Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch, Clare
Tel : +353 (0)65 81003 Fax : +353 (0)65 81592

wrote on: Jan 19, 2004

My e mail address has changed to: paul@theliangroup.com

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Anthony Powter, Hdcp 4, Newcastle, Australia wrote on: Aug 31, 2000

The first day I played, my playing colleagues, who were from America had never played on links before and was their first real taste of playing in the wind, went through their whole stock of balls before the 7th hole. The secret to scoring well is straight low wind penetrating drives. Distance is not that important and plays a lesser role to positioning on this course.
The back nine are equally as punishing, however, I feel more picturesque with great views of the Atlantic and the surrounding region. If you were not playing golf you would take a picnic and a friend, but you would have to watch out for the wild goats that pride on the land. The 12th hole is a corker and one of the hardest holes I played. Well over 400 meters or 440 yards, it requires an exquisitely executed tee shot to left centre of the fairway. The problem with this is anything well left will be lost in the tall grass the hugs the estuary and you will have to re-load and tee off your third. With your confidence shattered on this hole, double figures are a real possibility. The second shot requires either a long iron or a three wood depending on the wind. Make no mistake get a par on this monster of a hole and you are playing well.
The closing four holes will either make your day or break you. But the par five 18th is reachable in two for the wild hitters to regain their confidence and tell their mates in a wonderful clubhouse after the round how they tamed the course. The problem is, I bet they will not be taking about what they scored for the whole 18 holes.

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Gene Brandt wrote on: May 31, 2000

Though I haven't played every course in Ireland, of those I have played, Lahinch is my favourite. It is a return to golf like nothing one would ever find in the United States. Reminds me alot of Prestwick in Scotland, because of the blind shots. You will find no better holes than 5 and 6 at Lahinch--and you will always remember the first time you birdie that great par 3 called the Dell.
Caddies are certainly helpful, especially the first time out. If you can't get one, see if a member is available to join you--they are great fun, and know the course as well. And, after a round, go in for a few at the club bar--very pleasant experience.
If you have one night in Lahinch, eat at Mr. Eamons--one of the best restaurants in Ireland. And, don't miss the 19th Hole Pub for some after-dinner refreshments.

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Stephen Peart wrote on: Apr 30, 2000

I played in a 30-40 mph wind the wrong way round (so my two life time members say) and I thought this is one of the best days I have had ever in 25 years of playing golf. The caddy is a must has this course offers no favours for wayward shots, but great feeling for good ones. I went on to play other courses around Ireland but this once by far the best and the first one I talked about once back home. A great experience, and an enjoyable day out for everyone.

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Michael J. O'Malley wrote on: Jun 30, 1999

A frequent visitor to the Spanish Point (Miltown Malbay) area, Lahinch is a must on every trip I make. I have played the course a total of 8 times and each time the experience gets better. I have also played several of the other famous courses in this province (Ballybunion, Tralee, Killarney, Listowel), but Lahinch is still my favourite (it must be my allegiance to the West Coast of Clare).
Each hole brings a different experience and weather conditions are ALWAYS a factor.
While the par 3 6th ('the Dell') and the Par 5, 5th ('the Klondyke') are the most revered holes for their blind shots, my personal favourites are the par 4 12th (a long par 4 that always seem to play into a crosswind) and the Par 3 16th (depending on the wind can be either a 7 iron or a 3 wood).
I strongly recommend one of the more experienced caddies if it is your first trip (ask for Mick from Ennistymon...he'll break your horns if you're spraying it but he'll also find everyone of your balls in that high heather).
When done, shop for some memorabilia in Sue's shop in town, then take a 20 minute ride to Doolin (at 3-4 miles from the Cliffs) and have the Guinness stew and a well earned pint at Gus O'Connor's Pub.
Whether alone or with several travelling partners, I can assure you that you will remember the overall experience for a long time.

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Alfred E. Lim wrote on: Jun 30, 1999

