Powerscourt Golf Club - East/Older Course

Redzah

Hi all,

I have a match there on Sunday. I've never played the course and won't get a chance to before the match. Any advice, hole by hole guide, certain clubs/distances to hit off the tee or any other information to assist will be greatly appreciated. I'll try get out to walk the course before the round but i'll be pretty much playing it blind. Looking forward to your comments

P.S. I'll prob print out and bring the comments made with me on the day so you can all contribute to a winning day for the Druids Heath team.

matt-dublin

Is that the one to the left of the clubhouse or the right?

Redzah

matt-dublin wrote: »

Is that the one to the left of the clubhouse or the right?

Haha, stand at the clubhouse with a compass and figure it out (although watch that ur not disqualified ).

Seriously though, from what i hear its the older one with a more mature setting etc., never been there though

matt-dublin

I've played (what i think is the south course) and it was nice, relatively open from what i remember. Easier than the heath but still very tricky

thats all i got im afraid.

Dr_Colossus

Yes it's the older course and the one the members there prefer. Lovely course but have only played it the once in early Feb so my hole by hole knowledge isn't great. It's the one to the right of the clubhouse as you drive in the gate.

Opens with a fairly straight forward par 4 and then an odd par 5 - memorable hole. I played from the whites and on the second hole I wasn't sure what line to take, there's a bunker in view so I think correct line is just slightly right of this. I was perfect about 5 yards right of the bunker, bunker is reachable and there's a good bit of room to bail out to the right. Second shot is odd in that the green is protected by a large tree about 100 yards in front of green and the green is surrounded by bunkers. I tried to fade a 3 or 4 iron around the tree but didn't cut it enough and ended up in the left hand side greenside bunker - not a good place to be, easier shot from the right hand bunker if you miss as front of green slopes left to right.

There's only water in play on a shortish par 3 (think around no 12) and on the 17th by the green. There's no real blind shots or major obstacles so course plays as you see it but there is good changes in elevation especially on some of the longer par 3 so club down on those.

There's great facilities at the course in terms of driving range, pitching green, putting green etc so no harm getting there early and getting in a good warm up. Enjoy the round and play well.

Dr.Silly

have you seen this
http://www.powerscourt.ie/the-golf-courses/the-east-course?phpMyAdmin=b39c4055c4f59d52083bdd08b7b8c11b

Dtoffee

Played it on Good Friday. First hole, aim for the church steeple if you want a good approach to the green. Hole 2, severe dog leg left, aim ur drive just right of the bunkers and for ur second if you go straight at the green ....be aware it is well protected with the trees and bunkers. Holes 3 is a straight forward par 3, H4 keep ur drive left of centre. H5 is a par 3 is all carry so dont hold back. H6 straight Par 5 up hill. H7 again straight back downhill ...... little right of centre for your drive. H8 index 1 is a good drive keep left of bunkers and its a long way home that is literally peppered with bunkers. H9 is a shortish par 4 and visible straight ahead. H10 straight up the middle but the green is further back than you think (keep left, it breaks to the right). H11 uphill and the green is elevated so give it a bit more than you think. H12 is a par 5 around to the right to a green that runs away from you. H13 downhill par 3. H14 drive it left of centre as its a dogleg left and your second will be straight uphill to an elevated green ... make sure you get up there. H15 Drive should be straight down the middle and green rises as you approach. H16 short par 3 over lake. H17 and my fav hole is a par 5 that has a lake in front of the green ..... what you dont see is that the trees are cut away and the green is wide open to the right which nearly alwasy creates a wind tunnel hold ur ball up as u go over the lake (give it extra). H18 straight down back to clubhouse slight dogleg left.

The greens have been spiked and sanded recently but the course is always in good shape. enjoy.

Dr_Colossus

Dr.Silly wrote: »

have you seen this
http://www.powerscourt.ie/the-golf-courses/the-east-course?phpMyAdmin=b39c4055c4f59d52083bdd08b7b8c11b

That's a load of balls really for trying to get a sense of the course. You can't beat a strokesaver type view of each hole like some websites display (Slieve Russell, Dunmurray Springs, Palmerstown House etc) in terms of thinking of appropriate strategy and club selection before your round.

