DESTINATION GOLF IRELAND – TOP150 – 2023
Editor Kevin Markham
The Bernard Langer-designed course is under new ownership which is ushering in significant upgrades to the course, hotel and facilities. With the big hotel looking over the 1st and 18th it only emphasises that Portmarnock Links offers the full golfing package. The course is routed over bumpier and more
unpredictable links terrain than its immediate neighbour, despite
their proximity.
Here the smart routing ensures that players get a warm-up over the gentler dunes first, thus presenting an opportunity to appreciate the tricky and muscular green complexes as well as the large, lavish putting surfaces. Wind or no wind, this is where the constant challenge lies. Portmarnock Links opened in 1996, and its wonderfully natural feel is a testament to the designer’s vision.
The back nine are the more demanding and more exciting of the two with holes 16 to 18 delivering a grand finale.
Major upgrades in 2022/23 see six holes being re-routed, with new greens, tees, fairways and bunkers.
Favourite Hole
The par four 16th is a left to right dogleg from a raised
tee. You can see the green over bunkers and rough and
you take on as much as you dare.
What’s in the Bag?
Serious concentration is required on and around
the greens. It may be stating the obvious…
but avoid the bunkers!!