Make the kind of ‘links’ that matter . . .

KERRY’S links courses have a worldwide reputation and anyone who has ever played in one will back up this statement. Quality courses in amazing settings is one of the benefits of being located along the Wild Atlantic Way. The latter contributes to some the best and most prolific links courses around. This is something to both celebrate and experience if you haven’t already done so.

Venues like the Arnold Palmer designed Tralee Golf Club, Ballybunion, Ceann Sibeal, Waterville, Dooks and Castlegregory are among some of the most renowned links courses in Kerry. Waterville

is currently making changes to its clubhouse, golf shop and dining area. Famous golf course architect Tom Farzo once said of Waterville: ‘The setting is one of the best I’ve seen for golf.’ Waterville’s links course will also have new sand and fescue seed added in the near future that will enhance the overall efficiency of its surfaces.

These are hugely popular courses in Kerry and even if your golf skills are such that you should stick to the day job, it matters little as the most fulfilling part is getting out there to enjoy and savour the coastal experience.

It was said of Ballybunion’s old course that ‘man might think the game of golf originated here’ owing to the course’s natural feel. Ballybunion Golf Course is also improving its irrigation system and drainage capacity.

Golf tours are by far the best way to enjoy such quality courses. Historically, golf tours were largely confined to visiting overseas tourists, but nowadays there’s somewhat of an overlap between golf ‘tours’ and golf ‘outings’ due the influx of local people playing the game.

The one positive aspect of all this is that there is plenty of choice. It’s just a matter of forming a society, picking a course, making a date, hiring a coach, and the rest falls into place.

Many links courses around the world are out of reach for most people, but that’s not really an issue in a county like Kerry where its links courses are among the best in the world. A third of the world’s links courses are in Ireland and Kerry is a serious player when it comes to being the best.

Val Doran, Irish Examiner. “There could not be a more scenic course in the country than the beautiful par 68 links course in Castlegregory. Situated between the 900 acre Lough Gill at the southern end, Brandon Bay to the north and beyond to Brandon Mountain.”