The dramatic Atlantic coastline of County Clare, Ireland, is home to Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg, a unique, world-class resort, that’s capturing the global golf spotlight due to its inclusions in the DP World Tour schedule with the Amgen Irish Open to be staged here in 2026. Originally designed by Greg Norman in 2002, this legendary links underwent a transformative multi-million-euro redesign by the renowned architect Dr. Martin Hawtree. Hawtree masterfully recontoured the greens, renovated and introduced new refined bunkering, and restructured the routing to significantly enhance both its visual definition and elite playability.

6th hole at Trump Doonbeg

As the chosen host venue for the immensely popular Amgen Irish Open on the DP World Tour, Doonbeg cements its status as an elite architectural masterpiece capable of testing the world’s finest golfers. Beyond the pristine fairways and towering sand dunes, the resort offers an unparalleled five-star experience featuring ultra-luxury lodge accommodations and premium hospitality. Positioned within easy driving distance of Shannon and Dublin airports, Doonbeg serves as the ultimate anchor for international golf travelers seeking an authentic Irish links itinerary alongside iconic neighboring courses like Lahinch and Ballybunion. This comprehensive review explores the stunning evolution of Doonbeg and what makes it a bucket-list destination.

The Rebirth of Doonbeg

Stepping Into the Sand Hills of Doughmore Bay

There is a specific moment when you realise you are standing somewhere truly extraordinary in the world of golf. For me, it happened the second I stepped onto the first tee at Trump International Doonbeg. Looking out over the towering sand dunes of Doughmore Bay, with the Atlantic spray hanging crisp in the air, the sheer scale of the landscape is enough to make even the most seasoned golf traveller take a quiet breath.

 

When Greg Norman first sculpted these links in 2002, his philosophy was to let nature dictate the layout. Yet, nature can be a volatile partner. While the setting was undeniably spectacular from day one, the original routing suffered from a few disjointed walks and heavily debated architecture—most notably, a frustrating pot bunker cut directly into the center of the 12th green. The real turning point came in 2014, when catastrophic winter storms battered the Clare coastline, washing away the iconic, short par-3 14th hole entirely. To rescue and elevate the property, the Trump ownership brought in Dr. Martin Hawtree, the architectural mastermind who had famously modernised nearby Lahinch and had designed Trump International, Aberdeen, under the Trump brand.

The Genius of Martin Hawtree’s Redesign

Walking the fairways during my recent visit, the brilliance of Hawtree’s multi-year overhaul—completed in 2016—is everywhere you look. He didn’t just repair the storm damage; he completely reimagined how the course communicates with the golfer.

• Greens and Run-Offs: The most profound change I felt underfoot was around the greens. Hawtree stripped away Norman’s punishing, hacking rough and replaced it with sophisticated chipping areas and sweeping run-offs. On the breathtaking par-5 1st hole, which plays into a massive amphitheater of dunes, the re-contoured green now rewards a creative ground game. I found myself agonising over whether to pull a putter, a wedge, or a low bump-and-run—the ultimate hallmark of classic links design.

• Strategic Bunkering: The bunker styling has been totally transformed. Gone are the severe, drop-off hazards of the early 2000s. Hawtree introduced fairer sand hazards with softer, beautifully revetted faces that test your strategy rather than simply executing a maximum penalty. And that central bunker on the 12th green? Mercifully gone, replaced by a beautifully rolling surface that demands absolute purity in your green reading.

• The New 14th Hole: My favourite stretch of the day culminated at the brand-new 14th. Rebuilt entirely from scratch, this par-3 plays from an elevated tee box directly toward the resort’s luxury lodge. Playing into a stiff crosswind and having to aim into the ocean and watching your ball hang against the backdrop of the crashing Atlantic surf here is a shot I won’t soon forget.

Old-World Grandeur: The Off-Course Experience

After surviving 18 holes in the Atlantic breeze, retreating to the resort’s accommodation felt less like going to a hotel room and more like entering an exclusive country estate. The luxury lodge is designed around a spectacular, old-world courtyard with classic furniture and cosy enclaves to relax and reflect on your round.

Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland Doonbeg – Doughmore bar

Hotel interior image

Our 4 bed cottage blended rustic Irish warmth with elite luxury, featuring a full kitchen, living room and four enormous bedrooms with exquisite en-suite bathrooms  was a welcome sight after a day on the coast. Every detail is cared for in the accommodation and had it not been the middle of the 2026 summer heatwave I would have been very happy hunkering down for a few hours in the comfort and luxury of the cottage.

Between the therapeutic thermal suites at the White Horses Spa and a spectacular Trump’s Bar and Resturant dinner overlooking the 18th green, the off-course hospitality mirrors the elite standard of the fairways.

The food is prepared to perfection and caters for a wide variety of tastes and cultures, although the bias is slightly towards the American appetite for good reason!

A Statement of Intent: The 2026 Amgen Irish Open

My visit made one thing abundantly clear, Doonbeg is ready for the grandest stage. Hosting the 2026 Amgen Irish Open (10–13 September) is an undeniable statement of intent for the venue. Marking the first time this historic DP World Tour event will be held here, it serves as the ultimate validation of Hawtree’s design work and will offer a test unlike any other on the DP World Tour schedule.

If the wind from the Atlantic coastline raises to its normal 3 club test this course will require exceptional course strategy and ball-striking prowess to compete for a top spot.

 

The anticipation on the ground is already electric. The dunes create elevated vantage points for spectators to watch a stellar, world-class field tackle the challenging terrain under tournament pressure, which promises pure drama. Local fans will undoubtedly pack the fairways to watch home favorites Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry lead the charge. They will be joined by international heavyweights like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, alongside Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, Pádraig Harrington, and Seamus Power. Doonbeg is built for big moments, and September will provide a spectacular test.

2026 Amgen Irish Open Quick Facts

Dates: 10 – 13 September 2026
Field Stars: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm,
Tyrrell Hatton, Luke Donald,
Pádraig Harrington, Seamus Power

Logistics and the Ultimate Southwest Swing

For international travelers looking to follow in my footsteps, reaching this coastal paradise is remarkably straightforward:

• From Shannon Airport: A highly convenient, scenic 45-minute drive through the Clare countryside.
• From Dublin Airport: A comfortable 3-hour journey via well-maintained motorways ($M7/M18$).

For American visitors planning a golf pilgrimage to the West Coast of Ireland, Doonbeg serves as the perfect anchor for a legendary itinerary. Within easy driving distance is Lahinch Golf Club—often called the “St Andrews of Ireland”—famed for its classic Old Tom Morris routing. Just a short ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary sits Ballybunion Golf Club, home to some of the most revered, world-ranked links holes on earth. Together, they form an elite trilogy of Irish golf that no serious player should miss.