6 Tralee

Situated on rugged sand dunes astride Tralee Bay in the southwest corner of Ireland, Tralee has long been considered Arnold Palmer’s finest design. On land that couldn’t be more suitable for a golf course, Palmer finished the layout in the early 1980s, locating greensites before scouring the landscape for the natural fairways that Mother Nature would lead to them. Starting along high cliffs, just like Pebble Beach, and finishing in high dunes similar to those found at the close of Ballybunion, Tralee is a captivating and varied course that never fails to stimulate the senses.

5 Waterville

Golf started at Waterville in 1889 with a modest nine holes, but it wasn’t until the club had folded in the 1950s and was purchased by Jack Mulcahy that the “beautiful monster” that exists today (after updates from Tom Fazio) was created in 1973. Situated on a lush promontory surrounded by the sea, its stunning, remote location offers incredible views over the neighbouring Ballinskelligs Bay with holes laid out on former potato fields. Fairways here gently undulate, the front nine playing across relatively flat ground before the back nine weaves its way through avenues of tall dunes. The collection of par 3s is as strong as any in Ireland, and the elevated 17th, which plays toward the horizon along the bay, is a breathtaking piece of course architecture.

4 Old Head

The 220-acre headland on which Old Head now lies had every course architect excited back in the 1980s. The job eventually went to Ron Kirby, who lived on the site for two years to ensure it fitted his vision for a course that maximized the rocky ocean cliffs, and it’s clear to see he succeeded. Old Head first opened in 1996 and boasts nine holes along ledges 300 feet above the surf and seven more with unobstructed views of the ocean. Those who’ve experienced it say that playing at Old Head is like teeing off on the edge of the world.

3 Adare Manor

Laid out over a vast 800-acre country estate that was once the seat of the Earl of Dunraven, the course was first opened in 1995. Straddling either side of the River Maigue, which meanders effortlessly through the 18 holes, the property is now a high-end luxury hotel, and the course, thanks to a remodelling by Tom Fazio, has similarly been given a new lease of life. The entire course was stripped and redesigned, including the installation of SubAir systems under the greens, and now has the reputation for being the finest conditioned in Ireland, so much so, it has been named as the home of the 2027 Ryder Cup. The par-three 16th, with a 90-yard deep green, and the par-five 18th are the jewels in the Adare crown.

2 Lahinch (Old)

The splendid links at Lahinch Old Course, considered by many to be the St. Andrews of Ireland, is a reflection of how link golf architecture has evolved over the years. After it was given a remodelling by none other than Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1927 (Old Tom Morris having already made adjustments in 1894 to the holes originally laid out by three Limerick golfers), only a few of the Morris’ original holes, like the Klondyke par-5 fourth, and Dell par-3 fifth, remained. Another chapter arrived in the 1980s, Donald Steel altering some of MacKenzie’s holes, and in the 2000s, Martin Hawtree rebuilt everything and added four new holes. Little remains of the Old Tom Morris original, but what has been now created is a masterpiece.