It is no exaggeration to describe Waterville as breathtaking; it is most decidedly a seaside links course, with wild dunes and some imposing hills in play. The weather and wind often affecting ball-flight, so playing on the ground, rather than through the air, is essential here. Waterville is usually rated among the top five courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.

Amazingly, the course was abandoned during the 1950s and 60s, although investors had Irish architect Eddie Hackett and American teaching professional (and 1948 Masters winner) Claude Harmon redesign the original nine, which reopened in 1973. Tom Fazio has done some restoration work here in recent years.