Top Golf Courses in Kerry for 2025
At Coolclogher House, we welcome guests from around the world who come to experience Kerry’s legendary golf courses. Whether you’re travelling with friends, planning a family trip with a few rounds included, or organising a full golf-focused itinerary, we’re here to help.
We can arrange tee times, transfers, club hire and even a private chef for post-round dinners. Many guests like to mix links and parkland courses for variety—and we’re happy to suggest routes and combinations based on your group’s preferences and pace.
With that in mind, here’s our pick of the best golf courses in Kerry for 2025, all within easy reach of the house.
Ballybunion Golf Club
Location: North Kerry – approx. 1 hr 15 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: A world-class links experience
Home to two spectacular 18-hole links courses, Ballybunion is considered one of the greatest golfing destinations in the world. The Old Course features rolling dunes, deep bunkers and coastal winds that demand focus. Golfing legends such as Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have walked these fairways. The Cashen Course, a more modern layout by Robert Trent Jones Snr., offers sweeping views and bold shot-making challenges.
Insider tip: Book early. Tee times here are in high demand from March through October.
Waterville Golf Links
Location: South-west Kerry – approx. 1 hr 30 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: Links lovers with a taste for history
One of Ireland’s most scenic and storied courses, Waterville sits on a remote strip of land between the sea and the mountains. This course blends natural terrain with expert design to create a classic links challenge. The setting is pure drama—waves crashing, dunes shifting, and views stretching across Ballinskelligs Bay.
Fun fact: Payne Stewart was a regular visitor and the club has a statue in his honour.
Tralee Golf Club
Location: Barrow, Co. Kerry – approx. 50 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: Bold shots and even bolder scenery
Designed by Arnold Palmer in the 1980s, Tralee offers dramatic coastal golf with cliffs, ocean winds and postcard-worthy panoramas. The front nine is a gentler introduction—but the back nine? Rugged, raw, and unforgettable. Hole 17 plays along a cliff edge and is not for the faint-hearted.
Palmer once said: “I designed the front nine. God designed the back.”
Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
Location: Just outside Killarney – 10 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: Parkland beauty and convenience
Nestled beside Lough Leane, this 45-hole parkland course is perfect for golfers who want variety. The Killeen Course has hosted multiple Irish Opens and is set to host the 2025 European Amateur Team Championship. It’s long, lush and lakeside. Mahony’s Point is a more relaxed round with wider fairways and arguably one of the prettiest finishing holes in Ireland.
Perfect for a warm-up round or twilight game during your stay.
Dooks Golf Club
Location: Glenbeigh – approx. 50 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: Classic charm and peaceful surroundings
Dooks is one of Ireland’s oldest links courses (est. 1889) and offers a slightly more laid-back experience than some of its bigger-name neighbours. But don’t mistake that for a lack of quality—it’s quirky, scenic, and a real joy to play. Expect native wildflowers, undulating fairways, and a warm welcome.
It’s a favourite among those who appreciate natural design and minimal fuss.
Dingle Golf Links (Ceann Sibéal)
Location: West Kerry – approx. 1 hr 20 mins from Coolclogher
Best for: Windswept links and off-the-beaten-path beauty
Ceann Sibéal is the westernmost golf course in Europe and offers a wonderfully rugged links experience. Surrounded by the Slieve Mish mountains and overlooking the Atlantic, it’s remote, traditional, and full of character. Don’t be surprised if you share your round with a few seabirds and the odd breeze strong enough to knock your hat off.
Ideal for a golf day paired with a drive around the Dingle Peninsula.
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club
Location: Kenmare – approx. 1 hr from Coolclogher
Best for: Mountain views and modern comfort
A parkland course with a difference—Ring of Kerry features wide fairways, elevated tees and glorious views over Kenmare Bay. The course offers a more forgiving layout for casual players, but still rewards strategic play and confident putting.
Golf with a touch of luxury—great clubhouse, excellent food, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Ready to tee off?
If you’re thinking about a golf holiday in Ireland for 2025, Coolclogher House is ideally located for a tailored golf itinerary in the heart of Kerry. Contact us today and we’ll help you plan the perfect mix of play, scenery and comfort.
