Course History:

Alexander Shaw and Richard Plummer, officers in the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army, found the linksland that would become Lahinch, and the first game of golf was played on April 15, 1892, between William McFarlane and William McDonnell--utilizing feathers and sticks to mark out the holes. That same day, the first meeting of the Club took place at Sharry’s Hotel.

Shaw later invited Old Tom Morris in 1895 to a new links course on the same land. It would subsequently host the First South of Ireland Championship in September of that same year, following the Irish Open at Royal County Down.

Whereas Mackenzie's work (mostly making the greens more undulating and tiered, and complexes more difficult adding bunkers, swales and mounds) took place in 1927, it would be Martin Hawtree’s redesign/restoration work in 1999 that would make Lahinch into a more modernized links gem.

Review:

Lahinch’s logo is a homage to the original goats of Lahnich. They belonged to a caddie named Tommy Walsh who lived close to the third tee, in the early years of the 20th century. The goats were a great guide to the weather at Lahinch. If they were seen hovering around the clubhouse the weather forecast was not good. But once the goats made their way out to the outer regions of the sand hills, then the weather prospects were good and the day was sure to be fine.

I have told my friends this, along with Ballybunion and St. Patrick's, Lahinch was my favorite round in Ireland. This round had rain (on and off for 4 hours) and although lighter than the next day at Ballybunion, there was a steady wind. That is why I loved it so much. Americans rarely, if not ever, play in those conditions. I attribute it to having to “be in the moment,” and focusing on every shot.

The other reason is that, simply put, Lahinch is a fun course to play. The variety of holes is incredible, routed through, over and around dunes. It has quirkiness, and that adds to the experience. How often do we get to play blind shots and/or punch-bowl greens in the U.S.? The fourth (Kondyke, par-5) and fifth (Dell, blind punchbowl, par-3) both Old Tom originals, are two of the most fun, quirky holes I have ever played.

On the routing side, for instance, Number 18 tees off over part of the par three, #5—green to your right--and bisects #4 Klondyke’s fairway, just short of its green. There is a traffic cop forecaddie that sits atop the dune that you hit over in the middle of Klondike’s fairway who not only lets you know when the green is clear, but also if it is clear from Number 18 tee. Amazing, you just cannot find that anywhere else. He has a little cave/bunker built into the hill where he can tuck-into when the rain and wind get bad—not unlike the huts on the ski slopes of Colorado.

My favorite stretch of holes are numbers three through six. Number three, Clillstifiann (Gaelic for Christian) is a rugged, fun 418-yard par- 4, dogleg left that takes a straight drive and a longish second to the front/right of the green to avoid a bunker short left and trouble long. I was able to bump ‘n run a 5-iron to 3’ to get up and down. Then the fun begins. Number 4, the (aforementioned) Klondyke, is one of the most fun, unique holes I have ever played—a short 470-yard par-5. A good drive leaves a short to mid-iron (mine a 7) over the dune into great position for your third. I had a 60-yard low punch (my favorite 5-iron again) that did a roller-coaster then ran out to twenty’ on the front left. No birdie on this day, but a kick-in par.

Number 5, Dell, a 150-yard par-3, up and over a dune into a heavy wind to a (blind) punchbowl green, sandwiched between two huge dunes—all of 25’ feet deep, and 60’ long. Unfortunately, I hit a fat/pull 5-iron, into the gorse, but managed a great third shot, and 25’ bomb to save bogey. Dell has easily climbed into my top ten par-3’s anywhere—and so fun to play!

After two great, fun Old Tom holes, you come to the tee box at number 6, Paradise, easily my favorite hole on the course, and my top three in Ireland (17 at Ballybunion, 14 at St. Patrick’s). It is a wonderful 400-yard, dogleg left, par four. An uphill drive to the right side of about 220-230 yards leaves you safe and short of the run-out/abyss. It is somewhat of a bottomless pit, with a delightful surprise at the bottom, a wicked bunker that the local caddies call Kardashian’s Hoo-Haa (they are referring to Kim).

Atop the fairway, you gaze out to the green below, which is an infinity green, suspended and floating above the waves and beach below dotted with surfers. Coore & Crenshaw and Doak are not the only experts in this feature. They just might have learned it from this hole.

The rain continued throughout the round, as did the banter with our caddies, and camaraderie with our American playing partners. It was us vs. the course, vs. the weather, and we all won!

At one point on the back nine, Tommy looked at me and grinned, as he spoke, walking uphill toward a dune.

“A wise man once said. Ireland would be the greatest Country in the World, if they could just put a roof on top of it!”

My favorite holes on the back were twelve, thirteen, and sixteen. Twelve, named Castle was a great par-5 that rimmed the beach right to left with Dough Castle (the logo on their web page) in the distance. It seemed like it was six hundred yards long, and it was one of the four holes where the rain let up.

Number thirteen, Mine, was a short two-shotter, that turned back into the prevailing wind. It indeed looked like an old minefield from the war and sported a nice three-tiered (MacKenzie), amphitheater green surrounded by dunes flanked by only two pot bunkers short left. At a mere 250 yards from the green tees, it played more like 330 on this day. I absolutely crushed my drive that went a mere 210 yards and an uphill wedge left me with an 8-footer that I drained to ring the bell 😊

Sixteen, named Old Tom, which seems to be as he designed it (but not sure) was 195 from the tips, 175 from the old geezer’s tee. It seemed to me like it was a reverse redan, sloping down from front left to back right, with four bunkers surrounding every area except for the back of the green.

We felt like drowned rats as we played seventeen and eighteen back into the clubhouse. I had gone through three pairs of gloves, but they held up well. As did my wonderful Galway Bay rain gear. Seventeen, Pons Asinorum—Latin for the bridge over which the wise can pass—was a fun challenging hole. It was when the rain finally gave up, that must have been our pons asinorum for the day. Eighteen (Shaw) was a nice finishing par-5 with mostly a rumpled fairway to contend with, and again, a quartet of bunkers guarding the green.

We all smiled and thanked our caddie, Tommy. We were mentally exhausted, but had a blast, as Lahinch is a wonderful links course. Lunch and a wee dram to celebrate my birdie on lucky #13 felt great. I cannot wait to get back to Lahinch and, with any luck, see how it plays on a dry day! Where were the goats when we approached the first tee?

Why should you play it?

Being an Old Tom original, and carrying a designer pedigree of Old Tom, Dr. MacKenzie and Dr. Hawtree it just cannot be missed. But the main reason is simple. It is so much fun to play! The variety of holes, and quirkiness adds to the enjoyment. There is a reason it is rated #37 in the World. Fantastic Greens/Complexes, and wonderful routing through the dunes that all combine for a unique experience.

In addition, the bonus round for Lahinch? The town. It is a wonderful, friendly town, with a great beach that surfers flock to. Incredible people and a pub-crawl that along with Enniscrone cannot be equaled.

You absolutely cannot miss the Corner Stone (for dinner, and a pint), then continue to Kenny, Flanagan’s and finish off at Nineteenth. Follow that order or mix it up and you cannot go wrong.

Cheers, Old Tam

Rating: Ace