Happy new year, we wish you a healthy and successful golfing year.
As the 2023 golf season tees off we thought it would be useful to highlight some of the rule changes which have just been introduced by the R&A and USGA on January 1st. The changes this year are designed to simplify the rules of golf, with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability.
There is also a video explainer below which was shot on location at the beautiful Portmarnock Links, Dublin, Ireland by the R&A and USGA.
In other news, G Golf Ireland CEO, Joe Shannon, will attend the PGA show in Orlando from Jan 25 – 27. Joe will be on the Tourism Ireland exhibition stand no. 3973. Please reach out to arrange a meeting with Joe or stop by the stand to say hello.
Finally, if you’re interested in a 2023 Irish golf trip please get in touch asap to make plans. Demand for Irish golf is very high this summer season, but there is still capacity available at some of our amazing golf venues right across the Emerald Isle. Check out our brochure here for inspiration!
We look forward to welcoming you on your next golf holiday!
Yours in golf,
G Golf Ireland
Category: News
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at G Golf Ireland!
As we reach the end of the 2022 golf season, we give thanks and reflect on the good year that was for Irish golf tourism.
This time last year, we were facing into another uncertain winter with ongoing covid lockdowns. Thankfully, 12 months on, we’ve had a solid recovery year at G Golf Ireland and are looking forward with optimism to 2023.
At this time of year, we are especially thankful to the great game of golf for giving us the ongoing opportunity to create new memories with our clients and friends.
As you gather with your nearest and dearest this Thanksgiving, consider pressing the green button to start planning your next golf trip with G Golf Ireland – we would be very thankful if you do!
Contact us today for itinerary ideas and inspiration!
We would like to wish all of our clients and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Yours in Golf,
The second edition of the Irish Legends Tournament, hosted by the McGinley Foundation, was a tremendous success this August at Rosapenna Golf resort on Ireland’s north west coast.
Ryder Cup Legends and Major Champions teed it up alongside amateur players in this unique format in professional tournament golf. If you’re interested in playing in next year’s Irish Legends event please contact us for details.
Ireland’s north west coastline is a beautifully scenic region where the mountains, sand dunes and Atlantic Ocean frame some of the best links golf courses in Ireland. Check out the video below to hear Paul McGinley’s take on golf in this part of Ireland.
Here are our favourites:
Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort – choose from the Old Tom Morris course, Sandy Hills or the recently opened St. Patrick’s Links designed by Tom Doak. All 3 courses have spectacular views of Sheephaven Bay and provide different, challenging tests of your golf skills.
Ballyliffin – The Old course and Glashedy Links are both world class links courses with contrasting styles. There’s also the excellent 9 hole par 3 Pollan course to hone your short game. Host to the 2018 Irish Open tournament, put Ballyliffin on your list of must plays.
Portsalon – Founded in 1891, Portsalon also has the distinction of being one of the 9 original founding members of the Golf Union of Ireland, the oldest golfing union in the world. Redesigned by Pat Ruddy of the European Club in 2000, and tweaked by Paul McGinley more recently, Portsalon is well deserving of the title, “Hidden Gem”.
Narin and Portnoo – Matt Ginella from the Golf Channel’s quote describes it best “So here’s a little story about Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner coming to Ireland to renovate Narin & Portnoo: They worked wonders. The end. And now everyone will come and compare it to Pebble Beach, Pacific Dunes & other seaside spectacles.”
Co. Donegal (Murvagh) – Built on a promontory of 182 acres that extends out into the Atlantic Ocean, Co. Donegal enjoys a spectacular location and a very fair test of links golf. 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke describes it as one of his favourite courses in the world. And, he should know!
Co. Sligo (Rosses Point) – Home to the elite West of Ireland championship every year, Co. Sligo has made it into the 2022 Golf Digest World Top 100 courses for the first time at #91. Deservingly so. Benbulbin Mountain provides a spectacular backdrop to this world class links layout.
Enniscrone – The links weaves its way through towering, majestic dunes overlooking Killala Bay. Enniscrone is one of the finest pure links courses in Ireland and is a regular host to elite Irish golf tournaments. This is a championship golf course par excellence.
Carne – Wild Atlantic golf at its finest and rawest. Carne is arguably the most spectacular links course in Ireland. Cheek by jowl with the Atlantic Ocean, the holes weave their way through the biggest dune system in the world. Simply stunning.
So, what are you waiting for? DON’T DELAY – 2023 time sheets are open and filling fast. Please contact us to book your golf trip of a lifetime.
Yours in Golf,
What a tremendous 150th Open championship we witnessed at St. Andrews this July. A stunning final round of 64 from Australian Cameron Smith saw him leapfrog the 54 hole leaders and take home the Claret Jug.
St. Andrews showed off links golf at its best. Hard, bouncy surfaces on the fairways and greens, whispy lies in the rough, devilish pin positions and deep pothole bunkers provided a challenging test. The wind didn’t really blow, so, the ultimate defence for a links course wasn’t really a factor in the 150th Open.
So, why is links golf so special? Here are some of the reasons:
Rarity – Of the approximately 250 true links courses in the world, more than 200 of them are in Ireland and the UK. It’s believed there are around 40,000 golf courses in the world so less than 1% are true links!
