Ring of Kerry - Kerry - Ireland

Gem Ireland - Best in Area
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club,
Templenoe,
Kenamare,
Co.Kerry,
Ireland

  • +353 (0) 64 42000

Perched high above the spectacular Kenmare Bay, Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most scenic courses.

Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club was the dream of Donal O’Shea whose parents originally owned the property. His business partner, Dominic Reid, formed a new alliance with Tom McNicholas when Donal tragically died in a car crash to ensure the project would become a reality. The course architect Eddie Hackett also passed away during construction so “The Ring” had some difficult hurdles to overcome before it finally opened in 1998. Universal Golf Consulting, a partnership between Brendan Breslin and Ed Edwards, has managed it since 2003.

A relative newcomer to the golfing scene in the south west of Ireland, Ring of Kerry has matured in a very short space of time into one of the top courses in the Province. It is set in a wonderful landscape of lakes and mountains, overlooking Kenmare Bay with the Kerry mountains as a stunning backdrop.

This parkland course plays between 5,400 and 6,814 yards in length with a par of 72. The overall configuration may be classical – four par threes, four par fives and ten par fours – but there are old-fashioned aspects to it with back-to-back par fives on the front nine at the 4th and 5th holes and a par three hole to finish on the 183-yard 18th, named “Grenane”.

Two major features combine to make golf at Ring of Kerry so good – exhilarating elevation changes that enhance the visual pleasure throughout the round, and water which comes into play at a good number of holes, adding both definition and danger. More than half of the original putting surfaces were criticized for the severity of their undulations when the course was first opened and these have since been modified to provide a fairer test on the greens.

Many consider Ring Of Kerry to have not one, but two signature holes, played back-to-back on the back nine. The 233-yard par three 13th, named “An Neidin” is played from an elevated tee to a green that slopes sharply from left to right, with water protecting the front. It is followed by the 433-yard par four 14th, called “Tahilla” which plays slightly uphill to a fairway that doglegs left, slopes right to left and narrows all the way to a green framed by trees with an enormous bunker in front – unsurprisingly this hole is stroke index 1 on the card!

If the above article is inaccurate, please let us know by clicking here

Write a review

Reviews for Ring of Kerry

Average Reviewers Score:
Description: The Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club sits high above the spectacular Kenmare Bay. It's one of Ireland's most scenic courses. Rating: 6.5 out of 10 Reviews: 13
TaylorMade
Matthew Cousen

Played ring of Kerry last two years. Views are sensational and worth one round just to see these!

Course is ok and greens are very good now.

Club house is good with nice balcony overlooking the 18th, which is always a good thing in my opinion.

Service wasn't great this year as I hadn't called ahead and when I asked if we could play, I was told they were quite busy. But they rushed us to the first tee then we didn't see anyone for the rest of the day! We would have been happy to start from the 10th or waited an hour but no option was given.

Also prices appear to have increased from prior year too, with buggy was nearly £85. We won't be going back next year and will play Parknasilla which is £15 for 14 holes and Beaumant near Killarney which was £30.

Will go back to RoK once pricing is sorted out and approachable PGA professional is employed.

(Last played May 2016)

July 20, 2016
4 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
1 person found this review helpful
Jim Taylor
This is a very fine parkland course with a links feel to it. With the exception of one par five that is an abomination, the course is well designed and well maintained. The greens were particularly good although they were a bit slow. The staff was cordial and the pace of play was brisk. If you are in the Kenmare area, be sure to play this course. You won't be disappointed.
August 18, 2010
8 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful

Response
John
July 24, 2013
According to Today’s Golfer magazine, the view from the 13th tee was voted the second best view in golf and I doubt anybody could argue with that. The course is tough but playable from a choice of tees and the undulating ground makes for an exciting and entertaining round of golf. There’s plenty of water to contend with, so accuracy is key to making a decent score. This course is certainly worth playing alongside some of the more famous links courses in the area, but for me the Ring of Kerry is a much better course and far better value than Mahoney's Point at Killarney.
D Connolly
I played the course on 25 July and was very impressed. The views are fantastic, the layout is very good and thecourse was in good condition. I had played it last October and the greens were in a very bad condition. However they are repared and are fine.Well worth a visit.
July 29, 2008
6 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
James Reader
It amazes me that this course is ranked so highly. The layout is OK - and no better than that - but it was in absolutely terrible condition when I played it in September '07; tees, greens, fairways and bunkers were all in a very poor state, with at least two of the greens being all but unplayable. Admittedly, the views are fantastic (although the new houses detract even from that) but in Kerry there's no need to pay an expensive green fee to look at a great view!
September 28, 2007
2 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
rowley32256
After playing six of the links courses in the area, this provided a bit of respite with some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. The course is in great condition and the layout makes for a truly interesting challenge. A buggy is a must for all but a mountain goat.
August 11, 2007
8 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
DT
I played Ring of Kerry a couple of weeks ago, having played it twice in the previous three years. I'm sad to say that it is starting to look very scruffy. The greens were, frankly, dreadful and I found myself feeling embarrassed as I had praised it so highly beforehand to my playing partners. I hope that this is simply a result of this year's appalling weather, but have to say that there was no similar problem at Dooks, Dingle or Ballybunnion. They have also built quite a few houses (holiday rentals?) on the site, which now detract from the (still magnificent) views. At 80 euros a round I expect better.
August 08, 2007
4 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
Alan Saxon
Fantastic!!! Loved every minute of our trip to the Ring of Kerry Golf and Country Club. The views you get from every hole, the welcoming atmosphere of the staff, the challenge and condition of the course, etc. etc. Couldn't fault it and the great weather was a certainly a help! Recommend this course to anyone visiting the area.
July 06, 2006
10 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
John Broadfoot
If you are looking for stunning scenery and a good test of your golf swing then Ring of Kerry is the place for you. Backed up by a great Clubhouse and staff you will have a great day at the Ring of Kerry, followed by a very pleasant pint of guiness on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the lake.
June 22, 2006
8 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
geoff
A tremendous test of golf in spectacular setting. we played the course in excellent conditions, and were rewarded with magnificient views from many holes, especially the view of the bay from the 13th.Challenging par 5,s and tricky par 3's, not to mention the water that comes into play regularly, keeps you thinking all the time.Greens in good condition if a little too tricky at times, but a must if your in the south west.Great views from the terrace too, and friendly helpful staff.
May 16, 2006
8 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
Barry Ingledew
A very demanding parkland course in a spectacualr setting. We played it in brilliant conditions, found it tough but with superb views to distract us from our rather feeble attempts to conquer it. Every new hole offered fresh challenges and new vistas. A great reception. Not to be missed on a visit to south-west Ireland.
May 15, 2006
4 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful