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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