The Island GC - hole 15
Located on what was originally an island off Malahide, near Dublin, The Island Golf Club is a little piece of golfing heaven.
These days the site is connected to the mainland, but the course is basically surrounded by the Irish Sea and the Broadmeadow estuary.
The entire site is dominated by glorious dunesland, and the dunes come in all sizes and shapes! The golf course looks like it was always there- it is a very natural site with holes wending their way through the dunes, touching the sea, and heading back into the dunes again.
A round of golf at The Island is very much affected by the weather, and as you would expect on a natural links course the wind is a major factor. It had a role in forming the dunes, and it will certainly have a role in determining how well you score!
The Island GC- hole 18
There are not many true links courses in the world where the quality of the dunesland is consistent through all 18 holes. Usually the quieter land impacts on the quality of the overall course. At the Island there are just a few quieter holes in the back nine, but I thought each of these was quite delightful, with views over the estuary, and the quality of the holes high. In fact the variation of holes at The Island was a strength of the course. Some holes are set in huge dune ampitheatres, others have blind tee shots, and greens set in natural dells, still others hit along or over the estuary. It certainly is a magical mystery tour the first time around, and had me wanting to plan my next game.
Notable holes include:
Hole 1- a super opening hole framed by huge dunes
hole 2- A par 4 that takes you out of the dunes to a pretty green with an impressive backdrop of estuary and the town of Malahide..
The Island GC- looking back up the first
The Island GC- hole 2
hole 5- the first blind tee shot over the dunes- this par 4 has a lovely green setting
hole 8- a tight tee shot here requires the correct club selection to lay up because the approach must be played over rough country to a green partially hidden in a dell
The Island GC- hole 8 approach
hole 13- into any real wind this is a par 3 of gargantuan proportions. And the estuary is definitely in play!
hole 14 is a short par 4 playing down the prevailing wind. So what’s the catch?
Well the right hand side of the fairway is bordered by the estuary, and the left side by dunes, and the fairway is very very tight!
hole 15- is a ripping par 5 with an amphitheatre green (see pic top of page)
If you head to Ireland to play some golf, The Island should be at the top of your list. Land in Dublin and you are right on the doorstep of one the world's most natural links courses
The Island is considered a Travelling Golfer 'must play'
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