Mood:
coolTopic: GOLF
Three Favourite Golf Holes In Ireland
1st
Portstewart No.1
(Tubber Patrick) Par 4,
425 yards
This is perhaps the best opening hole in links golf with a dramatic descent from a gloriously elevated tee into an amphitheatre of dunes.
I particulary love this hole as you wait to tee -off you can look across the North Atlantic , the mouth of the river Bann and Lough Foyle onwards to Donegal.
I mean who cares if you have to wait there? In my experience though Portstewart is played at a good pace . A hidden gem with Castlerock(another brilliantly designed links course)
Royal Portrush just around the corner,were I include my other two picks which are the famous 5th Aptly named "White Rocks" due to the grand view from the tee, the par four 5th hole is one of the world's most inspiring holes. The elevated tee affords the golfer a view of Dunluce Castle but it is far from just a beauty contest winner - this hole has great merit. The stronger player can try to shorten the dogleg to the right by taking an aggressive line with his driver. However good your drive, your approach to the green is fraught with danger.
The green itself runs to the cliff's edge, making back hole locations a real test of courage. To the left there is a deep bunker, to the right a deep hollow whilst the back of the green overlooks the White Rocks and the Irish Sea below. If you love traditional links then these are amongst the best you will find.
My Third pick The signature hole par three 14th is the hole on the homeward stretch that will linger longest in the memory. Worryingly but justifiably called "Calamity Corner", the 14th hole measures 210 yards off the Championship tee and looking toward the green you will immediately know where the 14th got its name.
It requires a long carry with a long iron or wood (that must not go right!) over a deep ravine in order to reach a green perched directly on a 100-foot precipice. Slice the ball and you will be guaranteed a double bogey as the ball succumbs to the call of gravity, bouncing and rolling on a seemingly endless journey, down a steep slope toward the Valley Course.
The name says it all - a hole for strength and courage.
However when you play it, you will most certainly
remember it!
