Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland
Waterville Golf Links
Remote, wild, and utterly magnificent — Waterville is one of the great hidden gems of Irish links golf, set on the Ring of Kerry with the Atlantic on three sides and a sense of isolation that is increasingly rare in the modern game.
About the Course
Waterville Golf Links
Waterville Golf Links was founded in 1889 and occupies one of the most dramatic pieces of links land in Ireland — a narrow peninsula on the Ring of Kerry, with the Atlantic Ocean on three sides and the mountains of Kerry rising behind. The course was redesigned by Eddie Hackett in the 1970s and further refined by Tom Fazio, producing a layout of genuine championship quality.
The course is long, exposed, and demanding — a true test of links golf that rewards the patient, strategic player. The back nine in particular is extraordinary, with several holes running along the clifftops above the Atlantic and offering views that rank among the most spectacular in Irish golf.
Waterville was a favourite of Payne Stewart, who visited regularly and is commemorated by a bronze statue at the 18th tee. The club has maintained a strong connection with American golf, and the combination of world-class golf and genuine Irish hospitality makes it one of the most memorable destinations on the southwest links circuit.
By the Numbers
Course Statistics
Based on course length, terrain & layout
Handicap index suggested for full enjoyment
The Course
Why It Stands Out
The Ring of Kerry Setting
Waterville sits on the Ring of Kerry — one of the most celebrated scenic routes in Ireland — with the Atlantic Ocean on three sides and the mountains of Kerry rising behind. The sense of remoteness and natural grandeur is unlike anything else on the southwest links circuit.
The Payne Stewart Connection
Payne Stewart was a devoted visitor to Waterville and is commemorated by a bronze statue at the 18th tee. His connection to the club brought it to wider attention and reflects the warmth and authenticity of the welcome that Waterville extends to visiting golfers.
The Clifftop Back Nine
The back nine at Waterville runs along the Atlantic clifftops in a sequence of holes that offers views across the ocean and a level of exposure that makes every shot feel genuinely consequential. The 17th — Mulcahy's Peak — is one of the most celebrated holes in Irish golf.
Championship Length and Challenge
At 7,225 yards, Waterville is one of the longest links courses in Ireland — a genuine championship test that demands precision and patience. The course rewards the strategic player who manages the wind and the terrain with intelligence.
The Course
Course Views
Extend Your Itinerary
The Kerry Links — A Complete Atlantic Programme
Waterville sits at the southern end of the Kerry links corridor. Ballybunion and Tralee are within 40 miles to the north, and the Clare courses — Lahinch and Doonbeg — are within a day's drive, making Waterville a natural anchor for the southern section of a full southwest Atlantic links itinerary.
Golf Travel
How It Is Included
Waterville is a key component of our Southwest Atlantic Links collection — a programme that brings together Ireland's finest Atlantic links in a single, purposeful itinerary. We arrange tee times, accommodation on the Ring of Kerry, and every detail of the routing.
To explore how Waterville fits into a wider route, visit our Southwest Atlantic Links Collection page or our Ireland golf tours page.
Begin Your Journey
Play Waterville Golf Links
Speak with our team to arrange tee times at Waterville and build a private itinerary across the Southwest Atlantic Links of Kerry and Clare.
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