The K Club

The K Club's Palmer South Course, also known as the Smurfit Course, opened in 2003 as a companion to the resort's original Palmer North layout. Arnold Palmer designed this parkland course on the estate's southern acreage, creating a routing that moves through mature woodland and along the River Liffey's tributaries. The terrain is relatively flat compared to the North Course, but Palmer incorporated water features on multiple holes and used the property's established trees to define playing corridors and frame strategic decisions. The course measures over 7,200 yards from the championship tees and features wide fairways that encourage aggressive play off the tee, though water hazards and greenside bunkering require precision on approach shots. Several holes play alongside streams and ponds, and the design emphasizes risk-reward opportunities where longer hitters can gain advantage by challenging carries or angles. The greens are large and contoured, typical of Palmer's design philosophy that rewards accurate iron play while allowing recovery options for skilled short game players. The Palmer South operates primarily as a resort course within The K Club property, which gained international recognition when the Palmer North hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. While the South Course has not held major professional events, it serves as an alternative championship-length layout for members and resort guests. The club's facilities, including the manor house and spa, support both courses, and the estate setting along the Liffey maintains the parkland character that defines golf in County Kildare.