Old Head
Bold and dramatic, Old Head is undoubtedly one of the world’s
greatest golfing experiences. The peninsula south of Kinsale
blossoms like a pearl earring, dropping into the Atlantic Ocean. It
promises tees and greens perched on 300 foot cliffs. Half of the
holes here sit tantalisingly above a raging sea as you head out to
a lighthouse on the front nine and then back again. For the back
nine, press ‘repeat’. The back tee on the 18th is one of the scariest
places you will ever hit a shot from, tucked above cliffs and below
the lighthouse. It may be surprising to find that golf here is of the
generous variety. On such an exclusive, plush course the objective
is not to punish you but to let you play. If you don’t knock it into
the ocean then you’re unlikely to lose it. Fairways and greens are
pristine… even the rough is elegant. There are some terrifying holes
(the 12th most notably), but donating the ball to the ocean has never
been so much fun.
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