Tralee Golf Links

Shortly after he arrived at Tralee, Arnold Palmer said “I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course.” Some will argue, however, that this was only partially the case. The front nine plays over relatively flat and uninteresting linksland, while the inward half is seated in the rugged and undulating dunes that produce thrilling golf. This disparity between the two nines is often cited by Tralee’s critics as a mark against the course. A view that can only be reached if the front nine is played with a blindfold.

There is no denying the front nine received the short end of the topographical stick, yet many of the outward holes hug the coastline producing an abundance of spectacular views. The par-5 2nd hole is a perfect example, as it wraps around the cliff’s edge in stunning fashion. Meanwhile, the 3rd is a cracking one-shotter, played to green perched above the sea and a Tudor-era gun turret. It is here that many are reminded of the 7th at Pebble Beach, albeit with nearly twice the amount of length.

After another inspiring approach to the 8th, we turn to the back nine and the promise of sensational links golf. The uphill climb between the parallel dunes on the par-5 11th sets the tone, while the chasms short of the 12th and 13th greens have swallowed more than their fair share of Pro-V1s. Ahead on the par-3 16th, a driver is likely to be the club of choice and even that may not be enough. The hole is known as “Shipwreck,” owing to a vessel from the Spanish Armada who ran aground here at the peril of its entire crew. In less consequential fashion, the hole more than lives up to its name, wrecking even the best of scorecards on a daily basis.

Arnold Palmer and his partner Ed Seay are often credited with designing the front nine at Tralee, while Mother Nature gets billing for the back. Indeed, Tralee is a tale of two nines, as well as a cast of do or die shots throughout the round. But it’s the bold and inspiring setting that makes for an unforgettable round of golf, especially when the sun is shining on the Monterey Peninsula of Ireland.