Tralee Golf Course
Representing the first European design of Arnold Palmer, Tralee Golf Club in south-western Ireland is one of the most spectacularly beautiful golf courses you will ever encounter. And while beauty often masks certain deficiencies in a golf course, that is certainly not the case with Tralee. Having completed his masterpiece, Palmer commented: "I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course. I am happy that we have one of the world's great links here". While it always boasted a magnificent setting, with the course settling down and the greens thriving over time, Tralee has now joined the elite group of Irish links.
With views of the Atlantic and white sandy beaches from almost every hole, Tralee earns rave reviews from all who play it. Renowned golf writer Peter Dobereiner aptly summed up the experience of playing here, commenting: "As a spectacle, Tralee is in a different class...the setting is quite the most magnificent backdrop for a golf course I have ever encountered.
It thus passes with distinction my first test of a course, which is that it should be an exhilarating place to walk around regardless of how well or badly you may be playing." Tralee is one of those courses where it is difficult to concentrate on your game due to the breathtaking nature of the scenery but you will nevertheless note that the course offers countless superb holes. Best on the front nine include the doglegging par five 2nd hole, which measures over 590 yards from the championship tees and plays directly along the Atlantic Ocean to the right; the demanding par three 3rd hole, which requires a tee shot struck almost over the beach to a green guarded left and right by bunkers; and the relatively short par four 8th hole, which again requires a brave tee shot skirting with a watery grave on the left and requiring a pinpoint approach to a target sloping wickedly from right to left. Brace yourself for one of the finest homeward stretches in golf. Each hole from the 10th to the 18th provides an unforgettable experience. When playing your second shot to the 12th green, you will quickly realize why it's rated the most difficult on the course.
Assuming you have hit a good drive, a huge depression from which there is no escape lurks to the left, while there is literally nowhere to land your ball other than on the green. The short par three 13th over what is best described as "trouble" is all about trusting your club selection, while the longer par three 16th requires a well struck mid to long iron from an elevated tee to a green cleverly protected by bunkers and perched directly beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Ballybunion Cashen Course
If nothing else, Robert Trent Jones, Sr.'s addition to Ballybunion is consistent with it's big sister: The Cashen Course also contains numerous blind shots, pinpoint landing areas and well-guarded greens. In fact, one could make the case that caddies are needed more here than on the Old Course, at least forecaddies who can keep an eye on your ball as it whistles out of sight over yet another dune.
The helipad next to the first tee, though sort of cool, is a bit distracting if some rich so-and-so happens to be landing as you are trying to tee off. And the 6,306-yard, par-72 course (6,026 from the whites) really doesn't kick into full gear until the 350-yard fourth. This stunning par 4, which looks longer than it is, offers a panoramic view of the estuary on the left, the ocean on the right and sand hills and the rest of the course everywhere else. The elevated tees and wide fairway make you wish you were John Daly, and they break your heart when you screw up your tee shot. Jones succeeded in creating a collection of extremely unique holes, especially the nine from the fourth through the 15th. And like the Old Course, experience and local knowledge would aid the average golfer immensely. First timers will be frustrated, however.
Consider the following examples: The 303-yard, par-4 fifth is a goofy little hole that forces a mid- to long-iron off the tee - or does it? Aggressive, long hitters can get it tantalizingly close to the steeply elevated green and chip on, which may be a better strategy for everyone, as the putting surface is wide, almost ridiculously shallow and guarded in back by a fescue-covered hill and bunkers and in front by a steep ledge, making an approach with anything more than a wedge very difficult. The 605-yard eighth presents an awkward drive with a fairway wood over a white stone. Even then, the well-struck tee ball will run 100-plus yards down a toboggan-hill fairway. From 200 yards out, the green still looks like it's par-5 distance away. The 478-yard ninth runs severely downhill and is reachable in two to even your mediocre golf writer with no more than a big driver and a pitching wedge. The real difficulty here is the brutal three-tiered green. (Note: There is nothing more frustrating than a four-putt bogey!) The 487-yard 15th is perhaps the best par 5 on the course, out of a collection of memorable 5-pars. Here golfers are presented with another blind tee shot to a fairway that runs at break-neck speed downhill and then majestically back up to a large, undulating green. This hole epitomizes one of the truly vexing aspects of Jones's design: You can hit a 320-yard drive here in the fairway and still not have a view of the green. The 15th is like an amusement park ride: Either you love it and you want to get right back on again as soon as you're done, or you get off and feel sick to your stomach, swearing you'll never do that again.
The verdict The Cashen Course at Ballybunion is built on what Jones called "the finest piece of links-land that I have ever seen, and perhaps the finest piece of links-land in the world." This is a mammoth overstatement, but nevertheless, the course offers all of the elements of fine links golf: soaring dunes, inspiring vistas, lucky and unlucky bounces and rolls, plus a true test of every aspect of one's game. This said, the Cashen Course presents first-timers with numerous blind shots and some very narrow fairways. Certain landing areas are so narrow as to feel unfair, at least until after a few rounds and you know which club to pull where.
Rated in the top 100 by Golf Magazine, the vast majority of Cashen's green positions have been copied by many new course designers. Spectacular and supremely challenging, what can never be copied is the majestic landscape and fresh sea air that is distinctly part of the Ballybunion experien
Killarney (O'Mahonys Point) Course
The shortest of the three Killarney courses has spectacular views of the famous Killarney lakes overlooked by the McGillicuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland .
The final three holes are breathtaking as you play towards the lake with the 18 th described as “one of the most memorable holes in Golf”, a par three of nearly 200 yards that requires a huge carry across the corner of the lake. Discover for yourself why the 18 th is the most photographed in the world.
While Mahony’s Point is the shortest but most scenic and friendly of our three courses, it presents an enjoyable challenge to golfers of all standards, the combination of undulating greens, well positioned bunkers and water hazards ensure that there is enough danger to spoil a good round.
O'Mahonys Point hosted the Irish Ladies Open Championship in 2003 – won by Sophie Gustafson from Sweden . Hosted the Irish Ryder Cup Challenge 2006 - won by Australian, John Wade.
In Addition Fabulous lake views on the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd holes as well as the 15 th, 17 th and 18 th. The 2 nd and 3 rd are two of the strongest par 4s in golf followed closely by the tough 11 th. At the 13 th, the spectacular scenery of the lakes comes into view, which never fails to impress even the regulars! Breathtaking views on the last three with the 18 th, the most photographed being described as “Heavens Reflex”.
Beaufort Golf Course
The course presents magnificent views of the world famous MacGillycuddy Reeks from all points. The natural drainage of the site and the exceptionally mild climate of south west Ireland will guarantee enjoyable golf throughout the year.
"The 11th is breathtaking and the 12th, through a sweeping green valley, is just awesome in scope." Nicky Barry, The Kingdom The first nine holes are located to the west of the avenue while the back nine are nearer the mountains on the southern aspect.
The clubhouse complex is located within the courtyard adjacent to the main house and overlooks the practice putting green, beyond which is the formal rose garden. This complex incorporates all the facilities you would expect from a modern golf development whilst embracing a traditional and warm atmosphere.
Beaufort Golf Course is an 18 hole Championship Standard par 71. The Course measures 6587 yds from the medal tees and 5310 yds from the ladies tees.