Designer: Martin Hawtree (2018)
Location: West Barrow, Kerry, Ireland
History: Tralee’s Par 3 Course was built in 2018 by Martin Hawtree as part of the Club’s practice facility, The Academy.
Conditions: 8/10, While maybe not as well-kept as the championship course, Tralee’s Par 3 is still in very strong shape.
Value: N/A, I’m not sure if the Par 3 Course is open to members only or is included in the fees for the championship course, but I couldn’t find any information about extra cost for this short course.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Back 18 960 N/A N/A
Middle 18 846 N/A N/A
Front 18 728 N/A N/A
Hole Descriptions: Until we got on property, I was unaware Tralee had a par 3 course, but was more than happy to oblige when our host recommended we warm up there. Information on the Par 3 is scant and I couldn’t find a scorecard at the clubhouse or online. In a way, this short 6-hole loop is more of an extension of the practice facilities than a true course. We were the only ones there that day and I’m not surprised that the tour buses of Americans on a tight schedule don’t find extra time to play here. This is a mistake, however, as Tralee’s Par 3 Course is very good and probably a much better way to warm up for links golf than a range.
Built on southeastern part of the property, this short but very sweet little executive course wraps around the Club’s range. Sitting on some of the highest parts of the property, the course is hilly and reminded me visually a lot of Erin Hills. While you don’t play on the water like the championship course, the Par 3 provides similar tremendous views of the main course and Atlantic Ocean in the distance. The holes themselves are not just pitch-and-putts and range from 87 to 185 yards depending on the tees you play. I like how the teeboxes are set at different angles on some of these holes, and it is recommended you play different teeboxes throughout the round to practice yardages in the ever-present wind.
The course begins with a short par 3 at 147 from the Back Tees that plays even shorter downhill. This is a pretty hole that features a back-to-front sloped green lined by small potbunkers on either side. Tralee’s famous back 9 sits in the backdrop here.
The 2nd is the longest and toughest hole at 185 yards. Running steadily uphill, this one-shotter is bunkerless but features a raised green that mostly slopes back-to-front.
The 3rd continues uphill but is a shorter hole at 127 yards. This green is very shallow and lined by two potbunkers short right.
At 169 yards, the 4th is a medium-length par 3 playing along the edge of the property. With gorgeous views of mountains in the background, this hole features a left-to-right sloped green lined by fescue down the left and a small bunker right.
The 5th hole can technically stretch to 165 yards, but was much shorter and downhill the day we played. This is visually the most impressive hole on the course, with spectacular views of the Ocean in the distance. This putting green contains lots of internal movement with potbunkers right and short left.
Tralee’s Par 3 Course closes with an 167 yarder that played in a wild crosswind the day we played. This two-tiered green is lined by potbunkers on either of its front corners.
General Comments: The Par 3 Course is a perfect warmup to Tralee’s championship course, but if you want to practice more, The Academy features a full-length range with trackman technology. The course is moderately hilly, but a pleasant walk. We were the only ones on the Par 3 that day and the goal is always to play under an hour.
Verdict: While more of an attachment to the Club’s practice facility than true course, Tralee’s Par 3 is visually impressive and a fantastic way to warm-up for one of Ireland’s best courses. If you have the time and availability, I definitely recommend taking a spin around this short course when at Tralee.