[Martin Toal]

Golf Digest Ireland had an article in the April edition where they got nominations for the best holes from a range of architects, including several GCA regulars. The nominations were as follows:

1. Jeff Howes - 11th Ballybunion, 414 metres par 4
2. Robin Hiseman - 2nd Portsalon, 396 metres par 4
3. Martin Hawtree - 16th Royal Dublin, 277 metres par 4
4. Tom MacKenzie - 3rd County Louth (Baltray), 497 metres par 5
5. Ronan Branigan - 17th County Sligo (Rosses Point), 415 metres par 4
6. Ken Moodie - 12th Portmarnock 142 metres par 3
7. Tom Doak - 3rd Royal County Down, 436 metres par 4
8. Paul O'Brien - 15th Carne, 365 metres par 4
9. Gil Hanse - 13th Lahinch, 255 metres par 4
10. Jim Engh - 18th Carne, 496 metres par 5
11. Martin Ebert - 15th Enniscrone, 384 metres par 4
12. Michael Hurdzan - 17th Ballybunion, 352 metres par 4
13. Marc West - 15th Dooks, 300 metres, apr 4
14. Tim Lobb - 15th Portmarnock, 174 metres par 3
15. Brian Phillips - 13th Royal County Down, 405 metres par 4
16. Ally McIntosh - 15th The Island, 516 metres par 5
17. Philip Spogard - 14th County Louth (Baltray), 303 metres par 4
18. Christ O'Connor Jr - 3rd Lahinch, 407 metres par 4.

So 2 holes from each of Ballybunion, Lahinch, RCD and Baltray, but none from Royal Portrush, Tralee, Waterville, Doonbeg, European Club etc.

As a fan of RCD, I really like both holes nominated, the 3rd and 13th, great holes and deserving of any list of great holes.

[Ian Dalzell]

Sorely missing perhaps one of the best opening holes of golf - #1 at Portstewart.  #5 isn't bad either.

Royal Portrush's 4th hole, 7th hole and Calamity are also absent.

3 and 13 at RCD - not even the best holes AT THAT COURSE, never mind in Ireland.

Not a convincing list . . . .

Ian

[Padraig Dooley]

Sorely missing perhaps one of the best opening holes of golf - #1 at Portstewart.  #5 isn't bad either.

Royal Portrush's 4th hole, 7th hole and Calamity are also absent.

3 and 13 at RCD - not even the best holes AT THAT COURSE, never mind in Ireland.

Not a convincing list . . . .

Ian

Ian, I don't think they were looking for the best 18 holes in Ireland, just the favourite hole of a particular architect. It is possible to have a favourite hole that isn't even a good one.

It is a very interesting list, one thing of note is the number of drivable/short par 4s in the list. I must track down the magazine and see if the architects explain their choices.

[archie_struthers]

 


Portrush #4 & 5 are awesome ...and then there's Calamity

Lots of great holes at Royal County Down ...how about  #2  and  9  ?

[Martin Toal]

The article is entitled "The greatest 18 holes in Ireland?" and the blurb says that architects were asked to chose the best holes. I am sure a few GCA members could tell us exactly what they were asked for.

I think these things always reflect personal preferences. I haven't played all the holes mentioned, but if some of them are better than, for example, the holes at Royal Portrush, then they deserve their place.

I like 3 and 13 at RCD. I also really rate the 15th.

[Ally Mcintosh]

The article is entitled "The greatest 18 holes in Ireland?" and the blurb says that architects were asked to chose the best holes. I am sure a few GCA members could tell us exactly what they were asked for.

Martin, I pulled this article together for Golf Digest Ireland but I haven’t seen it yet as I’ve been out of the country.

I wrote a whole introduction explaining the idea – it was supposed to be an “ideal” Irish eighteen just for an excuse for me to talk about Golden Age architects who were amused by that idea; CBM, Simpson et al… Has that been cut?

I asked the architects for the hole in Ireland that inspired them most. I wasn’t specific whether this was to be their favourite or what they considered the best. They were to provide a 100-200 word explanation why… Some wrote much more… I presume the descriptions are still there? Tom Doak was the only one who didn’t manage to get his words in before the deadline so I snaffled something from The Confidential Guide. I hope they have left the credit in.

