Golf in County Kerry
No county on earth packs more great links into one road trip than Kerry. Ballybunion's Old Course and Arnold Palmer's Tralee command the north, Waterville and Dooks guard the Ring of Kerry, Eddie Hackett's Ceann Sibeal holds the end of the Dingle Peninsula, and the lakes of Killarney carry the parkland that staged four Irish Opens. The courses that matter, the regions, the season, costs and how to plan it.
Photograph: Peter Wortmann, via Google
Why golf here
Kerry is the heart of the great southwest Ireland golf trip, and the reason is simple geography: an Atlantic coastline folded into three peninsulas, each one ending in serious links land. In the north, Ballybunion's Old Course tumbles through giant dunes above the ocean and Tralee occupies the headland at Barrow that Arnold Palmer turned into his first course in Europe in 1984. Out west, Eddie Hackett's Ceann Sibeal plays beneath the Brandon mountains at the end of the Dingle Peninsula, and on the Ring of Kerry, Waterville and the Victorian charm of Dooks bookend one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
What sets Kerry apart from every rival links coast is the base in the middle of it. Killarney is a genuine resort town with a national park on its doorstep and a championship club on its lakes, where the Killeen course staged the Irish Open four times, Nick Faldo winning back to back in 1991 and 1992. A Kerry week mixes the hardest, most exhilarating links golf in Ireland with proper hotels, music filled pubs and scenery that non golfing partners will forgive you for. It is the rare destination where the rest day is as good as the golf.
The regions
North Kerry
Ballybunion and Tralee, the heavyweight pairing. The Old Course's dunes at Ballybunion and Palmer's headland links at Barrow sit forty five minutes apart, with the Cashen Course adding a second round in the same Ballybunion sandhills.
The Ring of Kerry
Waterville at the far end of the Iveragh Peninsula, the Eddie Hackett links refined by Tom Fazio, with the gentle 1889 links of Dooks under the Reeks on the northern shore and Killarney's lakeside parkland anchoring the inland corner.
The Dingle Peninsula
Ceann Sibeal outside Ballyferriter, the most westerly links on the Wild Atlantic Way, an Eddie Hackett design with a burn that crosses thirteen holes and views to the Blasket Islands. Dingle town is the best small base in Irish golf.
The courses that matter
Ballybunion, Old Course
One of the most celebrated links on earth, a par 71 through colossal dunes above the Atlantic that golfers cross oceans to play. Visitor mornings run Monday to Friday from mid April to early October, at 400 euros mid season and 450 euros in high season 2026. Book the moment the timesheet opens.
Tralee
Arnold Palmer's first course in Europe, draped over the headland at Barrow with beaches on three sides and a back nine through dunes as dramatic as any in the game. A par 71 where the scenery fights the scorecard for your attention, and an essential companion to Ballybunion forty five minutes north.
Waterville
The great links at the far end of the Ring of Kerry, laid out by Eddie Hackett in the early 1970s and refined by Tom Fazio. Long, honest and wind whipped between the Atlantic and Ballinskelligs Bay, it has long been a favorite hideout of touring professionals before the Open. Worth every mile of the drive.
Killarney, Killeen Course
The championship course of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, opened in 1971 along the shore of Lough Leane with water in play on hole after hole. It staged the Irish Open four times, Nick Faldo winning in 1991 and 1992, and it gives a Kerry links week its change of pace in the prettiest setting in Irish parkland golf.
Dooks
One of Ireland's oldest courses, tucked between the Reeks and the ocean on Dingle Bay since 1889. Shorter than the championship monsters but long on charm and natural links character, it is the friendliest welcome in the county and the ideal opening or recovery round on a Ring of Kerry day.
Ceann Sibeal, Dingle
The most westerly links on the Wild Atlantic Way, Eddie Hackett's minimalist routing beneath Mount Brandon with a burn crossing thirteen holes, fescue greens and views to the Blasket Islands. Remote, elemental and cheerfully unpolished, it turns a night in Dingle town into one of the best stops in golf.
Ballybunion, Cashen Course
The Old Course's modern sibling, climbing through the same giant sandhills south of the clubhouse. Wilder and more abrupt than the Old, it completes one of the great 36 hole days in links golf: a two round Old plus Cashen ticket runs 575 euros from early August to early October 2026.
