Adare Golf Club, an 18 hole championship course on the 840 acre estate of Adare Manor, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., one of the most respected and best known golf course architects in the world. From his first impression of Adare Manor as having all the flavour of Augusta, he has created an Irish masterpiece to match the challenge of champions. Host to the Irish Open 07 & 08.
Needing no introduction, Ballybunion is one of the most famous links courses in the world. Fueled by tributes from the likes of Tom Watson, Ballybunion is the most visited Irish golf course. The Old Course is a truly natural links course. The contours of both fairways and greens, combined with the sea breezes, provide the main challenge. Accurate approach play is required, with little room on either side of the smallish greens. Ballybunion does favour those who can bump and run the ball onto the greens.
The Cashen course provides 18 spectacular holes each with its own character. Set between the sea and a river, the course tends to flow up and over the massive dunes. There are many elevation changes and several approach shots require ample thought on club selection. A tough walk, caddies are advisable.
Tralee is a special place both for its setting beside Barrow Strand and because it represents Arnold Palmer's first design project in Europe. Our favourite holes are the monster par-5 that doglegs around the beach and the dreaded 12th that is often rated the best hole on the course - it is certainly the hardest.
The world famous links at Lahinch need no introduction. A true championship course that has been recently updated enhancing the original Old Tom Morris/Alister McKenzie layout. Steeped in history and home of The South of Ireland Championship, the Old Course is perhaps the most appealing blend of challenge and setting in Ireland.
Doonbeg is a Greg Norman design on the site originally proposed in the 1870's for Lahinch Golf Club. This is a new links - a tremendously scenic setting with some beautiful golf holes. Fear the wind here and heat up the putter!.
Sometimes referred to as the St. Andrews of Ireland, Dingle is the most westerly golf course in Europe. The scenery is magnificent, with beautiful views of the entire Dingle peninsula, the Atlantic oceans and the Blasket Islands. The course itself, another Eddie Hackett design, is a traditional links layout featuring a winding stream that winds its way across the entire course.
On the north section of the Ring of Kerry, Dooks is a charming links course that remains unchanged in nearly a century. The course presents a traditional links challenge and is typified by the green on the par-3 13th - a huge bowl that requires as much luck as skill to approach the flag. Another stunning location, with mountains all around and the beautiful Dingle Bay stretching away towards the Atlantic.
The dream of a wealthy Irish-American, John Mulcahy, was realised in 1973 when the present day Waterville golf links opened for play. In yet another spectacular Kerry setting Waterville is a home to some fine links holes many with story's to tell. The "Mass Hole" is where Irish Catholics celebrated Mass during penal times, "Mulcahys Peak" is allegedly where the dream was born, and "Liams Ace" is the site of perhaps the most extraordinary hole-in-one ever recorded. Oh, and the first hole is named "Last Easy"!
Set in the picturesque scenery near the East Clare village of Bodyke, East Clare presents a great test of striking ability. The natural stream, lakes and trees are complemented by strategically placed bunkers to provide the main hazards. Large greens offer some respite and there are several good scoring chances.
Killeen is the flagship course and hosted the Irish Open in 1991 and 1992.In a beautiful setting just two miles from the centre of Killarney town by the famous Lakes of Killarney and over looked by the Macgillycuddy Reek mountains. The course underwent extensive upgrades in 2006 and is now one of the finest parkland courses in the country. Large undulating greens and water hazards provided by Lough Leune make this course one for the straight hitters.
Mahony's Point is a very scenic parkland course golf at Killarney. Not quite as challenging as Killeen due to its shorter length and fewer water hazards. It is a great course for your average golfer with a decent chance to produce a good score. The final three holes are the most are really tough and challenging. The final hole is Mahony's Point most famous, a par-3 of nearly 200 yards that requires a huge carry across the corner of the lake. Gene Sarazen called it "one of the most memorable holes in the world".
Beaufort Golf Club is a parkland course with magnificent views of the world famous MacGillycuddy Reeks from all points. Just 10 miles from Killarney, it measures 6587 yds from the medal tees and 5310 yds from the ladies tees. Often it provides a days respite for those who have been mauled by the windswept links courses in Kerry. The natural drainage of the site and mild climate guarantees enjoyable golf throughout the year.
Fota Island opened for play in 1993 and was redeveloped in 1999 to European Tour standards before hosting the Irish Open in 2001 (Colin Montgomerie) and 2002 (Soren Hansen). The small island in the middle of Cork Harbour is an idyllic setting for this testing parkland course. The course is built in the grounds of a 780-acre mature woodland estate. The course is reminiscent of many of the TPC courses in the US, undulating tree-lined fairways, generous bunkering at driving distance from the tee, large greens that again are well protected by bunkers but also protected on many occasions by the more intimidating factor, water hazards.
Cork Golf Club is one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland, established in 1888. It was redesigned in 1927 by the legendary Alister Mackenzie (Lahinch, Augusta National, Pebble beach). Scenically located overlooking Cork Harbour, the golf course is one of the few true heathland layouts in Ireland, its most notable feature being a quarry that must be negotiated at the 7th and 8th holes. Look out for Seve's Tree, a Spanish chestnut planted to mark a 320-yard drive launched by the great man in 1983.
Harbour Point Golf Course is unusual in that it is family owned and controlled club. A parkland course, situated beside the estuary of the River Lee, six miles east of Cork city. Harbour Point is built on rolling limestone land that sweep along the banks of Cork's River Lee. It is now well established as a premier championship golf test in picturesque surroundings, with magnificent views of the Cork Harbour at the high vantage points. The course opened in 1991, following four years of construction work and has matured beautifully in the intervening years.
The stated goal of being known as "the most spectacular golf course on Earth" is not unattainable. Old Head golf course is built on a strip of land that juts 2 miles into the Atlantic Ocean framed on all sides by cliffs that reach 300 feet in places. The par-72 layout will challenge all levels of golfer and choosing the most appropriate tees is the first challenge! The Pebble Beach of Ireland.
