I was back in this glorious part of the world this past week playing Strandhill, Rosses Point, Carne & Enniscrone. All four courses are completely different. Rosses Point was certainly the star in terms of the combination of land forms, burns & bunkers to create architectural interest. I previosuly wasn't overly keen on this course, but this additional visit confirms that the course is better than I thought. There are still aspects I didn't like and wonder why simple changes aren't made, but there you go. Another surprise for me was Strandhill. The contrast of this very natural course with Rosses Point's almost obsessional attempt to create strategy was striking. There is no question Rosses Point is the better course, but I am not so sure I would rather pay double the green fee for the priveledge on a regular basis. First up, Strandhill.
The 1st is a lovely opener. A sharpish legger left and up the hill. Water is down the right. My carry over fears from Wales/Hillside of hellish rough were immediately put to rest. It was obvious the club had cut the rough down and created very generous landing areas - essential on this very firm, undulating land where wind also plays a factor.
The green runs away from the fairway and is well protected by bunkers on the high side. I am not sure of what this look is all about, perhaps easy maintenance?
I think this pic shows the severity of the front to back slope. How one hits it close in downwind conditions is a question for the ages, but its also why these sorts of holes are what help to define links golf.
After stepping on the 2nd tee I began to think this course could be something very special. The play for this short par 3 playing quite long on the day was to bang it off the left hill (next tee) and hope for the roll. I know it was possible because a chap in our group recorded the third hole in 1 for this society (with no name).
Things cooled off on the 3rd, but the wind still made the hole a thinker.
The 4th continues to climb up the holler. The wind is encouraging a visit to the beach - still hard left. Below is the approach after a very good drive.
The 5th is a long par 5 that shares a fairway with 16 - for those that pick a conservative line. The correct line is to drive over the gunge to a fairway in plain site, but never the less difficult to make out. In all honesty, there must be width of 250 yards and the tee is high above the fairway, but for the uninitiated, its essentially blind because the first time player has no clue of distances. Below is what remains of this cracking hole after two blows into the wind.
A look at the problems awaiting for player who cuts the corner perhaps too well.
#6 is a dogleg right over dunes for the brave. There is however, plenty of room left, but this inevitably means that a very long 2nd is required. Below is the approach after an aggressive drive. I like how both kick in sides are guarded by bunkers. It really rewards the guy taking the risk with the tee shot and earning centre of the fairway position.
From this angle olne can see how the safe drive out left leaves this angle of approach whereby balls get kicked away from the green.
The 7th proved to be mediocre which is a great shame because this hole runs along the shore. The 8th is a lovely little blind, driveable par 4 that perhaps could have been better if an incentive to go for the green was on offer. The direct line to the hole is left over gunge and the fairway canters right. Its a bit of a crazy choice going for the green as holding it was near on impossible and the worst of the rough was behind the green. Here is the heir flick wedge approach.
The 9th takes the player into the less admirable section of the course. Its decent golf, but no great shakes. The good thing is, there are more cracking holes to come.
13 is a very intimidating hole. One senses there is severe trouble left and more room right than it appears off the tee. Indeed this is the case, but to commit to the utterly blind shot not having information concerning the carry distance or where the green is takes plenty of cahones. The funk continues with the green nestled in a sort of bowl. Like on the tee, one may guess there is more room to the right than it appears. This time, that guess would be wrong. However, there is a kick in which effectively makes this green a bit larger for the approach. The pic below is from behind the green.
The 14th continues the great fun. Once again, I don't know how one hits it close to this front pin with a 25 mph tailwind, but it doesn't seem to matter.
The 15th doglegs hard left and back up the hill to a green next to the 13th tee. This is one tough bugger trying to hold the fairway and green. The approach.
Unfortunately, #s 16 & 17 are not the sort of crazed holes just previously played. They are decent holes, but not the type to implant in your memory.
As was the case earlier, a string of of easyish holes predeeded a corker. The 18 is just that. 430 yards up the hill into the wind with a wicked right to left sloping green. The rain was moving in so I failed to get a photo.
Because of the handful of blandish holes I couldn't give Strandhill a star, but I would recommend it. Many in our group were so so on Strandhill, but I was taken with it and in terms of favourites would only place Strandhill slightly behind the others. As we all know, Ireland has become frightfully expensive. Not so with Strandhill. With its 40 Euro day rate it competes with the best of the bargain courses to be found in GB&I and I will certainly seek a return engagement.
Ciao
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