A Century of Golf At Lahinch 1892-1992

Lahinch Golf Club was founded on Good Friday, 15 April, 1892. The club was established by Alexander W. Shaw and Richard J. Plummer, officials of Limerick Golf Club. The first game of golf was played on the same day the club was founded and the participants wore “red coats, knickerbockers and long stockings”. The original course had holes on each side of the Liscannor Road. The West Clare Railway allowed tourists to access the course at Lahinch. The barometer at the club was the goats – when the weather was wet and the forecast poor, the goats were usually seen hovering around the clubhouse – in fine weather they made their way out to the far regions of the golf links.

The course has been designed by several renowned architects but at the very beginning it was the founding members Shaw and Plummer together with officers of the Black Watch regiment who laid out the eighteen holes on both sides of the Liscannor Road. In 1894 Old Tom Morris (“OTM”) redesigned the course and in 1907 Charles ‘Mo’ Gibson from Westward Ho! made further revisions to a number of holes. In 1927, Dr. Alister MacKenzie redesigned and extended the links. MacKenzie is quoted as saying: “Lahinch will make the finest and most popular course that I, or I believe anyone else, has ever constructed.” This was before he went on the design Augusta National, Cypress Point but after Royal Melbourne. Dr. Martin Hawtree modernised the course at the turn of the century while still adhering to MacKenzie original design and became known as “restored MacKenzie course”). Hawtree re-routed 4 holes and added 2 new par 3′s, the 166-yard 8th and the 170-yard 11th, both set deep in the impressive sand dunes but left the OTM designed Dell and Klondyke unaffected.

John D. Harris, a renowned golf architect developed the plans for a new Castle Course in 1961. In his report to the Committee he stated; “the 9 hole course was constructed in 1963. After a lull of thirty five years, golf was back on the Corcass”. It was extended to an 18 hole golf links course in 1975.

Lahinch Golf Club hosts the South of Ireland Championship each year but has also held many national amateur championships. On an international level the club hosted the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (winner – Jon Rahm), Arnold Palmer Cup, the Home Internationals and will host the 2026 Walker Cup.

Lahinch Golf Club is often referred to as the “St. Andrews of Ireland” due to its rich history, proximity to the town and stunning design. It offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience, making it a must-visit for golf enthusiasts. Lahinch Golf Club is a private members’ club, and it is owned and managed by its members.

There are many notable golfers who were members of Lahinch not least John Burke who played Walker Cup in 1932 and won 11 South of Ireland, 8 Irish Close, 6 West of Ireland and one Irish Amateur Open championships.