DESTINATION GOLF 2022
Tralee
Tralee
Tralee is home to several of the best holes in Ireland , as well as some of the most dazzling scenery . From the high clubhouse most of the 18 holes are on show and they will take your breath away . Tralee was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay , despite Palmer ’ s protestations that “ surely God designed the back nine .” Certainly this is a perfect landscape of towering , twisting dunes and deep hollows . The run from 12 to 17 is one unbelievable hole after another and the green settings are enthralling . Tralee boasts a new six-hole par three course and continuing course upgrades to the front nine , including the dazzling new 8th above Barrow Harbour .
Waterville
Golfers from around the world flock to Waterville , and the drive along the Ring of Kerry , above the sea , builds the expectation no end . This is something special , something idyllic , and the setting only makes the course all the more alluring . It is far too easy to fall in love with it . Few courses can boast such pictureperfect holes and such a sensuous rhythm . You can thank Eddie Hackett and , later , Tom Fazio for this links work-of-art . The dunes start low but build quickly into more dramatic and wonderfully pristine shapes . Raised tee boxes ensure you can see much of the hole and , with wide fairways , it will make you want to swing hard . It ’ s a long course so go right ahead . The front nine are excellent ; the back nine are spectacular .
Dooks
Dooks sits amidst Ireland ’ s most beautiful and enchanting setting . The views are of the 360 degree variety , across the MacGillycuddy ’ s Reeks , the Dingle Peninsula and the waters of Castlemaine Harbour . The golf course is every bit as exciting as the scenery , sliding down gently over bumpy terrain to the sea . Dooks is unadulterated fun and boasts some of the best greens in Ireland . There is a slight air of idiosyncrasy to the course , thanks to holes designed by the members back in the late 1960s , and even though Martin Hawtree was brought in to make more professional revisions in 2005 , some of the quirky character remains .
Lahinch
Take Old Tom Morris , add plenty of Alister MacKenzie and stir with some Martin Hawtree … spread liberally over a boisterous Co . Clare dunescape and leave for generations to come . MacKenzie is the chief architect , with Hawtree working hard to restore MacKenzie traits which had been lost – around greens most notably . Today , even with Old Tom Morris ’ s Klondyke and Dell holes left untouched , there is a rhythm that drives you into and through what feels like a ridge of dunes clinging to the coastline . And yet the variety is captivating with blind shots , long and short par fours and utterly deceptive approaches .
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