Wicklow golf is possible year-round, but some months are dramatically better than others. Here's an honest, practical breakdown of every season — so you can plan your visit for the right combination of weather, daylight, course conditions and value.
If you only want one sentence: the best months to play golf in County Wicklow are May, June, September and October. These four months offer the best balance of settled weather, long daylight hours (or, in September and October, plenty of daylight alongside better value), firmer course conditions and — outside of peak summer — fewer crowds at the top resort courses.
July and August are the warmest months and have the longest days, but they're also peak tourist season — green fees are at their highest, tee times are hardest to secure, and the weather, while warmer, is not reliably dry. Ireland in August is pleasant rather than guaranteed.
With that said, every season has something to offer in Wicklow — and the county is blessed with courses ranging from exposed coastal links to sheltered river valley parkland, which means there is almost always somewhere playable regardless of conditions.
| Month | Avg High Temp | Daylight (approx.) | Green Fees | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | Dark by 4:30pm | Low / Winter rates | Poor–Fair |
| February | 8°C | Dark by 5:30pm | Low / Winter rates | Fair |
| March | 10°C | Light until 7pm | Low–Mid | Fair–Good |
| April | 13°C | Light until 8:30pm | Mid / Spring rates | Good |
| May | 16°C | Light until 9:30pm | Mid–High | Excellent |
| June | 18°C | Light until 10pm+ | High / Peak | Excellent |
| July | 19°C | Light until 10pm | High / Peak | Very Good |
| August | 19°C | Light until 9pm | High / Peak | Very Good |
| September | 17°C | Light until 7:30pm | Mid / Autumn rates | Excellent |
| October | 13°C | Light until 6pm | Mid–Low | Very Good |
| November | 10°C | Dark by 4:30pm | Low / Winter rates | Fair |
| December | 7°C | Dark by 4pm | Low / Winter rates | Poor–Fair |
Temperature figures are approximate averages for coastal Wicklow. Mountain courses (Tulfarris, Macreddin, Roundwood) run 2–3°C cooler. Rainfall data: Wicklow coast averages approx. 800mm annually; mountain areas can receive significantly more.
Spring is when Wicklow golf wakes up. March can still be raw and blustery — course closures after winter frost or waterlogging are possible, particularly on low-lying parkland — but by April the courses are open consistently, the trees are coming into leaf, and the days are getting noticeably longer. By May, you're playing in near-ideal conditions.
March offers value — winter rates at most clubs, few visitors, and the mountain scenery is striking in its bleakness. But go prepared for cold wind and soft ground. Waterproofs and layering are non-negotiable.
April is a significant step up. The parkland courses — Druids Glen, Powerscourt, Woodenbridge — look spectacular when the bluebells and wild garlic are out in the woodland floor. Ground conditions firm up, green speeds improve, and the evenings extend to 8:30pm. Green fees begin to move toward mid-season rates, but remain considerably cheaper than peak summer.
May is arguably the single best month for golf in Wicklow. The trees are in full leaf, the courses are in pristine spring condition, daylight extends past 9:30pm (allowing evening rounds after a morning of tourism), temperatures are pleasant (average 16°C on the coast), and the courses haven't yet hit peak summer pricing. Book well ahead for the top resort courses — May weekends fill fast.
The long Irish summer days are one of Wicklow's great gifts to visiting golfers. In June, daylight lasts until 10pm or later — meaning it is perfectly possible to book a 6pm tee time, play 18 holes, and still see the sun setting over the Irish Sea. This is a genuinely special experience and one of the compelling reasons to come in summer despite the higher green fees.
June is excellent all round — long days, good weather odds, courses in top condition, and the county hasn't yet reached the full crush of August tourism. It's the sweet spot of summer.
July and August are warmer but busier and more expensive. Tee times at Druids Glen and Powerscourt in particular need to be booked weeks in advance for weekend slots. The upside is that course conditions are often at their firmest — links-style running golf is possible at Arklow and the coastal courses, and the parkland courses play fast. If you're coming in August, book everything in advance and consider midweek for better availability and lower rates.
One note on summer weather: Ireland does not guarantee sunshine in July. Average July temperatures in coastal Wicklow are around 19°C, which is pleasant, but rain is always possible. A day in August can be warm, calm and beautiful; the next can be grey and showery. Bring waterproofs regardless of the forecast and treat a dry day as a bonus rather than a given.
September is Wicklow golf at its very finest, and it is consistently underrated by visitors who default to summer. The courses are in excellent condition after the growing season, the trees are turning (particularly spectacular in the wooded valleys around Druids Glen, Woodenbridge and the Vale of Avoca), green fees drop to autumn rates, and the summer crowds have thinned. Days are still long enough — light until 7:30pm in early September — to play a comfortable 18 holes after a late afternoon start.
October extends this picture further into autumn, with shorter days (dark by 6pm by mid-month) but often surprisingly settled weather. The heather on the Wicklow Mountains at Sally Gap blooms purple from August into September, making the mountain drives spectacular. The parkland courses in their autumn colours — golden, copper and rust — are some of the most photographed golf scenes in Wicklow.
October also brings the best value of any playable month. Winter rates begin at many clubs, crowds are minimal, and it is often possible to secure tee times at short notice even at the top courses. If you're flexible on dates and primarily driven by value and atmosphere over guaranteed sunshine, October is an outstanding choice.
Winter golf in Wicklow is possible, but it requires realistic expectations. Daylight is the main constraint — in January, it is dark by 4pm, which means a round started before noon must be completed efficiently to guarantee finishing in daylight. The mountain courses (Tulfarris, Macreddin, Roundwood) can be closed or restricted after heavy frost or snow; the coastal and low-lying parkland courses are more resilient.
The upside is price. Green fees at winter rates can represent extraordinary value — Druids Glen and Powerscourt both offer significantly reduced rates in the winter months, and many of the mid-tier courses drop to €20–30 per round. For local golfers and those who don't mind cold and shorter days, this is when Wicklow offers its best deals.
If you're planning a winter round, stick to the sheltered parkland courses on calm days — Woodenbridge, Druids Glen (if open) and Blainroe are good choices. The exposed links at Arklow can be brutal in a January south-westerly. Book a morning tee time to maximise daylight, bring full waterproofs, and plan a warm pub or restaurant for afterwards.
Wicklow has two distinct weather zones that every visiting golfer should understand. The east coast — from Bray down through Greystones, Wicklow Town and Arklow — benefits from the relative shelter of the Irish Sea and tends to be drier and warmer than the mountain interior. Annual rainfall on the coast averages around 800mm.
The mountain courses — particularly Tulfarris on the shores of the Blessington Lakes, Macreddin in its valley, and Roundwood — sit at higher elevation and receive significantly more rainfall. They can also be considerably windier. If rain is forecast on the coast, expect heavier rain in the mountains. Plan accordingly: if the weather is uncertain, the coastal courses are always the safer bet for a comfortable round.
Wind deserves a separate mention. The links courses — Arklow, and the forthcoming Brittas Bay Club — are exposed to the prevailing south-westerly wind off the Irish Sea. A calm forecast can shift to a stiff breeze by mid-afternoon. Check the wind forecast (not just the rain) before booking at a links course. Our live weather page shows a 5-day forecast updated daily.