They don’t come much older or more distinguished than Carlow Golf Club. The club dates back to 1899, although the current site wasn’t employed until 1922. Tom Simpson revised the layout in the early 1940s and the course has remained unchanged since then. Given the current trend of modernising older parklands, Carlow is a perfect example of why clubs should embrace their roots.This is as natural as it gets, with a big rolling landscape providing some stunning settings for greens and tees. The landscape is well wooded but despite chaperoning holes so beautifully the trees rarely cause problems. The acclaimed 8th is a perfect exception as the hole descends sharply through a dark corridor of beech and oak.
It may not have the drama of big modern parklands, but Carlow embraces the art of subtlety and old-school quality… and charm. With a par of 70, golfers will need smart approach play to find the smallish greens. It also boasts fairways and greens which are playable all year round.
Favourite Hole: the par four 16th is an idyllic and natural par four rising between rolling shoulders of fern and deep grasses to a small, perched green. It is Index 2.
What’s in the Bag? Strong driving but keeping it straight presents greater opportunities.
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<a href=”https://www.destinationgolf.travel/dgireland-16/”>“DG Ireland Top 150 Courses 2016”:</a>