Lay of the land – links courses follow natural contours through sand dunes and dramatic coastal landscapes. It’s not target golf, you have to get creative in the shots you play and stay patient when you get an occasional unlucky bounce!
Wind – probably the biggest variable with links golf. It is not unusual to have to play anything from a pitching wedge to a 5 wood (or more) when faced with the same shot in different wind directions.
History – It all started at the home of golf at St. Andrews and early pioneers established dozens of now famous names along the coastline of Ireland and the UK. From Ballybunion to Royal Portrush to Royal Dornoch and many more.
So, how do you play links golf shots? Check out a series of videos below from G Golf co-Founders Mark & Frank Gannon showing you exactly how.
But, better still, get yourself over here and experience the real deal for yourself!
DON’T DELAY – 2023 time sheets are open. Please contact us to book your golf trip of a lifetime.
Yours in Golf,
In early July, there are two golf tournaments in Ireland that will see most of the world’s Top 50 golfers play in the Emerald Isle.
First up is the Irish Open at the beautiful Mount Juliet Estate where defending champion Lucas Herbert will tee it up alongside a host of Ryder Cup stars including: Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Tyrrell Hatton, Thomas Pieters and Thorbjørn Olesen.
The world famous Jack Nicklaus signature design golf course is the jewel in the crown of the 5* Mount Juliet Estate. The Manor House at Mount Juliet dates back to the 18th century but has the very finest contemporary comforts, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent dining experiences.
Hot on the heel of the Irish Open is the much anticipated JP McManus Pro-Am at the stunning Adare Manor. The entry list reads like a who’s who of golf. The world’s top 5 ranked players – Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas – headline the list of major champions and global golf superstars in the field. A certain Mr. T. Woods is also still listed to play at time of writing!
Since a complete refurbishment in 2017, the luxurious 5* Adare Manor resort has won award after award for the outstanding offering at the 19th century castle estate. Boasting exceptional food and beverage, Spa and a world class Padel facility, it’s easy to understand why Adare Manor is chosen as the host for the centenary Ryder Cup in 2027.
Check out the video below to get a taste of what is on offer at Mount Juliet and Adare Manor. It’s no wonder the world’s top golfers are stopping for golf in Ireland on route to the 150th Open at St. Andrews!
REMINDER – 2023 time sheets are open. Please contact us without delay to book your golf experience of a lifetime.
Yours in Golf,
Happy Saint Patrick’s day!
Saint Patrick’s day is upon us, the day where the whole world goes green and everyone is a little bit Irish! It makes us proud to see so many iconic buildings light up in green all around the world in celebration of Ireland’s national holiday on March 17.
And, of course, this year is the first year in 3 where Saint Patrick’s day events can happen in person, so, we should really embrace the opportunity to celebrate our Irishness with music, dance, culture and the subject dearest to our hearts – GOLF!
There are so many world famous venues and hidden gems to discover in Ireland – more than 400 golf courses, 1/3 of the true links courses in the world and 11 golf courses in the current Golf Digest World Top 100! And, there’s our legendary 19th hole hospitality and stunning landscape with 40 shades of green.
So this Saint Patrick’s day, press the green button, and start planning your unforgettable golf trip to Ireland!
Check out our new brochure for inspiration and ideas – click here.
Happy Saint Patrick’s day!
Happy Christmas!
We visited the new K World experience at the K Club last week. The 2006 Ryder Cup venue has added an indoor state of the art golf simulator experience to the 5 star K Club resort.
We played the front 9 of 2021 Ryder Cup venue, Whistling Straits, indoors at K World, and then went outside to play 9 holes in “real life” on the Palmer North course at the K Club. Not a bad Christmas party if you’re a golfer! BIG thank you to Conor Russell, Director of Golf at the K Club and Gary Murphy, Head Golf Professional, for the welcome. Check out the video below to see the impressive set up at K World.
We wish you and yours a peaceful, joyous festive season and a prosperous 2022. All going well, we look forward to seeing you on our world famous greens and fairways next year.
Yours in golf,
G Golf Ireland
Our own legends Frank and Mark Gannon joined lifelong friends, Ryder Cup winner, Des Smyth, and fellow Irish international, Barry Reddan, for a really enjoyable 4ball at our home course, County Louth Golf Club.
Mark talks about his personal experience of having covid but remains optimistic about the year ahead and 2022. It was only right that Des take that putt at the end of the video!
We hope you and yours are well. When the time is right, be sure to contact us to start planning your next golf vacation.
Yours in Golf…
It is great to be able to report some positive news from Ireland. Golf courses are now open for 4ball play, the vaccination programme is going well and is gathering pace.
In the video below shot last week, G Golf co-founders Mark and Frank Gannon, joined lifelong friends, Ryder Cup winner, Des Smyth, and fellow Irish international, Barry Reddan, for a “friendly” 4ball at their home course, Co. Louth (Baltray).
Mark talks about his personal experience of having covid while Frank is optimistic about the year ahead and 2022. But, can you believe they made Des take that putt at the end of the video!
We hope you and yours are well. When the time is right, be sure to contact us to start planning your next golf vacation.
Yours in Golf,