December 2010:
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Hi there,
My husband and I stayed at the Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel last wknd. It’s situated in Gorey, Wexford. I have to say we were so impressed with the Hotel and the golf course was absolutely fantastic, they have just finished there club house, which is a must for every1 to see, a real wow factor, would highly recommend this hotel and golf course, absolutely amazing.
Played Glasson golf club in Athlone 2 weeks ago with my golf society, course and greens were in great condition and some wonderfull views of Lough Ree especially from some holes on the back nine. Highly recommend.
Macreddin.. golf, spa and country retreat..
Where do i begin? what can i say about this course that paints a picture as majestic as these fields of dreams that McGinley rose from a remote region of the Wicklow hills. I knew little about this place when we visited, but i had read a few reviews that paints this course in a particularly positive light, Kevin Markham’s book being prime example. So off i set with my brother in tow. The first challenge about Macreddin, is finding it. First off, its not easy, and the roads are rather bendy. Trust your GPS, it should get you there. Ill add the co-ords below for your reference.
So, Macreddin village, well its not really a village is it? Its more of a country retreat with all the facilities of a village, and nice facilities at that.. Don’t get me wrong, i do like it.
The First Tee box and starters cabin is located across the road from the village gates, I say cabin as the clubhouse has not been built yet due to the woes of the recession, but stay tuned, hopefully we wont have to wait too long for one.
Golf is a game of 2 nines, and on this occasion, the 2 nines were rather contrasting. Separated by a road, a downpour and a lot of hills. Ill set the precedent right now, and divide my blogs in 2. So, let us begin.
Front 9,
An easy opener followed by a cracker of a par 5, and let me just say this now, All the par 5′s are Beasts!
The par 5 2nd, its a dogleg right, a raised tee box to a landing plane sandwiched between OOB on the left and a Tree lined right. My bro sailed over the white sticks on the left, and I found position A, right down the middle. Did this do me any good? not really, I attempted to layup with a soft hybrid, but what a load of good that was, pulled left, behind a tree, nested behind a root.. My God, if I ever try to play safe again, shoot me! I got a 7, where a par should have been within reach. It Was a shocker, anyway, roll on.. It was a fantastic hole.
The 4th is my next fav hole, and these fav holes do add up. Par 3, Downhill, Way Way Way downhill. We played from the back tee, into a slight wind, took aim for the target with an 8 iron, pin high, landed just over the bunker 30yards left of the bulls eye. My brother found the green, and we both managed par.. We were happy. but we wanted to play it again, wouldn’t dare do it though, the walk back up the hill would have been unbearable, took us something like 60 seconds to get down in the first place.
Next on my list is the 6th, a drivable par 4 which i made a mess of.
I pulled my drive and found the trees and tall rough, didn’t find the ball however. The hole itself is fantastic, a little stream plays havoc to a safe knock-down drive, and the green nested within a haven of trees makes targeting from long range rather delicate. I say go for it, Its worth a punt, but only if you can hit long and straight and about 270 mtrs downhill.
A sweet par 3 leads us on to the next brute of a par 5 8th. Smash a drive to the pinnacle of the hill, and a 3 wood could get you close to the green, but you would do well to hit this in 2. best again to lay up, these par 5′s are a risk to adopt a brutish attitude, with a small pond right of the green, i chose to layup, then i chose the wrong club, over hit the green with my 3rd, chip and putt. Ill take a par.
A stitch in time saves 9, and its a dog leg left par 4. There are a lot of dogleg lefts, a shade more than dogleg rights, 6 versus 5 on my count. So, the 9th requires an accurate Drive, take a 3w is my advice, and take more club than you would guess for your second, or simply trust the yardage, the bunkers in front of the green provide a deceptive illusion of length, its further away than you would imagine. Actually, it took a long time to play this hole, as we cowered under the tree on the apex of the turn as the rain began belting down, this was also the time i realised i left my umbrella at home, my wet suit trousers and wetsoft gloves. silly me, my game took a turn for the worst because of this. Let it be-known, i did have my sun cream!! I forgot to check met.ie for the weather report that morning, and this was my critical error, most bag carriers like to travel light when at all possible, cutting corners though bears its brunt on the unprepared.
Back 9,
Where is it? I can’t see it.., alright, lets snoop about, and cross the road, take a right as you walk in the gates of the village and head straight for a couple of minutes, you should find it up there somewhere
The initial thing that stood out for me was the huge wooden cabins built adjacent to the 10th, I never really approved of building homes on golf courses, but these ones seemed to fit in.
The first hole I really admired was the 12th, it is sublime, amazing, and really intimidating, Itry play it out in your mind, which could be better than our experience, as this is when the serious downpours started. Its a shame really, as there are few holes in golf that can pose such serious threats to your scorecard whilst maintaining an royal elegance that requires even the audacious to humbly bow down. My advice to play this masterpiece, is to take a 3wood, and target the middle of the fairway, that should be enough to clear the stream in front and hopefully avoid the gorse, stream and rough on the right, and the large trees on the left. A daunting Iron approach over all the danger would be your second if you want to attack the green, but there is a safer route up the left, to take this route, you will rely on your short game to earn a par, and indeed a par here should bring a smile most faces. I carded a bogey, but id welcome another shot at it in fairer weather.
