Destination Golf Ireland 2017 * | Page 111

XXXX Waterville
Waterville
Golfers from around the world flock to Waterville , and the drive along the Ring of Kerry , above the sea , builds the expectation no end . This is something special , something idyllic , and the setting only makes the course all the more alluring . It is far too easy to fall in love with it . Few courses can boast such pictureperfect holes and such a sensuous rhythm . You can thank Eddie Hackett and , later , Tom Fazio for this links work-of-art . The dunes start low but build quickly into more dramatic and wonderfully pristine shapes . Raised tee boxes ensure you can see much of the hole and , with wide fairways , it will make you want to swing hard . It ’ s a long course so go right ahead . The front nine are excellent ; the back nine are spectacular . Holes 11 and 12 and the seaside run for home are breathtaking .
Trump Doonbeg
In 2015 , Doonbeg underwent its first upgrade under Martin Hawtree . The changes to Greg Norman ’ s original design were completed in 2016 . Norman was restricted in what he could do and where he could go ( the rare snails on the biggest dunes had to be protected ), but Doonbeg still flashed with genius . He let the natural terrain of big , chaotic dunes shape the holes , resulting in some stunning shots and remarkable green settings … the 1st , 5th , 13th and 15th come to mind . Holes weave in a vague figure of eight in and out of the dunes , brushing up to Doughmore Bay on several occasions . Hawtree has refined Norman ’ s work and the routing to play better in the wind , and the new greens are beautiful creations .
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 .
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 .
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