Waterville on GSPro is the Irish links that rewards the thinking player. Ranked 61st on the Golf Digest World Top 100, Waterville sits at the edge of the Ring of Kerry on a stretch of coastline that feels like the end of the world. It is not as famous as Ballybunion or as dramatic as Old Head, but it is the most strategic course in County Kerry, and it deserves a permanent spot in your GSPro rotation.
This is the course you play when you want to score well by thinking your way around, not by overpowering the layout.
The Waterville Experience
Waterville was originally designed by Tom Fazio in 1972 and later refined by Eddie Hackett, who added the back nine in the 1980s. The course sits on a narrow peninsula between Ballinskelligs Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, with views of the Skellig Islands visible on a clear day.
The GSPro LiDAR build captures the strategic routing that makes Waterville special. The front nine plays through the dunes with the ocean appearing and disappearing, while the back nine runs directly along the coast with the ocean on your left for most of the final stretch.
The defining feature of Waterville is the closing six holes, known as “The Waterville Six.” Starting at the 13th hole, the course turns toward the Atlantic and runs along the coast with the ocean on your left for the final six holes. The 13th through 18th is one of the best finishing stretches in links golf, and the GSPro version captures the exposed, wind-affected conditions that make these holes so demanding.
The 16th hole is the signature: a 425-yard par 4 that plays directly along the beach with the ocean on your left and dunes on your right. The green sits on a natural shelf, and the approach shot must carry the front bunker to hold the green. In GSPro, this hole plays exactly as it does in real life — a crosswind makes club selection a guess, and the bunker short-right catches every indecisive approach.
Quality Assessment
The LiDAR data for Waterville is accurate and captures the subtlety that makes the course special. Unlike the dramatic dune topography of Ballybunion or the cliffside spectacle of Old Head, Waterville is a flatter, more exposed course that relies on wind and strategic bunkering for its defenses.
The green complexes at Waterville are the best feature. Eddie Hackett’s greens are subtle, sloping, and protected by bunkers that collect approaches from the wrong angle. The 18th green, which sits in front of the clubhouse with the ocean behind it, is the best example. Approach shots from the left funnel toward the pin. Approach shots from the right feed off into a collection area that makes up-and-down nearly impossible.
The bunkering at Waterville is strategic rather than punitive. The fairway bunkers sit at specific yardages to catch the aggressive drive, and the greenside bunkers are positioned to accept the weak approach rather than the well-struck one. In GSPro, this creates the classic links dilemma: take the aggressive line and risk the bunker, or lay back and face a longer approach.
How to Access Waterville on GSPro
Waterville Golf Links is available as a free community-built course on the GSPro course server. Search for “Waterville,” “Waterville Golf Links,” or “Waterville Links” in the SGT course library. It is included with your standard GSPro subscription.
Where Waterville Fits in Your Irish Collection
Waterville is the third course in the County Kerry triumvirate alongside Ballybunion on GSPro and Tralee on GSPro. Ballybunion is the brute. Tralee is the thrill. Waterville is the thinker. If you play all three, you get a complete picture of what Kerry links golf offers.
For players who appreciate strategic design and shot planning, Waterville is the best of the three. It does not require the power of Ballybunion or the aggression of Tralee. It requires precision, wind management, and the willingness to accept par when birdie is a gamble.
FAQ
Is Waterville available on GSPro?
Yes. Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland is available as a free community-built course on the GSPro course server.
How realistic is Waterville on GSPro?
The LiDAR data captures the exposed coastal routing accurately. The closing six holes along the Atlantic are the highlight. Green contours reflect the Eddie Hackett design.
What is the Waterville Six?
The closing six holes at Waterville (13-18) run along the Atlantic coast with the ocean on the left. They form one of the best finishing stretches in Irish links golf, and the GSPro version captures the exposed, wind-affected conditions that make them so demanding.
Can I play Waterville on other simulator software?
Waterville is primarily available on GSPro. It is not currently available on E6 Connect, FSX Play, or Trackman Performance.
What wind setting should I use for Waterville?
Set wind to Medium. Waterville is an exposed course, and the closing six holes play directly into or across the prevailing Atlantic wind. Medium wind provides the strategic challenge the course was designed for.
How do I download Waterville on GSPro?
Open the GSPro course server, search “Waterville Golf Links,” and click download. It appears under W in your course library. No additional subscription required.