Extending to over 550 acres of beautiful County Kildare countryside, it is hard to believe that the K-Club is a mere 30-minutes from Dublin. This luxurious five-star golfing getaway is home to excellent accommodation, a variety of dining experiences, an internationally acclaimed spa and of course two world-famous golf courses.
The Palmer Ryder Cup Course formally known as the North Course was designed by Arnold Palmer (as was the Smurfit Course) and opened for play in 1991. The River Liffey runs throughout the course, which means water hazards are prevalent on several holes, especially the 17th where it runs down the left-hand side of the fairway. That is where Dane Thomas Bjorn’s challenge came to a watery end in the 2005 Smurfit European Open. He arrived on the 17th tee with a share of the lead and ended up taking eleven strokes after putting three balls into the water.
In October 2006, the K Club played host to the biggest golfing event in Irish history, the 36th Ryder Cup. The Palmer course proved to be an excellent choice for a host venue, and millions of people watched the European Team take victory in what was a very emotionally charged event.
The 72 par, 7178 yards course is a real test of your game and will undoubtedly provide entertainment throughout. The holes are created to challenge and ensure that you analyze every shot. The par five 16th hole, for example, has every hazard you could think of including trees, bunkers and punishing rough. Arnold Palmer’s pick of the holes on the golf course was always the 4th hole. The course is long, with relatively wide fairways, plenty of water, and large greens with an American feel throughout, but is a supreme test of shot-making.
The course is continuously ranked in the top three parkland courses in Ireland and truly is a beautiful course that meanders around the large hotel and River Liffey on the property. As well as hosting the Ryder Cup the course hosted the 2016 Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open where Rory McIlroy took an astonishing victory to the delighted of the home fans.
Guests can enjoy the beautiful Clubhouse named the Arnold Palmer Clubhouse with spacious locker rooms and the beautiful Legends Restaurant. The Restaurant redefines traditional dining within a relaxing atmosphere. Legends is decorated with golf memorabilia and portraits and offer an informal atmosphere for diners. It also has fantastic views from floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that lead out to the huge balcony overlooking the manicured eighteenth fairway and greens as well as the lakes of the famous Ryder Cup Course. Facilities also include a superb practice range, short game area, golf tuition and putting greens.
The K Club is an excellent five-star experience from start to finish and will leave you wanting to stay on for a few nights more to take it all in.
