Come to Ireland to play the game,

If you want some fun, let go of a name.

History and stories made for all who walk,

If the bar could sing and fairways could talk.

With views and dunes throughout the land,

Walk the park your own hand in hand.

Bag on your back and all muster can bear,

At the end of the round go in for Irish fare!

There is a stigma about Ireland when it comes to golf.  You hear about the numerous dunes that line a links course and the wind that turns a 6500 yard challenge into 7 grand or more, but what about the local tracks, the ones of which you may not of heard.  For me, the Dooks and Dingles illustrate the true magnetic personality of the pristine Irish countryside, sublime views as far as the eye can see, and the friendly nature of the local people.

Dooks borders Killarney National Park in County Kerry on the edge of Dingle Bay very near Caragh Lake.  It is set between the busy and colorful town of Killorglin and the small neighborly village of Glenbeigh, both on the Iveragh Peninsula.  With the “black stacks” or MacGillycuddy’s Reeks giving rise for a perfect backdrop and Carrauntoohil as a center piece, this is magical land, one that anyone chasing that rainbow should come to see. From walking to hiking, climbing to golfing, the hills and valleys will forever keep moving the pot of gold.

Many years ago, the beauty and marvel of this area attracted several of the affluent, those seeking solace but also space for grandeur.  One such Kerry native was Lady Edith Gordon.  Determined to find the ultimate location for her dream home, Lady Gordon settled on land very near where Dooks Golf Club would eventually be built.  Now a luxury, 4-star, inn, Ard na Sidhe (in Gaelic - Hill of the Fairies), showcases a time, an era, not that long ago, but a world away. For all those fortunate enough to stay, walk the halls and listen. Who knows what you might hear.

Originally set for nine holes,  Dooks & Caragh Golf Club was founded in 1889 with an entry into the GUI in 1903. Not unlike other courses in the area, Dooks was laid out by the British, in this case the members of the Royal Horse Artillery and the Scottish officers therein.  In 1895, the club was taken over by the Great Southern Hotel in Caragh quickly giving improvements by Anthony Brown.  It was the period of railways, the mode of transportation that could bring golfers to different areas of the country.  In 1897, a station was built at Dooks, and the players did come.  Years went by, golf was played, and in 1963, the club threatened to close when the lease on the land ran out.  Fortunately for all of us, especially those who belong to the club, in 1965, the members came up with £7000 to purchase the land, and thus the course.  Then in 1970, an additional nine were designed to complete the 18. A few adjustments have been made over the years, the most recent by Dr. Martin Hawtree.

Arriving at Dooks is always special as the welcome is as warm as Christmas morning.  Though there might not actually be “a member for a day” offer, it doesn’t’ matter, you feel like one anyway.  Joyful and grateful, a few "lovelies" the Dooks staff and locals exude, making you feel special.  Grab your clubs, and if you can, flay them across your back or stash them in a hand buggy.  Setting off on foot is a gift.  The views to the water and across to the mountains set in motion a walking meditation second to none.  So let’s go.

The first hole is about as straightforward as they come, but the fun is underway.  A par 4 jumpstarts the round orchestrating a wondrous symphony ahead.  Flat, narrow, yet a bit of trickery. OB and bunkers left and gorse to the right.  And though plays like a parkland hole, the course is far from that. Just keep it low all the way, wind or not. Irish golf is all about the elements, the grass, the bounce. Shot making is at large on courses such as Dooks.

A beautiful little par 4 comes around on the second.  With a slight dogleg to the left a good drive down the right will leave you a sweet, but ticklish, shot into the green.  There will be temptation to cut the corner but traps will grab anything mishit, so stay right.  There are a few quiet undulations to the green, ones that just need a little TLC so take your time.

An invitation to the par 4, third, is next.  A slight dogleg to the right with cranky little bunkers off to the right, so landing the ball left center is perfect.  There are quite a few bumps along the left so the ball will find its way down the middle.  Coming into a nicely tucked green, slightly downhill, with the ocean on in the distance… gorgeous!

Ahhhh, the 4th at Dooks.  Such a mesmerizing hole and a great one for a team photo.  From the tee, this par three looks a bit daunting, especially on one of those gloomy, rainy days.  A tight tee box with a lining of OB, the bail out is to the right (if needed) as there are a few friendly mounds that might help a slightly sprayed shot.

From the 5th tee this looks like a wide open hole, but don’t let it fool you!  A gentle bend to the left suggests a drive that hugs the right.  The approach should be a pretty tame both in distance and direction but it is the green that is loopy.  Quite a few topsy turvy movements would advise reading a putt one way, but the water just might counter. The greens at Dooks are tricky, but they are fair. Remember that and all will be well.

