Ireland
Tralee Golf Links Review
Tralee, Ireland
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Tralee Golf Links Scorecard, as of the date of last review
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Tralee Golf Links Overview: Designed by Arnold Palmer, this golf links feels different than many on Ireland. First, it is decidedly newer than other Links golf courses and, second, it is built on land that is a bit more hilly than other links courses. Because of this, there are ocean views on pretty much every golf hole, but some of them are more sweeping the further away from the coast one gets. The golfer need not fear though as there are at least 4 or 5 holes where they can still find the Atlantic or a nearby beach should they so desire. Some of the memorable holes are described below:
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Tralee Golf Links Hole 1: The 1st and 10th holes are similar in that they are downhill par fours heading towards the ocean. The 10th is decidedly harder, which is good so the first gives a more realistic chance for the golfer to get off onto the right foot.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 2: The second is a sweeping dogleg right with a drive that is tough to judge how much one can cut off the corner. Discretion is probably best rewarded as the hole is long and long grasses, beach or ocean will greet the player who goes too far right on any shot.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 3: Dazzling on a sunny day and formidable in any conditions, the third is a par three gem. Pins cut right of center are particularly troubling, but don't miss right or long for sure. The rugged coastline, complete with old castle ruins make for a truly memorable hole.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 5: The par four 5th features two bunkers at the corner of the slight dogleg right that must be avoided. The green complex also offers a slope that will help shots to the right come back onto the putting surface more often than not.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 6: This strong dogleg right has no reward for the aggressive play as through the fairway is OB and once the dogleg turns, the fairway is particularly narrow. Thus, the better play for most will be a mid iron to a tough green complex that shoots balls left and down a steep hill if not hit on target.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 8: This great par four plays along the cliffs left (OB) but should the drive to too far right, the second will be partially blind and maybe blocked by the large hill there, so some level of courage is needed on the tee shot to make the hole more manageable.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 11: Visually, the 11th is not the most beautiful hole as the drive heads out towards a wall of hilly grass but the steep nature of the second shot is also unique as it has to play up between the hills to (at least for the first time playing it) a blind shot that looks foreboding. There is actually a decent amount of room up by the green and the hole can yield birdies.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 12: This par four is long and brutal. The green complex has a deep gully left and short so a perfect drive must be struck to give any shot to hit the green in regulation. Going for the green from a long way out is a terrible idea as there really is no viable layup.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 13: This exciting par three plays across a gully to a very shallow green that is carved out of the hillside, It plays only slightly uphill so one can see the surface, but hitting the exact distance is an absolute must or bogey or worse will be an almost certainty.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 15: The short par four on the back nine is target golf of sorts. It does not need too much club on any shot, but miss the fairway at your peril. The second shot to the green can very well be partially blind depending on pin placement and location in the fairway. The views are great.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 16: The views are again stunning on this par three but don't miss the green, especially short or right as that will be a long search for the golf ball.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 17: Not a long par four, the fairway is tight and although the player can lay back, it's better to challenge the fairway bunkers. The green is way uphill and shots coming up short will come a fair piece back down the slope leaving a very tough up and down for par. The locations featured on this hole, especially the tee box and green, are stunning.
Tralee Golf Links Hole 18: The finishing holes to each nine are relatively short par fives littered with bunkers. The head back uphill to the clubhouse and feel fairly similar, and give a good chance to finish each nine with a positive memory, especially if big drives are hit.
