The layout was modernised and further extended in 1927 when Dr. Alister MacKenzie shifted the entire course into the bigger coastal dune area as well as adding more greens. These days the famous par 72 layout stretches a full 6,950 yards, winding through a series of towering dunes that make for several tricky blind shots. The unpredictable winds blowing off the seas add further challenges.
It’s often said that Lahinch Golf Course is ‘The 'St Andrews of Ireland’. This course is renowned as a links with endless virtues, a place that has moved with the times but still delivers one of the best, traditional challenges around. It’s no surprise, given the exacting standards of Old Tom Morris, Charles ‘Mo’ Gibson, Dr Alister MacKenzie and, of course, Dr Martin Hawtree.
About Lahinch Old Golf Club – Brief history
- Discovered in March 1892 by Alexander Shaw, Richard Plummer and their fellow officers from the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army
- In early April the same year, the men laid out a links golf course
- The first game was played on Good Friday 15th April 1892, using feathers and sticks to mark out the course
- The original layout had nine holes on either side of the Liscannor Road
- In 1894 Old Tom Morris designed a new links golf course, calling it the finest natural course he had ever seen
- In 1895 Lahinch Golf Club launched the first South of Ireland Championship
- The Golf Links Hotel opened in May 1896
- In 1904 the club hosted the Irish Ladies’ Championship for the first time
- The West Clare Railway, now long gone, boosted the club's popularity with easy access from London
- In 1926 Dr. Alister MacKenzie planned a new 18-hole course
- In 1927 William McCavery became the course's first ever Golf Professional. He stayed for 60 years
- A new Clubhouse was built in the 1940s
- John D. Harris planned the new Castle Course in 1961, extended to 18 holes in 1975
- Hosted the Irish Professional Championship in 1961
- Hosted the Carroll’s Irish Match Play Championship in 1975
- Hosted the Home International Amateur Championships in September 1987
- In 1999 Dr. Martin Hawtree modernised the links
- Consistently ranked in the World Top 50
Lahinch Old Scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 4
Play Lahinch Old golf course 4th hole for a full 475 Yard Par 5, one of Ireland's most famous holes. This is McKenzie's infamous Klondyke hole, featuring a tight fairway that favours the right side. You need to use the slope to bring your tee ball back to the centre of the short grass. This blind approach plays over Klondyke Hill, where there's a flag man to show you the way. Sail your approach shot over the hill for a perfect line to achieve the putting surface and, with luck, you might grab yourself an eagle. Just make sure you take enough club to clear the hill. If not, you'll achieve a bogey at best.
A classic links known for its epic blind shots
This is a wonderfully quirky links course stuffed with remarkable blind shots set against awe inspiring ocean views. No wonder it's a top 100 course. The Dell 5th hole is one of the best blind shots, a short par three with a long shallow green squashed in between vast 30 foot dunes. Nobody would design one like this today, which only adds to the entire course's unique charm.
Lahinch Old Golf Vacations
At The Experience Ireland we provide ourselves on providing golf lovers like you with the finest golf holiday deals. All the packages we offer can be tailored to suit your exact specification, so if you’re looking for the perfect Lahinch Old golf break please get in touch to book or for more information.
Featured Lahinch Old Golf Package:
South West 7 Nights 5* Programme: Our Ireland golf vacations offer the chance to experience some of the finest courses the country has to offer, and the South West coast of Ireland is, in particular, famed as one of the greatest golfing areas in the world. Why not experience it for yourself? This package includes 6 incredible rounds of golf on world-famous courses, including Lahinch itself. Sumptuous 5* hotels will elevate your experience to the next level, with sumptuous accommodation and a full daily Irish Breakfast to enjoy, as well as an evening meal for one night of your stay. Also included as standard is an Airport meet-and-greet service and full transfers to your hotel and between the golf courses every day.