Toughest Courses in Ireland?

jimjo

Spurring on from the favourite and than worst courses thread what would people say is the toughest course they’ve played….?

Last summer I played in a fourball team comp in the Headfort New and the place ruined two of the lads. They both found water on literally every bit of the course 3rd, 4th (twice), 7th, 9th, 10th (twice), off the back on the 12th green, 17th and 18th. And even on holes like the 8th and 11th they hit into the trees. By the 9th they had really given up and only played on because it was a team event. Totally demoralised they never want to play there again!

Although I’ve not played courses such as Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) or the European club, both of which I’m due to play this year, I heard there both crazy difficult courses….

DoctaDee

jimjo wrote: »

.............
Although I’ve not played courses such as Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) or the European club, both of which I’m due to play this year, I heard there both crazy difficult courses….

European gets my vote ... problem down there is the rough is not graded (semirough, rough, jungle)... it's either fairway or hay. Of course there's those that say if yer down the fairway you don't have to worry about rough, but 30 - 40 mh winds sort of take that out of yer hands. It's a fantastic course tho. and everyone should play it once (greens were a bit ropey 2 weeks ago). As for Headford New, yup now that is a great test of golf .. and all for 40 -€50 ?

heavyballs

think the european club is great but i think it's toghness comes from the weather more than anything,landing areas are much more forgiving than i had expected,it's hard to say what's the hardest as we rarely play off the back tees on most courses

copacetic

I found the Montgomerie at Carton to be a bit of a bitch, long and as above either fairway or 3 foot hay, that it's hard to get out of even with a sideways wedge.

thoscon

headfort new can be tough alright especially for the higher handicappers although ive always seem to do well there..i found kileen castle to be the hardest course ive played ,rough is a **** to play out of and some of the bunkers are impossible to play out of..didnt help that i played ****e the day i played it

jimjo

DoctaDee wrote: »

As for Headford New, yup now that is a great test of golf .. and all for 40 -€50 ?

For opens its like €25-30. Been cut there twice with 33 (CSS 32) & 34 (CSS 33) points last year, the CSS says it all really. Although a parkland, with all that water it can be very tough on you if your having an off day.

DoctaDee

jimjo wrote: »

For opens its like €25-30. Been cut there twice with 33 (CSS 32) & 34 (CSS 33) points last year, the CSS says it all really. Although a parkland, with all that water it can be very tough on you if your having an off day.

Yeah Jim agreed, it's as good a test of golf as there is out there, and relatively cheap. First time local society played there I was paired with a guy off 7 who lost 12 balls in 12 holes (12th hole is a par4 with teardrop green, water on right ?) .. anyways from utter despair he covers the last 6 in 3 under .. always one of my favs, must get up to an open there soon .. coz the society never returned .. preferrring the Old course instead.

f22

Off the tips Royal Dublin can be a beast when the wind blows, 7300 yards!

The European is a real challenge too, miss fairways and be thanKful to find your ball.

DoctaDee

thoscon wrote: »

..........i found kileen castle to be the hardest course ive played ,rough is a **** to play out of and some of the bunkers are impossible to play out of..didnt help that i played ****e the day i played it

Played Killeen Castle last Nov, was in bunkers on 8 of the 9 holes on the front and got up and down 7 times ... turned 1 over ........ ehhhh didn't finish 1 over

Can I give an honourable mention to Concra Wood also ,,, again we played in tough conditions but thought it was smashing track

Punchbowl4

Rosapenna (Sany Hills) is savage, i think Ruddy doesnt try designing good courses, only savage ones. i'm a low handicapper a played it last year in decent conditions, and it was nearly impossible. wore a hole in my 2 and 3 irons into par fours, with greens the size of kitchen tables. respect the man, but he should visit courses like Baltray, Portmarnock etc to see how a links course can be brilliantly designed, but designed fairly. courses which rewards good shots.

curly from cork

+ 1 for the european.. that being said coming up for more punishment in may.. loved it.

Benicetomonty

+2 for the European, animal of a course and you can hardly even see the back tees from the oft-used whites! Great track though, worth the lost balls.

