Links of Kerry Golf trip

Waterville Golf Club

Authentic links experience

Waterville Golf Links offers one of the purest links experiences in the world. Set on a narrow peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean, the course is framed by sea, the Inny River estuary, and the mountains of County Kerry. Wind, dunes, and ocean shape both the landscape and the game, creating a wild and unforgettable setting.

History and character

Founded in 1889, Waterville is steeped in history. Iconic holes such as the 12th, “Mass Hole,” named after secret religious gatherings during the Penal Laws, and the 17th, “Mulcahy’s Peak,” offering panoramic views from the highest point on the course, give the layout a strong sense of place and heritage.

Design and heritage

The course blends classic links character with thoughtful refinement. Originally shaped by Eddie Hackett and later enhanced by Tom Fazio, Waterville demands strategic thinking and precision on every shot.

Legendary connections

Waterville has long been a favourite preparation ground for champions such as Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara. Its connection to Payne Stewart lives on through the bronze statue beside the clubhouse.

A rare blend of natural beauty, history, and world-class links golf—Waterville is as memorable as it is magnificent.

Tralee Golf Club

Historical significance & setting

Tralee Golf Club lies along the rugged west coast of County Kerry, near Tralee, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Banna Strand. Originally founded in 1896, Tralee is one of Ireland’s classic links courses, later transformed in the 1980s by Arnold Palmer into one of his most celebrated designs outside the United States.

Architecture & character

Palmer made full use of the dramatic dune landscape, creating a course that is visually spectacular yet strategically sound. Elevated tees, deep bunkers, and naturally contoured greens combine to deliver a layout that both inspires and challenges. His famous remark—“I may have designed the front nine, but surely God designed the back nine”—perfectly captures the essence of Tralee.

Playing style and challenge

Tralee is a powerful, true links where wind, elevation, and proximity to the sea shape every shot. Controlled ball flight, creativity, and confidence are essential, particularly on the coastal holes. This is golf that rewards commitment and respect for the elements.

An iconic links experience

What sets Tralee apart is the seamless blend of classic linksland, Palmer’s design vision, and one of Ireland’s most dramatic coastal settings. Every hole feels expansive yet natural—demanding, but always fair.

Tralee Golf Club is a standout along the Wild Atlantic Way—a place where landscape, history, and architecture come together in an unforgettable links experience.

Dooks Golf Club

Historical significance

Dooks Golf Club, founded in 1889, is one of Ireland’s oldest golf courses. Set along Dingle Bay with the mountains of County Kerry rising in the background, Dooks combines sea and mountain scenery in a way that feels uniquely Irish. This dramatic setting gives the course a deep sense of place and history within Ireland’s golfing tradition.

Playing style and character

Dooks is a traditional links course defined by open fairways, natural dunes, and a routing shaped entirely by the coastline. Wind from the Atlantic Ocean is almost always a factor, constantly changing the nature of the challenge. The course is welcoming in appearance, yet the elements and terrain demand control, creativity, and adaptability.

A pure golf experience

What makes Dooks special is its intimate and unpretentious atmosphere. Free from large-scale development, the course remains closely connected to the surrounding landscape and local community. The tranquillity, scenery, and historic character combine to create an authentic links experience—one that captures Ireland in its purest golfing form.

Ballybunion Golf Club

Historical significance

Ballybunion Golf Club, founded in 1893, is one of the most iconic links courses in the world. The Old Course forms the historic heart of the club and is consistently ranked among the finest courses globally. Ballybunion gained particular popularity among American golfers thanks to the praise of Arnold Palmer, who helped elevate its international reputation.

Two 18-hole courses

Alongside the Old Course, the club features the Cashen Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.. This second layout is more rugged and modern in character, with higher dunes, longer carries, and a more physically demanding style of play. Together, the two courses offer a complete links experience, where classic and modern architecture sit side by side.

Playing style, reputation & tournaments

Ballybunion is renowned for its dramatic dune landscape, strong Atlantic winds, and natural coastal routing. The club has a notable championship history and has hosted the Irish Open on multiple occasions, reinforcing its global standing.

Here, links golf is experienced in its most expressive form—raw, honest, and unforgettable.