Dooks Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland
One of southwest Ireland's hidden-gem links near Killarney is Dooks Golf Club in County Kerry, founded in 1889. It's most famous for its club logo, a smiling frog, and perhaps sets the tone for what is considered to be one of the more player-friendly links golf courses in Ireland.
Originally a nine-hole links, nine new holes were added in 1970, and architect Martin Hawtree was asked to redesign 16 holes in 2002. Today, it's infinitely easier compared to nearby Tralee Golf Club and Ballybunion, but is still a complete test of golf with three par 5s and a championship length stretching to a par-71, 6,586 yards. While Dooks Golf Club's front nine is set on spectacular links land with high dunes, the back nine turns into a little more parkland terrain, though Dingle Bay is in view from practically every point on the golf course.
Dooks Golf Club has full, recently renovated locker room facilities open to visitors, plus a full bar and pro shop with apparel featuring their famous frog.