
Howth Course
Howth Golf Club

About this course
Howth Golf Club sits on the peninsula northeast of Dublin, occupying elevated heathland with views across Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea. Established in 1916, the course was designed by James Braid, the five-time Open Champion whose portfolio includes numerous layouts across Ireland and Britain. The routing takes advantage of the natural contours of the headland, with several holes playing along ridges and others descending into valleys, creating variety in stance and perspective throughout the round. The course measures just over 6,000 yards from the back tees and features the gorse, heather, and firm turf characteristic of Irish heathland golf. Braid's design emphasizes strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward accurate approach play, with the wind off the sea a frequent factor in club selection. The opening holes move inland before the routing turns toward the coastline, where players encounter more exposed terrain and broader vistas. The closing stretch returns toward the clubhouse with several holes that demand precise iron play to elevated or angled greens. Howth remains a members' club with a traditional Irish golf atmosphere, accessible to visitors by arrangement. Its proximity to Dublin makes it a convenient option for those seeking a classic parkland-heathland hybrid experience without traveling far from the city center. The course has hosted regional amateur competitions over the decades and continues to serve as a test of shot-making for golfers familiar with seaside conditions.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in Ireland
Best in Dublin
Quick facts
- Location
- Sutton, Dublin, IE
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1916
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- James Braid
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 5,700 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.3/130
- Course Vaults score
- 7.6
Getting there
The journey to Howth Golf Club begins at Dublin Airport (DUB), Ireland's primary international gateway, situated roughly nine kilometres north of the city centre; from there, a scenic twenty-minute drive northeast carries you through Dublin's coastal suburbs and into the windswept promontory of Howth Head, where the club sits perched above the Irish Sea. The final approach winds through narrow country lanes lined with gorse and coastal heather, offering glimpses of Dublin Bay and the distant Wicklow Mountains before arriving at the clubhouse, which commands sweeping views across the water toward Lambay Island. For those arriving by private aviation, Weston Airport (near Lucan, west of Dublin) provides a discreet alternative, though Dublin Airport remains the most direct entry point for international visitors. The transition from urban Dublin to this clifftop sanctuary - a journey of mere kilometres yet worlds apart in atmosphere - sets the tone for a round played on one of Ireland's most storied and dramatically situated links.

FAQ
Common questions about Howth
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Howth has a Course Vaults score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 17 logged golfers.
Howth was designed by James Braid.
Yes. Howth is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Howth is 71.
Howth plays 5,700 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Howth is 130.





