Every golf course... even the best links, which have been around for almost 150 years, is open to visitors, in the West of Ireland. 

This gives Ireland a clear edge over Scotland and Britain, where some of the best courses remain private. Imagine being able to play the best courses in America-Augusta National, Oakmont, Winged Foot.

Odds are, unless you have a lot of money, or a rich and well-connected uncle, you'll never even get onto the grounds of these places.

But in Ireland, you can play the best of the best. The attached link gives you a wider view of golf in the local region of Connacht. 

As Pat Ruddy, Ireland's leading golf architect, says, "The Irish still view golf as a game of the people. We don't view it as a business opportunity or a game of the elite. We view it as a game that can be played by all, the rich alongside the poor."

Of course, great links golf is not the only reason to travel all the way to Ireland....