Portmarnock Links in DG IRELAND TOP150 – 2021 – Editor, Kevin Markham
The Bernard Langer-designed course is under new ownership, which ushered in significant upgrades to the course, hotel and facilities.
With the big hotel looking over the 1st and 18th it emphasises that
Portmarnock Links offers the full golfing package.
The course is routed over bumpier and more unpredictable links terrain than its immediate neighbour, despite their proximity. Here the smart routing ensures that players get a warm-up over the gentler dunes first, thus presenting an opportunity to appreciate the big and tricky green complexes and the sweeping putting surfaces.
Wind or no wind, this is where the biggest challenges lie. The course opened in 1996, and its wonderfully natural feel is a testament to the designer’s vision. The back nine are the more demanding and more exciting of the two, with holes 16 to 18 delivering a superb finish.
Favourite Hole: The par four 16th is a left to right dogleg from a raised tee. You can see the green over bunkers and rough and you take on as much as you dare.
What’s in the Bag? Serious concentration is required on and around the greens. It may be stating the obvious… but avoid the bunkers.