There are few places which capture the wonders of golf in Southwest Ireland better than Waterville Golf Links. The salt air, ocean breeze, majestic mountains, rich heritage, and exceptional golf all come together at Waterville in glorious fashion.
But for some golf travelers, the detour around the Ring of Kerry to Waterville is often skipped in favor of another destination. Which illustrates the conundrum faced by those who are planning a golf trip to Ireland: too much great golf, too little time.
If you were wise enough to include Waterville Golf Links in your itinerary, here are a few things that you shouldn’t miss when the round finally arrives.
Waterville also features prominently in part-3 of our podcast featuring the great golf courses of Southwest Ireland. Tune-in below or wherever you get your podcasts.
Payne’s Statue
Just outside of the clubhouse at Waterville Golf Links, stands a statue bearing the unmistakable pose of the great Payne Stewart.
During his preparations for multiple Open Championships, Stewart visited Waterville and quickly became an adopted son of both the town and club. So much so, that he was elected Honorary Captain of the club for the year 2000.
Sadly, Payne was never able to celebrate the honor in person, but Waterville saw fit to celebrate his impact on the club each and every day.
3rd Hole
The opening duo at Waterville leads to the River Inny, where the 3rd hole delivers one of the best par-4s in Ireland.
The estuary guards the right-side of the hole from tee to green, and promises to swallow any errant shot. The tendency is to bail out left off the tee, but a series of challenging fairway bunkers promise to punish this timid strategy.
Walking away with par here is worthy of celebration.
12th Hole
Waterville Golf Links traces its history to 1889, when workers for the trans-Atlantic cable stations decided they needed a place to enjoy the game. Like most places in Ireland, however, the history of this area stretches back for centuries. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than the par-3 12th hole.
During the 18th century, the practice of mass was outlawed in Ireland and punishable by death, forcing the villagers to gather in secret in the hollow short of the 12th green. The original design of the hole called for the green to be built at the base of the hollow, but the local workers refused to work on the sacred ground.
The hole was quickly redesigned with the green in its present location, and has been known as “the Mass Hole” ever since.
16th Hole
At the far corner of the property, the 16th hole at Waterville Golf Links will feel somewhat similar to the previously mentioned 3rd hole. The estuary again runs hard up the right-side of the fairway, however the 16th works its way around the bend as a dogleg left. Any shot that’s wayward to the right is all but certain to find the estuary or, if the tide is out, the beach.
In addition to avoiding the estuary, the approach shot requires precision with a short-iron. The runoffs which surround the green usually make for a delicate up and down. Of course, Waterville’s long-time head professional, Liam Higgins, once had a different strategy for the hole. He simply cleared the dunes with his drive and found the bottom of the cup.
The hole was promptly renamed “Liam’s Ace” in honor of the feat.
17th Hole
On a course filled with superlative moments, choosing a favorite is a tall task. For many visitors to Waterville Golf Links, that honor usually goes to the par-3 17th hole.
With the mountains as backdrop and the crashing waves of the sea to the right, you’d be hard pressed to find a better moment in all of Ireland golf. John Mulcahy agreed. The Irish-American developer of Waterville would survey the links during its construction from this spot, and the wondrous piece of land is now known as “Mulcahy’s Peak.”
Simply put, the 17th at Waterville is the kind of hole where the number on your scorecard is entirely irrelevant. You’re simply honored by the chance to see it.
Clubhouse
In 2019, Waterville completed a multi-phase renovation of its clubhouse. No stone was left untouched in the process, from a new pro shop and locker-rooms to a revamped dining experience.
It’s the latter that you won’t want to miss. The outside patio offers a stunning panorama overlooking the links, and easily finds itself among the best 19th holes in Ireland. As the sun goes down, the Guinness absolutely tastes better from this perch.
Smugglers Inn
If you’re in search for a little of the Good Life after your round at Waterville Golf Links, you won’t have to travel very far.
Located just outside of the front gate, the Smugglers Inn offers an exceptional menu built around quality, local ingredients. Best of all, it’s served overlooking the same magnificent setting that you just left at Waterville.
When it comes to perfect pairings, the duo of Waterville and the Smugglers Inn is difficult to top in Ireland.
To say that Waterville Golf Links is a magical place to enjoy the game may be an understatement.
From the warm hospitality to the Mass Hole, Mulcahy’s Peak, and the unforgettable view from the clubhouse patio, it’s little wonder why Waterville is a must-play on golf trips to the spectacular southwest coast of Ireland.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Ireland.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Ireland, visit the pages below, read our Ireland golf trip reviews, 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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