Lahinch is the obvious Clare base when links golf is the priority. The village is walkable, the course is on the doorstep, and the nearby options are genuinely close — not “within an hour” close, but fifteen-minutes close.
Where to stay
The Lahinch Coast Hotel and Vaughan Lodge are in the village; the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon trades a five-minute drive for a quieter setting. All are researched on our Lahinch place page.
Round 1 — Lahinch Old or Castle
Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch · Links
Two links courses beside Lahinch village, led by the internationally renowned Old Course and complemented by the more accessible Castle Course.
Book the Old Course if you are making the pilgrimage. The Castle is the same club's second links and a sensible second round if you are staying multiple nights — or your first round if the Old is full.
Round 2 — Spanish Point
Spanish Point Golf Club
Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay · Links
A compact nine-hole links beside the Atlantic at Spanish Point, playable as either nine or eighteen holes.
Spanish Point is about 11–15 minutes south on the N67 — a nine-hole links beside the beach, often overlooked by visitors fixated on Lahinch alone. Play eighteen by booking the back nine separately.
Round 3 — inland or south
- Ennis Golf Club — parkland contrast, roughly 35–40 minutes inland.
- Doonbeg — a full day trip south (~30 minutes to Doonbeg village). Pair with overnight in Doonbeg if you do not want to drive back after a late round.
Between rounds, see what to do around Lahinch for cliffs, Doolin and the Burren — or head south on the N67 for west Clare golf. For food, Vaughan's on the Prom, Flanagan's and Dodi cover most moods; see food & drink.
