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Portmarnock
Links
Portmarnock Links
The Bernard Langer-designed course is under new ownership, which
is ushering in upgrades to the course and facilities. With the big
hotel looking over the 1st and 18th it emphasises that Portmarnock
Links offers the full golfing package. The course is routed over
bumpier and more unpredictable links terrain than its immediate
neighbour, despite their proximity. Here the smart routing ensures
that players get a warm-up over the gentler dunes first, thus
presenting an opportunity to appreciate the big and tricky green
complexes and the sweeping putting surfaces. Wind or no wind, this
is where the biggest challenges lie. The course opened in 1996, and
its wonderfully natural feel is a testament to Langer’s vision. The
back nine are the more demanding and more exciting of the two,
with holes 16 to 18 delivering a superb finish.
Luttrellstown Castle
Luttrellstown Castle has the advantage of routing its golf course
over a vast 567 acre estate, right on the edge of Dublin city. Big, lazy
and expansive, it takes in the River Liffey, as well as sentinel-like
mature trees which have been employed to shepherd holes and
create impressive backdrops… although the castle at the far end of
the course may prove most dramatic of all. There are no climbs,
but the undulations ensure a flowing rhythm to your round while
the trees add scale and drama. It is a surprisingly open course, with
11 holes featuring water, but it is long. At close to 6,800 yards from
the middle tees, you will want to open your shoulders. Stunning
clubhouse and facilities.
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Portmarnock
A links of low, sweet dunes and sensational strategy. Portmarnock,
just north of Dublin city, is revered the world over and with good
reason. Apart from the 5th, the holes are always on show from the
tee and this can lull you into a false sense of security. It’s as if you
can see the whole painting, but not the detail… and that detail is
so vitally important. Holes are so subtle and green complexes so
intricate that smart positioning off the tee is crucial. Only then can
you attack pins on perfect putting surfaces. Employ your bump-andrun skills as best you can: this is a course where such skills will be
rewarded. Established in 1894 the fabric of the course has changed
little (despite some recent revisions by Hawtree), while the 14th and
15th are two of the most admired and feared holes in Ireland.
Hermitage
Despite being located beside the busy N4, Hermitage Golf
Club remains an oasis of calm. Boasting a distinguished 115 year
history this is classic, mature parkland weaving through dense
corridors of trees. The course moves over a heavily undulating
landscape which may surprise some visitors. It feels flatter, but
a walk alongside the clubhouse will reveal one of the best par
threes (the 10th) around, dropping sharply to a green in front of
the River Liffey. This is also the start of the best run of holes, the
par five 11th promising a stunning, three-shotter beside the river.
Expect excellent greens.