Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course
The 'St. Andrews of the West' — a wild, tumbling Old Tom Morris and Alister MacKenzie links on the Clare coast that hosted the 2019 Irish Open yet still welcomes any visitor who books ahead.
Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course in photos
Can I play Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course?
Yes — Lahinch is a members' club that warmly welcomes visitors and sells tee times to the public on the Old Course throughout the season. There is no membership or letter of introduction required; you simply book ahead, as demand is high in summer. The one firm condition is that every visiting group must take at least one caddie or fore-caddie.
How to book: Book directly through the club's website or golf office, ideally several months ahead for peak-season mornings. Visitors pay a per-round green fee (around €450 in the 2026 main season) and a caddie/fore-caddie fee is added on top and is compulsory. Tee times are limited around the September 2026 Walker Cup, so confirm availability early.
About Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course
Lahinch's Old Course is one of Ireland's most characterful links, laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1892, transformed by Alister MacKenzie in 1927 and refined by Martin Hawtree. It is a rollercoaster of blind shots, sea-facing dunes and the beloved Klondyke and Dell holes, capped by grazing goats that appear on the club crest. The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, won by Jon Rahm, showcased the course to the world, and it will stage the Walker Cup in September 2026. Despite that pedigree it remains a genuinely public-access course — visitors simply book a tee time and take a caddie.
Signature hole
The quirky back-to-back 4th (Klondyke), a par 5 played blind over a towering dune, and the 5th (Dell), a completely blind par 3 whose green is hidden behind a ridge and aimed via a hand-painted white stone — surviving Old Tom Morris originals MacKenzie chose to keep.
What makes it special
Blind and brilliant
The Klondyke and Dell holes are among the most famous quirks in world golf, deliberately preserved by MacKenzie.
Championship credentials
Host of the 2019 Irish Open and the 2026 Walker Cup, yet open to visiting golfers.
The goats
A herd of feral goats has roamed the links for generations and features in the club's crest.
Tournament pedigree
- Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (2019)
- Walker Cup (2026)
- South of Ireland Championship (annual since 1895)
Need to know
Best time to play
May to September offers the best weather and daylight, though the links plays year-round; expect Atlantic wind in any season. Avoid the September 2026 Walker Cup window if you want a clear run at tee times.
Dress code
Neat golf attire — collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts and proper golf shoes. Denim and athletic wear are not permitted on the course.
Good to know
At least one caddie or fore-caddie per group is mandatory and adds to the cost. The course is walking-only (no buggies), rounds take around four to four and a half hours, and the club's famous feral goats roam the dunes — locals say they forecast the weather.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Shannon (SNN) ~1 hour; Kerry (KIR) and Cork (ORK) are alternatives; Dublin (DUB) ~3 hours.
On arrival
By car from Shannon Airport it is roughly an hour northwest via Ennis and Ennistymon on the N85/N67. The course sits right in the seaside village of Lahinch, a short detour off the Wild Atlantic Way and close to the Cliffs of Moher.
Stay near the course
Most golfers base themselves in Lahinch village itself, within walking distance of the first tee, or in nearby Ennistymon and Liscannor. The wider Clare coast makes an easy touring base for the Cliffs of Moher, Doonbeg and the Burren.
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices The Hazel
Lahinch
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices The Hawthorn
Lahinch
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Vaughan Lodge Hotel
Lahinch
A taste of the luxury stays near Lahinch Golf Club — Old Course — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Lahinch — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Lahinch.
Explore LahinchFrequently asked questions
Can the public play Lahinch Old Course?
Yes. Lahinch is a members' club that sells green-fee tee times to visitors throughout the season with no membership or introduction required — you just book ahead and take a caddie.
How much does it cost to play Lahinch?
In the 2026 main season the Old Course green fee is around €450 per round, with a compulsory caddie or fore-caddie fee added on top. Shoulder-season rates are lower.
Do I need a handicap to play Lahinch?
There is no strict handicap certificate requirement for visitors, but Lahinch is a demanding championship links, so a reasonable standard of play is expected and pace-of-play is managed by caddies.
When is the best time to play Lahinch?
May to September gives the best weather and longest days. Book early for summer mornings and steer clear of the September 2026 Walker Cup week.
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Golf guideSources & pricing note
Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- Official site — Green Fees
- Lahinch Golf Club — Wikipedia
- The 51st Walker Cup to be played at Lahinch in 2026 — The R&A
Guide updated 2026-07-27.