I had the fortune to work at over 100 professional golf tournaments in every corner of the world during a recent eight year stint working with the European Tour (DP World Tour). My favourite? The week of the 2019 Irish Open at Lahinch. The golf course, the golf culture, the people, the town. It was magical.

So when I drew up the concept of developing out this newsletter into a video series of links golf courses I wanted to share with you all, this wee town on the remote west coast of Ireland jumped to the top of my list.

We ate at the Corner Stone.

We drank and sang songs at Flanagan's.

We sipped coffee at The Hatch.

We swam on Lahinch beach.

We stayed in Lahinch town - that is a must.

This video was made possible by presenting partner Holderness & Bourne - Golf apparel with classic style and a modern fit.

Admittedly, I’ve yet to play any of Ireland’s great links courses. Despite my childhood summers spent on family holidays to Dublin (my mother is Dublin born and I too travel on an Irish passport) my youth was confined to Ireland’s pitch & putts. Those days, our family holidays meant a full day on the road, including a ferry across the Irish Sea. I was ready for this journey - I had done it before.

Shortly after arriving to Lahinch, I stood at sunset atop of the huge sand dune which guards the 8th green. The scale of the dunes and their setting on the estuary was truly magical. This was a landscape overload. Sea, cliffs, promenade, pastures, people, golf. From this vantage point I already understood why this place captures so many golfer’s imagination and why so many return. Three days in Lahinch later, I had it confirmed.

“Ah Lahinch - the St Andrews of Ireland?”

This comparison today, is dated and unfair on Lahinch. Give me a week playing golf between the two golf meccas and I’m grabbing my passport. There is a quaintness and modesty still in Lahinch which St Andrews has somewhat lost. Its rural setting creates an informal, relaxed atmosphere and the town, while full of people passing through feels like its still full of the same people it was 30 years ago.

Like St Andrews, the town and golf course have a harmonious relationship but one that feels a little more constant throughout your round at Lahinch. Starting in town, the course darts back to it on the 2nd hole and then runs for most of the front nine alongside a busy promenade. As I stood on the 7th green on a warm summer evening round, I gazed over the somewhat detracting military grade fence erected by “us pompous golfers” at the mix of people enjoying the outdoors. There were dogs splashing in the sea, runners, surfers, swimmers, young families building sand castles, bird watchers, young couples and old couples hand in hand. A shared environment, all enjoying their beautiful corner of the world.

Back on the other side of the fence, the course is framed by a road with a steady flow of traffic which you play up against and alongside on the 4th green, 5th tee and and on the closing few holes. Equally charming for its sense of place and passers by but not so pretty on the eye.

The character trait for most of the front nine holes is blind shots - all six of them. I grew up playing an Old Tom Morris golf course (Cruden Bay) so I was ready for them but those not so familiar can expect to find it jarring.

My advice? Embrace it.

When caddying at Cruden Bay, I was in a group that included Steve Balmer - former Microsoft CEO and now LA Clippers owner. As we crested the hill to our own blind par three, 15th Steve was his exuberant self, lambasting the hole and well the previous two holes that also included blind shots. I was naive and well in my early 20s caddying between lectures so I cleared my throat…

“These holes were laid out by hand in the late 1800s when they had no machinery to move sand. They had to route the course in whichever way required the least amount of earth moving, with the little land they had.”

Steve carried on swinging (poorly) and I carried on caddying (equally poorly) but spare a thought for him next time you play a blind shot on one of our ancient links golf courses. Blind shots to me embody the spirit of golf. Imagination to hit the shot, hope and optimism as you crest the hill and then more often than not some form of disappointment that follows.

The club hosts the Walker Cup in a matter of weeks and will shortly turn their attention to a renovation of their Castle Course. More to share on that soon I hope.

Your “bucket-list” round at Lahinch Golf Club should be complemented with 90 minutes of your time and a few quid supporting places like Doolin Pitch & Putt for a number of reasons. It serves as a palate cleanser - a reminder of what golf has come from and importantly what it should look a little more like moving forward should we want to keep golf in Scotland & Ireland accessible.

I implore Clubs like Lahinch who are charging in the region of €500 a round to funnel some of the revenue to safeguarding facilities like Doolin.

The spectacle of links golf remains undefeated after two invigorating weeks at Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the men and Lytham for the AIG Women’s Open.

• Bunkers are hazards
• Knowledgeable fans
• Imaginative shot-making rewarded
• The venues have their own story
• Played on golf courses with public access
• Public life goes on simultaneously
• Course conditioning – sustainable (low inputs)
• Golf at twilight

How refreshing has it been to see these links courses brown and beautiful!?

The Club allow visitors Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays. Neighbouring clubs including Royal Liverpool form part of England’s Golf Coast who work on behalf of the region’s clubs to promote golf tourism in the area and as such, work to manage visitor days at their respective courses.

Surprisingly, there are some tee times remaining for 2027 and 2028 will open in February 27.

Some personal news from St Andrews coming on my next newsletter…stay tuned.

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Cheers, Ru Macdonald