Doonbeg

Type: Links
Par: 72
Location: Clare

Two-time British Open champion Greg Norman is the course architect, selected for both his design skill and his "least disturbance" philosophy of routing courses to fit existing terrains. Norman's layout follows a course designed by nature - 14 of Doonbeg's greens and 12 of its fairways were simply mowed. The fairways and greens consist of native grasses, including fine fescues, bentgrass, and ryegrass. The par-72 layout features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back. It plays 6,885 yards from the back tees. The most natural routing within the existing dunes resulted in an uncommon combination of five par-3s and five par-5s. Variations in wind speed and direction ensure the course plays differently almost every day. For example, the average golfer will play from a sand wedge to a 5-iron on the 111-yard 14th. To allow for a range of conditions and abilities, most holes feature five or more tee locations.