Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg. Discover One Of Ireland’s Most Majestic Golf Links

Rob Rees chases glory at Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg,in County Clare

From €395 Dom Pérignon at the halfway hut to sideways Atlantic squalls, Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, is pure drama from start to finish. It’s an Irish links that’ll charm you, challenge you and maybe even chew you up.

There’s something magnetic about Doonbeg and where it lies. Maybe it’s the roar of the Atlantic, or the towering dunes that hide one of Ireland’s most spectacular links courses. Known today as Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, Doonbeg isn’t just any old round – it’s a full-bodied experience, raw and authentic, with a dash of luxury for those who crave it.

Nestled in a quiet corner of County Clare, Doonbeg ranks among Ireland’s elite (No.12) and sits in legendary company: the world famous courses Lahinch and Ballybunion lie just up the coast, with Tralee, Waterville and Dooks within striking distance. Prefer parkland golf? Limerick GC and Dromoland Castle – host of the Women’s Irish Open – are close by. And Shannon Airport is only an hour away, making this an easy pilgrimage for golf lovers.

The dream of golf at Doonbeg isn’t new. Back in the 1890s, Scottish Black Watch officers surveyed these dunes for a course but chose Lahinch instead, lured by the railway. Fast forward over a century and Greg Norman finally brought the vision to life. His philosophy? “Least disturbance.” Fourteen greens and 12 fairways were laid without shifting a single dune. When it opened in 2002, Norman marked the occasion by defeating Padraig Harrington 2&1 in an exhibition match.

In 2014, the Trump Organization stepped in and hired architect Martin Hawtree to refine the layout. His changes were subtle but smart, adding nuance without diluting Norman’s original magic. Today, Doonbeg stands as a modern links classic: thrilling, fair, and dripping with drama.

The Character of Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg,

Stretching 7,151 yards from the championship tees, Doonbeg is no pushover. It’s a single loop—nine out, nine back—threading through giant dunes like a ribbon of green. Its quirks define its character: five par 3s, five par 5s, 16 holes with ocean views. And while the conditioning is pristine, it never feels sterile. No cart paths, no over-grooming—just fescue, bent and ryegrass underfoot, with thick marram clinging to the dunes. It’s golf in its purest, wildest form.

Angles are everything here. The routing seduces you with glimpses of the sea, teases with risk-reward par 4s, and occasionally bares its teeth. The result? A course that flatters your ego one minute and humbles you the next.

Four Holes to Steal Your Heart

No.1 – The Curtain Raiser

One of the greatest openers in golf: a par 5 that sweeps into the dunes with a wide fairway and a backdrop of Atlantic grandeur. Avoid the pot bunker on your second and you’re set for an approach to an amphitheatre green. Standing on that tee, the crescent beach stretches for two miles—it’s impossible not to fall in love.

No.4 – The Beast

At 673 yards, this par 5 is monumental. A ravine splits the fairway, bunkers lurk in all the wrong places, and the green is a postage stamp surrounded by dunes. Thankfully, the prevailing wind lends a hand. Epic, unforgettable, and just a little intimidating.

No.9 – Coastal Beauty

This par 3 clings to Doughmore Beach and demands a pure strike—205 yards into the wind, to a green guarded by deep bunkers and savage run-offs. When you walk off with a par, savour it.

No.18 – The Finale

A par 4 that hugs the Atlantic all the way home. Bail out left and you’re in trouble; flirt with the ocean and you’re rewarded with the perfect angle. The green is deceptive and quick—a fitting full stop.

Champagne or Barry’s Tea?

Halfway through, Doonbeg offers a taste of the surreal: Dom Pérignon at €395 a bottle, for those who fancy a splash of decadence mid-round. Four were sold last year. I, on the other hand, stuck with Barry’s tea and a Twix. Pure Irish energy.

Make no mistake: this is a stern test, especially when the weather turns—which it often does. After 13 holes of sideways rain and freezing wind, we staggered into Trump’s Bar like frostbitten castaways. The hot showers, roaring fires and pints of Guinness felt like heaven. Staff even take your sodden clothes and dry them for you. This is top class in every dimension.

A Lifeline for the Village

Talk politics all you like—Greg Norman, Donald Trump, LIV—but in Doonbeg, the course is cherished. “The parish has 750 people,” a local told me over a pint, “and more than 350 work here or supply the resort.” Golf saved this village, and locals are incredibly proud of it. Even former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has family ties here; one of his cousins runs a pub in town.

Accommodation? It’s cheaper to stay in Limerick but if you want to be closer, there are comfortable onsite rooms. The clubhouse is spectacular, with views across the dunes and clam chowder that’ll thaw the chilliest golfer. The Guinness is pretty good too!

Should You Go? Absolutely

Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, is golf on the edge – of the ocean, of civilisation, of your comfort zone. It’s bold, beautiful and utterly authentic. Even on a bad day, it’ll charm you. On a good day, it’ll steal your heart.

We played in late October and paid the price in autumnal weather. My advice? Come in summer, or pack waterproofs, spare shoes and enough gloves to stock a pro shop. Whatever it takes, just get here. Because links golf doesn’t get much more dramatic than this.

I, for one, can’t wait to return.