South West Ireland
Arguably one of Ireland’s most popular golfing regions. Home to the likes of Old Head, Waterville, Killarney, Tralee, Ballybunion, Lahinch and Doonbeg – to name just a few courses that you want to play while staying in this area. County Cork known for its delectable restaurants and quirky, packed-out pubs. It is here that you can kiss the Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of the gab!
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Old Head of Kinsale |
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To the west is County Kerry and one of Ireland’s best tourist attractions – the Ring of Kerry where you will find the Waterville Golf Course. This 179km road circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula can be quite a hair-raising experience as you share the road with tour busses and cyclists! Breathtaking scenery awaits you around every corner. At the start of the Ring of Kerry is Killarney – it’s name is synonymous with souvenirs, jaunting cars and leprechauns however one of it’s greatest gifts is it’s scenery. Home to the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club’s Killeen and Mahony’s Point Courses. Further north is Tralee – surrounded by the Atlantic with magnificent views from all holes. Not to be missed is one of the finest links courses in the world – Ballybunion’s Old Course. Completing this region is the famous Lahich and its newest neighbor – Doonbeg.
Killarney Golf and Fishing Club
The courses at Killarney are amongst the most scenically appointed in the world. The beauty of the landscape, the majesty of the mountains and lakes make a visit to Killarney an unforgettable experience.
Mahony’s Point
The shortest of the three courses is a lakeside course with spectacular views including the famous, breathtaking 18th described by Gene Sarazen as “one of the most memorable holes in the world”.
Length: 6780 yards Par: 72 SSS: 72
Lackabane
Opened for play in July 2000 is a Parkland course providing an excellent golfing challenge with enough water hazards that add both beauty and danger in equal measure.
Length: 7050 yds Par: 72 SSS: 72
Killeen
The jewel in the crown, re-opened in 2006 offering both spectacular lakeside scenery and also challenging golf to long hitters with water features on nearly every hole and fast greens.
Length: 7181 yds: Par: 72 SSS: 73
Old Head Golf Links
An Atlantic promontory – never rivaled in terms of drama and beauty!
Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land, jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. The links and practice area occupy 180 acres and the remaining 40 acres of unspoilt cliff (rising in places to over 300 feet) frame the course. Old Head, par 72, comprises of five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s – stretching to over 7,200 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole. Nine holes play along the cliff tops, and all eighteen holes provide stunning ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike.
Length: 7300 yds Par: 72 SSS: 72
Waterville Golf Links
Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.
Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather.
Length 7309 yds Par: 72 SSS: 74
Ring of Kerry Golf and Country Club
One of the newest additions to the Co. Kerry circuit, with panoramic views of Kenmare Bay from every hole. Described as ‘world class” this par 72 championship parkland/links course is set amidst the most stunning scenery imaginable, where every hole is memorable.
Length 6923 yds Par 72 SSS 73
Ballybunion Old Course
The Old Course at Ballybunion is world famous and it’s consistently rated amongst the top ten courses in the world. A magnificent course with several holes right on the shore and towering sandhills coming into play on all holes. It is one of Ireland’s greatest golfing challenges.
Length 6542 yds: Par 71: SSS 72
The Ballybunion Cashen Course is every bit as demanding (if not more) as the Old Course. Both Courses enjoy the benefit of the Atlantic coastline.
Length 6278 yds: Par 72: SSS 73
Lahinch Old Course
Lahinch is steeped in history and has famous holes such as “Dell” and “Klondyke”. The features of this famous course are carved out of natural terrain.
Length 6950 yds: Par 72: SSS 74
Doonbeg Golf Club
The highly acclaimed Doonbeg Golf Club is situated between two of Ireland’s greatest Links courses – Ballybunion and Lahinch. This Greg Norman designed course is set along 1.5 miles of crescent-shaped beach encircling Doughmore Bay, providing magnificent views.
Length 6885 yds: Par 72:
Dromoland Golf and Country Club
Dromoland Castle Golf and Country Club has been in existence since 1962 and golf has been played for 43 years over the lush rolling tree lined landscape that drains into Dromoland Lough with the Castle as a backdrop. The course has been entirely revamped over the past two years at a cost of over €5million.The Course architects, Ron Kirby and the late JB Carr teamed up again following their success at the Old Head of Kinsale. The result is nothing short of spectacular and places Dromoland at the vanguard of "must play" golf destinations on the island of Ireland. Already the course has earned a reputation equaling that of Adare and Mount Juliet and the quality of the greens and tees is compared very favorably to the very best worldwide.
Length 6824 yds: Par 72: SSS 72
Adare Golf Club, Adare Manor
The Adare Golf Club is an 18 hole championship golf course which opened in 1995 and is set on the 840 acre estate of Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Co. Limerick, Ireland. This was the last major golf course designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Senior. This majestic design has gained international acclaim as one of his finest creations.
Situated only 35 miles from Shannon Airport, the Adare Golf Club measures 7,125 yards and uses 230 acres of lush Irish countryside. The exquisite parkland atmosphere of the demesne has been preserved with the course set amid magnificent mature trees. The course contains many aquatic features including a 14 acre man made lake anchoring the front nine holes. The River Maigue meanders through the entire golf course creating a sense of beauty and challenge.
Length 7125 yds: Par 72:
