Nestled along the stunning east coast of Ireland, Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club (L&B) offers a classic links experience that is both challenging and rewarding. Though it may not have the global recognition of some of Ireland’s more famous links courses, it is a true hidden gem, steeped in history and full of character. Our visit to L&B, coupled with a stay at the D Hotel in Drogheda, proved to be a memorable golfing adventure.
A Rich History and Warm Welcome
The origins of Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club date back to 1909, though golf had been played on this land long before. In the 1880s, a passionate Scottish golfer, Tom Gilroy, created a four-hole course near his home. However, the course was plagued by rabbits, leading Gilroy to abandon it and later help establish County Louth Golf Club (Baltray) in 1892.
Upon our arrival at L&B, we were initially disappointed to learn that the General Manager, David Reilly, was unable to join us. However, the club’s Head Professional, Gavin Byrne, quickly arranged for us to play with three welcoming members—Tom, Ken, and Bernard—in the Wednesday Open Stableford. This was a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable local knowledge and avoid the potential delays of being at the back of a competition.
The Links Experience
Laytown & Bettystown offers a par-71 layout that ranges from 5,602 to 6,426 yards, depending on the tee selection. Due to the competition, we played from a mix of tees, adding an element of unpredictability to the round. The opening hole started on a high note, with a well-played birdie. However, the course quickly revealed its true nature—demanding, strategic, and full of tricky run-off areas around the greens.
Approach to The Strand
The second hole, The Strand, at just under 320 yards, should be a birdie chance. As you can see, it’s quite difficult to judge your approach to a green that sits on your horizon. We hit 3 wood off the tee, then a wedge to the green, but we were on the back edge. The 30-foot downhill left to right putt came up short as we were afraid of putting off the green and down the slope. We also missed the one for par. A 3-putt bogey. The green slopes and the run-off areas were to be a significant feature on many of the holes.
Trick Shot
Bottleneck
The fourth, Bottleneck, was a par 5. At 480 yards, we thought it was a birdie chance. This was to be an incorrect assumption. Our tee shot was slightly left and careered into a bunker face. Our second shot was a trick shot. The ball was perched at the top of the steep bunker face, about an inch from falling back in. Our stance was creative, to say the least. We chose a 3 hybrid and had a swipe at it without any lower body movement. Surprisingly, we made good contact, much to the amazement of our playing partners, and knocked it 200 yards up the hill towards the green. Our luck would be short-lived as we duffed our chip and ended up with a bogey 6.
Approach to The Mournes
The 5th hole, The Mournes, is one of those holes where positioning your ball on the fairway is key. At 354 yards, it’s not long. The fairway goes from left to right and is partially obscured by a dune on the right. We again went with 3 wood off the tee and cut the corner. We ended up only a couple of yards from a deep bunker but in a great position. From there, we hit a good 7 iron to a green that sat above us. Two putts and another par.
Difficult Par 3
Aliera
The 6th hole, Aliera, is the first of the par 3’s. At 166 yards, the wind off the sea was into and out of our right. We went with 5 iron to ensure we were up. The wind didn’t affect our shot, and we missed the green pin high to the right. Another duffed chip and we had our first double bogey of the round. It’s a green you can’t miss, left or right, short or long. If you are going to miss it, miss it short as you can putt it from there.
Warren
The 7th is a cracking hole. Named Warren, from the elevated tee, you can see the hole laid out in front of you. At 380 yards, it’s not long, but you have to hit the fairway. We decided to hit our 3 hybrid as the fairway narrows the further you go. A poor strike clipped the tree and disappeared to the right into the dunes. We had two go’s with a sand wedge to get it onto the fairway, an 8 iron to the green and two putts, and we had our second double bogey in a row!
The Hen Pen
The second par 3 on the front nine, Hen Pen, is another difficult hole. At 190 yards, it’s slightly uphill with the wind out of the left. We went with a 5 iron and came up short and left. A poor chip and we walked off with a bogey. A par at the ninth and we had reached the turn in six over. Not great and not impressing our playing partners. Hopefully our golf would be better on the back nine.
Heading Home
Things began to look up as we started the run home with two pars at ten and eleven. The final par 3, the 12th, was a bit of a shock. We thought the first two were difficult, we couldn’t even see the pin or most of the green on the 12th.
