Tullamore

The game of golf first came to Tullamore in the mid-1880s, with play happening across multiple venues before the club was officially founded in 1896.

This happened after the move to Ballykilmurray Racecourse, where a 9-hole course was constructed, along with a small pavilion. The club moved once more, just a decade later, to Screggan, and would stay there for 20 years.

In 1926, the club made the move to Brookfield – its third official location. Twelve years later, the great James Braid was brought in, and he suggested wholesale changes, including four new holes. The work would take seven years, with the 18th green the last piece of the puzzle to be completed, in 1945.

Thanks to the club having celebrated a century since its move to Brookfield in 2026, the course has transformed itself into a mature parkland over that time, with oak, beech and chestnut trees lining the fairways. A burn, which meanders its way across the property, also comes into play at several points throughout a round. From the tips, this par 70 layout plays to just shy of 6,500 yards, with a trio of par 5s and five par 3s as part of your journey around Tullamore.

It is a gentle start, with a 360-yard par 4 to get you on your way. The green is well protected, but the generous fairway off the first tee eases you into a round. The 2nd is the first of the par 3s at Tullamore, and at 176 yards, it requires a solid swing early on, especially with a quartet of bunkers around the putting surface. The first of the tough par 4s, and there are several, comes at 3. It is 435 yards from the tips, and moves slightly round to the right, around the trees. Anything mishit off the tee will leave you in trouble.

The par 5s on the front nine come at 4 and 7. Both are just under 500 yards, with the former being the better scoring opportunity. It moves slightly to the right, but a good drive, aimed towards the 13th green, will give a good angle to the flag, especially for those thinking of going for it in two. The 7th is more difficult, playing as a strong dog-leg right around water. Anything landing on the inside corner of the dog-leg will find itself in the hazard. The 5th is like 7, in the fact that there is water on the inside corner of the right-turning hole. However, it is a 440-yard par 4, meaning it requires two very good shots to get home.

There is a trio of par 3s around the turn – at 6, 9 and 12. The former is 190 yards, and features a trio of bunkers around the green. The 9th is the shortest hole on the property at just 145 yards from the tips. However, the difficulty lies in the fact that there are six traps surrounding the green. The 12th is some 50 yards longer than 9, and again, there is sand everywhere, making it a very difficult approach with a long iron or more in hand. 8 and 11 are short par 4s that offer birdie chances, while the 10th is tough. It pushes 400 yards, the tee shot plays over water, and a quartet of bunkers guard the putting surface.

You then get into the toughest stretch of holes at Tullamore, and it takes you all the way through to the clubhouse. 13, 14, 16 and 18 are all par 4s of more than 400 yards. The former is the shortest of those at 402 yards, but the tee shot is played over the burn that runs through the property. The 14th is the Stroke Index 1 on the course, and it isn’t difficult to see why. At 475 yards, and moving from left to right around the property boundary, so many things can go wrong here. 15 might be a scoring opportunity, but only if you hit three good shots. It is the longest hole on the course, and the last of the par 5s at Tullamore. At 450 yards, it really does require your best, especially is you lay up short of the burn off the tee.

At 420 yards, the 16th is a tough dog-leg left at the southern end of the course. The tee shot must be long enough to reach the corner to then give yourself a view of the green. 17 is the last of the par 3s, and at 180 yards, it is another than will require at least a mid-to-long iron for your approach. The closing hole at Tullamore is a 450-yard par 4 that moves from left to right around the trees. Once again, the burn comes into play, but most will be able to fire their tee shots past it. Aim down the left side to provide the best angle to the green, though this will add some distance on to your approach to the last.

Where is Tullamore Golf Club located?

Tullamore Golf Club sits in the very centre of the Republic of Ireland, just to the south of the town of Tullamore. It is in the borough of Brookfield, which sits in County Offaly. The golf club is within 65 miles of the Irish capital city of Dublin, along the M4.

The venue is within just a few miles from Tullamore Station, which sits on the line that runs from Dublin Hueston in the east, through to both Westport and Ballina in the west, with regular services running in both directions. For international visitors to Ireland, Dublin Airport is 70 miles from Tullamore and is the busiest airport in the country.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?

As it sits in the heart of the country, Tullamore is somewhat on its own compared to venues on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list. Royal Curragh is the nearest, but that is still 30 miles away to the east. The Montgomerie Course at Carton House, Carlow and the K Club’s Palmer North Course are all within 50 miles of Tullamore.

What golf facilities does Tullamore Golf Club offer?

There is not a driving range at Tullamore, but there is a small practice area to the side of the 18th hole. There is also a putting green in front of the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Tullamore Golf Club? 

The price of a green fee at Tullamore Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Tullamore, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).

Visit Tullamore's website here (opens in a new tab).

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