Three architects considered the 9th at Lahinch but none went for it in the end. Paul O’Brien considered the 4th at Portrush before going for 15 at Carne. Other holes that were considered were 15 at Ballybunion, 6 at Portrush Valley, 11 at Lahinch and a few that I can’t recall…

[Thomas McQuillan]

Glad to see the 3rd at co louth getting some credit.what a hole

[Mike_Trenham]

So 2 holes from each of Ballybunion, Lahinch, RCD and Baltray, but none from Royal Portrush, Tralee, Waterville, Doonbeg, European Club etc.

2 from Carne as well!

[Martin Toal]

The article is entitled "The greatest 18 holes in Ireland?" and the blurb says that architects were asked to chose the best holes. I am sure a few GCA members could tell us exactly what they were asked for.

Martin, I pulled this article together for Golf Digest Ireland but I haven’t seen it yet as I’ve been out of the country.

I wrote a whole introduction explaining the idea – it was supposed to be an “ideal” Irish eighteen just for an excuse for me to talk about Golden Age architects who were amused by that idea; CBM, Simpson et al… Has that been cut?

I asked the architects for the hole in Ireland that inspired them most. I wasn’t specific whether this was to be their favourite or what they considered the best. They were to provide a 100-200 word explanation why… Some wrote much more… I presume the descriptions are still there? Tom Doak was the only one who didn’t manage to get his words in before the deadline so I snaffled something from The Confidential Guide. I hope they have left the credit in.

Three architects considered the 9th at Lahinch but none went for it in the end. Paul O’Brien considered the 4th at Portrush before going for 15 at Carne. Other holes that were considered were 15 at Ballybunion, 6 at Portrush Valley, 11 at Lahinch and a few that I can’t recall…

Thanks Ally. I get the US edition of Golf Digest, but was in Ireland last week and saw the article, so picked it up. Interesting read and worth a browse. Glad RP got some consideration!

By the way, who is this Tom Doak (who chose RCD 3rd) guy anyway? 

[Patrick Glynn]

Some pics to add to the discussion:

Lahinch 3rd:
(Drive)


(Approach)


(Green)


Lahinch 13th
(Drive)


(Green)


Ballybunion 11th
(Drive)


(Approach)


Royal County Down 3rd
(Green)


Royal County Down 13th
(Approach)


Nods to Chip Gaskins of golfcourseclassics.com from the pics of BB & RCD.

[Ally Mcintosh]

If someone wants to scan this in, you can see the descriptions of why the architects chose the holes they did...

...You can also see some beautiful photography from Aidan Bradley who appears to have had his by-line / credit cut from the piece... something I will be asking about...

[JESII]

Royal County Down 13th
(Approach)

Patrick,

Can you really drive it to this point on #13?

How narrow is it there?

[Brian Phillips]

Sorely missing perhaps one of the best opening holes of golf - #1 at Portstewart.  #5 isn't bad either.

Royal Portrush's 4th hole, 7th hole and Calamity are also absent.

3 and 13 at RCD - not even the best holes AT THAT COURSE, never mind in Ireland.

Not a convincing list . . . .

Ian

Ian,

We were not asked to give our opinion as to what were the BEST holes in Ireland just a hole that inspired us or that we liked, nothing more than that.  I love the 13th at RCD, I like the strategy of the hole and the simple yet difficult green as well as the simple approach.

Ian Andrew writes a wonderful explanation of the hole on his blog:

http://thecaddyshack.blogspot.com/2006/06/18-holes-day-5-13th-at-royal-county.html

as well as a beautiful drawing

[Brian Phillips]

Here is my text:

Is there a course in the world that has so many blind shots yet is so revered by all those that grace her fairways?  Hole 13 is no exception to that rule, a classic bottle neck hole with partial blindness thrown in to the approach for a bit of humour. An accurate longish drive up the left side of the fairway gives the player a clear view of the green however this is very tight as dune and bunkers encroach creating the bottle neck.  If you leave your drive safe and short of the bottle neck a blind approach awaits to the toughest and fastest green on the course.  The approach can be landed short and right as this area feeds the ball to the green but beware the nasty bunker just short and left of the green. A truly classic hole that plays with the golfers mind from tee to green as all great holes do. One of my favourite holes on the course on one of the greatest courses in the world.

