If youâre an avid golfer with a passion for travel, an Ireland golf tour may be just the trip for you!
Ireland is a beautiful country with quite a number of golf courses where you can make memories that will last a lifetime. Perhaps youâre interested in the idea but are unsure about how much it will cost. If so, youâve come to the right place. In this article, weâll be going over the basic elements of an Ireland Golf Tour and what may affect the cost so that you can start saving up for a great golf tour with your buddies.
GREEN FEES
The whole point of a golf tour is to play golf, so the green fees are probably going to be the major expenditures of the trip. Given you plan to visit a good variety of top-tier courses on your trip, itâs safe to estimate $200* per round of golf.
That being said, green fees in Ireland have increased over the past few years thanks to a strengthening economy and a greater number of tourists. There may be a green fee rise of up to 20% during peak season. You may even pay upwards of $300 for a high-end course. That being said, there are always more affordable options that youâll certainly still enjoy if youâre on a tighter budget.
If youâre willing to give our hidden gems a try, there are quite a few that are filled with character, offer stunning views and are ranked highly.
Youâll save even more if you visit during low season – October through March. Youâll have to make peace with the possibility (and reality) of rain, but if youâre willing to get a little down and dirty, the cost savings would easily make it worth it. You could also visit slightly before and after the low season, where courses will cost slightly more but will still be significantly cheaper than they would be during peak season. The weatherâs usually decent too!
LODGING
Like most countries, lodging options vary wildly. If you want to stay in the heart of town, youâll undoubtedly have to pay more than you would if you opted to a modest B&B close to the courses. It really depends on your accommodation expectations during the trip. You can usually find something decent for the price you are willing to pay. If you want to go all out, however, you canât miss the Irish Castle hotel experience.
Like green fees, lodging fees have been increasing over the recent years. That being said, you can still find some amazing accommodation options. You could get a great midrange room inclusive of breakfast for around $175. If you want to save even more, however, consider a local guest house or even an older hotel. These places have a level of charm that you canât find in chain hotels, and you may end up loving the local feeling of the stay.
FLIGHTS
Thanks to the growing demand for flights from the United States to Ireland, Aer Lingus, Irelandâs national carrier, has increased the number of direct flights between the two countries. You can catch direct flights not only from the major airports in New York, Boston, and Chicago, but even from Hartford, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and even Seattle.
Besides Aer Lingus, there are several other carriers who are offering flights at great prices. You could take a round-trip flight between New York and Dublin with Norwegian for a mere $400! From Chicago to Dublin, Aer Lingus offers flights for $600, increasing it to $700 when you fly from LA. WOW Air even offers a Dallas to Dublin round trip starting from $500, although there will be one layover along the way.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Itâs essential when planning a golf vacation to Ireland that you have adequate travel insurance. This will ensure peace of mind to cover any unforeseen events especially if you need to cancel your trip prior to arrival.
TRANSPORTATION
There are quite a few ways to get around, but when on a golf tour, you should consider hiring a coach from Matthews.ie â our sister company. We have a wide range of vehicles for all groups and sizes, with comfortable leather seats, tables and free WiFi. Our driver/guide adds a great element to the trip with his experience, stories and ‘craic’ along the way. It allows everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy their vacation without worrying about driving on the opposite side of the road or trying to find their way around the narrow winding ‘bĂłithrĂns’ of the West of Ireland.
The other option is to hire a car with a driver. This will be pricier, but it will also give you a lot more freedom. You can travel easily and admire the view without having to worry about whether youâre getting lost. You can down as many beers as you want, and you may even get a running commentary on the locality by the driver. Theyâll probably even be able to recommend some great sightseeing spots and lovely restaurants to visit. Budget around $500 a day.
FOOD & DRINK
Assuming that you arenât looking for the most exclusive fine dining options in the area, you should be paying anywhere from $30 to $50 for a tasty local three-course meal. If you plan to drink some Guinness, budget around $5 per pint and adjust according to your drinking habits.
To sum it up
The average golf tour includes six rounds of golf, lodging for seven nights, breakfast inclusive at the accommodation, and renting a car. Hereâs the lowdown on the approximate cost of a golf tour fitting these descriptions in specific areas of Ireland:
â South West Ireland Golf Tour: $2,700pps.
â East Coast / Dublin Golf Tour: $2,790pps.
â West Coast Atlantic Way Golf Tour: $2,300pps
â Northern Ireland Golf Tour: $2,800pps.
â Northwest / Donegal Ireland Golf Tour: $2,150pps.
If you want a more customised experience and a more specific budget, donât hesitate to get in touch with us! We are experts in planning golfing tours in Ireland and would be more than happy to help you make your golf tour dreams come to life.
*All prices listed in this article are approximate at time of writing and would be quoted in euro (âŹ).