DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL
LEINSTER
Headfort( Old)
Headfort( Old)
Headfort’ s Old course opened in 1928, stretching elegantly across the bucolic Headfort Estate. When the exceptional New course arrived in 2000, the shorter Old took a back seat … yet this is pure parkland golf with swathes of mature trees providing tremendous character to holes. Many tower over tee boxes and form intimidating backdrops. It is a charming par 72, with the gentle undulations promising nice views of the hole and tempting targets off the tee. Even though there is no water there are subtle doglegs everywhere and that means trees will prove a nightmare if you stray offline. Then there are the small greens which can only be attacked if you are on the fairways.
Portarlington
As gentle and peaceful a parkland as you could hope to find, Portarlington sits a couple of miles outside town alongside the River Barrow. The course weaves through mature trees and demands strong driving and an impressive ability to draw or fade the ball on six holes. It tests you plenty without ever losing the joy of playing here. Index 1 is a prime example: it is a par four of over 400 metres, sliding through a tight corridor of Beech and Oak, but two more wonderful shots you will not hit … and you might well encounter red squirrels en route to the hole. Behind the green lies the river which makes a dramatic appearance late in the round. This is a well maintained, lovely country course, which punches way above its weight. In holes 7, 8, 14 and 15, Portarlington has some of the best holes you’ ll play.
The K Club( Palmer South)
The K Club Palmer South course opened in 2003. Like its sibling, it was designed by Arnold Palmer, with the aim of offering a very different experience to the Ryder Cup course. This is a shapely beast with huge shoulders of earth creating channels to play through. And water is a frequent visitor especially on the strong back nine. The cliff and lake that dominate the 7th hole are an intriguing( man-made) feature … but it is the final six holes that will tempt you and test you most. The par five 18th requires at least two excellent shots over water. The course has its own entrance and impressive clubhouse, and considerable recent investment has enhanced playing conditions. The Women’ s Irish Open arrives in 2026.
This is a shapely beast with huge shoulders of earth creating channels to play through. And water is a frequent visitor especially on the strong back nine.
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