One of Wicklow's classic links courses — undulating fairways, deep rough, gorse, sand hills and the full force of the Irish Sea breeze on the south Wicklow coast. Open to all golfers regardless of handicap since 1927.
Open to all; advance booking recommended, especially at weekends. No handicap certificate required.
Popular bar and kitchen by the harbour in Arklow.
Get directions →Coastal path along the headland with views of the Irish Sea.
Find out more →Arklow Golf Links was founded in 1927 and laid out by the respected design partnership of Hawtree & Taylor — a firm responsible for many of Britain and Ireland's finest links courses. Eddie Hackett, Ireland's most beloved golf architect, later enhanced the routing, adding his characteristic sensitivity to the natural terrain. The result is a course that feels wholly authentic: unmanicured in the best sense, with firm fast fairways that reward the ground game and punish the aerial approach.
At 6,516 yards and par 69, Arklow is not the longest test in Wicklow, but length is irrelevant here. The sea breeze — which can blow from almost any direction depending on the day — adds or subtracts several clubs on every hole. Deep rough, gorse bushes and sand hills that double as natural hazards demand accuracy off the tee. Find the fairway and you are in business; miss it and the links has a way of making recovery deeply uncomfortable.
It is one of Wicklow's most honest golfing experiences: no pretension, no corporate gloss — just a great piece of coastal land turned into a proper links by people who understood the game. The course is open to all golfers regardless of handicap, making it one of the most accessible quality links experiences in the county.
| Day | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | €75 | Weekday rate |
| Friday – Sunday | €85 | Weekend / Friday rate |
| Large weekday groups | From €50 per person | Contact club for group rates |
Always confirm current rates directly with the course before travelling. Rates shown are indicative and subject to seasonal change.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 69 | 6,516 | Full links test |
| Front 9 | — | 3,250 | — |
| Back 9 | — | 3,266 | — |
A deceivingly short par 4 that demands accuracy above all else. Gorse flanks both sides of the fairway from tee to green, leaving virtually no margin for error off the tee. Club down, find the short grass, and you have a birdie chance. Miss left or right and you're playing three from the tee. The quintessential links dilemma: how far do you carry the trouble?
The 9th brings the sea breeze to bear in its fullest force — a links par 3 with nowhere to hide. Club selection changes by several irons depending on wind direction and strength. There is something elemental about standing on this tee: just you, the ball, and whatever the Irish Sea has to say about it that day.
A mid-length dogleg par 4 that asks for a carry over rough ground to reach the ideal position on the fairway. Too safe and the angle to the green is blocked; too aggressive and the rough swallows the ball. One of the course's most strategically interesting holes — the kind of par 4 that old links architects loved.
No — Arklow Golf Links is open to all golfers regardless of handicap. This makes it one of the most accessible quality links experiences in Wicklow. Advance booking is recommended, particularly at weekends.
Arklow is a genuine links course — firm, fast fairways, deep rough, gorse, sand hills and the coastal breeze in play on every hole. Most of Wicklow's other courses are parkland or clifftop. If you want authentic links golf in the county without travelling to the Druids Glen/Powerscourt end, Arklow is the answer.
The original layout was designed in 1927 by Hawtree & Taylor — one of the most respected golf architecture partnerships in British and Irish golf. The course was later enhanced by Eddie Hackett, Ireland's most celebrated golf architect who worked on dozens of courses across the island during the mid-to-late twentieth century.
Approximately 70km via the N11/M11, taking about 60–70 minutes depending on traffic. Arklow is well signposted from the main road south.
Yes — large weekday groups can expect rates from approximately €50 per person. Contact the club directly on +353 402 32492 or via arklowgolflinks.com to arrange group bookings.
River-valley parkland in the Vale of Avoca — a beautiful contrast to the coastal links, just 15 minutes away.
Mature estate parkland on the Coollattin Estate — peaceful south Wicklow golf at excellent value.
Clifftop parkland with Irish Sea views from all 18 holes, 30 minutes north along the coast road.