100 GREAT IRISH BREAKS:We've teed up a few home holidays for anyone looking to get to grips with their golf
1. OLD HEAD GOLF LINKS, near Kinsale, Co Cork
On a promontory two miles into the sea, this is arguably the most spectacular course in the country.
Most of its clientele jets in from the US, which is perhaps why you mightn’t realise it’s open to natives too.
A two-night package with two rounds of golf, accommodation in a Members’ Suite, and breakfast and dinner for two, costs €575 in summer.
Old Head Golf Links, Kinsale, Co Cork, tel: 021-477 8444, oldhead.com
2. GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL, Bundoran, Co Donegal
Bundoran’s always a great spot for a break and its championship golf course, one of the country’s oldest, offers both inland and pure links golf, making it a challenging but fair test of any golfer. Stay at the Great Northern Hotel nearby where a mid-week two-night golf package, including breakfasts and one evening meal, plus a day’s golf, costs from €119 pps.
The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, Co Donegal, tel: 071-984 1204, greatnorthernhotel.com
3. DOONBEG LODGE, Co Clare
The five-star Clare property – a former European Golf Resort of the Year – has a course designed by Greg Norman. It’s only a half-hour’s drive from another great course, Lahinch.
Right now Doonbeg is offering a chance to play both courses in the one package, staying at Doonbeg on a BB basis, from €375 per person.
Doonbeg Lodge, Doonbeg, Co Clare, 065-9055600, doonbeglodge.co
4. DRUIDS GLEN, Co Wicklow
If you've dreamed of getting a hole in one almost as much as you've dreamed of winning the Lotto, check out Druids Glen in Wicklow, which has a €1 million hole-in-one competition. If it doesn't work out for you, console yourself with its dinner, bed and breakfast package at €140 per person sharing, one of whom can opt for spa treatment. Tel: 01-287 0800, druidsglenresort.com
5. CARTON HOUSE, Maynooth, Co Kildare
This has overnight stays from €130 each, including golf on either of its two championship courses, the Mark O'Meara or the Colin Montgomerie. If you have the stamina, it's also offering two nights B&B, including three-course evening meal and two rounds of golf, with a third round thrown in for free, from €235 a room, based on two sharing.
Tel: 01-505 2000, cartonhouse.com
6. WATERVILLE GOLF LINKS, Co Kerry
For a little quality bonding, the 23rd annual Father & Son Tournament takes place here in early August. Organised, meticulously, by Carr's Golf, the programme includes four night's accommodation on a B&B basis, a welcome reception, practice round, lunch each day, barbecue and nightly entertainment, as well as a gala dinner and prize giving. From €2,000 per person sharing. Tel: 01-822 6662, carrgolf.com
7. THE K CLUB, STRAFFAN, Co Kildare
For a longer break, the K Club has a seven-night golf break from €995 per person sharing. The deal, which is on a B&B basis, includes a round on the Palmer Ryder Cup Course and on the Smurfit Palmer Course plus two dinners. When you consider that a one-night B&B stay, including golf, starts at €280, that's relatively good value. Tel: 01-601 7200, kclub.ie
8. FOTA ISLAND GOLF CLUB, Co Cork
This has not one but three championship courses: the Deerpark, Belvelly and Barryscourt. Take your pick with an overnight package that includes a round on arrival, followed by two-course meal in the Clubhouse Spike Bar, staying over in Fota Island Hotel on a B&B basis, followed by a second round of golf before you leave, priced from €289 a room. Tel: 021 488 3700, fotaisland.ie
9. WOODENBRIDGE HOTEL,Vale of Avoca, Co Wicklow
The Wicklow Golf Package includes rounds at Arklow, Coollattin and Woodenbridge - described by Joe Carr as "Ireland's Augusta" - all wrapped around two nights' B&B at the Woodenbridge Hotel. The price is €145 per person sharing, with a supplement of €30 if you decide to go on a weekend.
Tel: 0402-35146, woodenbridgehotel.com
10. GLASSON COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, Athlone, Co Westmeath
This was voted Golf Resort of the Year, has a gorgeous lakeside setting and a Golfers' Escape package including golf, two nights B&B plus dinner from €145 per person sharing. It's worth going to The Fatted Calf, just up the road, for your second dinner. Tel: 090-648 5120, glassongolfhotel.ie