De los 404 campos que hay en Irlanda, hay 44 que sobresalen del resto. Estas son las joyas que hay que jugar sí o sí. Nos daría para unas cuantas Garris. Este es el ranking de los 10 mejores (9 links, 1 parkland). Vicente, para que luego digas e no te lo pongo fácil.
10.- K Club (Palmer). - Chp. Length 7,337 yards / Par 72
If ever a golf course reflected the personality of its architect, it is surely this Arnold Palmer designed course. It may seem odd to describe a golf course as charismatic and cavalier but from the instant you arrive at the first tee, you are surrounded by a unique atmosphere. The K Club has been the venue for the European Championship since 1994 and will the venue for The 2006 Ryder Cup. Developed at considerable cost the facilities are excellent. The K Club is located on a 330 acre wooded estate through which the river Liffey meanders and features on many holes. On other holes, man made water hazards have been included and with clever course layout the K Club presents a tough challenge.
9.- Doonbeg. - Chp. Length 6,818 yards / Par 72
Finding a new links course is like stumbling upon some pirate's hidden treasure. The challenge facing Greg Norman was to weave a course through this exceptional site of dunes without spoiling it or upsetting the ecosystem. As a result most of the holes have been laid out with intelligence, sticking to the natural curves of the landscape and every now and then modelling sand-hills and bunkers, fairways and greens.
Norman once commented "This is a course I want to be identified with, one I will be able to say with pride -- 'I did that one.' I am the luckiest designer in the world ... because of the uniqueness of the site." Doonbeg Golf Club plays along 1.5 miles of beach and dunes. The ocean is visible from the green, fairway, or tee of 16 of the 18 holes. The course, a true links that will test a golfer's skill and mettle, has won accolades from golfers and media worldwide.
8.- Old Head of Kinsale. - Chp. Length 7,127 yards / Par 72
Old Head of Kinsale is a links course that you must play once in your life. Its beauty and magnificence is unrivalled and it has developed into one of the most recognised and sought after golf experiences anywhere on earth. Surrounded by cliffs and ocean, Old Head affords dramatic views. The most remarkable holes are those running along the cliff tops with their awesome views and shots that carry across the cliffs. Old Head Golf Links is laid out in two loops of nine and is unrivalled for it's location. Designed by a handful of Irish golfing heroes and golf course experts Old Head, although less than 10 years old, has proven itself to rank as one of the top links courses in Ireland.
7.- Carne. - Chp. Length 6,690 yards / Par 72
Carne Golf Links lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near Belmullet Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland. Carne was the last links course to be designed by the late Eddie Hackett and it's now believed by many who have played it to be his greatest challenge. The course designer proudly claimed "I am thrilled with the way the dramatic Belmullet course has turned out, and again I reiterate my first opinion that ultimately there will be no better links golf course in the country or I doubt anywhere". The building of Carne has caused little disturbance to this wild and ancient landscape. Tees and greens occurred naturally and very little earth moving was involved in the course construction. There are some breathtaking views over the Atlantic and the legendary islands of Inis Gloire and Inis Geidhe.
6.- The European Club. - Chp. Length 7,149 yards / Par 71
The creation of "The European" was the work of Pat Ruddy, a professional enthusiast, journalist and course designer. This is his masterpiece, and looks almost hand-made.
This links offers a rare variety of golf challenges and awesome scenery as the holes plunge into deep valleys in the sand dunes, run on a sand spit through age old marshlands and along and up into the rugged cliffs of Mizen Head. The Irish Sea can be seen from every hole on the links and the Wicklow Hills complete the scenic cocktail inland.
This links offers a rare variety of golf challenges and awesome scenery as the holes plunge into deep valleys in the sand dunes, run on a sand spit through age old marshlands and along and up into the rugged cliffs of Mizen Head. The Irish Sea can be seen from every hole on the links and the Wicklow Hills complete the scenic cocktail inland.
5.- Portmarnock. - Chp. Length 7,295 yards / Par 72
Portmarnock is one of the premium links courses in the country. Venue for the Irish Open Championship and given world championship ranking by many critics. Now boasting 27 holes, its potential as a golf links was realised in 1894. If there is one course in this world to be admired for its power, visual amazement, intelligence and variety within unity of style, then it has to be Portmarnock. Ranked up there with the likes of Ballybunion and Royal County Down, Portmarnock should be on every itinerary when visiting the east of Ireland.
4.- Waterville. - Chp. Length 7,184 yards / Par 72
Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience - the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old Waterville is rated among the top 20 links courses in the world. The present course owes its start to John A. Mulcahy, an Irish American golf addict, who developed it with the aid of Eddie Hackett during the 1970s. The course features finely manicured fairways and greens with panoramic views from the back nine of the Atlantic Ocean and Kerry Mountains. Each and every hole has individual characteristics and every club in the bag will be needed.
3.- Lahinch. - Chp. Length 6,882 yards / Par 72
Founded in 1892, Lahinch has taken its place as one of the premier links courses of Ireland. Of interest to golf historians is that the course was originally designed by the legendary 'Old' Tom Morris of St. Andrews, who enthused that, "I consider the links as fine a natural course as it has ever been my good fortune to play over". In 1928 the layout was revised by Dr. Alastair McKenzie who was so impressed that he declared, "Lahinch will make the finest and most popular course that I or anyone else ever constructed". Praise indeed from the man also responsible for Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and Augusta National. Lahinch, with its towering sand dunes, rolling greens, undulating fairways and fair share of blind shots, is the perfect natural golfing terrain a true links in the traditional meaning of the word. A unique feature of Lahinch is the goats that graze on the dunes, but seek shelter by the clubhouse when rain approaches.
2.- Ballybunion (Old) - Chp. Length 6,651 yards / Par 71
Ballybunion was established in 1893 and is consistently rated amongst the top ten courses in the world. Tom Watson once said "A man would think the game of golf began here". Golf on the Ballybunion links is an unforgettable experience, which should be savoured by all golfers, although it can be extremely difficult for those above 10 handicap. On a windless day (a rare occurrence), it's not easy playing here, while in a strong wind, it can be hell. The numbers on your card lose all their significance; there are no such things as par 3s, par 4s or par 5s - all that matters is survival. A magnificent links course with several holes right on the shore and towering sand-hills coming into play on all. A true test of golf and a course you will want to come back and play again and again.
1.- Royal County Down - Chp. Length 7,181 yards / Par 71
Founded in 1889, the course offers an exhilarating challenge to even the most experienced golfers. The setting of this links course is continually remarked upon for its outstanding beauty. The Mountains of Mourne in all their glory rise up from the Irish Sea. The fact that this course has five shots and several partially obscured approach shots makes it all the more formidable challenge to play. This is in addition to its well positioned bunkers. The course is kept in excellent condition and the greens are fast and difficult to read making an exceptional test of your golfing skills. Professional golfers from all over the world rate Royal County Down as one of the best.