Redzah

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

That's a load of balls really for trying to get a sense of the course. You can't beat a strokesaver type view of each hole like some websites display (Slieve Russell, Dunmurray Springs, Palmerstown House etc) in terms of thinking of appropriate strategy and club selection before your round.

Agreed, its a photo album for marketing purposes more than anything, thanks though, i appreciate the intention. I'll have to def get my hands on a strokesaver

Redzah

Dtoffee wrote: »

Played it on Good Friday. First hole, aim for the church steeple if you want a good approach to the green. Hole 2, severe dog leg left, aim ur drive just right of the bunkers and for ur second if you go straight at the green ....be aware it is well protected with the trees and bunkers. Holes 3 is a straight forward par 3, H4 keep ur drive left of centre. H5 is a par 3 is all carry so dont hold back. H6 straight Par 5 up hill. H7 again straight back downhill ...... little right of centre for your drive. H8 index 1 is a good drive keep left of bunkers and its a long way home that is literally peppered with bunkers. H9 is a shortish par 4 and visible straight ahead. H10 straight up the middle but the green is further back than you think (keep left, it breaks to the right). H11 uphill and the green is elevated so give it a bit more than you think. H12 is a par 5 around to the right to a green that runs away from you. H13 downhill par 3. H14 drive it left of centre as its a dogleg left and your second will be straight uphill to an elevated green ... make sure you get up there. H15 Drive should be straight down the middle and green rises as you approach. H16 short par 3 over lake. H17 and my fav hole is a par 5 that has a lake in front of the green ..... what you dont see is that the trees are cut away and the green is wide open to the right which nearly alwasy creates a wind tunnel hold ur ball up as u go over the lake (give it extra). H18 straight down back to clubhouse slight dogleg left.

The greens have been spiked and sanded recently but the course is always in good shape. enjoy.

Cheers, much appreciated, the above is the basis for my notes on the course this sunday, i've it put into word and printed out. Lets hope you're not a powerscourt member spinning me tales

MiniGolf

Dtoffee wrote: »

Played it on Good Friday. First hole, aim for the church steeple if you want a good approach to the green.(Perfect!!)
Hole 2, severe dog leg left, aim ur drive just right of the bunkers and for ur second if you go straight at the green ....be aware it is well protected with the trees and bunkers.(Loads of room right of the bunker - green has a ridge towards the back third so if pin is at the back be careful you don't bounce off the ridge!)
Holes 3 is a straight forward par 3(Plays 1.5 to 2 clubs less),
H4 keep ur drive left of centre(Perfect!!).
H5 is a par 3 is all carry so dont hold back(Perfect!!).
H6 straight Par 5 up hill (usually into wind but middle all the way!).
H7 again straight back downhill ...... little right of centre for your drive (If you are a big hitter a 3 wood is more than enough club - I hit driver with a bit of wind behind and ran out of fairway but semi rough not bad - wedge to green. Be wary as there is a hidden bunker just right of the two you can see from the tee).
H8 index 1 is a good drive keep left of bunkers and its a long way home that is literally peppered with bunkers.(All on show here - no tricks)
H9 is a shortish par 4 and visible straight ahead.(Perfect!!)
H10 straight up the middle but the green is further back than you think (keep left, it breaks to the right)( Not a lot of break on sunday last - playing slow).
H11 uphill and the green is elevated so give it a bit more than you think(Perfect!!).
H12 is a par 5 around to the right to a green that runs away from you.(Lots of run down to the green - played with a 10 Hcp on sunday him using my old driver/3 wood. I matched his drive and he nailed the 3 wood 250 ish to the edge of the green!!)
H13 downhill par 3(Perfect!!). H14 drive it left of centre as its a dogleg left and your second will be straight uphill to an elevated green ... make sure you get up there.(Centre is good!)
H15 Drive should be straight down the middle and green rises as you approach.(Perfect!!)
H16 short par 3 over lake.(Green has small ridge in the middle but shouldn't have a lot of effect with the speed as it is!)
H17 and my fav hole is a par 5 that has a lake in front of the green ..... what you dont see is that the trees are cut away and the green is wide open to the right which nearly alwasy creates a wind tunnel hold ur ball up as u go over the lake (give it extra)(If you go for it in two you need to be accurate/confident - no bail out - water in front, bunkers behind, nasty rough left and a couple of big trees right - shallow green for a long approach but no probs with a short iron/wedge!).
H18 straight down back to clubhouse slight dogleg left.(Aim at bunker on the far side (right) of fairway as if you are too close to the left bunker you may be blocked by tall trees on left if pin is tucked back left. Green has a gather middle right not unlike our 7th but not as severe!!)

