DESTINATION GOLF 2026
Portumna
Galway
Located in Salthill and rising from the waters of Galway Bay, this is a golf club of rich history and tradition. Established in 1895, the course is drenched in bright gorse and dark pines. Holes start by the sea, with several water features, before you cross under the road and start to play the 14 holes rising and falling across the hillside. The space has been used to full effect, no doubt thanks to its original designer, the great Alister MacKenzie( 1926), who routed the course into the two loops you play today. There are several tight challenges and tough doglegs, and weaving your way through and around the trees will test you constantly. The greens here are excellent: they are slick and fast and will test the best with their strong shapes.
Portumna
The ancient forest which surrounds Portumna contrasts against the glorious estate of undulating terrain that flows within. This is parkland in every sense of the word, where mature oak, ash and beech trees wander across the landscape as casually as the deer which frequent the fairways. Here the holes all work perfectly together, establishing a lazy rhythm where the gentle changes in elevation are used to maximum effect. The sweetest of these are the par three 5th, which dives down between dark trees, and the par three 18th which plays from high tee to high green. Both promise delicious tee shots. Portumna is a big course that doesn’ t brag or show off. It has a sublimely effortless beauty to how it presents itself and the natural shaping of the greens is the epitome of this... so beware some interesting slopes. Exceptional value for money.
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