Killarney Golf Week

The flagship course at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, the Killeen Course is one of the finest championship parkland courses in Ireland. Accuracy is vital with water a dominant feature. The opening holes play alongside the famous Lakes with the opening drive being one of the most demanding in Ireland. The course then meanders through mature woodland where several smaller lakes and streams constantly challenge approach shots. The Killeen course reopened in 2006 after extensive renovation that included the introduction of challenging, well contoured, sand-based greens. The Killeen course finishes with a superb par-4, guarded on the entire left hand side by a wide stream. For those seeking a break from the rigours of links golf, the Killeen course is the obvious choice.

Dooks is a high quality, traditional links in a superb location overlooking Dingle Bay and the entrance to Castlemaine Harbour. If one were to play a round with old fashioned equipment and gutta perch golf balls this would be the course. Recent modernisation has taken away some of the more severe quirks, some not to be missed others - such as the bowl shaped 13th green - a nostalgic loss. The 13th best illustrated the charm of Dooks. It was a throwback hole to the time when golf began (golf beagn at Dooks in 1889 making it one of the oldest courses in Ireland). Greens lay where they fell and were better for it. Set out on one of the three stretches of sand dunes at the head of Dingle bay, in the immediate foreground are the sand dune peninsulas of Rossbeigh and Inch and just a few miles away the whitewashed houses of Cromane fishing village provide an eye catching distraction. For the golfer seeking a truly magical location to enjoy good links golf, Dooks presents a convincing case.

Ireland's most visited golf course, much loved by Tom Watson. A totally natural links located by the ocean, Ballybunion features many classic links holes. The contours, on the fairways and on the greens, are what make it a great golf course. There are uphill and downhill and sidehill shots, uphill and downhill par-3s. You must play accurate iron shots into the greens, usually to a small target with not a lot of room to miss right or left. But there is room to roll a ball on to the greens in the true links manner. The first six holes are enigmatic - the 2nd hole is one of the best par-4's anywhere but the two consecutive par-5's (4 ,5) are our least favourite. From the 7th the true Ballybunion unfolds and the homeward nine provide an idelible golfing memory with such classic holes as the iconic 11th, 12, 15, 16 and the oceanside 17th with its spectacular drive.

Arnold Palmer's first European design on the shores of Barrow Bay and with great views of Banna Strand. When he first saw the area upon which his company was to build Tralee golf links, Palmer was ecstatic about the possibilities. "I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course" Tralee features probably the finest homeward nine holes in Ireland, each one spectacular and each one offering breathtaking views of the beach and ocean. As you climb the hill to at the long and difficult 11th (Palmer's Peak) the dramatic views unfold. From here a series of outstanding links holes provide a white-knuckle golf ride through the dunes, with the scenery your only friend! Possibly somewhat unfair, but totally unforgettable. "I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine", Palmer explained. "I am happy that we have one of the worlds' great golf links here."