Castlegregory and the nine holers
Kerry's supporting cast keeps a trip honest: the little links at Castlegregory between mountain and strand on the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney's second course at Mahony's Point, and friendly nine hole golf scattered around the Ring. Perfect for arrival days and soft mornings.
Designers, dates and access verified June 2026 from the clubs and leading databases. Ballybunion visitor mornings run Monday to Friday, mid April to early October, excluding bank holiday Mondays. Always confirm directly before booking.
Ballybunion Old Course profile Tralee profile Check tee time availability
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Long days, the links firm and fast, every course open to visitors | Prime season; Ballybunion and Tralee timesheets fill months ahead |
| April and October | Cool, fresh and quieter, links in fine order | The value sweet spot; mid season rates and easier tee times |
| November to March | Mild but wet and wild off the Atlantic | Links golf survives the winter here; soft, stormy and cheap, for the hardy |
Kerry plays the year round, but the championship links are at their best, and busiest, from May to September. April and October trade a little daylight for better rates and easier bookings.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ballybunion, Old Course | 400 euros mid season, 450 euros high season 2026; Old plus Cashen 575 euros late season | Visitor mornings Monday to Friday; book at release |
| Tralee and Waterville | Premium marquee links fees, below Ballybunion's headline rate | Confirm current rates directly with each club |
| Killarney, Dooks and Ceann Sibeal | Mid range fees for championship quality | The value backbone of a Kerry week |
| Caddies and carts | Budget per round at the championship links | Caddies are worth it in the wind; reserve ahead |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Green fees move with season and demand. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
Kerry Airport at Farranfore sits in the middle of the county, fifteen minutes from Killarney, with connections through Dublin. Most international golfers fly into Shannon, ninety minutes from Ballybunion and Tralee, or into Cork, about two hours from Killarney, and drive. The roads are good but slow, and that is the point: the Ring of Kerry and the Conor Pass to Dingle are part of the trip. Plan one base move at most, north Kerry first and the Ring or Dingle second, rather than commuting daily across the county.
Where to stay
Killarney is the classic base, a resort town with hotels at every level, the national park next door and the most pub life per street in the southwest, within reach of everything except Ballybunion at a stretch. For the north, stay in Tralee or Ballybunion itself to make the morning timesheets. Out west, Dingle town is the best overnight in Irish golf, and Waterville village puts you beside the links at the quiet end of the Ring. Book rooms and marquee tee times together for summer dates, as both go early.
Plan your County Kerry golf trip
Tell us which links are on your list, Ballybunion and Tralee, the Ring and Waterville, or the full county, and roughly when. One concierge secures the visitor times, sorts the bases and the car, and costs the whole trip to the head, with no obligation.
County Kerry golf questions
What are the best golf courses in County Kerry?
Ballybunion's Old Course leads, one of the most celebrated links in the world, with Arnold Palmer's Tralee and the Eddie Hackett and Tom Fazio links at Waterville close behind. Dooks, Ceann Sibeal at Dingle and the Killeen course at Killarney, four time host of the Irish Open, complete the heart of the county. All welcome visitors, so plan ahead and confirm access and fees directly.
How much is the green fee at Ballybunion?
For 2026 the Old Course is 400 euros per person in mid season and 450 euros in high season, with a two round offer of one round on the Old and one on the Cashen at 575 euros from early August to early October. Visitor mornings run Monday to Friday from mid April to early October, excluding bank holiday Mondays. Fees are indicative, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Kerry?
May to September brings the longest days and the firmest links, and it is when Ballybunion and Tralee timesheets fill months in advance. April and October are the value window, with mid season rates and easier bookings. Winter golf is possible on the links but wet and wild. Always check the forecast and booking windows for your dates.
How many days do you need for a Kerry golf trip?
A week is ideal. Two or three nights in the north for Ballybunion, the Cashen and Tralee, then three or four around Killarney, the Ring or Dingle for Waterville, Dooks, Ceann Sibeal and the Killeen course. With five days, pick one end of the county; trying to do both from a single base means hours in the car every day.
Related
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Timesheet releases, green fee changes and the booking windows that matter across Ireland. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts, access and fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.