Seven Golfing Locations in Killarney

Killarney in Ireland is an excellent choice for a golf holiday because it has four full size courses and three nine-hole courses and it also has plenty top quality accommodation to cater for all visitors.

Golfers who like a challenge tend to like Lackabane which is one of the Golf Club's three courses. It is a Par 72 of 7020 yards and has some difficult hazards in the form of bunkers, streams and greens with awkward slopes. The Ryder Cup Challenge has been played there.

O'Mahonys Point is probably the easiest of the three courses at the club but is, nevertheless, challenging enough. It has a good number of water hazards and bunkers and undulating greens. It is Par 72 and 6800 yards (6218 meters) long. It is renowned for its fabulous view at the 18th hole.

Killeen is the main course of the club and is the most challenging and most famous. It was re-opened in 2006 following a major redesign and has become a favourite with many of the top golfers in the world. It is 7180 yards (6566 meters) long and very challenging with some long holes and fast greens. The setting at the foot of Carrantouhill, Ireland's highest mountain, on the shores of the lakes, is stunning. The Irish Open has been held there on a few occasions and is being played there again in July 2011.

Beaufort is a village to the west of the town and the beautiful Beaufort Golf resort is nearby. It has been developed recently and lies in a sylvan setting at the base of the MacGillycuddy Reeks between the lakes. It is a nice course which is not too challenging and can be enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike.

The three 9-hole courses are also of very high standard and more suitable for beginners or for those who do not feel up to the rigours of an 18-hole round. Dunloe course is beside the Dunloe Castle Hotel with The Gap of Dunloe in the background. The Castlerosse course is part of The Castlerosse Hotel Leisure Complex with the lakes in the background. The Ross course is considered to be one of the best 9-hole courses in the country and is located near Killarney Race Course on the way to Ross Castle.

Golfers will notice that within an hour's drive from the town there are located even more world class courses. Ballybunion which has two world class links courses has been played by many of the rich and famous and is a favourite of one of the world's greatest golfers, Tom Watson.

Waterville, to the south of Killarney, has another very popular links course and Kenmare, Dooks and Ceann Sibeal are among the best of the rest.