Donegal’s Ultimate Links Marathon: 7 Courses in 7 Days (or 9 in 9 if You Go the Extra Mile!)
While most golf tourists battle for over-hyped tee times in Southwest Ireland, those in the know head straight to County Donegal. Tucked into the far northwest corner of the Wild Atlantic Way, Donegal boasts more untamed sand dunes and pure links turf per square mile than almost anywhere on earth.
Whether you're taking on the core 7-Day Expedition or pushing through the 9-Day "Extra Mile" Marathon, this itinerary pairs world-class championship links with the most breathtaking coastal hikes in Ireland.
The 7-Day / 9-Day "Tee & Trek" Master Itinerary
Day 1: Donegal Golf Club (Murvagh)
The Golf: Located on a secluded peninsula jutting into Donegal Bay, Murvagh is a massive, championship links layout. At over 7,400 yards from the tips, it’s a fair, outer-dune monster designed by Eddie Hackett and refined by Pat Ruddy.
The Vibe: Big-scale, quiet, pure links test with long views of the Blue Stack Mountains.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Slieve League Sea Cliffs
Distance: 5 km | Time: 2 hours
The Walk: Drive 45 minutes west to hike along Europe's highest accessible sea cliffs, plunging nearly 2,000 feet straight into the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 2: Narin & Portnoo Links
The Golf: Recently redesigned by Gil Hanse, this layout features one of the most visual and dramatic back nines in world golf, hugging the rocky edges of Gweebarra Bay.
The Vibe: Fun, highly artistic, and unforgettable seaside shot-making.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Dooey Beach Coastal Walk
Distance: 4 km | Time: 1 hour
The Walk: Walk the vast, golden beach sand spit across the bay, listening to Atlantic swells crash against the shore.
Day 3: Rosapenna Golf Resort (St. Patrick’s Links)
The Golf: Designed by Tom Doak, St. Patrick’s took the global golf world by storm upon opening. Weaving through wide, pristine sand dunes along Sheephaven Bay, it offers wide fairways and massive, undulating greens.
The Vibe: Bucket-list, modern world-top-100 championship links.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Ards Forest Park Coastal Trail
Distance: 6 km | Time: 1.5 hours
The Walk: Explore a rich ecosystem of pine forests, hidden beaches, and boardwalk paths along Sheephaven Bay.
The breathtaking 15th hole at St. Patrick’s Links.
“It is difficult to write with restraint about Rosapenna. The exceptional beauty of the surroundings is liable to interfere with unbiased criticism.”
Day 4: Rosapenna Golf Resort (Sandy Hills)
The Golf: Pat Ruddy’s modern masterpiece. Unlike its sister courses, Sandy Hills cuts straight through the center of massive, towering dunes, making every hole feel like its own isolated amphitheater.
The Vibe: Relentless, dramatic, and a true test of driving accuracy.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Horn Head Clifftop Walk
Distance: 5 km | Time: 1.5 hours
The Walk: A short drive around the bay leads to Horn Head, where 600-foot cliff faces offer panoramic views back across Rosapenna’s dunes.
The dramatic backdrop at Sandy Hills.
Day 5: Portsalon Golf Club
The Golf: Founded in 1891, Portsalon sits right on Ballymastocker Bay. The famous 2nd hole, requiring a heroic tee shot carrying an ocean cove onto a beachside fairway, is routinely voted one of Ireland's best.
The iconic 2nd hole over Ballymastocker Bay at Portsalon
The Vibe: High-drama beachside holes, rich history, and pure Irish hospitality.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Fanad Head Lighthouse Trail
Distance: 3 km | Time: 1 hour
The Walk: Head 15 minutes north to Fanad Head, exploring the rocky, windswept headland paths surrounding one of the world's most beautiful lighthouses.
Fanad Head Lighthouse
Day 6: Ballyliffin Golf Club (Glashedy Course)
The Golf: Located on the Inishowen Peninsula, this Irish Open host features towering dunes, deep pot bunkers, and dramatic views of Glashedy Rock rising from the sea.
The Vibe: Modern, formidable, championship links golf at its absolute finest.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Malin Head (Ireland’s Northernmost Point)
Distance: 4 km | Time: 1.5 hours
The Walk: Walk the wild coastal paths at Banba’s Crown, taking in stormy sea caves, natural arches, and rugged ocean blowholes.
Day 7: Rosapenna Golf Resort (Old Tom Morris Course)
Old Tom Morris course view from the clubhouse
The Golf: Completing the core 7-day tour back at Rosapenna, this classic layout dates back to 1893. Running along the coast of Sheephaven Bay, it offers traditional, running links golf that rewards short-game creativity.
The Vibe: Pure links nostalgia, traditional bump-and-run golf, and a classic clubhouse finish.
🥾 The Trek Pairing: Downings Bay Beach & Village Walk
Distance: 3 km | Time: 1 hour
The Walk: End your 7-day marathon with a gentle walk along Downings beach before heading into town for fresh seafood and a celebratory pint of stout.
🔥 Going the Extra Mile? The 9-Day Ultra Marathon
If 7 days aren't enough and you want the full, unfiltered Donegal experience, extend your trip by 48 hours to hit these two legendary layouts:
Day 8: Ballyliffin Golf Club (The Old Links)
The Golf: The original layout at Ballyliffin plays closer to the water than the Glashedy. The undulating, natural fairway contours ripple like ocean waves, creating a pure, old-world links experience.
🥾 The Trek: Glenevin Waterfall Walk a peaceful, 2 km woodland trail leading to a 40-foot waterfall tucked inside the Inishowen hills.
Ballyliffin Old Links with Glashedy Rock in the background
Day 9: Cruit Island Golf Club (The 9-Hole Cult Classic)
The Golf: Perched on a rocky peninsula in West Donegal, Cruit Island (pronounced Crit) is a world-renowned 9-hole links. Playing over sea cliffs and ocean coves, especially the iconic par-3 6th, it represents the raw soul of Irish golf.
🥾 The Trek: Mount Errigal Summit Climb - tackle Donegal’s iconic peak (751m) to look out over the entire coastline you just conquered over the past 9 days.
☘️ Tackling the North Coast?
When you’re standing on the dunes facing an Atlantic gale, you'll want gear built for the elements. Grab our official Tee & Trek Golf Cap before heading out.