
The K-Club opened in 1991 was developed by Michael Smurfit as a world class golf resort with the intent of hosting a Ryder Cup, which was eventually held here on the Palmer course in 2006. Both 18 hole championship courses were designed by Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay, and are routed on rolling parkland/meadowland along the River Liffey, less than an hour from Dublin. The Palmer course has water everywhere, compliments of the River Liffey, and other streams, lakes, lagoons, and is the main feature of the courses. It's an "American" style course, very strategic, and will beat you up if your game is slightly off. Over the top expensive, and I prefer the Smurfit course, maybe less cosmetically appealing, but much more interesting golf and some elevation change. There water on only two holes, the fairways are more open and forgiving, but there are challenges in the steep faced bunkers, and large, wildly undulating greens. Overall, if you're looking for parkland golf, I believe Mt Juliet or Druids Glen are better course for half the price. Then again, if you wish to be pampered, enjoy the service and conditioning of a 6 Star resort which held the Ryder Cup, the K Club is all yours.
Played the Smurfit course, really a much tougher course than the Palmer. Challenging all the way around this wide open layout with water on at least a dozen holes, plenty of large bunkers in the fairways and greenside. Very target oriented golf, not best suited for the higher handicapper. Flag Content