Lahinch

Created in 1892 on land that was discovered accidentally – they were looking elsewhere for a new “golfing ground” and stumbled across these dunes – Old Tom Morris redesigned the course in 1894. In 1927, Alistair MacKenzie of Augusta National fame (and other great layouts), redid much of the course. And finally, starting in 1999, Martin Hawtree was brought in to restore the MacKenzie traditions that had been undone over decades by zealous member committees. The result is an absolute gem that includes two of Morris’ original holes that have fortunately survived the test of time.

The inclusion of the goat in the logo reflects their presence on the property, a tradition, albeit reduced to only a few, that continues (we didn’t see any).

Our extremely good fortune of enjoying warmish, sunny, minimal wind weather continued. Even our caddies commented how lucky we were.

Lahinch captures all the elements of a links course. Seriously large sand dunes, humpty, bumpy fairways, cavernous bunkers that maddeningly collect shots, firm fescue where the ball rolls and rolls, drop offs around the greens that turn short misses into long chip shots and so on. Best of all it had great, consistent turf throughout.

Unlike other courses we’ve played, Lahinch had a different feel of being surrounded by the town, the ocean and stone wall boundary fence.

Yet again we experienced elevation changes that meant blind tee shots and even a blind par three.

The famous Klondyke hole, a Tom Morris original, requires an approach shot over a hill in the middle of the fairway.

We agreed Lahinch was a course we would want to play again, sooner than not. Unfortunately/fortunately that’s not to be on this trip as we’re heading further south in to County Kerry and our home for the next week in Killarney.