The Battle of Ireland's Top Five Golf Courses

What are your five favourite Irish golf courses? It's not an easy task is it because there's always a 6th and a 7th vying to be included.

In a straight shoot-out between myself and Rory - Your Golf Travel's 'resident golf geek' - we've each picked our Top 5 Irish golf courses and put them head to head.

Take a look and see whose choices you prefer... or feel free to mix and match. The Your Golf Travel article is here.

Obviously it's a friendly rivalry as every one of those 10 courses delivers a wonderful

Northern Irish Open at Galgorm Castle

Edfors teeing off on the 1st hole.

It's a long drive from Wexford to Ballymena... but probably not as long as a Johan Edfors drive. That boy can hit the ball, and he is playing in the Northern Irish Open at Galgorm Castle this week. The tournament ends tomorrow, so if you're in that neck of the woods get yourself to the golf club, watch the Pros, enjoy the Food Village and all the golfing extras - there's a golf village, too.

I had been invited by Your Golf Travel to attend the event and it was an entertaining day out for sure.

Irish Golf By The Numbers

An info graphic recently created by Your Golf Travel shows some interesting stats in Irish golf. With luck, that 8 total may climb to 9 by Sunday week.

Play Golf with Darren Clarke, at Royal Portrush...

... well you would, wouldn't you!

Your Golf Travel and Tourism Ireland are offering four golfers the chance to play a round of golf on the mighty Royal Portrush Dunluce links, in the company of the mightier Darren Clarke.

Let's be honest, he wouldn't be a bad man to have on your bag, would he! And it couldn't be easier to enter.

Portugal's Penina for £195 from Your Golf Travel

Penina's 1st hole

I played Penina, on the Algarve, last year. In 30 degrees. For an Irish boy who likes the rain and snow, 30 degrees is a killer... but most Irish/British golfers lap it up. I have fond memories of a relaxing, idyllic course that is not long and rewards straight hitters. It helped of course that I hit my longest drive ever, measuring a mere 360 yards.

Druid's Glen Package for £95 - YGT

Your Golf Travel are advertising a special deal at Druid's Glen Resort at the moment. It's aimed at GB golfers coming to Ireland (the offer is in £ Sterling), but Irish golfers can benefit from it too.

Druid's Glen. Par three 11th hole - green to tee (above the cross)

The Ultimate Job in Golf

A while back, people joked that my travelling around Ireland, playing every 18 hole golf course, was the dream golfing job. That now appears not to be the case. Change 'Ireland' for 'World', add in a one year contract (meaning you get paid to do the job) and you get this, from Your Golf Travel:

The Ultimate Job in Golf

Apply soon...

[Photo: Ballybunion 2nd green]