Dingle - Ceann Sibeal - Kerry - Ireland

This was a 36 hole day for us, playing Dooks in the morning before heading further west along the scenic Dingle Peninsula to play Europe's most westerly golf course. Adding to its remoteness, the course lies another 25 minutes beyond the pretty seaside town of Dingle making this a ninety minute journey in total.

Taking the location into account, we were somewhat surprised to find a very busy course for a Monday afternoon. There were no large groups, just members and late summer holiday golfers enjoying what is obviously a very popular venue.

This is natural uncomplicated links golf with wonderful views adding to the experience. Most of the course is laid out on the gentle slopes below the clubhouse from where all eighteen greens can be viewed. There are none of the big sand dunes often found at some of the more famous Irish courses, just low lying humps and hollows, a solid routing and a number of well placed bunkers. That said the course does have some teeth. A meandering stream that comes into play on no less than eleven holes has been used to great effect causing consternation on numerous approach shots, particularly when the wind blows.

Whilst Dingle doesn't quite match up to the best links on the West Coast of Ireland it does offer an enjoyable round with a nice variety of holes and good greens. It's also a very reasonable green fee.

I played Ceann Sibeal on a relatively calm day and thoroughly enjoyed my round (even though I didn't play very well!). The location is amazing. The course is situated in a basin surrounded by rolling hills and craggy mountains with the bay and it's crashing waves in near distance.

Admittedly, I do slightly agree with the comment(s) regarding Ceann Sibeal as not being a "true" links course. A few holes didn't quite feel at home here, personally, the 6th & 13th, I just felt they didn't quite have that link's character to them.

Overall, I would say Ceann Sibeal is a good place to start if you're new to links style golf. It's not particularly a difficult course, but it's a great place to whet your appetite for links golf.

(Plus you can claim you've played in the most westerly course in Europe!)

Ceann Sibeal golf course is located in a splendid spot with views of Sybil Head, the Three (or “tree” as the locals put it) Sisters and Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest. The finest stretch of holes starts the back nine. After a challenging uphill par 3, holes 11 and 13 are doglegs requiring plenty of strategic thought. They are sandwiched around a cunning par 3 with a contoured green set an angle to the tee shot.

The rest of the course is not quite as good. The routing is a bit mundane as 14 holes are on the SE/NW axis. And most require little thought as to the best spot to place one’s drive. While Dingle is set on linksland, it lacks the dunes that characterize the great Irish courses. Indeed, there were a couple spots where it appeared to me that Eddie Hackett might have built some mounds to give it some life. And there’s more water to contend with than at any other links I can think of, as a burn crosses 10 of the holes.

The other interesting view when I was there in June 2016 was of the Star Wars movie set just up the hill from the course. While force was not with me (or my golf game to be precise) that day, I still enjoyed Ceann Sibeal.

Really pleasantly surprised by Dingle. On first glance when approaching the course this looks nothing more than a field but, on closer inspection, there is plenty of movement on the land. An excellent variety of green sites and a beautiful remote location. Not worth a special trip but if you are anywhere near the area you shouldn't be disappointed. An authentic Irish links experience rather than the overpriced tour bus crammed courses in Kerry - you know who you are Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville, Dooks etc.

I Love this cousre, It keeps me coming back!I have shot 114 here and I have shot 78 here from the Blue stakes and I have enjoyed every round in between. Steve the manager is excellent and the food and drink in the bar are a great place to relax dissect the great and the not so great shots. True Links!

To me, this is one of the finest courses in the World. I cannot believe it is 71st in Ireland. It is way better than many ranked above it. From start to finish this is a brilliant course with great views and well thought out challenges in a very natural and unspoilt setting. A very friendly club as well with excellent food and beer. This is the one course I refuse to pass by on any trip to Ireland. Much better than Waterville and more of a challenge than Dooks.

On a week-long trip to Ireland Sept. of 2004, Dingle was one of the courses we played. After a bit of a drive from Killarney, we finally made it there. I know the others took one look and thought it was going to be an easy day, but it ended up being anything bu that. It is a pure Scottish style course and is wide open to the elements. While not famous, it is still vastly underrated and a very true and tough test of golf. Everyone should play it at least once. I would love to find my way there again some day. www.yourgolftrip.com