Jameson Golf Links Course Review

Jameson Golf Links Fact File:

• Location: Jameson Golf Links is the next-door neighbour to Portmarnock north of the city centre and just 15 minutes from the airport
• Year Established: 1850/1995
• Par: 72
• Length (yards): 7215
• Green Fees (weekdays): €305
• Signature Hole: For the history, the views and the size of the green we’ll go with the 9th
• Website: portmarnock.com

In the 1850s John Jameson, of the famous whiskey family, had nine holes set out in the dunes which ran all the way to the iconic 15th hole of its now more-famous neighbour, Portmarnock. 

He would then lease land to the founder members of the course which may well host The Open in the coming year and the course would open in 1894. 

Jameson would then become President of Portmarnock and his original nine-holer would slip away.

Fast forward to 1992 and work was started on what would become Portmarnock Links, which would be designed by Bernhard Langer (maybe more in name only) and more likely Stan Eby of European Golf Design. It would open for play in 1995 with three (8, 9 and 15) of the Jameson Course fed into the new course. Construction work began on the hotel the same year and Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links opened the following year.

In the autumn of 2023 it was rebranded to Jameson Golf Links, with the Portmarnock Resort included in all the branding. From a distance there has always been some confusion over the similar names and there will always be comparisons with what is one of the world's best courses. Now there is a clear understanding that this is a separate entity, owned and managed by different people, with Canadian investors purchasing the hotel in 2021. They wanted to make significant improvements to the course and make far more of the hugely impressive duneland on the back nine and now we have Jameson Golf Links.

Jameson Golf Links Review

So what do the recent changes involve? Jeff Lynch of (re)GOLF is a lesser-known Irish designer but he was appointed to reroute and improve the last 10 holes, with new tees and greens, as well as accommodate a new irrigation lake. 

The overall plan was to give the golfer more of a view (and sound) of the Irish Sea, the Velvet Strand and the nearby islands. The majority of the east-coast Irish links play under the dunes so tees and greens were raised. The whole look of the course takes on a different aesthetic and look from the 8th tee and the land moves up several notches. 

The work here was a phenomenal effort in its initial stages with six holes being built in just four months. Previously three par 3s all played in the same north-south direction, and therefore side on, so that was amended. Now the new 9th and 15th are pointed back towards the water.

“I really like the new 9th as it is a complete change in direction from the other par 3s and draws your attention to the coastline,”explains Lynch. “The green is one of the largest on the course, with some bold contours to help a player to certain hole locations or make for some fun recovery shots. Unlike the west coast, the wind here is not predominantly from one direction, which adds a bit more variation.” 

Other notable changes take place at the 10th which runs parallel to the sea. The hole itself hasn't been altered too much but, due to the new position of the 9th green, the coastline walk to the tee is a very different one. Two holes later there are some very funky bunkers at what is now a par 5 which features a raised green,

The 13th has moved from a 5 to a par 4 and looks very natural and sits between a pair of new par 5s to make a very strong backbone to the back nine with 13 being the Stroke Index 1 on the card.

The penultimate hole also has a change of par with previously unused ground behind the former green turning what was a short hole into a sporty par 4.

Then the 18th is a brilliant closing hole, a slight left-to-right dogleg, which completes a very strong run for home.

The opening eight holes are more gentle in appearance, with less dramatic ground and holes surrounded by pot bunkers. The opening tee shot is a fascinating one with the cemetery that houses many of the Jameson family sitting to the right of the fairway and, from there, it is a very decent collection of holes but you will certainly have your senses heightened and your game tested far more in the final 10 holes.

This really is prime golfing territory and the hopes of Jameson Golf Links are that it can make a name for itself int its own right rather than be the club down the road from Portmarnock.

Final Verdict

What Jameson Golf Links can boast that Portmarnock can't is the four-star hotel and spa which make for a very comfortable retreat after 18 holes. Here there are three dining outlets, including the historic Jameson Bar, and no need for any transfers with the 1st tee just minutes from where you've just had your Full Irish Breakfast. 

The original idea for the course was to bring in more tourists. The setting speaks for itself but it is also perfectly located with Dublin Airport just 10 miles west. With the likes of Portmarnock, The Island Club and Royal Dublin being more established and having busy memberships there was less opportunity for golfers to find tee times in this corner of Dublin and this was why the course was brought back to life in the mid 90s.

Since then, and particularly in the past few years, the course has changed both in name and appearance. 

Time will tell how it's received and which way it heads in the rankings but it's certainly a very strong contender to complement any trip to the Dublin area and certainly a superb base for any stay. If you were to look at the various packages offered then it certainly whets the appetite for any future golf trip planned.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

For more information, please visit the club's website here