Dooks Golf Club

About Dooks Golf Links

Golf has been played at Dooks since 1889, which makes it one of the oldest links in Ireland. Originally named Dooks & Caragh GC, it was affiliated to the GUI in 1903. For 100 years the links remained steadfastly quirky, a 9 hole monument to the early days as members resisted every effort to modernise. In the 1970s they capitulated and an eighteen-hole course was the result, thanks to the guidance of Eddie Hackett. The course was then enhanced again in 2002 by Martin Hawtree. Dooks is one of the oldest of the ten golf links in Ireland, set amid the waters of Dingle Bay and the McGillycuddy Reeks mountains.

A 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
• The members themselves built nine new holes, completed in 1970
• The club motto is Per Eduard, Ad Astral - "Through adversity to the stars"

Featured hole – 7th Hole

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. 

Known For: Beauty and Tranquility

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.