In a world that’s often overrun by the mantra of “bigger is better,” the great par-3s of the game are often proof of just the opposite. Like unwrapping a tiny box emblazoned with the trademark Tiffany Blue, when a golfer approaches the tee to a great par-3 it’s hard to ignore the feeling that they’re about to experience something special. When traveling around the Emerald Isle on an Ireland golf trip, you’re sure to encounter an abundance of great and truly memorable par-3s. What follows are a few of our favorites.
16th at Royal Portrush
When the Open Championship returned to Royal Portrush in 2019, the 16th was the hole many thought would make or break someone’s run for the Claret Jug – and for good reason. Arguably the most appropriately named hole in golf, Calamity Corner will test your fortitude with a 236 yard forced carry over a 75 foot deep ravine. Thankfully it plays much shorter for the mere mortals who play up a tee. There is no shame in bailing out to the left here, however a par from anywhere but the putting surface will truly be a reason to celebrate.
The view of Calamity Corner is safer this direction.
5th at Lahinch Golf Club
No list of the best par-3s in Ireland would be complete without perhaps its most famous. The 5th hole at Lahinch Golf Club, known as Dell, features a completely blind approach to a green which rests between a pair of 30 foot high sand dunes. To build such a hole would be unthinkable today – Erin Hills tried it only to demolish their own “Dell” in a quest for the U.S. Open – however when Alister MacKenzie and later Martin Hawtree were tapped for renovations to Lahinch, both elected to leave Old Tom’s original design for the hole untouched. We’re glad they did.
15th at Portmarnock Golf Club
The golfing world was given an incredible gift when this delightful one-shotter was added to Portmarnock Golf Club in 1927. Found just steps from the adjacent beach, Arnold Palmer once proclaimed this 204 yard beast to be “the best par-3 in golf.” Although this statement most assuredly came long before his own Irish links debuted at Tralee. Nonetheless, travelers exploring the best golf near Dublin will likely agree with Ben Crenshaw’s assessment of the 15th at Portmarnock… “That was the shortest par-5 I’ve ever played.”
16th at Tralee Golf Links
Speaking of Tralee… Whether The King was inspired by or merely sought to one-up the 15th at Portmarnock is difficult to say, but his 16th at Tralee Golf Links – dubbed “Shipwreck” – certainly gives Mr. Palmer room to take back that earlier proclamation. Perhaps the only thing more valuable than the memory of playing this seaside par-3 is the amount of treasure lost along this rocky stretch of coast often called “the graveyard to the Spanish Armada.”
Credit: Tourism Ireland
17th at Waterville Golf Links
The famed “Mulcahy’s Peak” at Waterville Golf Links offers not only one of the most brilliant panoramas in Ireland, but one of the sternest tests in golf as well. If the wind is coming off the sea on this 195 yard beauty, don’t be surprised when the caddie hands you driver and simply walks away. Not that you’re likely to mind, as the view from the highest point on the golf course is simply magnificent, making it easy to understand why the hole’s namesake and club founder – John Mulcahy – opted to have his ashes buried near the tee box.
And there you have it… The best par-3s in Ireland as determined by the Haversham & Baker team. If you’d like to explore more of Ireland’s great par-3s, our friend Kevin Markham recently unveiled a list of his own for Irish Golfer.
For more insight on planning your Ireland golf tour, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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