This is arguably the most popular golf trip in Ireland. Here you will find a cluster of some of the most famous golf courses in Ireland, perhaps in the world. Ballybunion Old Course, one of Tom Watson’s favourire courses, The Arnold Palmer designed Tralee, Waterville, the spectaular Old Head as well as Doonbeg and Lahinch.
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Stay in Killarney, the liveliest town in the south west, Kinsale, close to the Old Head and known as Ireland’s gourmet capital or at the luxurious Doonbeg Lodge. Indeed, you have a large variety of accommodations to choose from such as small family run guesthouses to luxury five star hotels, country manors and castles. Chauffeured or self drive options available.
Golf Courses
Click on the golf course name for more information.
Ballybunion Old
One of the finest links courses in the world. Wild and intimidating, but stunningly beautiful on the Atlantic coastline of North Kerry. Renowned for its grassy dunes and the contours of both fairways and greens.
You are sure to remember many of the fine holes, in particular the par four 11th, perched right on the seaside clifftop among the dunes.
| Ballybunion Old | |
| Course Type: Links | Date Founded: 1893 |
| Length: 5707 metres (2601 yards) | Par: 70 |
Waterville
A wonderful layout on links terrain by the prolific architect Eddie Hackett. Set against majestic scenery on the famous Ring of Kerry, you will a hardly find as tough a test as Waterville. Unsheltered from the sweeping winds from the Atlantic, this is as real golf can get!
It’s signature hole is the par three 17th , named “Mulcahy’s Peak”after course developer John A. Mulcahy, where you tee off some 250 feet above sea level with a carry of 200 feet over dunes to reach the green. He insisted on the location of the tee so as all who play Waterville would depart with a remembrance of this unique setting.
| Waterville | |
| Course Type: Links | Date Founded: 1889 |
| Length: 5988 metres (6549 yards) | Par: 72 |
Old Head
Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land, jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course.
Comprising of five par 5’s, five par 3’s and eight par 4’s, the links stretches to over 7,200 yards from the tips and with a minimum of six tees on every hole, the course provides a stern test to the touring pro and high handicapper alike.
Nine holes play along the cliff tops, and all eighteen holes provide stunning ocean views. The 360-degree vistas will distract you, but do not relax too much as the ever-changing sea breezes will challenge you at every turn of this par-72 layout.
| Old Head | |
| Course Type: Links | Date Founded: 1997 |
| Length: 6126 metres (6700 yards) | Par: 72 |
Lahinch Old
Lahinch, with its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways and rolling greens is the perfect natural golfing terrain – a true links.
The original course design work by old Tom Morris was later improved upon by Alistar MacKenzie. The feature holes include the long 5th known as the “Klondyke”, with a completely blind second shot over a dune which straddles the fairway . This hole is followed by the “Dell”, the 156 yards par three 6th, which requires another blind shot to reach the green.
| Lahinch Old | |
| Course Type: Links | Date Founded: 1893 |
| Length: 6123 metres (6696 yards) | Par: 72 |
Doonbeg
This is what course designer Greg Norman, has to say about Doonbeg …. “ It’s Ireland. It’s Irish golf. It’s links golf. Sand dunes like you’ll never see again, working hand in glove with the environmentalists. I tell everybody about this course. I tell them that I have got the best site in the world and it’s at Doonbeg in Ireland.”
The links course plays along 1.5 miles of beach and dunes. The ocean is visible from the green, fairway, or tee on 16 of the 18 holes.
An awesome challenge awaits you at Doonbeg.
| Doonbeg | |
| Course Type: Links | Date Founded: 2001 |
| Length: 6218 metres (6800 yards) | Par: 72 |