Sweeping views of the wondrous Irish countryside invite you onto the tee at 6.  A par 5 that moves slightly to the right seems like a great chance of a lot of things but the gorse and Irish grasses should present a wee hesitation.  Just keep it down the fairway as the green is generous giving the approach a nice shot.  Just forget the bunker that tickles the entry. If it enters your mind, step back, and reset. Always be positive before taking the club back.

One of the longer par 4s on the course, the 7th is all that and a bag of chips.  Views for days, dunes awry and wind that can swirl.  Just pick a target out in the distance and swing with confidence.  Block out everything and believe in your swing.  While you are at it, stop…breathe and talk it all in. It is Ireland, and you are there.

So number 8.  Not much on the scorecard, but then it doesn’t tell the whole story.  What distance doesn’t have, other elements do. This par 3 requires you to aim for the middle of the green, set up and go.  If you find the bunkers just take your medicine and hit for the biggest part of the putting surface.  Take one more club than you think if you are eyeing the pin as the green starts much earlier than you can see from the tee.

Straight as an arrow is the 9th, but as a par 5, it is long and demanding.  The wind can be whistling and the rain can be pounding.  The rough on this hole can be gnarly.  But the view is staggering.  The best advice here is to keep it down the middle, even if you have to back off, knock it down and just bump it up. Height may not be your friend so shake hands with the lower trajectory. Use your imagination and see the shot. You might be amazed at what you really see.

Starting the back with a bounding par 5, the 10th is as picturesque as it is challenging.  With OB to the left, and possibly ocean bound if you think too hard about the drive.  It is a magical hole if you just take it up the middle on the first shot, but check the yardage book for distance as it is possible to hit through the fairway.  If you have a rocket in your bag and can cut the corner, go for it!  There might be a chance for the green in two. If you are like most of us, just find that yardage that can keep you moving up the fairway, a good approach and then a short iron into the green.  The green can be very firm and rises on each side so getting the ball to check favors a higher shot in.

The 11th is a quick little par 3; as long as you aim for the pin, you are good to go.  Fescue and gorse can take your focus away from the job at hand so close your eyes, open them, set sight on the green and go.  The green is large and not as much in charge as some of the others, so this is a great chance to go low.

I love the 12th hole at Dooks.  It is a relatively short par 4 but the demand for accuracy is visible right from the tee box.  Slightly uphill, and a bit of nuisance to the left, taking the club you feel most comfy will set you straight.  An elevated green asks for a higher lofted club for entry so take that into consideration. There are a couple of pot bunkers that hold court to the right of the green but really shouldn’t be too much trouble. The putting surface can offer assistance, so see the line...it will be true to you.

Short and insular.  If the wind is blowing, make sure you take note of the pin.  The tee box for the 13th is nestled in the dunes so it might be difficult to feel the breeze as you select a club for this par 3.  That said, the hole is benign and should give you cause to breathe.

Another stellar hole lines up on 14.  Such a typical Irish links setting with the water and mountains as the tapestry.  A par 4 that takes a bend to the right off the tee, settling in to a difficult and very grumpy green.  Taking the drive down the left is perfect as it will kick into the center and allow for a nice opening for approach.  Just pick one of the peaks in the distance and swing the driver freely, then aim for the center of the green, regardless of the pin position.  Keep big numbers off the card and you will be singing on the home stretch.

Just plain fun.  The 15th is fun!  A short boomerang of a hole gives you every chance to hit a drive over the junk and close to the green.  With the surface a bit up, do yourself a favor and no matter how much you want to take a lofted club, bump it with a less lofted club and skinny it up to the hole.

Wide open spaces, room to make a big mistake!  But no you won’t.  Though a bit lengthier than many of the other par 4s, the 16th is healthy opportunity to let it rip.  Not much trouble and a nice view to the local homes.  Keep the ball left on approach for the biggest part of the green.  Anything right will send you into a trough or thick gorse.

Straight down the fairway you go to a beautiful little green.  The home stretch may not be as demanding as some in Ireland, but if you let your guard down just a little, shots can add up.

The 18th is just a beautiful finishing hole.  A generous fairway gives you the chance to slay it toward the clubhouse set just behind the green.  With two big dunes hugging the entrance, shooting over the camels back and you are home free. The walk up the final hole tips the hat of emotion as what a day it has been. Dooks holds it own against those in the Emeral Isle. It might not be as flashy but it has a big personality and quite a sense of humor. For me, it is one I would play every day.

The 19th hole, or Natterjack Bar, at Dooks is not to be missed  If there were a Cheer’s Bar at any of the golf clubs in Ireland, this would certainly be in the line up.  Walking the course, braving the elements, creating your own memories, do yourself a favor and belly up to the beautifully curved bar and tell the tales of the day. Whether it is a cup of tea or a straight up, neat, Irish Whiskey (or my choice… Guinness), the capping of the day is perfection.  And drop by the pro shop for a few mementos… the toad on a shirt or cap is just too cute not to!