MIDLAND REGION GUIDE

MIDLAND IRELAND TOURS

Golf Courses in Ireland's Midlands

Golf Guide -> Midland Courses (Midlands Golf Map & Region Information)

Best Courses in Midland Ireland

Athlone Golf Club Athlone Golf Club - the 15th, a great par-3
By the Western shores of Lough Ree at Hodson Bay, Athlone is a delightful and interesting challenge. Features a demanding opening 3 holes before wending it's way through magnificent lakeside terrain with an excellent variety of golf holes. Look out especially for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 12th, 14th , 16th and the long 18th.

Par 71 - 6,570 Yards - J. McAllister

Carton House Golf Club
Carton House Golf - O'Meara Course A recent addition to the eastern golf course roster. Carton House is located just outide Maynooth, Co. Kildare, just west of Dublin on the main N4 road. Two contrasting golf courses designed by Mark O'Meara and Colin Montgomerie.

The O'Meara is a magnificent parkland course that makes splendid use of the estates rolling hills, mature trees and the River Rye. Desinged to be tough from the championship tees and to give pleasure from the forward tees.

The Montgomerie is described as an inland links. Each hole requires a line to be picked over impressive fairway bunkers before approaching large, contoured greens adequately protected by further bunkers. The Montgomeie has hosted the Irish OPen on 4 occasions.

The O'Meara - Par 72 - 7,006 Yards - Mark O'Meara.
The Montgomerie - Par 72 - 7,310 Yards - Colin Montgomerie

East Clare Golf Club
Set in the pituresque scenery near the East Clare village of Bodyke, East Clare presents a great test of striking ability. The natural stream, lakes and trees are complemented by strategically placed bunkers to provide the main hazards. Large greens offer some respite and there are several good scoring chances. Feature holes are the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th and 17th. An ideal course to start an Irish golf break from Shannon.

Par 71 - 6,514 Yards - Arthur Spring

Esker Hills Golf Club Esker Hills Golf Club - 4th hole approach
Designed by Chirsty O'Connor Jnr. and opened in 1996 Esker Hills is destined for the highest placings in golf course rankings. Set in 175 acres of naturally undulating hills (eskers) , this golf course is tough but never unfair. Agreement on the outstanding holes will be difficult to reach, but Esker Hills is certain to be a stong contender for best course in the Midlands. No Irish golf break is complete without a round at Eskker Hills.

Par 71 - 7,280 Yards - Christy O'Connor Junior

Glasson Golf Club Glasson Golf Club - Singature 15th Green
Scenically located on the Eastern shores of Lough Ree, Glasson is another Christy Junior design. And it is another wonderful golf course, that plays away from the lake for the opening loop (though still requiring negotiation of natural lakes) before returning to the lakeshore for the feature holes at 14, 15 and 16. Another strong contender for top spot on your tour.

Par 72 - 7,120 Yards - Christy O'Connor Junior

Headfort Golf Club
Headfort is renowned for its magnificent selection of mature trees that enhance the picturesque setting of these two fine parkland courses. An ideal first stop on any Irish golf break to the midlands.

The Old Course is a well-established, mature layout with trees lining the fairways. The greens are consistently rated as some of the best parkland greens in the East of Ireland.

The New Course was opened in 2001 and receives glowing accolades from those who have played it. The River Blackwater is incorporated into thirteen holes and full use is made of two islands on the river.

Old Course - Par 72 - 6,601 Yards - Unknown.
New Course- Par 72 - 7,176 Yards - Christy O'Connor Jnr.

The K-Club
Two magnificent golf courses, both designed by Arnold Palmer are set amongst 550 acres of beautiful countryside bisected by the River Liffey.

The North (or Palmer) course will host the Ryder Cup matches in 2006. One of the finest and most testing inland courses in Ireland requiring accuracy, skill and nerve. The River Liffey and other water hazards feature on the majority of holes.

The South (or Smurfit) course hosted the 2004 European Open. Sometimes described as an inland links because of the dune like mounds that feature throughout. The finishing stretch has added hazards in the form of huge lakes.

North Course - Par 72 - 7,337 Yards - Arnold Palmer
South Course - Par 72 - 7,313 Yards - Arnold Palmer

Mullingar Golf Club Mullingar - parkland jewel
A venerable golf club situated in magnificent woodland terrain outside the town of Mullingar. The course is the annual venue for the prestigious Mullingar Scratch cup, won in both 2001 and 2003 by Walker Cup player Colm Moriarty.

Par 72 - 6,504 Yards - James Braid

Tullamore Golf Club Tullamore Golf Club - Approach to the 5th
Tullamore is one of the finest old clubs in the Midlands. Well guarded greens, tree-lined fairways and the introduction in 1995 of 3 strategically placed lakes combine to present a golfing challenge to players of all ability. The outstanding feature hole is the 16th requiring two accurate shots to reach the green guarded by both stream and trees.

Par 70 - 6,428 Yards - James Braid

Portumna Golf Club Portumna Golf Club - par-3 18th
Carved through splendid forest on an old estate where deer can frequenetly be seen, Portumna presents a true and fair test for golfers of all ability. Having negotiated past the huge old oak trees on the long opening 3 holes, Portumna continues with a series of challenging parkland holes. Feature holes are the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th.

Par 72 - 6,900 Yards - Designer Unknown

Tailor-Made Golf Tours Ltd.; Unit 4, Grand Union House, Drurys Avenue, Midleton, Co. Cork
Telephone: +353 21 463 3002 Mobile: +353 86 879 5129
email: golf@tailormadegolftours.com www: www.tailormadegolftours.com
Midland Ireland Golf Course Directory by Tailor-Made Golf Tours