Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas: A Golfer's Pilgrimage to the Courses of Ireland

by James W. Finegan

Every golfer dreams of making a pilgrimage to the British Isles, to play the exhilarating game to be found on the ground that links land and sea. Increasingly, golfers on this side of the Atlantic have discovered that some of the most magnificent courses in the world -- and some of the most beautiful countrysides -- are to be found in Scotland's near neighbor, Ireland.

For the tourist or the dreamer, there can be no better guide than James W. Finegan. A passionate advocate and a charming storyteller, Finegan combines a writer's eye, a historian's knowledge, and a golfer's sense of wonder to provide an impossibly ambitious grand tour of this beautiful land. In a loop that begins in the west at Lahinch and continues clockwise through both the Republic and Northern Ireland, Finegan covers nearly seventy courses, visiting those that have become true shrines of the game, the courses that are well known and respected, and the little-known gems you might otherwise pass right by.

Now updated with new courses and changes to old favorites, Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas is a book to be read, savored, and tucked away in your suitcase when you finally undertake the journey of your dreams.

Genres: Sports

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 1996

Reviews

[Dan Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The prose was a bit flowery, but Finegan transported me back to Erin & its fine golf links. It was craic on paper!!! ☘️

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much has changed, even, increasingly the courses themselves, since Finegan wrote this series of books but his writing style is still engaging and always makes me want to go back and play the courses again.

[Michael A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book - grabbed a used copy to prep for upcoming golf trip to Ireland. Well organized travelogue combining detailed hole descriptions and lodging and meal highlights. Only reason for dropping a star is that book was originally published in 1996 with an updated 2006 addendum so a bit dated.