Loughrea

In the book Hooked: an amateur’s guide to the golf courses of Ireland author Kevin Markham writes: “Loughrea sits on gently rolling hills that get steeper and more intriguing on the back nine. You will find the best shots here and, with the arrival of some good water features, the interest and challenges are ramped up a gear. The 13th to 15th are the highlight and are worth the green fee alone.”

The course measures 5,778 metres from the back tees, playing to a par of 71 (34 out and 37 in). On the shorter outward half, there are only two par threes and no par fives, with the best of these holes regarded as the long par four 5th, rated stroke index 1 on the card. On the back nine, apart from the wonderful trio of par fours from holes 13 to 15, the heavily sand-protected par three 17th is another hole of some distinction.