Johnny_Fontane

+1 Sandy Hills.....yes its tough but not unfair (as long as you have a local guy with you!)

Murvagh (Donegal Golf Club) is very tough aswell

ShriekingSheet

At Headfort Junior Scratch last year there were 4 and 5 handicap players shooting 90+ on the new course. I think it's tough, but I wouldn't find it as tough as the European. Then again, it's hard to think of a parkland as tough as H New.

f22

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

At Headfort Junior Scratch last year there were 4 and 5 handicap players shooting 90+ on the new course. I think it's tough, but I wouldn't find it as tough as the European. Then again, it's hard to think of a parkland as tough as H New.

Agree, as parklands go Headfort New off the back stakes is as tough as they come. If you don't have your game with you just go home!

ShriekingSheet

Yeah. I'm struggling to even name another tough parkland...
Carlow? Although I've only played the u18 thing there and played shockin so maybe that was just me.

Kevinmarkham

It's almost an impossible question! There's the whole links vs. parkland debate, and the back tees vs. normal tees situation.

Moyvalley and Dunmurry Springs, for example, add an extra 700 yards from the back tees, but most of us will never play from there. From the front tees they're both manageable. Druid's Heath is tough whichever tees you play and it's 7,400 yards from the back, 6,600 from the whites.

Headfort New is tough for sure, and beautiful too, but my toughest inland track would be Scrabo - for the simple reason that a good shot is not guaranteed to end up where you expect it to be, and once you're in the rough (gorse) you can kiss a good score goodbye. It's up and down some big slopes and there are a few holes that don't exist anywhere else. As anyone who has my book knows, it's also one of my favourites.

Carton House (Monty) is a brute. Bunkers above your head will fill most people with terror.

But I don't think any parkland is as hard as a links on a windy day. You're so exposed and the rough around the green will hurt your wrists when your ball fails to find the putting surface. Sandy Hills is tight, The European is lethal, and Tralee's back 9 is impossible, but Royal County Down throws in all those blind shots too, so RCD gets my vote, but only on a windy day!

Mister Sifter

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Yeah. I'm struggling to even name another tough parkland...
Carlow? Although I've only played the u18 thing there and played shockin so maybe that was just me.

Off the back sticks, Roganstown can be a beast. Junior Cup qualifying there last year (albeit on a wet and windy day) saw some horrific scores. The weather played a big part, but at 7k + yards, but i don't believe anyone broke 80.

Luttrellstown and the parkland formerly known as Pga National are also pretty stiff tests off the back sticks.

spacecoyote

Found Heritage to be a tough enough trek for a parkland. The wind was up the day we played and seemed to be pulling you towards water no matter what direction you were facing!

1united

Played European last year on a terrible day, wind blowing a gale throughout. It is as tough as they come but we enjoyed every minute, even though only one of our 4ball played anywhere near handicap. Played Murvagh last good friday and heading again this friday, can't wait, very tough back nine. PGA course at Belfry tougher but better than Brabazon imo.

stebed

What about Druids Heath? A ton of bunkers, water on the 2nd and 3rd and 17 elevated greens, I play it every week and the best I have managed is 34 points of 11! And all that of the green, there are still the whites and then the blacks!

Pot Noodle =

Carne in Mayo is a Mare of a course http://www.carnegolflinks.com/coursemap.html

DoctaDee

Just thought of another tough challenge from the back tips .. Knightsbrook in Trim

sweetswing

any links when the wind blows, and as said before the monty , for me it has no equal , its a monster.
i dont get headford new although i never played from the back sticks?
some courses suit your eye better than others i suppose.

thoscon

playing the monty in a few weeks in next society outing, not looking forward to it on hearing how tough it is

irish_man

belturbet is hard enough with the wind up!!
haha!!

