Now's the time to plan a golf trip to Ireland

I’m in Scottsdale at the moment, but all the dreary wet weather outside my window at home has me dreaming of golf. No not Hawaii or Palm Springs or even Scottsdale. I’m talking about Ireland.

I really shouldn’t equate rain with Irish golf. My overseas friends will kill me (or at least quit feeding me Guinness). The truth is I’ve had mostly fabulous luck of the Irish when I’ve played golf in Ireland more than a half-dozen times over the last few years. I’ve never been rained out, although rounds at Ballyliffen, RosaPenna and Waterville were quite soggy. Many rounds – like the one at Ardglass Golf Club in Northern Ireland (see photo of the first tee above) – had many moments of sun.

Any way, if you’re even considering a trip overseas, now is the time to start doing the research and the planning. There are a handful of interesting packages to consider here.

I’ve experienced many of these places and I can’t really say a bad thing about one of them. Obviously, you don’t want to pick the K Club package if you’re looking strictly for links golf, but I can vouch that the beauty and pampering of the Straffan House is alone worth the trip. If I had to choose, I’d probably go for the Hidden Gems of the West. This is the region I’ve least explored, although I have seen the awesome wonder of the dunes of Enniscrone.

The debt crisis is still lingering in Ireland. Prices will never be more affordable than they are today. The Irish are always gracious hosts, but they’ll appreciate your business now more than ever. But don’t make the trip out of pity. Book it for a memory of a lifetime.