[Ally Mcintosh]

And mine for The 15th at The Island:

Truly great Par-5’s are few and far between but the 15th at The Island is undoubtedly one of them. This hole has it all: An elevated tee-shot down to a rumpled fairway, an element of blindness, strategically placed hazards, and a green nestled within an amphitheatre created by one of the highest dunes in Irish golf.

Although there are acres of space to place your drive, the key is to hug the left side bunkers and be rewarded with a view of the fairway for your next shot. Anything leaked right will be faced with a blind second over a marram covered sand hill. The shorter hitter may have to choose whether the carry is worth the risk whilst the tiger will try to ensure the best line for his pitch in to the wonderfully sited green. A bunker on the ideal line for approach ensures that placement is as important as power.

The Island is a course full of dramatic and unique holes. Even still, it is the varied challenges of the 15th that this golfer most looks forward to tackling every time.

[Niall C]

Is this just in the Irish Golf Digest or is it going to be in other versions ?

The only course listed that I've played in Ireland was County Sligo and for me the 17th was perhaps the least inspiring hole on a great course. Funny how people see things differently.

Niall

[Sean Leary]

Is this just in the Irish Golf Digest or is it going to be in other versions ?

The only course listed that I've played in Ireland was County Sligo and for me the 17th was perhaps the least inspiring hole on a great course. Funny how people see things differently.

Niall

I didn't get 17 either. It seemed like fairway ended for no good reason....

[Ally Mcintosh]

Is this just in the Irish Golf Digest or is it going to be in other versions ?

The only course listed that I've played in Ireland was County Sligo and for me the 17th was perhaps the least inspiring hole on a great course. Funny how people see things differently.

Niall

Just in Golf Digest Ireland, Niall...

Here's Ronan Branigan's description of why the 17th at Rosses Point inspires him:

Harry Colt is known as a master of routing and this is evident for all to see at Rosses Point. Home to The West of Ireland championship, it has long been regarded as one of the finest links in Ireland and some would say that it has the best five finishing holes in the country. Nestled among those holes is the famous 17th, known locally as ‘The Gallery’. As far as penultimate holes go on a golf course this right to left dogleg is a benchmark. Measuring 454 yards from the back tee, this long Par 4 tests every component of a golfer’s game from accuracy to length and ultimately nerve. The drive appears to be straightforward but unless you are long and right, the next shot to the green is blind. Then take a deep breath, for the second is likely to be with a fairway wood. Countless scores and matches have pivoted on this stroke. The green is elevated with a dramatic false front that will carry a less than committed shot 50 yards away from the green leaving a difficult recovery. An over zealous shot to the back of the green also has its perils, especially if the pin is at the front. Not alone is a three putt on the cards; a pitch from whence you came is a strong possibility. If you can walk away from this hole with a par, be very proud. It doesn’t happen too often

[Chris Roselle]

Here are some of what I think at the best...
#2 and #4 at Old Head
#3 at Waterville
#7 at The European Club
#15 at Portmarnock

[Ash Towe]

Patrick,

Thanks for the photos.  I cannot add to the discussion having never been there but I hope to some day.  Have you anymore pics of Ballybunion?

[Scott Warren]

#7 at The European Club

Can you talk me through why you are so keen on this hole, Chris?

[Aidan Bradley]

European Club #7

[Tim Johnson]

Nice to see Carne getting 2 holes nominated. As always you could add other holes from that course but the 2 selected are geat holes.
I would also back #1 at Portstewart.

[Patrick Glynn]

A couple more pics from a trip to Ballybunion & County Down:

Ballybunion 17
(Drive)


Ballybunion 17
(Green looking back)


Royal County Down 3
(Approach)



And finally one taken of Lahinch by the greenkeeper, Brian McDonagh.
(Green)

[Sean Leary]

#7 at The European Club

Can you talk me through why you are so keen on this hole, Chris?

Agreed. Another hole I didn't get. Must be me. This one seemed out of place with the rest of the course to me. Very difficult hole, though.

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