K Club – Palmer North Course

Opened in 1991, the Palmer North Course is the headline layout at The K Club and the more famous of its two Arnold Palmer designs. It is polished, challenging and full of memorable moments, but it is not simply a course to play for the bragging rights.

The River Liffey, lakes and streams come into play regularly, so there is plenty to think about before reaching for the driver. Some holes invite a bold shot, while others are best handled with a little more patience. Get your course management right and this is a hugely satisfying round.

Key Facts

Course type: Parkland
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Designed by: Arnold Palmer
Opened: 1991
Location: Straffan, County Kildare
On-site accommodation: The K Club
Best suited to: Golfers looking for a high-quality championship course with plenty of history

The K Club recommends a good level of golf for Palmer North. Handicap certificates are not required for general visitor play, but it is a course that will be more enjoyable for golfers who are comfortable taking on a testing layout.

Location

Palmer North is set within The K Club estate in Straffan, County Kildare, west of Dublin.

The setting feels peaceful and rural once you are out on the course, but the resort is still within straightforward reach of Dublin. That makes it a strong addition to a wider Ireland golf holiday, particularly for groups looking to mix inland parkland golf with the links courses closer to the coast.

Ryder Cup History

Palmer North made history in 2006 when The K Club became the first course in Ireland to host the Ryder Cup.

Ian Woosnam’s European team beat the USA 18½–9½, with Henrik Stenson holing the winning putt on his Ryder Cup debut. It remains one of the most memorable Ryder Cups of the modern era.

The week is also remembered for Darren Clarke’s emotional return to competition following the death of his wife, Heather. Clarke won all three of his matches and received an unforgettable reception from the Irish crowd.

Irish Open Drama

The course has hosted the Irish Open three times so far, and Rory McIlroy has provided two of its biggest moments.

He won here in 2016 with a brilliant birdie-par-eagle finish, claiming his first professional victory on Irish soil. Vincent Norrman took the title when the tournament returned in 2023.

McIlroy won again in 2025 after holing a long eagle putt on the 18th to force a play-off against Joakim Lagergren. He eventually sealed the win with a birdie on the third extra hole. The Irish Open is due to return to The K Club in 2027.

European Open Pedigree

Palmer North was already a well-established tournament venue long before the Ryder Cup arrived.

The course hosted 11 editions of the European Open between 1995 and 2005, with winners including Bernhard Langer, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Michael Campbell.

The final two European Opens held at The K Club, in 2006 and 2007, were played on the Palmer South Course.

The Course

Palmer North is a course where good decisions count.

Water hazards appear throughout the round, while the bunkers and mature trees are ready to punish shots that drift offline. It is not the sort of layout where you can simply pull out the driver on every tee and hope for the best.

That is part of the appeal. The course has enough variety to keep things interesting from start to finish, with a good mix of risk, reward and moments where discretion may be the better part of valour.

Standout Holes

There are several holes that golfers tend to remember afterwards.

The K Club highlights the 4th, known as Arnold’s Pick; the 7th, Michael’s Favourite; the 16th, Inis Mor; and the par-three 17th, Half Moon.

The 18th is another highlight, with water in play and the clubhouse ahead of you as you make your way towards the final green. It is a strong finish to a course with plenty of theatre.

When to Play

The main golf season runs from April to October, when the days are longer and the course is likely to be looking its best.

Spring and early autumn are particularly good times to visit, with comfortable golfing temperatures and plenty of daylight.

As with any trip to Ireland, it is sensible to pack waterproofs whatever the month. The weather can change quickly, but that is all part of the fun.

Where to Stay

The obvious pairing is The K Club, the five-star hotel within the resort itself.

With both Palmer North and Palmer South on site, it is ideal for golfers looking to enjoy two very different parkland rounds without needing to travel between courses. The hotel also has a spa, a choice of restaurants and plenty of space to relax after golf.

For groups looking to make the course a real feature of their trip, staying on site makes perfect sense.

A Great Addition to an Ireland Golf Holiday

Palmer North brings something special to an Ireland golf itinerary.

It has the history, the setting and the championship credentials, but it also delivers a genuinely enjoyable round of golf. For groups looking to include one standout inland course alongside Ireland’s famous links, it is an easy one to recommend.