Golf
Golf in Kerry
Westcove, the perfect choice for your Kerry golfing holiday!
(The paragraph below only applies to tenants of Westcove House, The Stables and Garden Cottage)
Our 3 Westcove properties make an ideal base for friends or golf societies to combine an idyllic holiday with golf in the legendary ‘Kingdom of Kerry’. Westcove House, The Stables and Garden Cottage can together sleep up to 15 in separate bedrooms (16 if 2 share a twin) and of course many more if there are couples in your group. Set off after a full Irish breakfast, play one of the great Kerry courses listed below and return to enjoy one of Katherine’s delicious home-cooked dinners in the beautiful dining room at Westcove House. You can use your own cars or we can arrange a local mini bus for all your transport needs.
Please note: We can only accept full week bookings – Saturday to Saturday – in July and August – and a minimum of 5 nights in June, September and throughout the Easter, Christmas and NewYear holidays. At other times of year start/end dates can be flexible by arrangement but must be for a minimum of 3 nights.
There are four excellent and varied golf courses within ¾ of an hour’s drive of Westcove:
1 *Waterville
Tel: +353 (0) 66 94 74102, www.watervillegolflinks.ie – Email: wvgolf@iol.ie
This challenging, immaculately maintained 18 hole course, only 10 miles (20 minutes’ drive) to the west of Westcove is played by many top pros to prepare for the British Open. Although Green fees are high, this stunningly situated course right on the sea with magnificent views over the Atlantic is a ‘must’ for serious golfers. Well worth an early start as you’re likely to have a clearer, faster round!
2 Parknasilla Tel: +353 (0) 64 6675600
www.parknasillaresort.com/activities/estate-activities/golf – Email: info@parknasillagolfclub@eircom.net
This 12 hole course on the estuary (3 miles beyond Sneem towards Kenmare) has to be one of the most stunningly beautiful short courses in the world! Take lots of old balls – they tend to plug in damp conditions and there is a lot of woodland and gorse. Every hole is very challenging and set up so you can play 18 holes – a really pretty walk for non-golfers too. No booking necessary, though it’s worth checking with the Parknasilla Hotel +353 (0) 64 6675600 to make sure you won’t clash with a society or competition – weekdays recommended when you can often have the course to yourselves.’ – This legendary hotel has an excellent bar and lunch menu, and a spa with fabulous facilities open to non residents.
3 ‘Ring of Kerry’
Tel: +353 (0) 64 6642000, www.ringofkerrygolf.com – Email: reservations@ringofkerrygolf.com
An 18 hole course, about 5 miles west of Kenmare, on the Sneem/Kenmare road – less than 40 minutes’ drive from Westcove. It is hilly, with fabulous panoramic views over the Kenmare Estuary. Please contact the Pro Shop on guestservices@ringofkerrygolf.ie to book Tee Times. Take a buggy if you’re not a mountain goat! It’s an excellent contrast to Waterville, being parkland in character, but equally challenging, with a welcoming clubhouse serving drinks and bar food at the end!
4 Kenmare
Tel: +353 (0) 64 6641291, www.kenmaregolfclub.com – Email: info@kenmaregolfclub.com
About 45 minutes’ drive, this is a pretty course on the right, just as you go out of Kenmare towards Cork. Originally a 9 hole course – there is now a second, (rather hilly) 9 Hole. The Clubhouse offers drinks and bar food.
Other legendary courses in Kerry worth considering, all within 2 hours drive of Westcove:
*Dooks
Tel: +353 (0) 66 9768205, www.Dooks.com – 1¼ hour’s drive, near Glenbeigh, on the Ring of Kerry – a classical, unspoilt links course with stunning views over the Dingle peninsular – a family favourite! Unfortunately, it’s members only throughout November and December.
*Tralee Tel: +353 (0) 66 7136379, www.Traleegolfclub.com – seriously challenging! Designed by Arnold Palmer.
*Killarney Tel: +353 (0) 64 6631034, www.killarneygolfclub.ie – 3 courses by the beautiful Killarney lakes.
*Ballybunion Tel: +353 (0) 68 27146, www.ballybuniongolfclub.com – 2 hours drive ‘but a household name’.
* These courses need proof of ‘handicap’ and booking well in advance, especially during high season