Headford new is definitely the hardest I played.
any links course is difficult on a windy day..

jimjo

DoctaDee wrote: »

Just thought of another tough challenge from the back tips .. Knightsbrook in Trim

I got to disagree on this one Doc. Knightsbrook is undoubtedly a beast off the blues particularly when the wind is against. Its a course I would call long but not especially tough if you get me… It’s a course where you can lash the driver all day long and not really get punished for wayward shots off the tee. Headfort for example (apologies for keep using it as the example) but its long, tight and with the water thrown in, tough. Although I’ve only played knightsbrook once, I was hitting the ball fairly well and had a good score, admittedly off the whites, cant think if ever I’d play of the blues, are junior scratch cups of them? But by god that would be long.

thoscon

jimjo wrote: »

I got to disagree on this one Doc.

Knightsbrook is undoubtedly a beast off the blues particularly when the wind is against. Its a course I would call long but not especially tough if you get me… It’s a course where you can lash the driver all day long and not really get punished for it. Headfort for example (apologies for keep using is as an example) but its long, tight and with the water thrown in, tough. Although I’ve only played knightsbrook once, I was hitting the ball fairly well and had a good score, admittedly off the white, can think if ever I’d play of the blues, are junior scratch of them? But by god that would be long.

i would second that.knightsbrook is very forgiving but jaysus it wud be a monster off the back tees.if your not playing well in headfort it can destroy you

Swingguru

Sandy Hills in Donegal is without doubt the most difficult course in Ireland. I have played this course many times and it is nigh on impossible to shoot 30 points. The fairways are tight with narrow landing areas, miss them and the ball is lost. The greens are small and upside down! The course isn't massively long, but it is just soooo tight. Played it and the Old Tom Morris course in their scratch cup last year on the same day. 28 points on Sandy Hills and 38 on OTM. A new designer is needed to come in and revamp what Ruddy has delivered. It has the potential to be the best course in Ireland, but at the moment it is simply too unforgiving and not much fun!

Kristopherus

Pot wrote:

Carne in Mayo is a Mare of a course http://www.carnegolflinks.com/coursemap.html

+1 It surely is. I'll never forget the first time I played it. I'm still having nightmare flashes when I think about it.

DoctaDee

jimjo wrote: »

I got to disagree on this one Doc. Knightsbrook is undoubtedly a beast off the blues particularly when the wind is against. ...

Point taken Jim, it's not penal in that sense but if memory serves there was only one par 4 less than 400 yards, I seemed to be pulling out the hybrid, 4 or 5 iron on all the approach shots. The course really made you work for a score. Unfortunately I'm hearing some whispers as to its demise - think the pro shop and golf personnel are gone,pity because it was an enjoyable track. Cheers Dave

jimjo

DoctaDee wrote: »

Point taken Jim, it's not penal in that sense but if memory serves there was only one par 4 less than 400 yards, I seemed to be pulling out the hybrid, 4 or 5 iron on all the approach shots. The course really made you work for a score. Unfortunately I'm hearing some whispers as to its demise - think the pro shop and golf personnel are gone,pity because it was an enjoyable track. Cheers Dave

Ah yeah it was a case of driver and rescue for a good few of the par 4's, even on a good drive still left with a 6 iron if i remember right. Well thats a pity if it is in trouble (although lets not go into it), wanted to play it a few times this year, fingers crossed for the place.

Thought Sandy Hills would be coming up a few times in this thread, wonder what do the members think of it. I'd say they must love the auld medal stoke comps on a windy day or would it be near to unplayable?!!

Nuri Sahin

The European Club I've played a few times now, but if you catch it on a bad weather day like I did last time out it;s a real slog to get around in anything close to a half decent score.

Royal Dublin can be a right brute as well when the weather pick up.

BrianD3

Have played Murvagh lots of times and Headfort new once. The day I played Headfort it was wet and the rough was some of the heaviest, wettest, thickest stuff I've ever encountered. That, added to me being in several of the numerous water hazards, made the course a slog for me that day. Beautiful course though.

Murvagh has also had very bad rough a couple of times I've played it. Again thick, wet and heavy difficult to find the ball let alone play it. I remember playing Ballyliffen around the same time and the rough was much easier and more wispy.

