Tralee Golf Club- the Golfers' Paradise in County Kerry, Ireland

Who will not like to visit a paradise? If you are a golfer then, the Tralee Golf Club is a 'must-play' ground for you! Dating back to 1896, Tralee holds a 19^th century club distinction. It has a number of "wow" moments which is not less, it not more than its close rivals Lahinch and Ballybunion which are the top-ranking clubs for the committees of golf-course ranking! Back in 1980, a piece of links land was acquired by the officials of Tralee Golf Club outside the Tralee town. Once acquired, design firm of Arnold Palmer was commissioned to the parcel by the officials and a world-class links was delivered. As the links were first unveiled in 1984, Tralee Golf Club marked the design of Palmer as the first in Europe.

The significant elegance of Tralee Club can be matched by only a few and when it comes to Ireland, Old Head Golf Links is perhaps the only one that can match the beauty of Tralee's perch. What makes Tralee different from the other golf links is its back nine, which in one word is spectacular. The sheer elegance of the back nine can be understood (if you never visited that place physically) by Palmer's words: "I may have designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine." However, Palmer never underestimates his design of the first nine and says that it has its own "wow" moments. 596-yard par 5 is the No. 2 hugging the coastline from tee to the exposed green. 'Castle', the No. 3 hole on the seaside is a fragile par 3 having the outlook of an old stone behind the green. If you have the time to spare a minute, explore the inside by heading under the archway...you will love it.

Just like any other links course, the Tralee also has, on its front side, a few holes as fillers. If you think that waiting is a waste of time, the 10^th tee box will surely strike you with awe! The huge fairway weaving through the nonsensical dunes is a sheer eye-candy. Keeping aside the sluggish and long par-5 11^th, the back nine surely makes golf an exciting game. The back side include some approach shots (promising enough to make you nervous) which starts from the par-4 12^th fairway. Demanding a long carry over the deep abyss on to the right, this approach shot has a severity which remains comparable to the famed 'Calamity' in Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush. A carry, similar in severity is required from one dune to the other by the par-3 for a deep drop. The 16^th, which is the last of the par-3s is known as the 'Shipwreck' and is not at all forgiving to the golf balls.

With it amazing turfs, the Tralee Golf Club is in a race to win 'the best golf club links' title with the Ballybunion. Including the features of border topography, the Tralee Golf Club is not meant for those who are timid!

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