Number 13, a delicious double dogleg par 5. Take a 5w here if you don’t know where to aim, Draw a 3wood if you can. This safe drive should position you at the end of the fairway, which indeed is the end of the turf, as a stepped drop below follows. From the end of this fairway, you can see the beautifully protected green very far away, and many metres below. If you can carry the 5 bunkers with a 3w and stop the ball dead, then by all means take the green on, but the best advice should be to lay up and play the rest of the hole as a short par 3. I chose the former and lost my ball in the long rough, stumbled across the line with a 6.. I must read this blog before I play it again!!
The 15th and 16th are very tough holes, the drives are fairly straight forward, long and straight is best, but with greens cosied up between the trees, and the run-off the hills place the premium on accuracy, a par 5 and a par 4, again, id happily take a par, but the birdies are on if you can dial in the approach shots.
The 17th is a downhill par 3, we played a 6 and 7 iron respectively, this green hides behind the same stream that we have seen countless times before, which in turn leads us to the 18th, which is rather pretty. 3w/Driver here, don’t hit the stream on the right, and don’t hit it too far into the stream as it crosses in front. Aim between the big tree and the bunker is my suggestion, this should leave you anywhere between a 6 & 8 Iron to the green. nice finishing hole which brings us back to the village.. I do prefer a closing hole where the clubhouse is your gallery, but that’s just my preference.
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Macreddin is well worth the bendy, twisty journey through the backroads of Wicklow, so pack your bags, your satnav and dont forget to check the weather forecast. €40 is a steal for a round of golf at a course like this. This is one of those courses where as you stand on each Teebox, look at the preceeding hole as a puzzle and a piece of art, we just have to decide if its logic or brilliance that we hope should get us through.
I promised myself that i would play all courses in North Fingal. In Donabate, Donabate itself is straight-forward enough, each hole is similar with no 1 hole sticking out.
Balcarrick was next, windy on the day which made it tricky espeecially the par 3 5th. I was looking forward to play The Island after hearing rave reviews, either my golf was bad (81) or it was me, I didnt enjoy it, again a great par 3 looking out at Malahide.
Beaverstown was beautiful to play again, greens were very true, some great; challenging holes especially on Junior Scratch day. Turvey can pose a problem or two, most notibally from 13 home, what a difficult last 6 holes, a real test.
What a test little Corballis is in the wind. 4 new holes including 2 dainty par 3s. play well here and you can play golf.
Rush was pleasurable, lovely sunny morning in June, as was Skerries. I managed to drive the short 11th, but only got par, but birdied 12.
Hollywood lakes, again on Junior Scratch was difficult, some nice holes, but oh my, the greens….all falls to Ballyboghil.
The best till last, Balbriggan. The changes to the course is unbelievable, most greens are elevated but very receptive, bunkers all round, undulating fairways making it testing on the auld legs, and, again on Junior Scratch day it played its full length.
Golf in Nth Dublin offers so much, pick any course and enjoy. I did on them all.
Carne golf links. Although its been some time since I last travelled the 100 miles from Galway to Belmullet my memories of Carne Golf Links will never diminish. Without a doubt the most underrated golf course in the country.
From its towering dunes to the Atlantic ocean lapping against the 14th tee, its a truly majestic setting. Situated on the outskirts of Belmullet on the extreme north west of Mayo a subdued clubhouse greets you and all that is to be seen of the course is but a few fleeting glimpses of holes 1, 9, 10 and 18.
After a wonderfully warm welcome by bar staff we set out (with heads that were best left on their pillows after a nights drinking) to what seemed a fairly simple start par 4 dogleg right to a hidden green from the tee.
The 2nd a par 3 to a blind green could be hit with anything from an 8 iron to a driver depending on wind direction. I should know, i played both on different occasions.
No.3 a par 4 from a lofted tee lays out a view of the town Belmullet in the distance and a fairway that looks like someone buried a thousand beach balls under there are so many undulations.
No.4 is a par 5 with OOB all down the left and dunes that should you manage to send you ball over leave no idea of direction to the green. 5 is a par 4 slight double dog leg left then right to a green recessed into and above in a dune.
6 another par 4 is all about driving long and down the right , should you stay left the green will be totally hidden behind dunes. Hole no7 is one of the toughest par 3 I have ever played. A green is some 50/60 feet above you and only about 10 yards deep but 60 wide. Anything short and it will be back at you feet. Anything long and you will have a nightmare chip downhill. Pot bunkers also protect this round wrecker of a hole.
