Golf in Ireland

I will be in Ireland from May 16-June 6 for a short-term study abroad trip, and I was wondering about playing some golf while I was there.  We will be staying in Galway for most of the trip, and I wanted to know if anyone had a good way to find tee times on a college student's budget.  In addition to tee times, how easy is it to rent clubs over there?  I am a lefty and I don't think it would be worth lugging the bag overseas just for a few rounds of golf.

Lucky you. Galway is my favorite place in the world. Love it, the people the entire experience. You can rent clubs at the expensive courses. It is expensive to rent, like $75 Euro. Decent clubs though. At the smaller local places likely not going to find rental clubs. I am talking now about the places where there is no real clubhouse just a trailer and a lockbox asking you to deposit 5 or 10 Euro for the fee and another 2 for the trolley. On the west side of Ireland is Lahinch and Ballybunion. Really expensive as in more than 250 US. But, they are both memorable and you will remember the day the rest of your life. Had the fortune to play both a couple of times and it was worth the price. Drive way out the Connamara coast and there is an awesome course right on the ocean. Not Ballybunion, but not the price either and the wind howls like it does it the big courses. Expect rain and cool in May. I am jealous.

The Irish Tourist Board (ITB) was a great help when I was there to find hotels and give advice.  Not sure but they might also be able to help find clubs and reasonable golf arrangements too - all the offices we visited were incredibly accomodating.  I envy you - a great time and place to visit.  When I was there we did visit Galway though played golf further south in Kerry.

Have a great time!

The prettiest golf course I ever played was a 9 hole created by a farmer just north of Galway called Clew Bay. Remarkable holes up high on a hill overlooking beautiful Clew Bay. Last time we played it was 2007. Went back there in October 2012 and finally found it. The lack of play had caused the guy who owned it to let it grow over and have his sheep on it. Heartbreaking. A lot of that has happened to the really small courses that you would probably like to play for fiscal reasons.

Thanks for the advice I already ordered the book!  Looks like a great read.

Thanks for all the great advice.  I will definitely check out the ITB, and Clew Bay.  I will keep everyone posted on how the trip goes.  I can't wait to get out there I just finalized my plane tickets as of yesterday.

If you can get to lahinch golf course in Clare. 45 mins from Galway. Dromoland is a spectacular parkland course. Shannon golf club is a very nice golf course as well. These clubs are all 45 minutes to an hour drive from Galway.