Benicetomonty

Headfort new is tough but inspirational imo! You cant help but enjoy it no matter how you play and I usually get it around in something half-respectable as a result.
mentioned Luttrellstown earlier, thats a tough course, some very long holes on the back 9 and water hazards are genuinely in play, unlike a lot of courses where they just seem to be there for show. But Monty on a tough day gets my vote, from what Ive played anyway!

Par72

Nothing I've played can compare to the difficulty of the European. In fine weather it can be ok but put some wind and rain into the mix and the place is like punishment.

Pot Noodle =

Kristopherus wrote: »

+1 It surely is. I'll never forget the first time I played it. I'm still having nightmare flashes when I think about it.

I was lucky my Partner that day had hired a buggy:D

Kace

Par72 wrote: »

Nothing I've played can compare to the difficulty of the European. In fine weather it can be ok but put some wind and rain into the mix and the place is like punishment.

+1

I still have fond memories (nightmares) of the last time I played there. Due to my inconsistency of the tee that day, most of my shots had the ball either at chest level or two feet below my feet in heavy rough - not the easiest combination.

stebed wrote: »

What about Druids Heath? A ton of bunkers, water on the 2nd and 3rd and 17 elevated greens, I play it every week and the best I have managed is 34 points of 11! And all that of the green, there are still the whites and then the blacks!

The Heath is tough enough, but only really because of its length IMHO - it's not European tough. I would be very very happy with 34 points in The Heath, but would be uncorking champagne with 34 in the European ;-)

In relation to lots of the other comments here about courses being tough off the back sticks, many many courses are pure beasts of the back sticks (even if they are fine off the yellows and whites). But the main reason is that all approaches immediately change to long irons / woods, instead of a regular iron - Powerscourt East springs to mind here. The course is fine off the normal tees but you need forearms like Popeye to get around off the Blues/Blacks.

DoctaDee

Kace wrote: »

+1

I still have fond memories (nightmares) of the last time I played there. Due to my inconsistency of the tee that day, most of my shots had the ball either at chest level or two feet below my feet in heavy rough - not the easiest combination............

Lookin at the positive side at least you found them ! guy I played with 2 weeks ago lost 14 balls ... that = 14 sand dunes I had to scale to help him :rolleyes:

Swingguru

jimjo wrote: »

Ah yeah it was a case of driver and rescue for a good few of the par 4's, even on a good drive still left with a 6 iron if i remember right. Well thats a pity if it is in trouble (although lets not go into it), wanted to play it a few times this year, fingers crossed for the place.

Thought Sandy Hills would be coming up a few times in this thread, wonder what do the members think of it. I'd say they must love the auld medal stoke comps on a windy day or would it be near to unplayable?!!

Thankfully most of the members comps take place over the Old Tom Morris course as members have to pay €15 for the privilege of playing the course! Crazy or what? Thats why the course is generally empty while the OTM course is packed. You get 6 hours rounds on OTM during the summer yet not a sinner on Sandy Hills at exactly the same time!

johnnyfardel

thoscon wrote: »

playing the monty in a few weeks in next society outing, not looking forward to it on hearing how tough it is

Put it this way. You are better off in the river than some of
the bunkers.

I had a mare on the front 9 as I found sand on most holes.

Scored well on the back 9 once I started driving reasonably
well.

thoscon

johnnyfardel wrote: »

Put it this way. You are better off in the river than some of
the bunkers.

I had a mare on the front 9 as I found sand on most holes.

Scored well on the back 9 once I started driving reasonably
well.

are the fairways very tight ? someone told me u go literally from fairway to knee high rough not sure if this is the case or not

jimjo

Swingguru wrote: »

Thankfully most of the members comps take place over the Old Tom Morris course as members have to pay €15 for the privilege of playing the course! Crazy or what? Thats why the course is generally empty while the OTM course is packed. You get 6 hours rounds on OTM during the summer yet not a sinner on Sandy Hills at exactly the same time!

Thats a bit much €15 each time on top of the membership... cant imagine they have a huge membership base so dont know why their pissing them off with the extra fees, if as you say the place is empty most of the time. Was looking at green fee's there quite expensive too.

