Ask a Kerry local and they'll say: "Come in May or September." The summer crowds haven't arrived yet (or have already left), the weather is often as good as July, the courses are in superb condition, and you'll get a tee time at Ballybunion without booking six months ahead. Here is the complete seasonal breakdown.
Published May 2026 · GolfKerry.ie editorial team
Best months overall: May, June, September
Best value: April, September, October
Busiest (book furthest ahead): July, August
Avoid for golf trips: December, January, February
Kerry's coldest and darkest months — days of just 7.5–9.5 hours of daylight, average temperatures of 7–10°C and the highest rainfall of the year. The links courses at Ballybunion, Waterville and Dooks drain well and are playable in most conditions, but parkland courses (Killarney, Beaufort) can be wet underfoot. Green fees are at their lowest, tee times are plentiful, and hardy golfers who don't mind cold and wet will find extraordinary value and empty courses. Not recommended for first-time visitors to Kerry golf.
March is transitional — some excellent days are possible, particularly in the second half of the month, but the weather remains unpredictable. Daylight reaches 11.5 hours by the end of March. Green fees remain at shoulder/off-season rates. A good time for golfers flexible enough to adjust plans around the forecast.
April is when Kerry starts to feel like a proper golf destination again. Daylight is up to 13.5 hours, temperatures climb to 10–14°C, and the links courses are in excellent condition — firm, fast fairways and the gorse in bloom across the dunes at Ballybunion and Dooks. Green fees at Dooks drop to €80 (from the €120 summer rate); other courses remain at shoulder pricing. Tee times are available with reasonable advance booking. April golf in Kerry — with a bit of luck on the weather — can be outstanding.
May is arguably the best month for a Kerry golf trip. The days are long (up to 15 hours), temperatures reach 12–17°C, the courses are in peak condition after winter recovery work, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived. Green fees step up to high-season rates at some courses but the overall experience-to-cost ratio is at its best. Tee times at Ballybunion — which requires Monday–Friday booking regardless of season — are far easier to obtain in May than July or August.
June is peak season in the making — the longest days of the year (up to 16.5 hours of daylight around the summer solstice), warm temperatures (14–19°C average), and a settled Atlantic weather pattern that can produce strings of perfect golf days. The drawback is that courses are busier and tee time availability — especially at Ballybunion — requires earlier booking. Green fees are at their highest. An excellent month if you book early.
The busiest months for Kerry golf. Green fees are at their highest. Ballybunion visitor tee times sell out months in advance. The weather is generally good (15–20°C), but by no means guaranteed — Atlantic storms can arrive in August particularly. For golfers with fixed holiday dates, July and August are fine — just book everything well ahead. For flexible golfers, May or September is a better choice.
September is the other month locals keep quiet about. The summer crowds have left, the weather is often more settled than August (a phenomenon known anecdotally as "second summer" in Kerry), the days are still long (12.5 hours), and green fees drop at some courses from late September. The courses are in excellent playing condition after a full summer season's maintenance. Tee times become easier to obtain. The Ring of Kerry drive takes on autumn tones from late September — a spectacular backdrop.
October offers good value — shoulder season rates at most courses, quieter tee sheets, and the possibility of excellent weather particularly in the first half of the month. Autumn storms become more likely in the second half. Daylight drops to 10.5 hours by month-end. Dooks charges €80 (from the €120 summer peak) in October. A solid choice for golfers who are not troubled by variable conditions.
Short days (8.5 hours in November, 7.5 in December), high rainfall and winter storm risk. Links golf is possible on good days, but the experience is very different from the summer months. Green fees are at their lowest. Recommended only for golfers visiting specifically for the off-season experience and value.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Green fees | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January–Feb | Poor | Very low | Lowest | Avoid |
| March | Variable | Low | Low | Shoulder |
| April | Good | Low–medium | Medium | Very good |
| May | Excellent | Medium | High | Best overall |
| June | Excellent | High | Highest | Excellent — book early |
| July–Aug | Good | Very high | Highest | Fine — book months ahead |
| September | Excellent | Medium | High–medium | Best value overall |
| October | Variable | Low | Medium | Good value |
| Nov–Dec | Poor | Very low | Lowest | Off-season only |
Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee, Killarney, Dooks — green fees and visitor information for every course.
Aghadoe Heights, Sheen Falls Lodge, Killarney Park — matched to every part of the Kerry circuit.
Current conditions and seasonal weather guide for Kerry golf.