XXXX Ballinrobe
Ballinrobe
Ballinrobe has received high praise from Padraig Harrington , who described it as “ the finest championship golf course in the West of Ireland ”. It is spread over an old estate of 300 acres with big trees and gentle changes in elevation . There ’ s an old stone wall or two , ponds and lakes ( but not too many ), swathes of gorse and one good hole after another . It has an easy flow . A par 73 , with five par fives , it measures 6,144 metres ( middle tees ). Finding the right fairway position on the doglegs is the main challenge . Big trees stay back … with the one exception being the weeping ash completely blocking the 18th green .
Oughterard
Oughterard has two things that make it stand out : the greens are large and beautifully shaped ( thanks to new ones being built at the end of the 1990s ); and eight par fours fall between 370 and 400 metres , from the middle white tees … making Oughterard quite the test . The par of 70 stretches to 5,876 metres . The real fun comes on the approach shots through avenues of trees to raised and inviting greens . They promise deliciously tempting shots . There is only one significant dogleg and it ’ s the double dogleg par five 8th … which also happens to be the best hole on the course .
Westport
Westport sits on the edge of Clew Bay , where the sea laps up to the best holes and the ever-present Croagh Patrick looms large . Given the mountain ’ s iconic status , golfers may go searching for inspiration . On the par three 14th , you hit directly at it . This is a par 73 of 6,800 yards ( middle tees ). There are five par fives , with the 15th being the pick of the bunch , curling around the waters of the bay and demanding a big drive to clear it . Westport shifts gear considerably from the 7th on , when some significant ridges appear . Holes 11 to 16 are superb , using the best elevation changes , the best views and the water to thrill you .
Portumna
The ancient forest which surrounds Portumna contrasts against the glorious estate of undulating terrain that flows within . This is parkland in every sense of the word , where mature oak , ash and beech trees wander across the landscape as casually as the deer which frequently appear from the forest . The course expanded to 18 holes in the early 1990s but you ’ d never know . Here the holes all work perfectly together , establishing a lazy rhythm where gentle changes in elevation are used to show off holes to full advantage . It promises a tantalising day with the driver . The sweetest changes come on the par three 5th , descending between the trees , and the par three 18th . Portumna is a beautiful , unfussy parkland offering exceptional value . And if you want to know about the tiered , stone watchtowers , scattered around the course … they were used by ladies to watch the horse racing before the golf club existed .
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