The par 4 8th is begun behind the 7th green from a vaulted tee down onto a seemingly vast fairway but dont be fooled as postition down the right side is the only option to a 2 level green that must feel claustrophobic due to the dunes on 3 sides guarding it.
The 9th par 4 brings you back to clubhouse and from a low lying fairway to a plateau green that requires an extra club (or 2).
All that I have described to you thus far holds no comparison to what I am about to say about what I believe is the greatest back 9 holes on this island.
The 10th is a par 5 hitting over a ridge( whenever I play this hole I always tell my playing partners not to look up as they walk until they are over the hill), your second shot is to a green that is surrounded by an enoromous dune. Its an image that still makes the hairs on my arms stand up. Now the fun truly begins.
Whilst walking to the 11th keep looking down until you reach the tee and ask for oxygen as the view that awaits will take your breath away. A par4 that doesnt require a driver off the tee to a landing area some 100 feet below then a sharp turn right to a green only a flick away but dont be fooled its still a tough up and down should your second be offline.
12 another short par 4 but going right to left is a hole that truly describes the maddness of the designer Eddie Hackett a green were you can only see the tip of the flag and anything short will either return to your feet or even behind you.
The 13th par 5 takes you out to the farthest point in Carne. OOB all down the right and tall grasses and heather on the left its 3 good shots to a green were if the wind blows and it always blows will be difficult to hold.
The par 3 14th is a gem among jewels. With the Atlantic ocean to your right and waves crashing against cliffs in the distance its almost a senorary overload. This is my nirvana, my Valhalla, my most cherished spot on this course not cause I holed my tee shot and to be honest I dont know if I even parred it but the setting is truly awesome as some of the Americans would say.
I would try and decribe it but to be honest I just wouldn`t do it justice. Just remember if you have the pleasure of playing here DONT GO LONG ; )
Its at this point where sadly my heart starts to sink. Not because the course loses it appeal or class its because I know I have only 4 holes left.
15 is a par 4 that will have your calves aching as you cllmb again to a sky touching green. Pot bunker at the back of the green so dont go long.
16 is a par 3 to a green that is so far below you that you would think you tee shot will never land.
17 is regarded as the designers finest art work and boy is it a brute, a par 4 index 1 that must be played from the back tee to a fairway that should you stray off either side you may as well say bye bye to the ball. The kidney shaped greens is above you again (thank ed) and must be hit cause otherwise right your way below it and left the tall grass will shallow any chance of playing a shot.
The final hole is a par 5 dogleg left around another massive dune and an approach shot over a valley that if you go into will seem like just another kick to your already battered body.
Carne is a very special place with a very special aura that will stay in your mind and heart for a very very long time.
Now if only I could pick those 6 numbers that would allow me to move there and play it for the rest of my life…….
Greystones GC
This course is set in the most idyllic of places. A famous fishing town surrounded by the picturesque Wicklow mountains. The course is tight but well presented. The front nine and back nine contrast. The front nine offers reward for course management while the back nine requires some power play when required. The panoramic views of the Irish sea and the village from the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th hole are breathtaking.
It offers excellent value for weekend golf. I also really enjoyed my steak sandwich and pint with the friendly staff inside.
The Heath Golf Club ……. Two Words “Don’t Bother”.
Westport Golf Club, Mayo
Westport Golf Club, which played host to the 2002 Smurfit Irish P.G.A. Championship, is a magnificent 18 hole parkland course, it has breath taking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. A comfortable opening six holes allows the foundation of a solid round to be laid before the course steps up a gear with the newly shaped 7th hole.
This is quickly followed by the 8th which has also undergone major improvements, with water front and right and a newly shaped green providing a challenge to all.
Finally, there is the 18th – the new feature hole at the Carrowholly course. This is a monster par 5 with water all the way up the right hand side culminating in another massive undulating green. Another golf course i thorougly enjoyed playing on and would highly recommend
Played two magnificent golf courses in the past 10 days. The first was skellig Bay in Waterville, kerry. This is very close to the famous Waterville links course and is well worth staying in the area to play this as well.
It has spectacular scenery is well laid out with generous fairways and excellent greens. The first nine are around the headland and the views are magnificent, markers are stone beehive huts and course features lots of stone walls.
The second nine are more inland and are based around a river that runs through the course again some of the holes are spectacular. The day we played the sun was shining and we all played well – what more could you ask for!
The second course we played was Adare Manor, the big course with the Manor house (not the smaller course next door)
This has to be one of the best courses in Ireland! Each hole offers its own unique challenge and degree of difficulty.
The course is so well designed and spread out you get the feeling that you are the only people on the course, the only hole you can see is the one that you are on and you never hear the word FORE being shouted.
The setting is immaculate with the Manor House being the backdrop, and the course was in great condition. The rough is a bit punishing in places for those wayward drives but the fairways are wide enough for most.
Bunkers protect nearly every green and anyone scoring 36 points here will feel that they have played very good golf. This is a must visit when in the area.