Best 19th Holes in Golf

Golf is a sport unlike any other, you can emulate shots played by Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Watson, Faldo, Woods, Langer, Seve and many more greats of the games at venues like St Andrews, Augusta and Pebble Beach but to name a few. Amateurs tend to have the edge these days when it comes to playing one particular golf hole though, the 19th! Due to the near obsession with fitness these

days on the Professional Golf circuit, the vast majority of tour pros now head straight for the gym, physio unit or the range after their round rather than the bar, or 19th Hole as it is known as well – even players like Darren Clarke, infamous for enjoying a few celebratory pints of Guinness after tournament wins and most famously his Open Championship triumph, has taken to shedding pounds rather than downing pints after golf.

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Here is the rundown of my Top-10 after golf 19th Holes (some on-site and some off-site)

1. Collins Bar, Adare, County Limerick, Ireland

This is my favourite bar in the World and is just a few minutes walk from the gates of Adare Manor and the finest parkland course in Ireland, Adare Golf Club. A pint of Guinness here is heaven and the food is superb as well. Michael Collins, the owner, is usually there and has plenty of golf stories to regale you with along with some great memorabilia from down the years including a now famous letter from President Bill Clinton!

2. The Jigger Inn, St Andrews, Scotland

One of the most famous 19th Holes in Golf, the Jigger Inn has been a must visit place after 18 holes on the Old Course or any of the course around St Andrews. It has hosted many Open Champions’ post tournament victory celebrations and countless numbers of golf tourists over the years, I’m sure many a caddy has cursed or praised many a golfer there too since this 19th Hole opened its doors. A trip to St Andrews is not complete until you visit the Jigger Inn for a pint and a wee dram!

3. The Ryder Cup Bar & Sports Page, Pinehurst, North Carolina

A trip to Pinehurst in October 2007 ensured that both these bars tie for 3rd place on my list! The history in the Ryder Cup Bar is great while the Sports Page, a short drive from the resort itself, is a proper sports bar where you will find many golfers enjoying pints and burgers over a game of pool and sometimes “enjoying” karaoke night as well. While you can chill our at the Ryder Cup Bar at the Pinehurst Resort you can enjoy the most lively atmosphere at the Sports Page, an ideal combination after a day on the course!

“Amateurs tend to have the edge these days when it comes to playing one particular golf hole though, the 19th!“

4. The Lusitania Bar, Old Head Golf Links, Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

One of the most scenic bars in the world, let alone on a golf course, the Lusitania Bar at the Old Head Golf Links provides panoramic views of the Atlantic with a great bar menu and beers, stouts, wines and spirits to match. The Club Sandwich is a particular favourite of mine while there is a superb 3-course menu these days too. Many a golfer (top tour pros and lowly amateurs like me included!!) have sat and relaxed after a round at Old Head with the phenomenal view from the Lusitania Bar – if the Old Head is close to golfing heaven then their clubhouse bar is close to 19th hole heaven!

5. Falvey’s Pub, Killorglin, Co Kerry, Ireland

Similar to Dooks Golf Club being a hidden gem, Falvey’s pub in Killorglin is indeed a hidden gem of a pub! Situated about 15-20 minutes drive from Dooks itself it is the ideal 19th hole for some after golf “craic” as only the Irish know how. Mr Falvey himself regularly sits in his living room with the door open keeping an eye on the customers, a very unique setup indeed. A must visit if you are playing golf in County Kerry.

6. The Greyhound Pub, Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

2nd in my all-time of favourite pubs, the Greyhound is a special place and serves some of the best Guinness (and Murphy’s) in Ireland. Owner, Ger Murphy, is a keen golfer and plays off about 3 or 4 last I heard. If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the golf after a day on the course then look no further than the “Hound”!

7. 19th Hole Bar, White Lady Hotel, Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

Quite simply a wonderful spot for golfers, owned and run by golfers and you couldn’t ask for much more here in terms of a 19th hole – Great beer, fantastic food, excellent accommodation and then there is the White Lady Night Club for some after 19th hole festivities too!

8. Flanagan’s Bar, Lahinch, County Clare, Ireland

After 18 holes on one of the greatest links courses in the World there is nothing like a pint at Flanagan’s with your group or some of the locals. They also have the Nineteenth Hole just down the road as well, it’s also a golfers’ mecca with Doonbeg/Trump International Ireland just 30 minutes away and just over an hour from Adare, Tralee and Ballybunion.

8. Clubhouse Bar, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa

Superb open area bar although bring a jumper during their winter months as it can get a bit chilly after dark. A great spot to watch the golfers come in off the course or just unwind after 18 holes yourself.

10. O’Hara’s Pub, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland

A proper Irish bar, and only 10 minutes from the magnificent Mount Juliet Golf Club (designed by Jack Nicklaus). A golfing pilgrimage to Mount Juliet is not complete without a visit to O’Hara’s! Look out for Mossie Ryan and John Kelly there, regular bar flies!

So, that is my current Top-10 19th Holes from the places I have been. I hope you will, or have enjoyed, some of them on golfing trips in the past – if you have any golf trip planned in those areas make sure to call in and sample the atmosphere…..and a few after golf drinks! I look forward to your own Top-10 in the comments as I’m sure they will be a lot different to mine.

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