Here are some important things to know about traveling to Ireland.

How to book reservations

Call (toll free: 800-523-0007) or email (info@golfpacinternational.com) us. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am through 5 pm. We'll customize your tour exactly how you'd like it. To begin the reservation process, we require a 30% deposit with full payment due 60 days prior to arrival.

When to book

We suggest planning your journey as far in advance as possible. Many of the most popular clubs in Ireland are private and tee times can be very limited. For best results, we recommend starting the reservation process at least one year prior to your proposed dates of travel. Ask a Golfpac representative for more details.

What to bring with you

Clothing:
Travel light, the less the better. We suggest enough clothes to make it halfway through your stay. Then have your laundry done. Most hotels offer laundry service; however, this service can be expensive. Essentials: A rain suit; hat; two pairs of waterproof golf shoes; a few sweaters (two light & one heavy); one sports jacket; two dress shirts; and one tie (certain clubs require a tie be worn in the clubhouse). For ladies, we recommend casual evening wear. Don't forget that wet weather is not uncommon, so bring your umbrella and rain gear. Most importantly, make sure to limit each person to one suitcase and one set of golf clubs as car rentals in Ireland can be smaller than what we're used to in the States.

Golf Bag:
We highly recommend traveling with a light carry golf bag in a canvas style carrying case. Large golf bags and hard carrying cases can cause problems when traveling and take up too much room in rental cars.

Handicap Certificate:
Some courses have handicap restrictions (see individual course descriptions for more details). Courses hold the right to refuse play if you cannot produce a valid handicap card below the acceptable limit. Make sure to carry your latest handicap card with you.

Other Things To Know

Time:
Ireland, like the rest of the United Kingdom, is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In the spring, the clock is moved forward one hour for British Summer Time, and in the fall, it is moved back again to GMT. In June and early July, it can stay light until 10 pm and after, especially in the north of Ireland. Ireland is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

When it is 12 noon in Dublin it is:
-7 am in New York, Montreal, Atlanta, and Miami
-6 am in Chicago, Dallas, and Winnipeg
-4 am in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver

Currency:
The Irish Pound has been replaced by the Euro – usually shown as €. The coins used are one Euro Cent, two Euro Cents, five Euro Cents, 10 Euro Cents, 20 Euro Cents, 50 Euro Cents and one or two Euro Dollars. The notes are five, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. In Northern Ireland, British currency is used. Exchange rates vary, but many shops will accept British pounds only. Irish banks are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am to four pm and on Thursday from 10 am to five pm.

Caddies:
Most golfers carry their own clubs or use a pull-cart. Electric carts, for the most part, do not exist. Caddies are available at the more famous courses and can be requested by Golfpac in advance. However, we cannot guarantee their availability. Caddy fees run from about € 25 to € 40 per person, plus tip.

Clubhouse Rules:
Many clubs have strict rules and restrictions. For example, many clubs require jacket & tie in the clubhouse. And, almost all clubs will not allow golf shoes (even spikeless) in the clubhouse.