This course lived up to its hype, it is a great course in an unbeatable location. Playing it in the rain didn't dampen our enthusiasm, it softened the super-springy greens somewhat and added nicely to the challenge and might have kept the wind at bay. I had to admit surprise that it is ranked above (say) Barnbougle Dunes, Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath or New South Wales, but is certainly at a similar level.

Due to what is probably a normal number of foreign tourists on the course, we started on the 14th, which meant playing five of the hardest holes first. Everyone sees and talks about the 18th, but to me the 16th is a much better hole along the coast rather than over it, a really testing drive and then a narrow green alongside the rocky coast. The 17th is a short hole with a tricked-up mound in the middle of the green, which was disappointing, it is otherwise a fabulous little hole. The 3rd was a better short hole, to me, followed by a good long hole and then a brilliant shorter two-shot hole. The 9th is another great long hole, driving to avoid a hilltop bunker then a risk/reward shot to the long narrow green. 9-12 are the money holes on the 'front' 13, heading to and along the shoreline.

Certainly worth the trip to play the course, and you should get to Ocean Dunes as well (which I have to say I preferred the design of). I'd strongly suggest playing in a less touristy season, the 'clubhouse' isn't made for conversation, the two other groups there appeared to be in a competition for the loudest mouths and didn't like being asked to tone it down.