Southwest of Ireland Golf Courses by Irish Pro Golf Tours

Southwest of Ireland Golf Courses

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Ballybunion Old Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 6593 yds
The legendary Tom Watson described the glorious links at Ballybunion as “the best in the world”. High praise indeed for this magnificent test of golf, which meanders through massive dunes on the shores of the Atlantic. The Old Course, consistently ranked as one of the world’s top ten courses, features a graveyard by the first tee, which some say is a warning to golfers who breeze through the first five holes only to come face to face with the ever challenging 6th, the fiendish 8th, the par four 11th and the devilishly tricky 15th. Close by, the Cashen Course, with its succession of formidable par fives and breathtaking beauty, amply qualifies as one of the world’s masterpieces.

Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 7215 yds
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.

Lahinch Old Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 6950 yds
Frequently referred to as the St. Andrews of Ireland, Lahinch looks out on the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean and is subject to all her mood swings. However, comparisons between the two famous courses go much further as their respective citizens share a common love and enthusiasm for the game of golf. The two courses at Lahinch were actually first planned by officers of a Scottish regiment, who considered this rugged and uncompromising countryside of Co. Clare perfect terrain for golf. The original layout for the course was the brainchild of Old Tom Morris, himself a four time British Open champion. Subsequent alterations were put in the capable hands of Scottish architect Dr. Alastair MacKenzie, who has also worked on Augusta, Pebble Beach and Cypress Point.

Doonbeg Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 6885 yds
Doonbeg Golf Club plays along 1.5 miles of beach and dunes. The ocean is visible from the green, fairway, or tee of 16 of the 18 holes.
The par 72 layout features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back. It plays 6,885 yards from the back tees.

"This is a course I want to be identified with, one I will be able to say with pride -- ' I did that one.' I am the luckiest designer in the world . . . because of the uniqueness of the site."
Greg Norman

Waterville Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 7184 yds
Links land is a geological rarity. Less than one percent of all courses in Europe are championship links. Waterville is honoured to be included among the very best of these in a prestigious Golf World survey. It is one of the oldest Irish Clubs, having been founded in 1889 with the arrival of the trans Atlantic telegraph cable from the United States. After 80 years of play, the original nine-hole course was redesigned by the famous Irish golf architect, Eddie Hackett and the late owner, John A. Mulcahy. Today Waterville is truly mystical. The course gradually introduces the player to its special tempo and rhythm and concludes with a symphony of links beauty. From Henry Cotton and Ray Floyd to Mark O’Meara and Tiger Woods, all have praised its perfection. The clubhouse is unique with ocean vistas, golf art, antique memorabilia and the warm ambience of its members. The restaurant and pub feature fresh seafood, Irish fare and the best pint in Kerry, all served by the glow of turf fires.

Tralee Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 6890 yds
Arnold Palmer may have been commissioned in the early Eighties to design and construct the Golf Club at Tralee but centuries before that, nature created the cliffs, the dunes, the rugged terrain and the wild Atlantic ocean all of which combine together to make Tralee one of the worlds most scenic and spectacular true links Golf Clubs. Beauty abounds with Barrow Strand of Ryan's Daughter fame only an errant chip away and the Sliabh Mish and Brandon mountain ranges providing a panoramic and spectacular backdrop. Each hole on this unique Golf Club offers it's own special challenge. A brave heart and steady verve will be required to tackle the par 5 second, the par 3 third and the par 4 eight. The twelfth, thirteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth have each wrecked havoc and many a fine score on this 6,877 yard course. The treacherous traps and undulating greens all add up to make this a Golf Club you will want to tackle again and again.

Dooks Golf Links
Par - 70 Length - 6010 yds
Golf has been played in Dooks since 1889. It was introduced to the local aristocracy by officers from the Royal Horse Artillery attending compulsory training at the nearby Glenbeigh Artillery Range. The golf course is set out on one of three stretches of sand dunes at the head of Dingle Bay. In the immediate foreground are the sand dune peninsulas of Rossbeigh and Inch and just a few miles away the whitewashed houses of Cromane fishing village provide an eye catching distraction. South eastwards are the famed McGillycuddy's Reeks, to the southwest are the lovely cooms and hills of Glenbeigh and across the bay to the north are the Slieve Mish and Dingle mountains. And so far the golfer who is seeking a beautiful and tranquil environment to enjoy good golf. Dooks presents a convincing case. Hole number 13 best illustrates the charm and magic of Dooks. It is a throw back hole to the time when golf began. Greens lay where they fell and were better for it.

Dingle Ceann Sibeal Golf Links
Par - 72 Length - 6696 yds
6,696 yards, par 72 traditional championship links and the most Westerly Golf Club in Europe. Each hole on this magnificent links is carved from the natural landscape of one of the most unspoiled parts of Europe, with hazards laid down long before the game of golf was dreamt of, including a winding “burn” that twists and turns through the entire course. As you play, the whole panorama of the Dingle Peninsula is revealed – hidden bays with small fishing villages, glorious hills and mountains and the Blasket Islands out in the wild Atlantic. This area abounds in archaeological treasures, wild flora and fauna, arts and crafts and ancient Gaelic culture. The Irish language is still spoken throughout the region. These magical and mystical qualities will make your round of golf at Dingle one you will never forget.

Adare Manor Golf Club
Par - 70 Length - 7138 yds
The Adare Golf Club, an 18 hole championship course on the 840 acre estate of Adare Manor, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Mr. Jones is 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. The Adare Golf Club measures 7,138 yards and uses 230 acres of lush countryside. The Maigue River comes into play on three holes with a dramatic finish at the 18th hole. Having designed 45 of the top 100 golf courses worldwide, Mr. Jones foresees the 18th hole to be possibly the best par 5 in the world.