Mullingar Golf Course
Mullingar, County Westmeath
Mullingar is renowned in Irish golfing circles as one of the countries very best parkland courses. Designed by the famous Scottish professional James Braid, Mullingar moved to its present location in 1937. Individuality is the key to the layout of the holes at Mullingar, each hole has its own features and subtle characteristics. Mature trees are common to them all however and provide the major hazard to a good round. Stray off line anywhere in Mullingar and you can be assured that your next stroke will be a recovery shot. Nonetheless it is a fair course and straight hitting will be rewarded with a good score.
Mullingar Course Description
The opening hole is a gentle par-4 of just 338 yards and full advantage should be taken of this warm-up opportunity. The second has been described by Christy O'Connor Senior as the best par-3 in Ireland, a 198 yard monster from an elevated tee to an elevated green protected on all sides by trees and bunkers and with a large ditch protecting the front.
The shortish par-4 eighth (338 yards) is played from a slightly elevated tee to a generous fairway. A stream runs across the fairway at about 200 yards and so presents a challenge to the tee shot. Water negotiated, the short iron approach must be played to an elevated green with great precision, anything short will end up rolling back down the thirty-odd yards of hillside while anything too long will leave a precarious downhill chip.
The 10th hole is a marvellous par-4 and possibly the hardest hole on the course, one of the reasons that James Braid agreed not to allow it be the first. A good drive is required towards the ridge running across the fairway that hides the green. Trouble, in the form of the ever-present trees, presents itself both left and right and the oak tree on the left is one of the largest you are ever likely to see. A straight drive down the middle is all that is required to avoid a tree-impeded approach!
Another good drive is required at the sixteenth hole, a doglegging par-5 that finishes with yet another elevated green. The drive requires the negotiation of a ditch that meanders across the fairway. The approach then becomes relatively straightforward, although severe punishment can again be expected for anything that is too long.
Mullingar provides a great test of straight hitting in superb parkland surroundings. The course is always presented in first class condition and the fairways are among the best in Ireland.
