Cork Golf Club

Cork Golf Club occupies a parkland setting on Little Island in Cork Harbour, where Alister MacKenzie designed the original layout in 1927. MacKenzie visited the site during his brief but influential period working in Ireland, and the course reflects his characteristic use of natural contours and strategic bunkering. The property sits on gently rolling terrain with mature tree-lined fairways and views across the harbor, typical of Irish parkland courses from this era. The routing takes advantage of the land's natural movement, with several holes playing along elevated sections that offer perspective over the surrounding landscape. MacKenzie's design principles are evident in the green complexes, which feature subtle borrows and approach angles that reward thoughtful play rather than pure distance. The bunkering style, though modified over the decades, retains elements of the architect's preference for irregular shapes positioned to create strategic choices from the tee. Cork Golf Club has served as a significant venue in Irish golf, hosting national championships and regional competitions over its history. The course has undergone various updates to accommodate modern equipment and maintenance practices, but the essential character of MacKenzie's design remains intact. The club maintains an active membership and operates as a traditional members' club with visiting golfers welcomed by arrangement. Its location near Cork city makes it one of the more accessible championship-standard parkland courses in the Munster region.