Destination Golf Ireland 2021
North West
Royal County Down ( Annesley )
The Annesley rarely receives the credit it deserves . Perhaps that is due to its modest par of 66 … but this sensational 66 will make a fool of you if you think it is easy . It uses much of the same terrain as its championship sibling ( they intertwine ), just with shorter holes . Indeed , some green settings are even tighter and , while the bunkering is less prevalent , the gorse gets far more friendly . The longest par four is 349 yards so this is about laser-like accuracy … and the good grace to accept that such tight fairways punish even the best shots . Here you will learn much about what makes these hallowed fairways and greens so special … and with three new holes , Annesley fully deserves its Gold status .
Rossmore
In 2016 , Rossmore celebrated 100 years . Located outside Monaghan town this has always been the club ’ s home and it is a fine , hilly and entertaining affair . There are many such excellent country parklands around Ireland , but Rossmore definitely has the thrill factor : tossing fairways flow over the drumlins and some charming ponds and streams make frequent appearances . It may be a short course ( par 71 , 5,670 metres ) but there are many doglegs to test your length and accuracy . That said , this is one of the sweetest driving courses around , with tee shots hitting towards perfect Irish countryside time and again . Check out the map beside the par three 16th tee , then enjoy a delicious tee shot . The 17th is even better .
North West
Links subtlety and ingenuity might be the only words you need to sum up this gem on the Inishowen peninsula . Nearby Ballyliffin may receive all the plaudits but North West has something different and special in its make-up … and that dates back to a bygone age of golf course design , as 2016 saw the club celebrating 125 years . The terrain here is low and bumpy … idiosyncratic and unpredictable … and perfect for what links golf is all about . Use your brain and you can play well here , but given the occasional invisible hollow and semi-blind approach , not to mention the speed and natural undulations to greens , you need to play sharp golf from start to finish . Lastly , North West may look flat from the road but you ’ ll quickly discover that every hole is brimming with character .
“ every hole is brimming with character .
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