West Cork courses have plenty to offer golfers of all standards

West Cork has always been a popular destination or golf, and in 2026 there are some great membership options available for anyone looking to play or to join. 

From smaller nine hole clubs to 18 hole championship courses, there’s a wide choice available. 

Green fees are an ideal affordable option for casual golfers, while those who intend to play more frequently in 2026 could choose to join a club. And with some clubs offering distance membership, country membership and summer membership options, the prices start from just €120.

There are a dozen golf clubs to choose from in West Cork, stretching from the city limits all the way to the Beara Penninsula. 

Berehaven and Glengarriff are two popular nine hole courses at the far end of the county. 

Berehaven is the furthest west, and is a scenic seaside links on the shores of Bantry Bay. 

Water is visible all around and comes into play on three of the nine holes.

Berehaven has a very attractive membership offer for new members, paying just €120 in the first year and €240 in the second year. 

Full membership is €420 and the club have several distance membership options available. 

Although the current Berehaven club dates from 1985, golf on the Beara peninsula dates back to the 1890’s when Royal Berehaven Golf Club was laid out by British forces. 

The club also has camping facilities onsite providing a picturesque setting overlooking Bantry Bay.

Like many places in Cork, there are reports of many old courses in West Cork including Coosheen, Schull, Barleycove and even ones on Bere Island and Chapel Island. 

All are long now but the surviving courses include Glengarriff.

The course in Glengarriff can be seen from the main road with great views over Bantry Bay. 

The course dates back over 90 years and was originally part of the picturesque Lugdine Estate. 

Established in 1934 the club has deep roots in the local community as well as a growing country membership.

The clubhouse situated close to the village of Glengarriff was opened in 1989 by the late Hollywood film star Maureen O’Hara. 

Maureen like many other visitors to the area discovered an immediate connection to the stunning surroundings. 

She was very active in supporting the local community and helped to establish the ‘Maureen O’Hara Festival of Golf’, the longest running golf classic in Ireland.

Bantry Bay is an 18 hole championship course, and was designed by Eddie Hackett and Christy O’Connor. 

It was founded in 1975 by members of Glengarriff who had the aim of building a course for the town, and while they started with nine holes over 65 acres, the current layout extends to 170 acres with great views over the Bay. 

Membership is currently full in Bantry Bay but they do have a distance membership option which costs €450.

Skibbereen & West Carbery is another 18 hole course that has proved popular among locals and holidaymakers. 

Located just outside the town, it’s another Eddie Hackett design and stretches to just over 6,000 yards.

As well as offering attractive new joiner rates, Skibbereen launched an innovative scheme five years ago, offering new members a pay as you golf option. 

This was seen as a very positive development and was a hybrid between green fees and full membership. 

A base membership rate of €230 is charged and under this scheme members would pay a reduced green fee of €10. 

The scheme has the advantage of providing the member with a Golf Ireland handicap index and was launched prior to the Golf Ireland iGolf scheme.

Closer to Cork, Macroom had a big year in 2025 when they celebrated their centenary. 

The club is almost unique in that it’s accessed right in the middle of the town and the course is part of the historic Macroom Castle Demense. Originally a nine-hole course, it was extended to 18 holes in the 1908’s and since then has attracted a large number of golfers from the city. Macroom has a range of competitive membership rates and with the new Macroom bypass, accessing the club is much quicker for locals and those travelling from the city and western suburbs.

Membership is also open in Kinsale, Bandon, Lee Valley, Blarney, Clonakilty and Muskerry which are all popular courses within easy reach of the city suburbs. 

Joining a golf club also means you become a Golf Ireland member, giving you access to a handicap index and the opportunity to play in open competitions at other clubs. 

Details, including terms and conditions are available from each club.