Portumna Golf Course

Portumna, County Galway

Portumna is a traditional parkland golf course set in the old Castlerickard estate near the upper end of Lough Derg, one of the three main lakes on the river Shannon. Course developments in the past five years have propelled Portumna towards the top of the parkland league table in Ireland. The holes are laid out through mature , mainly evergreen, trees augmented with several native decidious specimens featuring prominently. A herd of deer can frequently be seen roaming the course.

NEW FOREST

THE HERITAGE

Portumna Course Description

The opening three holes are tough, two long par-4's separated by a tricky par-3 into the prevailing wind frustrate many golfers. The new par-5 sixth is a terrific golf hole, the landing area for the drive is generous but looks very small from the tee with out-of bounds on the right and mature conifers on the left. The heavily protected, smallish green is nestled in a corner with run-offs on all sides. It can be reached in two only by the longest hitters and attempting to reach is not the wisest strategy. The following holes are typical of the best Irish parkland golf where fairways need to be found to avoid the many trees.

The 10th hole is a long par-3 with plenty of trouble both left and right of the green, double-bogeys are not uncommon on this innocuous looking hole. The 12th is unusual par-5, turning hard right at about 180 yards into a fairway hewn out of the forest. If you are brave and accurate enough and cut the corner you are left with a mid-iron to probably the toughest green on the course. Most mortals will follow the dogleg and be happy with a regulation par.

If the start is tough the finish is tougher. The 16th is a testing golf hole, a safe drive avoiding the forest on the right leaves a narrow approach to an elevated green perched precariously on the top of a hill. The recently developed par-5 17th is the signature hole and the potential ruin of a good card. The drive is intimidating into an unseen landing area bordered by mature trees. The ability to shape a ball is a great advantage. From here to the green, practically impossible to reach, is a much frequented water-hazard that runs along the right had edge of the fairway. The green is also well-protected by bunkers - a five here is a great achievement.

Unusually the final hole is a par-3. From an elevated tee you hit across a valley to a green cut into a small hill. Keep your ball below the hole on the green otherwise the ever present clubhouse gallery will confidently predict a 3-putt.

All in all, Portumna is a terrific course and a typical example of the fine parkland golf available in the Irish midlands.