DOONBEG GOLF CLUB

Greg Norman sees himself lucky to design Doonbeg which has a uniqiue nature. That’s not more unique than the first hole. The main concerns are to concentrate on little white ball at tee(the place where first shot is made) and to take your eyes off landscape in front of you. And you had better concentrate well because at the secon shot you might lose the ball among sand hills and bunkers (sand pits). 

 

Looking from tee, you can see a portion of the 1.5-mile crescent-shaped beach and enormous sand hills. If you could avoid from danger and make a safe shot at green, it would be a good begining for you. Wide green is really protected. Huge sand hills are typical obstacles which you encounter at three side during the whole round. 

However, as an innovation, the first hole at Doonberg greets you as the best beginning hole in Ireland. The old championship tee is 567 yards, yellow tee is 522 yards and tee for women is 441 yards. It is considered the third most difficult hole at the course. 

 

Doonberg opened in July 2002 has taken some criticism such as “inevitable difficulty”, “green border at the highest”. Some people even find the holes and croosovers from 14 to 15 and from 17 to 18 dangerous.

Nonetheless, it is obvious that Norman has made this course unique and magnificent and it’s not possible to be irresponsive to that reality. The beauty is enough not to forget this station at any golf trip. And everything begins at No.1.