The K Club, Palmer North: 2026 Update
A short drive west of Dublin, the K Club's Palmer North course is a piece of Ryder Cup history, the Arnold Palmer parkland on the banks of the River Liffey that staged the 2006 matches. Here is what travelling golfers should know for the 2026 season.
Photo: The Palmer North via Google.
The course: Palmer on the Liffey
The Palmer North course, also known as the Palmer or Old course, was designed by Arnold Palmer's firm in the early 1990s on the 550 acre Straffan estate in County Kildare. It is a lush, mature parkland threaded through woodland and along the River Liffey, with water very much in play, a championship test wrapped around a luxury resort hotel.
It is the more celebrated of the two Palmer designs at the K Club, and the river holes down the closing stretch give it a grand, theatrical finish. This is resort parkland golf at its most polished, in superb condition and built for big occasions.
Why it matters for 2026
The Palmer North's place in history is secure: it hosted the 36th Ryder Cup in September 2006, the first time the matches were played in Ireland, won by Europe. That heritage, combined with the course's enduring quality and a long record of hosting professional golf, makes a round here a genuine occasion.
For 2026 it remains a flagship of Irish parkland golf and a natural anchor for a trip around Dublin and the east of Ireland, a contrast to the famous links of the coasts.
How to plan a visit
The K Club sits a short drive west of Dublin in County Kildare, easily reached from the city and the airport, with the resort hotel making an overnight stay simple. It pairs well with the parkland and links of the wider east coast for a varied Irish trip.
The best playing season runs from late spring to early autumn. Treat any quoted green fee as indicative for 2026, check resort and tee time policy, and always confirm directly before booking.
Our take
Our take is that the Palmer North is essential for any golfer drawn to Ryder Cup history, a grand, beautifully kept parkland with a major moment in its past, close to Dublin. It is the polished counterpoint to a links heavy Irish itinerary.
Plan it for the warmer months, stay at the resort to make an occasion of it, and treat the K Club as one of the highlights of golf in the east of Ireland.
Plan your Ireland golf trip
From the Ryder Cup parkland of the K Club to the links of the Irish coast, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Did the K Club host the Ryder Cup?
Yes. The Palmer North course at the K Club hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup, the first time the matches were played in Ireland, won by Europe. It is an Arnold Palmer parkland design on the River Liffey in County Kildare.
Where is the K Club?
The K Club is at Straffan in County Kildare, a short drive west of Dublin and easily reached from the city and airport. The resort hotel makes a stay and play visit straightforward.
When is the best time to play the K Club?
The best season runs from late spring to early autumn. Treat any green fee as indicative for 2026, check resort and tee time policy, and confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, designer and Ryder Cup history verified June 2026 from club and golf sources; conditions, access and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.