Birr
Esker Hills
If golf courses were rollercoasters then Esker Hills would be the
biggest ride of all. The eskers make this course almost hypnotic with
their heaving rhythm through the lilting Co. Offaly countryside.
The design was by Christy O’Connor Jr (1997), who must have been
in his element shaping holes between all the twists and turns
that this landscape has created. Shane Lowry’s name will forever
be associated with Esker Hills, but this is a course bristling with
adventure: right from the off you are thrown into the mounds,
doglegging through the valleys, and up and over those swinging
elevation changes. Trees constantly guide the way around a
wonderfully routed course.
Birr
Another Leinster gem, Birr uses the tumbling and natural Co. Offaly
eskers to magnificent effect and has been doing so since 1893. The
course also promises plenty of woods and tree-lined corridors,
which make Birr an exceptionally colourful round of golf. The
stunning par threes are a case in point but there are so many good
holes here (the run from the 10th to the 15th is outstanding) that
singling out a few is almost unfair. What is particularly memorable
is the visual appeal that greets you on every tee. The shapes and
movement of holes make them fun to play – even when shots are blind
– and while it may only be a par 70, it doesn’t lack in length, with par
fours measuring from 294 metres (middle white tees) to 407 metres.
New Forest
One of Ireland’s impressive new parklands (2006), New Forest has
an equally impressive clubhouse… a restored 18th century manor
house. The drive up to it sets the tone as you see the ease with
which the course flows over the parkland estate. One of New
Forest’s great advantages is that it is both formidable and fun to play.
You’ll certainly need your driver as fairways coast along the heavily
wooded perimeter, around ponds and marshes, and over streams
and bridges. The biggest challenge, however, comes on the approach
as green complexes are creatively shaped and heavily bunkered.
Many holes are noteworthy and the stretch from the 2nd to the 6th
is an appetising start.
Mullingar
Mullingar is a revered parkland, renowned for its annual Scratch Cup
(won by many Irish greats) and its par three 2nd. This is old school
charm. In 1937, the legendary James Braid created the simplest of
designs by planting tees to indicate tee box and green positions. Or
so the story goes. Braid wanted the current 10th to be the 1st, but
it was agreed that it was too tough a start. As a 458 yard par four
dogleg you’ll understand why. The course was upgraded between
2003 and 2005, which saw some new greens and bunkering, and a
reorientation of three holes. The par 72 remains but Mullingar now
plays two to three shots harder than before. Importantly, its Braid
character remains. A new short game area was added in 2018.
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