Eddie Hackett's original Kerry links, refined by Tom Fazio into a seamless 7,349-yard championship masterpiece. Set between Ballinskelligs Bay and the Ring of Kerry mountains — Tom Watson, Payne Stewart and Tiger Woods have all made the pilgrimage here.
Book directly with the club for best availability. Green fees range from €60–€150 depending on season and tee time. Handicap certificate required.
Waterville Golf Links occupies a magnificent strip of linksland between the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Currane on the Iveragh Peninsula — the body of land the Ring of Kerry circumnavigates. Golf here has a long history, with the first nine holes laid out in the 1880s. The modern championship links owes its reputation principally to Eddie Hackett, the great Irish links architect who designed the layout that gave Waterville its international standing. The course was later refined by Tom Fazio, who smoothed the transition between the two very different nines and built the routing into the seamless championship test visitors encounter today.
The course plays to par 72 from the back tees at 7,349 yards — a genuine championship distance that tests every club in the bag. The front nine, relatively flat, builds steadily toward the dunes. The back nine is where Waterville declares itself: the 12th through 15th holes run through towering dunes above the beach, exposed to whatever the Atlantic chooses to deliver on the day. The 17th hole — "Mulcahy's Peak" — is the most celebrated: a long par 3 played from an elevated tee across a valley of bent grass and wild Atlantic scenery, with Lough Currane glittering behind you. It is as beautiful a par 3 as Irish golf produces.
The course is playable from five sets of tees, with the forward tees starting at 5,370 yards — ensuring that golfers of all standards can enjoy the links without being overwhelmed by its championship length. A handicap certificate is required. The club and on-site Waterville House hotel make this a natural base for a multi-day Ring of Kerry golf trip.
| Season | Green Fee Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High Season (May–Sep) | €120–€150 | Peak and off-peak tee times available |
| Shoulder (Apr, Oct) | €80–€120 | Excellent value, course in good condition |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | From €60 | Subject to course conditions |
Rates are indicative ranges compiled from multiple sources including the club website and golf tour operators. Always confirm the exact rate when booking directly with the club.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Played by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black (Championship) | 72 | 7,349 | Tournament / scratch |
| Blue | 72 | 6,800 | Low handicap |
| White | 72 | 6,100 | Mid handicap men |
| Green | 72 | 5,700 | Mid handicap / seniors |
| Red | 72 | 5,370 | Forward / juniors |
Yes — Waterville welcomes visitors 7 days a week. Advance booking is essential, particularly for peak season (May–September). Book online via the club website at watervillegolflinks.ie or contact the pro shop directly. A handicap certificate is required.
The 17th — "Mulcahy's Peak" — is Waterville's most celebrated hole and one of the great par 3s in links golf. Played from an elevated tee with views of the Ring of Kerry mountains and Lough Currane behind you, the hole requires a precise carry to a green framed by wild dunes and the Atlantic sky. Distance varies with the wind — typically 170–200 yards depending on the tee played.
Waterville has been a favourite of many great players. Tom Watson is a regular and long-time admirer. Payne Stewart played here extensively (a memorial plaque honours him at the course). Tiger Woods played Waterville before the 2000 Open Championship at St Andrews. The course has a tradition of hosting professional practice rounds in Open Championship years when the rota visits Ireland.
Yes — Waterville House, adjacent to the golf links, offers accommodation. The Waterville Lake Hotel is also nearby. Both are ideal for a multi-day Waterville golf visit. See our Golf + Stay page for details and other accommodation options in the area.
Waterville is approximately 60 minutes from Killarney (about 65km via the N70 Ring of Kerry road). The drive itself is spectacular — along the shores of the Kenmare River estuary through Kenmare, then around the Ring past Sneem and Caherdaniel. Allow extra time to stop at viewpoints on the way.
Eddie Hackett and Ron Kirby design at Templenoe, between Waterville and Kenmare on the Ring of Kerry route.
One of Ireland's oldest links (Est. 1889), with Dingle Bay views and the McGillycuddy Reeks as backdrop.
Accessible parkland on the edge of Kenmare town — a welcoming club with mountain and estuary views.