Quick summary: Renting a car suits a small group of confident drivers who want total freedom and know the roads. A driver suits groups who want to arrive rested, travel together with all their clubs, and enjoy a Guinness or a Jameson after the round without anyone worrying about the drive back. Lir drives golf groups of up to 7 in a 7 seater MPV, with room for all the golf bags.
Most American golfers planning an Irish trip start with the same question. Do we rent a car, or do we hire someone to drive us? Plenty of golf blogs will tell you to rent. For some groups that is the right call. Here is an honest look at both, from a chauffeur company that drives golfers around Ireland.
When renting a car makes sense
If you are two or three golfers, you are comfortable driving on the left, and you want to change plans on a whim, a rental can work well. You get the freedom to stop wherever you like, and you set your own pace.
It is worth knowing the trade offs before you commit:
- The roads are narrower than most Americans expect. Rural roads near the coastal links courses are tight, and rental cars are small, so packing clubs and luggage takes planning. One US golf group wrote up their trip and noted that a midsize car in Ireland is far smaller than a midsize car at home.
- Driving on the left takes real concentration, especially after an overnight flight. A Golf Advisor guide for first time visitors advises building in extra time because you may take a wrong turn.
- Rental terms can be a shock. The same US group reported a security deposit of about €5,000 on their rental and roughly double the rate to add a second driver. Golf Advisor also points to surcharges for an automatic gearbox and a GPS unit. Terms vary by company, so check yours before you book.
- Someone is always the driver. That person plays the round, then drives to dinner and the next hotel.
When a driver is the better choice
A driver changes how the trip feels. Nobody has to navigate, park or watch the clock, so the group can talk through the round on the way back, and everyone can relax at the 19th hole.
That last point matters in Ireland. The Road Safety Authority describes drink driving as a very serious offence, and its advice is never to drink and drive. The legal limit for most drivers is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, and a conviction brings a driving ban. A golf trip without a Guinness or a Jameson at the bar is not much of a golf trip, and with a driver nobody has to count drinks against the drive back to the hotel.
A driver also costs less per person as the group grows, because the cost is shared across everyone in the vehicle. Lir does not publish prices, so ask for a quote for your dates and group size.
What Lir does on a golf trip
Alan drives the 7 seater MPV on multi day trips for groups of up to 7, and the vehicle fits all the golf bags. He drives golfers to any course you ask for, and he has driven groups to The K Club. Every Lir driver is ex military or ex Garda, so you are in experienced hands on long days.
For arrivals at Dublin Airport, Alan monitors your flight time, so he knows if you land early or late, and he meets you in arrivals. If you are coming straight off an overnight flight, that is one less thing to think about on day one. Our Dublin Airport transfers page explains how pickups work, and our page for American visitors covers what to expect when you land.
Some popular first stops from the airport:
If you want to see how Lir plans a full trip, our Ireland golf trips page has the details. Lir also works with Ryder Cup winner Philip Walton, and you can read about that on the Philip Walton golf page.
What Alan does not do
Alan handles the transport only. He does not book tee times or green fees, so your group, your travel advisor or your tour operator books those. Share your tee times and he plans the day around them. If you are also planning non golf days, see our private chauffeur tours of Ireland.
A simple way to decide
Choose a rental if you are a small group of confident drivers who like to improvise. Choose a driver if you are three or more golfers, you want your clubs and luggage in one vehicle, you are landing off an overnight flight, or you want a drink after the round. If you are unsure, tell us your group size and dates and we will give you an honest view, even if the honest answer is a rental.
Golf trip questions
Can a driver take all our golf bags?
Yes. Lir’s 7 seater MPV fits a group of up to 7 and all their golf bags.
Does Lir book our tee times?
No. Alan does the driving only. Your group or travel advisor books tee times and green fees, and Alan plans the transport around them.
Can Lir pick us up at Dublin Airport after an overnight flight?
Yes. Alan monitors your flight time, so he knows if you land early or late, and meets you in arrivals. For other airports, please ask.
Plan your golf trip
Tell us your group size, dates and courses and we will quote your trip. Get in touch through our contact page or call +353 85 842 0199. You can also find out more about Lir on our homepage and about page.