The greens have been spiked and sanded recently but the course is always in good shape. enjoy.

just saw this thread after asking you (Redzah) on the Inter-club thread....!

See above additional comments!

Redzah

MiniGolf wrote: »

just saw this thread after asking you (Redzah) on the Inter-club thread....!

See above additional comments!

Cheers minigolf, much appreciated

d2ww

The markers are in metres to the front of some quite long greens, up to 35 metres, so be sure to take note of the flag position.
H2, standard 2nd shot is a draw to the right of the trees with mid-long iron, just be careful of o.b. on the right.
H9, long hitters can run out of fairway on the right.
H12, drive down the lhs to open up your 2nd shot. Try to avoid the pitch and run on to the green, as it will hit a down slope and shoot to the back.
H15, severe two tier green. Balls that land on the front right of the green tend to roll into the bunker.
H17, play your 2nd towards the gorse on the left to avoid large tree that can block rhs of the green.

Dtoffee

Redzah wrote: »

Cheers, much appreciated, the above is the basis for my notes on the course this sunday, i've it put into word and printed out. Lets hope you're not a powerscourt member spinning me tales

Not a member although I know a few up there and love playing both courses ...... Peter McEvoy designed the old course and he loves his bunkers he also use the wind quite well so dont be surprised if you find the wind is changing direction as the course undulates and he has cut out sections of land or trees to create a wind tunnel effect. On a calm day with the course in top condition its heaven, but the greens can be very tricky if they are cut tight.

Let us know how you got and and what you think of the course.

Redzah

Dtoffee wrote: »

Not a member although I know a few up there and love playing both courses ...... Peter McEvoy designed the old course and he loves his bunkers he also use the wind quite well so dont be surprised if you find the wind is changing direction as the course undulates and he has cut out sections of land or trees to create a wind tunnel effect. On a calm day with the course in top condition its heaven, but the greens can be very tricky if they are cut tight.

Let us know how you got and and what you think of the course.

Will do, i'm looking forward to it now, was at the range on tuesday night and was hitting it well, a bit of short game practice on sat and i should be all set for sunday. I think DH are the home club so i reckon we need at least 1 out of 2 points from the away matches to be safe so hopefully your advice will help get the W needed.

ShriekingSheet

I have played it many times, and played well there once or twice too. One general piece of advice I'd give you, specifically for Barton Cup, is to show respect to the par 5s and longer par 4s.

You say you're a long hitter, and you may look at the card and see a few opportunities to use length, or be in a position to have a go at certain greens from long range. I reckon a conservative strategy will ensure you win or half more of these longer holes.

Especially if you're the lower man, get your guy to hit an iron and leave you a wedge in for the third shot, even on one or two par 4s if need be.

Lashing 3 woods at par 5s around there can very easily bite you, even though it doesn't look like it at all.

One exception might be the par 5 on the back nine, possibly 11 or 12ish, which is quite wide open, but in general, 5s on long holes tend to be good scores in BC.

Redzah

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I have played it many times, and played well there once or twice too. One general piece of advice I'd give you, specifically for Barton Cup, is to show respect to the par 5s and longer par 4s.

You say you're a long hitter, and you may look at the card and see a few opportunities to use length, or be in a position to have a go at certain greens from long range. I reckon a conservative strategy will ensure you win or half more of these longer holes.

Especially if you're the lower man, get your guy to hit an iron and leave you a wedge in for the third shot, even on one or two par 4s if need be.

Lashing 3 woods at par 5s around there can very easily bite you, even though it doesn't look like it at all.

One exception might be the par 5 on the back nine, possibly 11 or 12ish, which is quite wide open, but in general, 5s on long holes tend to be good scores in BC.

Cheers, one more question, as the lower man what hole's should I drive at Odd or Even? Ideally i'd be looking to have the most appoach shots to the green.

Dtoffee

I would say you should tee off on the even holes .... the odd numbers have more par 3s and if it goes to the last hole a big drive is a great advantage.