Where is the Hole on The Quarry?
The 12th, The Quarry, was playing around 175 yards. The green is above you, and you can’t see most of it, only a sliver on the left. We couldn’t see the pin unless we walked to our left. It was hidden behind a dune on the right. We hit our 3 hybrid as the wind was into and out of our right. Our tee shot ended up on the top of the embankment on the left centre of the green. The chip down was good, but it ran on, and we missed the putt. Four over for the three par 3’s. We told you they were difficult!!
Approach to Lighthouse
Many members consider the 13th, Lighthouse, to be L&B’s signature hole. At 414 yards, you can’t see where you are going on this hole. You can see a bit of the fairway from the tee. The hole goes from right to left. Find the fairway, and the photo above is your second shot. The green is guarded by a bunker on the left and a red staked area on the right. We hit a very good driver here, thanks to a line from our members, and a wedge, downhill to the green. We made an easy par, but this hole can easily wreck your score.
Hardest Hole
The 15th hole, Lars, is the hardest and the longest par 4 on the course at 460 yards. The line off the tee is up the right side; however too far right and you will be in heavy rough and possibly among the pine trees. We managed to hit the fairway and found the green with a 5 iron. Three pars in a row and only one over on the back nine. Two more pars at 16 and 17 and we stood on the last tee, with a par for 36 back and one over.
Playing the Last
Now, normally, we would have a photo of the last hole. However, from the tee on this 480-yard par 5, you can only see a couple of bunkers and a bit of the right-hand side of the fairway. We hit a good drive and just missed the bunkers. You also can’t see the green from any angle. Dunes run almost all the way across the hole, so you are playing your second shot blind. The line was the left corner of the clubhouse. Our 3 hybrid was on the right line but short of the green.
When we got over the dunes, we discovered our shot had finished behind another dune. Our pitch came up short of the green, and 3 putts later, another bogey. It’s a difficult hole, as you can’t see where you are going until the very end. It wasn’t surprising that we bogeyed it on our first time playing it. We should have hit our second down the right of the fairway, and even though you still can’t see the green, the angle in is much better.
The Four Amigos
Our Summary
We found Laytown and Bettystown to be quirky, tricky, challenging, enjoyable, fun, frustrating and visually intimidating. To score here, you have to manage your ball strategically around the course. There are several holes where to hit the green, you have to be hitting your irons well. Many of the green complexes have multiple runoff areas, so clubbing is at a premium. This is a ball-striker’s course where local knowledge is key to a good round. Hopefully, with the knowledge we gained of where not to go, any return visit will yield a better score.
Where to Stay: The D Hotel, Drogheda
For golfers visiting L&B, the D Hotel in Drogheda is an ideal base. Overlooking the scenic River Boyne, the hotel offers modern amenities with a touch of historic charm. It is also conveniently located near three excellent links courses—Laytown & Bettystown, Seapoint Golf Links, and County Louth (Baltray).
Our room at the D Hotel was spacious and comfortable, featuring a balcony with views of the river. The hotel’s Hops Bar and Goodwins Steakhouse & Grill provided excellent dining options, with hearty pub fare and delicious steaks. Breakfast in Goodwins was a highlight, offering a selection of hot and cold dishes, including local bread and pastries.
Local Tip: If you’re in Drogheda, don’t miss a visit to Clarke & Sons Bar, a traditional Irish pub that has retained its authentic charm for over 70 years. With snug seating areas, aged woodwork, and an atmosphere steeped in history, it’s a must-visit for an evening drink.
Final Thoughts
Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club is a course that demands strategic play, precise iron shots, and a good touch around the greens. The multiple run-off areas make it a true ball-striker’s course, where local knowledge is key to a low score. Our experience, from the warm welcome of the members to the stunning coastal views, made this a course we would love to return to.
A special thank you to Gavin Byrne for arranging our round, to Tom, Ken, and Bernard for their camaraderie, and to David Reilly for the invitation. Thanks also to Kevin Wall of the D Hotel for the excellent hospitality and to Gerry Kelly of Carr Golf for taking the time to meet with us.
Laytown & Bettystown may not be the most famous links in Ireland, but it is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable. We look forward to a return visit, armed with a little more local knowledge and hoping for a lower score!
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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