Adare

Type: Parkland
Par: 72
Location: Limerick

A mature and challenging course winds it's way from the ruins of the Desmond Castle (c1200), which forms a magnificent backdrop to the 1st green, through tree lines fairways to the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (c1464) at the top end of the course. Mature trees demand accuracy on approaches to many greens. It will prove a challenge to the most seasoned of golfers. Water comes into play at ten holes, including the opening two, which are menaced by a meandering little stream waiting to punish wayward approach shots. This is nothing however, compared to the huge lake, which anchors the front nine holes. It cleverly protects the right hand side of the par 5, 7th where the fun is in cutting off as much as the hazard as possible without actually entering it. The closing stretch at Adare is particularly challenging. Precision is essential on the relatively short par 4, 15th, while on the short 16th, you are confronted with a lake between the tee box and green, located some 170 yards away. The 17th is a superb hole, which requires a threaded drive through mature trees. Trent Jones sees the closing hole at Adare as one of the finest finishing holes in golf a potential birdie hole and card wrecker at the same time. At 510 yards in length, two well hit shots to the fairway will leave a tantalizing pitch to a narrow green. For those who fancy getting home in two, remember it's a potential card wrecker!