On June 22, 1999, my wife and I tackled this 'must play' links course as part of Jerry Quinlan's self-drive 'Championship Circuit' in Ireland. We drove from Village Adair to find gusty wind and rain at Lahinch (OLD) and a definite need to employ two caddies. We played through two 4-ball games and finished the round in 2 3/4 hours and lost just one ball each. Not bad for a couple of 13 handicappers.
We finished so quickly that we even thought to play it again for a modest replay charge however, we decided to leave with that wonderful feeling that comes with playing a golf as it should be: a 2-ball game with 2 caddies who were our guides and companions on a typical day on an a typical links course.
Shaped by nature and a source of sustenance to the goats grazing on the dunes around the 10th hole, this course isprimordial and sustains the true spirit of golf. My wife came w/i 2 inches of a hole-in-one on the second par3. The groundskeeper off the green told the senior caddy it should have been an 'ACE' but for the fact that they were watering the green. Yes, there are no sprinklers and hand watering the greens was being done while it was raining.
Be sure to stop in Lahinch and have a meal at Mrs. O'Brien's Cafe which serves all day and is a pleasant break from pub grub. Stop by Kenny's Woolen Mills if you want to purchase Waterford Crystal. You'll find it cheaper than the factory store in Waterford or the more famous Blarney Woolen Mill.
They say the best Scottish Links courses are in Ireland....I agree.

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Brian Rockwell Haas, wrote on: Jun 30, 1999

As much fun as I've ever had. Caddy a must (be ready to stand their dry abuse). With a 30 MPH headwind into the blind 5th, had to use a full 5 Wood. As good as it gets.

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Bill Hartman wrote on: Jan 31, 1999

Since, 1984, on each trip to Ireland, Lahinch has been a must stop. I have played the course 6 times, and each time it's more fun. Lahinch is the purest of links golf. The last time we played was in May of 98. We brought some friends with us who never played a links course. I told them before we left the US, they would never be in the woods. It took them a while to adjust to the links layout, but when they did, fun they had.
I'll be back again!

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Joe Buege wrote on: Jan 31, 1999

To have chosen Lahinch as my introduction to golf on the Emerald Isle was extraordinary to say the least. I'll never forget the first image of the course nestled in the dunes flanked by the River Cullenagh and the town of Lahinch. Backdropped by Liscannor Bay of the Atlantic Ocean, the setting October sun had just appeared through the clearing storm which had made the drive from Shannon Airport all the more interesting.
The course appeared compact and threaded amongst an emergent strip of otherwise recumbent coastline. As I arrived in the dampened parking lot dusk had fallen on the 106 year old gem and a lone golfer was silhouetted by the fading light. A father and son were engaged in a stymie contest on the putting green oblivious to the full moon now beginning to illuminate the Lahinch night.
The golfing the next day was equally spectacular, however, I would have been satisfied with just the introduction that magical evening in October.

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Dan Grimland wrote on: Jun 30, 1998

I played this course July 9, 1996. Since it was the week before the British Open, two great professionals were playing the course at the same time; Mark Brooks and Mark O'Meara. Mark Brooks shot a 65, only one shot off the course record. I definitely suggest at least an experienced caddy on your first play. The course is remarkable, tough, but fair. Don't pass this one up.

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Michael G. Flynn wrote on: Jun 30, 1998

A wonderful combination of challenging and quirky golf holes. Numbers five and six are remarkably different from what we have grown accustomed to on American golf courses--and I loved playing them. However, I found holes 7-13 the most character building and exciting holes on the course.
Number 7 provides the third blind tee shot on the front side and allows just a hint of a bunker to be avoided on the right side. Really long hitters must avoid a huge depression that would provide an assortment of nasty lies in long grass or a bunker, about 130 yards from the green. The approach is straight downhill with a gorgeous view of the sea.
The drive on number 8(also blind) is 'forced' over a giant hill through a saddle of sand dunes. A miss to the left finds the beach, while a 'bail out' to the right will find heavy grass and a huge dune face. I found number 13 to be one of the best short par 4's we played in Ireland. A deep chasm to the right, protects a nearly drivable and severely sloped green. After choosing to lay-up, a delicate approach is required. Short shots roll back down the base of the hill fronting the green and long shots put you in peril of the dreaded 'three whack.'
The fun does not end at 13--a strong par 5,4,3 series precedes a criss-cross (17th and 5th) fairway at 17 and a great finishing hole. It is hard to say exactly what made Lahinch my favorite of the 14 tremendous Irish Courses we played. The scenery is more stunning at Portrush and Tralee, the test of golf sterner at Ballybunion and Royal County Down, and the elegance more evident at Portmarnock. Perhaps it was the combination of the charming town at its border, the quirky nature of holes 5, 6, and 17, and the blend of challenge and playability (I turned in two of my better scores here), that were the clincher for me.
Lahinch is a 'sure thing'; you will be glad it was on your play list.

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Dave Baydala wrote on: Jun 30, 1998

I played Lahinch in August, and it was very enjoyable. It's good advice to hire a caddy, since you will have no idea where to hit the ball sometimes. Well-conditioned and challenging. Look for the famous Lahinch goats near the clubhouse when you start. Take your best rain-gear if they're close-by.

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