hard-sided golf travel case. These golf bags pack plenty of space and can hold up against rough handling (don’t go out of your way to test that though!). Even in airports where your luggage may be thrown about pretty roughly, it can still take withstand quite a lot of pressure.

For those of you who are just casual golfers and have the standard golf clubs set, then investing in something less expensive would make sense. You don’t need a hardcore super expensive golf travel case, but something that holds enough space for all your golf clubs and accessories (this is an important point most golfers gloss over). The soft-sided golf travel cases will work just fine. Take note though, they are not as resilient when it comes to standing up against hard knocks. So be extra careful when carrying your golf bag around.

So there you have it, some quick tips and information you can use the next time you are out shopping for golf travel cases. Remember that there is no one golf bag that will meet every golfers needs. Assess your requirements and then select the most suitable golf bag for yourself.

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There are thousands of people all around the world who are wanting to take a vacation sometime in the near future. There are many people who wish to play golf during their trips. There are many different golf destinations that you have to choose from including Ireland which is one of the greatest golf destinations in the world. Ireland is filled with over three hundred golf courses. There are several renowned course scattered throughout Ireland.

There are many golf course scattered across Ireland including the Ballybunion Golf Club in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland which was founded in 1893. The designer of the course was Tom Watson. The championship length of the course is six thousand six hundred and thirty eight yards. The course has seventy one pars in all. This particular golf course is extremely popular with golf enthusiasts all round for world and is even rated as one of the ten best golf courses in the world.

The Baltray Golf Club which is located in Drogheda, Ireland is one of the most popular golf clubs in Ireland among the locals. The golf club was founded in 1892 but the present layout was founded in 1938. The designer of the golf course is Tom Simpson. The course has a total of seven thousand and thirty one yard and is a seventy three par course. The course is located just about thirty five miles north of Dublin and just five miles northeast of Drogheda.

The Castlerock Golf Club which was founded in 1901 is located in Castlerock, Co. Derry, Ireland. It was designed by Ben Sayers and Harry Colt. The seventy three par course consists of six thousand seven hundred and forty seven yards. The Castlerock Golf Club is located just a few minutes from Portstewart and Royal Portrush. This is an extremely popular course that is very classic. It is set amid towering dunes.

Founded in 1993 is the European Golf Club which is one of the newest courses in all of Ireland. Pat Ruddy designed the course which is located in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. The course is a seventy one par course and spans an area of seven thousand one hundred and forty nine total yards. This golf course has become extremely popular in a short period of time. It is one of the finest links golf courses in all of Ireland.

Founded in 1997 the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club is one of the newest golf courses in all of Ireland. The course can be found in Old Head, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland. The course was designed by R. Kirby, J. Carr, P. Merrigan and E. Hackett. This seventy two par course consists of seven thousand one hundred and twenty one yards. Many people believe this is the most remarkable golf courses to ever be created in golf history.

This seventy two par course was founded in 1889. The Royal Dublin Golf Club consists of an area that spans an area of seven thousand three hundred and ten yards. The course was designed by H.S. Colt. This is an extremely old golf course and ranks as the second oldest course in Ireland. The course is among the best Irish link course. The golf course is located in Dollymount Ireland. It can be found approximately five miles northeast of Dublin City.

The golf courses Ireland are known throughout the world, from ancient golf stories to traditional golf drinks Ireland is immersed with golfing spirit. Find out more about golf on GolfCocktail.com

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Contrary to popular belief around the globe, Hawaii does not only attract beach lovers but golf huggers, too. Hawaii offers more than 100 golf destinations especially in cities where you can choose more such as Honolulu, Kailua Kona, Oahu and Ewa Beach. While there are so many to select from, knowing the top sites would surely help you in having the best golf traveling vacation ever.

Named by the Golf Digest as the #1 Golf Course in Oahu, ranked 7th in Golflink.com as part of the 2008′ s “Top 100 United States Golf Courses”, rated in Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Places You Can Play” and tagged as “The World’s Most Challenging Gold Course”, Ko’olau Golf Club presents a slope rating of 155 plus, 200-acre course, which was carved out of 1,500 acres of rainforest in 1991. Located just over the Pali Highway from Honolulu, the 20-minute drive can lead you to a spectacular view of the luscious forest, tropical green terrain, and majestic mountains of Hawaii. The 18-hole Ko’olau is a par 72 course at 7,310 yards, which features a course rating of 74.4 and a slope rating of 158 on Bahia grass. Declared by USGA (United States Golf Association) as the toughest course in the United States, Ko’olau Golf Club also offers challenging golf courses for all skill levels.

Another golf piece of Oahu is the Makaha Resort & Golf Club. Better known as “Makaha West,” this golf course has also been listed in 2002 as one of the “Places to Play” by Golf Magazine. It was also named by Honolulu Magazine as Oahu’s number one golf course. A few minutes from Honolulu, situated in the stunning Makaha Valley, surrounding Wai’anae Mountains, this resort also provides a 7,022-yard, 18-hole, 72 par championship golf course rated 73.2 by USGA. More than the course itself, guests and professionals can enjoy the classic, fresh looking valley, and the extraordinary scenery of the Pacific Ocean. Amateurs can avail of group or private golf training from PGA experts. Visitors can go for the cart access to all fairways, the driving range, and pro shop wherein you can purchase gold apparel and accessories, and rent shoes and clubs.

Golf Magazine included Hapuna Golf Course in its “Gold Medal Resorts” list in 1998. It was also ranked as the “Best Public Course” in 1995-1996 and placed 11th in 1997-1998. The USGA labeled Hapuna Golf Course as “The Course of the Future” in 1997 and rated as one of the most environmentally sensitive golf courses, not mentioning its 75th rank in Conde Nast Traveller’s “Top 100 Golf Resorts” in 2006. Over a decade ago since it opened, this 18-hole, par 72, 6,875 yards golf course, nestled 700 feet above sea level in the Big Island, has continued to deliver a “nature-filled” golf experience. It also offers a One Day Golf School program to let you enhance your skills and get acquainted with its golfing landscape.

After a review of some of Hawaii’s top golf courses, it will surely bring a dream golf experience combined with nature’s gifts. For avid golfers out there, taking a trip to Hawaii will definitely make you want for more inspiring holes.

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