Discover the best golf courses in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

Golfers have been enjoying the course at Esker Hills Golf Club since 1885, and although it is the home club of Irish pro Shane Lowry, it still remains one of the best-kept golfing secrets in Ireland. When designing the course, Christy O’Connor Jr chose a light touch, opting for little earth movement to allow the environment's natural obstacles to shine through – think glacial ridges creating tricky valleys and unexpected elevation changes. 

Another impressive feature in Christy O'Connor Jr's portfolio is the 18-hole parkland course in Glasson Golf Club. The front nine serve as a lovely warm-up that eases you into your round before things ramp up in the back nine. Here, you'll need thoughtful play to overcome the calculated bunkers and the several water hazards that threaten to sink your ball. But, no matter how your round goes, the views of Lough Ree and Killinure Bay, and the smooth rolls on the green make the tricky par fives, varied terrain and challenging tournament layout worth the potential heartache. 

How often can you say that you played golf alongside ancient ring forts and abbey ruins? Mount Temple Golf Club may have only opened its doors in 1991, but it holds constant reminders of the country's long history. Built on a dry esker, the course takes full advantage of its natural elements. Holes run up and down tricky hills, requiring precise strokes, while large natural greens and unruly fairways will test your skill and strategy.

As one of only eight PGA National designated resorts in the world, Slieve Russell Golf Club in Cavan makes for a memorable round for any level of golfer. The course's architect, Patrick Merrigan, leaned into the county's trademark terrain by wrapping its layout around drumlins and lakes to create a rollercoaster of a course. From the outside, the gentle rolling landscape may ease you into a false sense of security, but you'll soon realise that the deep slopes, open bunkers, multi-level greens and 50 acres of lakes will punish any wayward shots.  

One of the latest additions to historic Farnham Estate's 1,300-acre property is the golf club. The 18-hole parkland course is effectively split in two, with each half serving a different experience. New golfers can take it handy on the open meadows on the front nine, while the back nine cuts through dense woodland to up the ante for seasoned players. However, both sides of the course share a clean, contemporary design that includes seven lakes, well-positioned bunkers, tree-lined fairways and relatively smooth greens. 

With views of Lough Derg, fairways lined with mature trees and resident deer that occasionally join golfers on the course, it's easy to mistake Portumna Golf Club for just a pretty face. However, underneath its natural beauty, the well-maintained course poses several dilemmas for even the most experienced of golfer. The par-72 course comes in at nearly 6,500 yards long and features everything from blind shots and elevated tees to fast greens and strategic bunkering. If you can master them, you're golden. 

For more views of Lough Ree, make your way to nearby Athlone Golf Club which is bounded by the peaceful lake on three sides. The parkland course provides great golfing throughout the year, with plenty of challenges to keep you on your toes. It sets out its stall on the first hole, with an elevated tee looking down a tree-lined fairway, followed by a tricky approach shot to a raised green to finish. It’s the first of many daunting holes on a course that is all about risk and reward.

Founded in 1903 as a nine-hole course and later extended to 18 holes in 1991, Roscommon Golf Club has continuously found new ways to challenge golfers ever since. While the layout includes just fairways and true greens (for the most part), new features such as cleverly placed trees and water features provide scenic touches and additional hazards which may make you rethink your approach.