Sammo13

Played the European on Sunday, its an excellent challenge, probably the toughest driving course in the Island. They have cut back the rough but the landing areas off your driver are very tight...

Parkland toughest track is a hard one, the newer courses in last 20 years are nice and long but I prefer courses like Carlow and Mullingar, certainly not the toughest but off the back stakes, especially Carlow, very tough driving course.

copacetic

thoscon wrote: »

are the fairways very tight ? someone told me u go literally from fairway to knee high rough not sure if this is the case or not

there is only fairway/very light rough/shocking rough, but the fairways are reasonably wide. Depending on the tee you are playing off I'd advise taking a club that gives you a good chance of hitting fairway but short of the bunkers. I'd prefer to be in the bunkers than the rough but played with someone who must have hit sand on every hole, there are a lot of bunkers.

This will generally leave you with a long approach to guarded green but is the best approach.

Play a tactical game and you should enjoy it. i.e play to widest part of fairway ignoring how long of second shot it'll leave; then play to the side of the green with no trouble, not matter where the flag is.

If you hit a bunker play whatever club is sure to get you out. If you hit the deep rough from the tee, play a provisional and if you find original just play it sideways and watch your wrists.

My experience of the course was enjoyable except for 3 or 4 absolute card wreckers. I managed to avoid most of the bunkers but hit the rough a fair bit. Make sure you are well fed and watered it's a very long walk, some walks between greens/tees. If you carry normally I'd nearly advise against it.

Try to score on the par 3s if you hit a decent long iron, they are straight forward enough with all the trouble at the front of them all so go long. and there is a reachable par 4 where you can hit into the greenside bunker easy enough.

Plan it out in advance and it could be fun! there is a easier stretch 12-15 which will give you a chance to save the card.

jimjo

Parkland

1) Headfort New
2) Carton House - Montgomerie course

With an honorable mention to Carlow and a few of the new breed of courses which off the backs are animals in length.

Links

1) The European Club
2) Rosapenna - Sandy Hills

With an honorable mention to all links courses cause there all bloody tough when the wind gets up!!!

Bosco boy

Pot wrote:

Carne in Mayo is a Mare of a course http://www.carnegolflinks.com/coursemap.html

I have to agree on that one, some savage holes and a great test, probally the most difficult I've played.

GorHugh

DoctaDee wrote: »

Played Killeen Castle last Nov, was in bunkers on 8 of the 9 holes on the front and got up and down 7 times ... turned 1 over ........ ehhhh didn't finish 1 over

Can I give an honourable mention to Concra Wood also ,,, again we played in tough conditions but thought it was smashing track

Concra wood is a beautiful track .. Loved every blade of it

GorHugh

jimjo wrote: »

Parkland

1) Headfort New
2) Carton House - Montgomerie course

With an honorable mention to Carlow and a few of the new breed of courses which off the backs are animals in length.

Playing Carton with our society on the 24th of this month , Followed by Concra wood in may and Headfort new in june .. we'll have nobody wanting to play again after these 3 courses ...

Brockagh

Doesn't Headfort New have the highest standard scratch in the country?

I'd agree with the ones mentioned. Donegal when I played it had waist-high rough. Very difficult, and long, on that day anyway.

Waterville is pretty long too, and Cane is tough when the wind blows.

shamco

Brockagh wrote: »

Doesn't Headfort New have the highest standard scratch in the country?

I'd agree with the ones mentioned. Donegal when I played it had waist-high rough. Very difficult, and long, on that day anyway.

Waterville is pretty long too, and Cane is tough when the wind blows.

I agree about Donegal. Played it last Fri and the rough was still waist high. Played Rosapenna on Sat on a perfect day weatherwise and have to say it is the toughest course I have played on in Ireland. The rough was savage and fast running fairways on to elevated greens made the second shots nearly as diificult as the tight drives. Should have put away the driver after 3 or 4 holes. Lost a heap of balls but the dunes were full of replacements.