WATERVILLE – DG IRELAND TOP150 – 2025
Editor, Kevin Markham
Golfers from around the world flock to Waterville, and the drive along the Ring of Kerry, above the sea, builds the expectation no end. This is something special, something idyllic, and the setting only makes the course all the more alluring.
Few courses can boast such picture-perfect holes and such a sensuous rhythm. You can thank Eddie Hackett and, later, Tom Fazio for this links work-of-art. The dunes start low taking you to the River Inny, where the par-4 2nd and 3rd hit you with Index 1 and 3 respectively. The water hugs you tight all along the 3rd and then you dive back into the dunes for more dramatic and wonderfully pristine shapes. These embrace you for the entirety of the back nine where the par-3s (12 and 17) will leave you in awe.
Raised tee boxes ensure you can see much of each hole and, with wide fairways, it will make you want to swing hard. It’s a long course so go right ahead.
The front nine are excellent; the back nine are spectacular.
FAVOURITE HOLE
There are so many obvious contenders but ‘Tranquility’ shines
brightest. The par-5 11th is one of the most beautiful holes in
Ireland. No more needs to be said.
WHAT’S IN THE BAG?
The subtlety of the many doglegs can easily be lost on you. Pay
close attention to which side of the fairway to favour.
For more on Ireland’s TOP150; check out; Destination Golf – Ireland 2025 – Destination Golf