Founded in 1893 by a Scottish Regiment of British Army officers stationed in Limerick, Lahinch with its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways and rolling greens is the perfect example of a true Irish links. Set in the sand dunes of west Co. Clare and bounded by the vast expanse of the mighty Atlantic ocean, it is indeed a humbling experience to play this historic links. Originally designed by 'Old' Tom Morris of St. Andrews and extensively revised by Dr. Alastair MacKenzie in 1928 it inspired both these great men. Morris has been quoted as saying, "I consider the links as fine a natural course as it has ever been my good fortune to play over", while MacKenzie, a man responsible for the design of such American greats as Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and Augusta National, said of Lahinch, "Lahinch will make the finest and most popular course that I, or I believe anyone else, ever constructed". Sweeping statements indeed, but Lahinch does not disappoint. A second course, The Castle, was added in 1975, but it is the old course that includes the real gems. Two of the most famous holes in golf reside here. The Klondyke, a par five, features a drive into a scenic valley from where you then have to play a blind 200-yarder over a monstrous sand dune to the oasis of safety that is the green. The Dell is a par three that inspires either delight or desperation but always awe at its natural beauty. You play your tee shot onto a green that is straddled front and back by sand dunes. The pin position, not visible from the tee box is indicated by the placement of a stone on the bank of the near dune. It is an anxious walk over the dune in anticipation of what lies beyond.
Lahinch is another jewel in the Irish golfing crown.