Hole 1
Par 4
On Hole #1, a solid drive should get you off-and-running and will leave you with a mid to short iron to the green.
Over and/or left of the green is trouble and be very careful of the pin placement, as this two tier green can cause you fits if you are on the wrong side of the tier.
Hole 2
Par 4
Hole 2 has a wide fairway so it’s important to hit a good tee shot. For some reason, the wind seems to always blow directly in your face.
The green is one of the smallest on the course so if you do get on in regulation, you should have a decent look at birdie.
Hole 3
Par 5
Hole 3 is a hole you can walk away with a birdie or a snowman. A wide fairway allows most to attempt to “grip it and rip it!”
After a good drive, you have two choices; you can lay up to about 100 yards or you can go for it in two for an attempt at eagle.
Warning: Water surrounds the left and back side of the green and there are well established trees to the right. The green is long and narrow and slopes rather severely from back to front.
Hole 4
Par 3
Hole 4 is deceiving because it’s unnoticeably up hill. Consider playing it one club longer than the yardage suggests.
Everything slopes right to left near the green so wherever you land, expect the ball to bounce left.
Hole 5
Par 4
Hole #5 is the first of a handful of par 4’s where you have decisions to make off the tee.
Do I try to mash one near the green and have a story to tell when I make the turn or do I play it safe to live another day?
Danger is all around. Out of bounds right and water front and to the left. And oh yeah, the two tier green is anything but easy!
Hole 6
Par 4
Hole 6 can be intimidating from the tee box. If you hit your drive to the right…good luck finding your ball.
The green is wide, but not very deep and it slopes from left to right. The sand trap in front of the green swallows up lots of golf balls.
Hole 7
Par 4
You will salivate as you see Hole 7’s green in striking distance from the tee. You will be thinking BIRDIE! However, if you are a little off the mark from the tee, you will pay the price.
This tiny green slopes from left to right and can be very pesky. If you miss right or long on your approach shot, you just added a few extra strokes to your scorecard.
Hole 8
Par 3
Hole 8 is the signature par 3 on the course.
The tee box sits high above the green and you will quickly notice the Shamrock sand trap to the front left… just don’t forget about the pond on the right.
You would think you would play it one club shorter due to the elevation, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.
Hole 9
Par 5
Hole #9 screams birdie all over it IF you hit a solid tee shot. If not, you will be left scratching your head wondering why you played golf today.
Out of bounds is to right as this hole runs parallel with the practice range.
Once you get to the green, the green can be very challenging depending on the pin placement. There’s potential for extreme slope and speed at times.
This is a wonderful hole to end the front 9.
Hole 10
Par 4
Hole 10 is a great hole to start the back side. It is a long par 4, but has a huge fairway so you should be able to squeeze a few extra yards off the tee.
The very large green slopes from right to left so make sure you aim right of the flag on your approach.
Hole 11
Par 5
Hole 11 is the most daunting hole on the course. From the tips, it is a nearly 600 yards uphill and to add to the complexity, it’s a dogleg to the right.
Most people have to crush a drive just to be able to play their second shot to the 150 yard marker.
The third shot doesn’t get any easier… make sure to add 2 clubs due to the severe elevation from 150 yards to the hole.
Hole 12
Par 4
Hole 12 is another make it or break it hole.
Do you aim over the trees and try to drive the green onto this short par 4 or do you take out a mid to short iron off the tee and hit your second shot from the bottom of the hill?
A small green awaits you once you finally are on the green.
Hole 13
Par 3
Hole 13 is a straight forward hole and is the least intimidating out of all of the par 3’s. If you miss the green, you typically have a halfway decent chip shot to still walk away with a par.
Hole 14
Par 4
Hole 14 is a great par 4 that requires pin point accuracy off the tee and in your approach.
Hitting your approach shot long or short spells for disaster and it’s extra rewarding if you finish with birdie or par.
Hole 15
Par 4
Hole 15 is the final par 4 where you have a chance to BOMB your tee shot onto the green. With the removal of many trees that previously surrounded the green, this hole is definitely gettable.
Word of caution… the green is treacherous. It slopes severely from back to front so it’s very slippery.
Hole 16
Par 3
Hole 16 is very appealing to the eye. The tee box sits high up on the hill as you look down towards the green.
This green is deep, wide, and quick from left to right so it can easily be the reason you potentially three putt this hole.
Hole 17
Par 5
Hole 17 is an extremely beautiful par 5.
If you can cut the corner on the left, you can easily find yourself 50 to 60 yards closer to the green. This is important because half of the green is surrounded by water so if didn’t take advantage of cutting the corner, your best bet is to lay up and take your chances on your 3rd shot.
What a great final par 5 at Kilkarney Hills.
Hole 18
Par 5
Hole 18 is the most difficult par 4 on the course. Even though it is straight and has a very wide fairway for your drive, it is uphill the entire way and gets tighter and tighter as you get closer to the hole.
Everything funnels from right-to-left near the green, so aim a little right on your approach and let the slope take it from there.