The superb 596-yards par-5 2nd at Tralee Golf Club.
A golfer on the 16th green at Waterville.
The par-4 7th at The European Club is one of the world’ s greatest 100 golf holes.
The 7th green at The European Club.
Kilmore course designed by Ally McIntosh, offering more exciting holes routed through the same huge dunes. Be sure to make the pilgrimage. carnegolflinks. com
Ballybunion Golf Club – County Kerry. Located on the Shannon Estuary among some of the largest and most formidable sand dunes in Ireland, this world-class links exudes a majestic feel, and has remained virtually unchanged since 1893. Links aficionado Tom Watson who warmed up on Tom Simpson’ s venerable design for each of his five British Open victories once said:“ Ballybunion is a course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build courses. I consider it a true test of golf.” Knowledgeable golfers will know that Ballybunion Old is a must-play at least once in a lifetime. The Old course is complemented by the excellent Cashen course designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior. Forget the lob wedge here and think the bump-and-run and creative shot making. ballybuniongolfclub. com
Tralee Golf Club – County Kerry. Representing the first European design of Arnold Palmer, Tralee Golf Club is a traditional links and although only built in 1980 has gained a reputation right up there with the big guns of Ireland’ s west coast links. The 590-yards par-5 2nd is the signature hole- a sweeping dogleg right with the beach as a constant hazard for sliceprone golfers. From the tee block, there are panoramic views of the entire course with the Dingle peninsula on the horizon. traleegolfclub. com
Waterville Golf Links- County Kerry. Golf here is a special experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old, Waterville is often rated among the Top 5 courses in Ireland and the Top 20 links courses in the world. Over the years, many great champions have made the journey to these mystical links including Els, Furyk, Duval, O’ Meara, Stewart and Woods, to prepare for the British Open.“ Everything about Waterville is truly spectacular,” said internationally acclaimed golf architect Tom Fazio, who was commissioned to update this memorable Eddie Hackett masterpiece.“ The setting is one of the best I have seen for golf.” watervillegolflinks. ie
The European Club- County Wicklow. Crafted out of tumbling dunes by Pat Ruddy, The European Club features 18-holes( plus 2 bonus par-3s) of exciting links golf with dramatic views of the Irish Sea. This is seaside golf at its very best, with fast-running fairways, greens that invite the pitch-and-run approach, acres of tall, waving marram grass, strong winds and the taste of salt in the sea air. Look out for the 470 yards par-4 7th, voted one of the world’ s greatest 100 golf holes. Tiger Woods set the links course record at 67( shot on July 12th 2002) and said:“ What wonderful optical illusions. I thought some of those par-4’ s were par-5’ s. A great links.” theeuropeanclub. com
Not matter where your journey takes you, the golf courses of Ireland are sure to excited.
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