11 of the Best Golf Courses to play in the Southwest of Ireland
Golf Southwest of Ireland, may I point out 11 of best golf courses to play in the Southwest as follows. Indeed, the following is not a golf course ranking as golfers can form their own opinions after each course is played. Such as play golf at Old Head Golf Links, Ballybunion Golf Club, Lahinch Golf Club, Waterville Golf Links, Hogs Head, Cork Golf Club and, I hope you find our golf course snippets of information fun to read. Also, click here to read on about golfing in the rain.
Ah yes, arguably the best views from a golf course anywhere in the World! Old Head offers golfers an excellent total golf experience. Play golf, enjoy the caddies, have a bit of lunch or dinner after golf and perhaps stay a night or two at Old Head!
Besides, eighteen holes built on a land head that sticks out into the Atlantic ocean. The course plays a little shorter than the other courses, however, up and downs around the greens are not easy and, the greens are tough to read.
Moreover, the club works very hard at keeping the course in excellent condition. Also, it’s fair to say, there is not a course in the world to play like Old Head on a sunny day without any wind! What say you? Indeed, play Old Head Golf Links and in your opinion is the Old Head great or what?
Notably, there are two courses to play at Lahinch Golf Club, The Championship and the Castle Course. In particular, the Championship Course to play at Lahinch is the player’s course, and boy is Lahinch a tough course to play. Whereas the Castle Course is much shorter, flatter and fun to play.
Lahinch will host the DFF Irish Open 2019, in addition to the South of Ireland Amateur championship and the home international in September. Busy year!
Lahinch is certainly a course of two nines. The front nine plays shorter than the back nine on the scorecard. However, playing for position of the tee is a good strategy for the front nine. Whereas, the back nine requires more accurate and longer second shots to play. But, all that strategy can blow out the window depending on the wind direction!
Ballybunion Golf Club
At Ballybunion Golf Club, there are two courses for golfers to enjoy. The famous Old Course is known as the championship courses, and the Cashin Course is another eighteen hole links course to play.
The main differences are that the Old Course is a bigger golf course, longer par 4s and slightly wider fairway. However, the Cashin course is tight, and accuracy with distance control is vital to playing the holes in par.
Therefore, the Cashin Course it not that easy a course to score on. Also, because the rough is tough and golfers are likely to lose golf balls from missing fairways with their tee shots.
Finally, the Old Course is a superb golfing challenge. Meaning that playing golf at Ballybunion will test all parts of a golfers ability. Notably, if you have the time, play both courses to enjoy the total Ballybunion experience golfing in the Southwest of Ireland.
Adare Manor Golf Resort is a close to perfection as far as golf courses are maintained in Ireland. Notably, Adare was recently redesigned by Tom Fazio, and the course is playing excellent. Essentially, the fairways are wide in the suggested landing areas, and the ball sits up beautifully on the short grass. Also, the greens are so smooth that the ball rolls so pure and true.
It’s worth noting that Adare is likely to be a future Ryder Cup venue and the Adare back course plays a brutal 7509 yards from the back tees. However, there are two other courses to play from 6505 or 5860 and 5102 yards. Therefore, golf is to be enjoyed and not endured!
Waterville Golf Links
Waterville is one of the great tests of golf in the southwest of Ireland. 18 holes of hard and enjoyable golf! Indeed, for snacks and drinks both the 9th and 18th holes finish at the clubhouse.
Waterville is a flatter links course to play compared to Ballybunion, Tralee and Lahinch. Also, the fairways tend to be wider than the other courses. However, the greens are slightly raised and undulated. Thus, adding to the challenge to get up and down from the green side.
Waterville is indeed a players golf course, and the course plays at 7347 yards in length from the back tee. Additionally, the green course plays 6404 yards, and there we go, the course becomes an enjoyable round. Finally, every golfer should keep Waterville on their lists of courses to play for golf Southwest of Ireland.
Tralee Golf Club
Tralee Golf Club is a one awesome design by the late Arnold Palmers. Anrie’s Irish golf links gem. Indeed, it worth mentioning that visiting golfers will receive one of best welcome in Ireland from the golf team at Tralee!
Tralee is another course with a tale of two nines. The front plays around the beach, and the back nine meanders through the higher dunes. Leaving golfers with a mix of hard challenging holes to play and beautiful views of the Irish countryside.
The highest peak is on the 10th green, but the best picture location is at the back of the 14th tee. The view from the 14th is initially a beautiful view of Tralee’s 12th green and 10th Hole, but also the clubhouse and mountains.
Hogs Head Golf Club
Hogs Head is newly opened course since 2017 and yes a beautiful course to play. The course is set up on the hills overlooking the town of Waterville, and on a clear day, golfers can see the Skellig Islands.
I don’t believe it is right to compare golf courses as each golf course is unique and different in so many ways. However, essentially comparing Hogs Head to Waterville Golf Links is easy to do as the courses are on situated on either side of Waterville Town. Only three miles apart! Indeed, the fairways at Hogs are wider than Waterville and the rough has not grown at Hogs. Therefore, Hogs offers golfers a nice round of golf where it’s easier to find the golf ball to make pars and birdies.
Also, Hogs Head has five tee boxes to play from, and golfers can play a course from 5240 yards to 7140 yards from the back.
Trump Doonbeg, Co. Clare
Trump Doonbeg is one of the best play and stay resorts in Ireland. The suites located at the main hose and courtyard are beautiful and easy to use for travelling golfing groups. Notably, the four bedroom cottages are certainly a options for four or eight golfers. Mainly, there is plenty of room for storing luggage and large living spaces to relax after golfing. Indeed the resort has a nice spa, two restaurants to choose from and two bars to enjoy. Notably, the driving range is quite big and the golf practice facilities are very good.
Doonbeg Golf Course is pretty good to play and worth a game. Doonbeg was opened in 2002 and at the time Doonbeg was a Norman designed course, however the course was redesigned since Mr Trump bought the course. The first nine plays away from the lodge and the back nice back towards the lodge. The greens are tough to read and the rough can be nasty at time! Therefore, keep the ball on the short grass.
Golf Southwest of Ireland
Cork Golf Club
One of the finest of Alister Mackenzies parkland courses to play golf in Ireland. Uniquely, Cork Golf Club is built on an old Limestone quarry, and a number of the old quarry features remain. Notably, the quarry holes are through holes 4th through to the 12th. On a final note, Cork is a delightful course to play, and the course is easy to pair with Old Head for a 36 hole day or back to back golf days in Cork. Also Click here to look at a 5 day golf tour to the South West of Ireland.
Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
36 holes of majestic parkland golf suited on the banks of Lough Leane. Notably, the Killeen Course has hosted the European Tour’s Irish Open on many occasions throughout the ages. Whereas Mahony’s, point is a shorter course and wider fairways. Both courses are delightful and only a few minutes from the centre of Killarney town centre.
Dooks Golf Club
Dooks is a fun golf course to play and located not far from Killarney Town or Tralee. Eighteen holes of a right solid links course. Indeed Dooks is an ideal course to add on for a 36 hole day. Such as play Waterville and Dooks, Killarney and Dooks or Tralee and Dooks. Also, at Dooks Golf Club golfers will enjoy great views and a good test of golf.