The Dooks golf course experience features sublime panoramic views of Dingle Bay plus classic links play – this course is one of the great gems of Irish Golf. Famed for its legendary welcome, warm hospitality and great club atmosphere, and best of all, the club is still fully owned by its members.
About Dooks golf club – Brief history
- The word Dooks comes from the Irish word doughs, which means dunes
- It was laid out as a nine hole golf course in 1889 by the Royal Horse Artillery, who were billeted at nearby Wynn’s Folly
- Taken over in 1895 by the Great Southern Hotel and improved by Anthony Brown
- In 1897 a new railway station was built at Dooks
- 9 more holes were planned in 1900 to make it Kerry's first ever 18 hole course, but the changes never happened because of the sheer cost
- Affiliated to the GUI in 1903
- Affiliated to the ILGU in 1913
- The club was given notice to quit in 1963 when the lease for the land it stands on ran out
- In 1965 the landowners sold the land to the club for £7000
- The members themselves built nine new holes, completed in 1970
- The club celebrated its centenary in 1989
- 2002 saw links designer Martin Hawtree produce plans for a complete overhaul. The work was finished in 2006
- The club motto is Per Eduard, Ad Astral - "Through adversity to the stars"
- In 2015 Dooks won The Irish Mixed Foursomes title
- In 2015 the club hosted the National Finals
Dooks golf club scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 7
Hole number 13, in many players' view, is the one that illustrates the charm and magic of Dooks best of all. This is old-school, dating back to the times when greens lay where they fell. But it's the 368-yard 7th hole that takes the prize thanks to the absolute pinpoint accuracy it demands from the tee plus the remarkable so-called ‘stadium’ atmosphere you get around the green. But it’s the views from the 5th hole which are the most spectacular of all.
Known for beauty and tranquillity
Play Dooks golf course to experience exceptional beauty and tranquillity. This course is not as exposed to the elements as some Irish courses, and the heather, gorse and amazing wild flowers are picturesque. Speaking of nature, the bird life and the rare Natterjack Toad, which forms the club's logo, are the stars of the show here. And with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop and Ireland’s biggest mountain range - the McGillycuddy Reeks – in view, it's a truly idyllic golfing location.
Dooks golf club golfing vacations
Are you searching for the very best Dooks golf and accommodation deal? We provide fabulous, beautifully organised Dooks golf club breaks to fans from around the world. All of our golf vacation packages are fully customisable, so that we can create the holiday of your dreams. Get in touch to book or find out more.
Featured Dooks golf package:
South West 4 Nights 4&5* Programme: Our Ireland golf vacations offer the chance to experience some of the finest courses the country has to offer. This package includes four top notch rounds of golf on courses of your choice, and can include Dooks. The 5* Killarney Park Hotel and 4* Randles Court Hotel will be your home away from home, offering a full Irish Breakfast daily, an evening meal on one night of your stay, and luxurious accommodation to fully wind down in. An Airport meet-and-greet service and full transfers to your hotel and between the golf courses ensure everything is seamlessly arranged for you to ensure you have a fantastic golfing experience.