It’s a practice we’ve seen evidence of first hand, and there have always been industry whispers. While not widely discussed in public, Shadow Booking Requests may be affecting the outcome of genuine tee time requests at Ireland’s most sought-after golf courses.
For those planning a golf holiday to Ireland, tee times at the premier links courses must now typically be requested many months in advance—sometimes as early as January of the year before. Most clubs allocate these tee times fairly and in strict chronological order based on when the request was submitted. But the integrity of that system is being tested by a troubling trend.
We’re calling the practice <strong>Shadow Booking Requests</strong>.
What Is Shadow Booking?
Shadow Booking refers to the practice of submitting speculative or fictitious tee time requests—without having a confirmed client—purely to secure favourable slots. These “ghost” requests are filed early by some tour operators in hopes that, once a real booking comes along, they can match it to a prime tee time that will be offered/ is already on hold.
If no client materialises by the time a final, final deposit demand is made, the slot is released — sometimes weeks or even months later. In the meantime, the operator holds a tee time that could have gone to a genuine request further down the queue or worse to a disappointed golfing group that have shelved their trip plans.
Who’s Doing It?
Let’s be clear: <strong>the vast majority of Irish golf tour operators we know and work with would not engage in Shadow Booking</strong>. Their reputations are built on trust, long-term relationships, and respect for the process.
But in a crowded and competitive landscape, especially with the rise of newer or less-established operators, the pressure to secure premium tee times can push some to take unethical steps. Without a client in hand, they may still file multiple advance requests—hedging their bets in the hope they can fill them later.
Why It’s a Problem
Genuine client requests get squeezed: Operators who submit honest requests — just days or even hours later — end up with less desirable tee times, even though their request was legitimate and their client real.
Inventory becomes unpredictable: When ghost bookings are later released, courses must reallocate those times, often under time pressure and with fewer options available.
Draconian deposit policies: In response, some clubs have introduced tougher terms—non-refundable deposits, shorter decision windows, or stricter cancellation rules. This penalises everyone, including those operating with integrity.
A Symptom of a Bigger Structural Weakness
The presence of Shadow Booking also highlights a broader issue in Irish golf tourism: the lack of a unified, representative voice for Irish golf tour operators.
Unlike other tourism sectors that benefit from shared standards and industry bodies, Irish golf travel remains fragmented. Courses understandably focus on protecting their own tee sheets, but there's been little tradition of collective engagement with the tour operator community.
This leaves a vacuum where unclear expectations and uneven practices can take hold—and where behaviours like Shadow Booking can go unchecked.
Advice to Golfers
Plan early -- as early as 2 years before travel for the premier courses including Royal Portrush, Portmarnock, Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville and Old Head
Royal County Down have reverted to the old traditional system of not filing advance requests and instead opening time-sheets on a first in basis and accepting bookings by telephone only. The opening date for 2026 time-sheets is 15th April 2025.
Check online time-sheet availability for Ballybunion and Tralee towards the end of the prior year or January of the year of travel. Final, final demands may result in returned tee-times.
Final Thoughts
Shadow Bookings can create unfair outcomes for genuine golfers, complicates course scheduling, and contributes to tougher booking conditions across the board. Most tour operators are acting responsibly—but the system only works if everyone plays by the same rules.
Ireland remains one of the world’s greatest golf destinations. Preserving that reputation means putting fairness, transparency, and long-term collaboration at the centre of how tee times are requested and managed.
Share This Story
Planning a golf trip to Ireland? Know the signs of Shadow Booking before you submit your requests.
Tag a friend who's heading over, or share with your golf travel group.
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