Mount Juliet - Kilkenny - Ireland

1st Kilkenny - Best in Area 19th Ireland Ranking
Mount Juliet Estate,
Thomastown,
County Kilkenny,
Ireland

  • +353 (0) 56 777 3064

Visit Golfbreaks.com for a golf holiday at Mount Juliet

The course at Mount Juliet is set in lush, rolling parkland, part of a 1,500-acre old Irish country estate with an 18th century mansion as the clubhouse. Magnificent mature trees line the fairways. The River Nore cuts through the course and is popular for salmon fishing. This is the place to allow the Walter Mitty in you to daydream about having your very own private course. But wake up, because this is the best inland course on the Emerald Isle.

Jack Nicklaus and Ron Kirby must have been delighted when asked to build a course on this beautiful country estate. They created a manicured parkland gem. In 1991, the Golden Bear opened the course himself with an exhibition match against Christy O’Connor Snr. It is not surprising that there is a distinctly American feel to this layout, with numerous teeing areas, plenty of bunkers and water hazards. The course even has concealed drainage and irrigation systems. Thankfully, the buggy paths are absent; it would be sacrilege to drive on these immaculate fairways.

This is a course that can cater for the very best golfers, measuring well over 7,000 yards from the back tees. Three of the world’s best have already won the Irish Open here: Faldo (1991), Langer (1992) and Torrance (1993). Another, less well-known golfer won the WGC - American Express Championship here in 2002, someone called Tiger Woods. The course, however, is eminently playable for the handicap golfer from a choice of forward tees.

Nicklaus has designed a fun golfer’s golf course. Water is the main hazard, but if you can avoid it, you will have a great time. Certainly Ernie Els enjoyed his stay here, beating a star-studded field to win the 2004 WGC - American Express Championship. Are you sure this is not America?

In May 2020, Mount Juliet will host the Irish Open for the first time since 1995.

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Reviews for Mount Juliet

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Description: The course at Mount Juliet is set in lush, rolling parkland, part of a 1,500 acres old Irish country estate with an 18th century mansion as the clubhouse... Rating: 7.2 out of 10 Reviews: 11
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David Oliver

Absolutely what a parkland should be - trees well back from playing areas except when they are placed strategically on of near the fairway. Apart from Adare Manor, these are the best greens I have payed on this type of course (like a fast carpet). Very playable if you choose your tees wisely.

September 22, 2019
7 / 10
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erik k

Mount Juliet is a good parkland course, part of a beautiful extensive estate with mature trees and general bucolic idyll. Although there are house dotted around they don't intrude much on your game here.

Although its star may have dipped a bit from its glory days hosting WGCs the new owners have been investing in the course and the conditioning has now improved. There is a new driving range area opening this year , but sadly the putting course seems to have been dug up which is a real shame.

The course is not terribly exciting or unique, but is a pleasant stroll. From an Irish point of view, this is one of the best parklands in the country, but if I was coming from abroad I am not sure this would be top of my list. Although there are some interesting holes with a bit of strategy like number 2, 8, 10, and 13, some of the holes are fairly uninspired, like number 6, 9, 12. There is a bit of elevation on the site, but unfortunately you usually walk / down these to the next hole which ends up being flat. Kind of a shame really.

There is plenty of mounding around but it doesn't serve much purpose, I presume it's there to alleviate the flatness of the actual holes but doesn't really work. Despite this, this is still a good parkland track, but does not come close to the character of the big links courses. It does also get quite boggy in the winter.

If you are in the Southeast of Ireland its the course to play along with Carlow in terms of parkland.

March 05, 2017
6 / 10
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joe1983
April 12, 2017

12 is a fantastic hole, strategic drive required over the bunkers on the left. 2nd shot requires less club down the hill into a tree lined green which is protected by bunkers all around the green. Best parkland course in the country (never mind the southeast)
Keith Kenna
Very scenic and well designed golf course with hazards placed strategically off the tee offering plenty of decision making and strategy as well as risk/reward shots. My favourite hole was the par 5 10th- 2 routes to take for 2nd shot fairway sits way out to the left and angles back towards the green for 3rd shot, taking the 2nd shot on requires a high fade over a bunch of mature trees and a large number of pot bunkers waiting to gobble the ball up should it not quite make the carry (I'm a 5 handicap and hit two of my best shots ever drive and high 3 wood to 6 feet then knocked in the putt for eagle so I'll remember it for a while!!) My other favourite hole was the sugnature 4th, short (only a 6 iron off the tee and 9 iron to the green for me) but incredibly tight and intimidating. A thoroughly enjoyable golf course.
November 18, 2011
8 / 10
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Clayto Jones
I have had the pleasure of playing Mount Juliet in November 2006 and July 2010. It is a lovely lush parkland, very playable but not easy to score so well. Everything works well there. I rate it highly but it is not my favourite parkland, Headfort New is ahead of it, for example. Play it, if you are in the area. CW Jones, Bendigo, Australia
November 28, 2010
8 / 10
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Fred Macy
One of the best courses I have played. I am a handicap 16 golfer and have played links courses and also parkland and Mount Juliet is one of the best Parkland courses I have played either here, in the UK or in Europe. The fairways are magnificent and the greens are like carpets. I received a very warm welcome on arrival and thank everyone at Mount Juliet for a great day.
February 18, 2008
10 / 10
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February 19, 2008
its an OK track...i can understand it if you lived in waterford or nearby. But if you are a golf tourist can you honestly say you would play it over the west course golf courses or the dublin courses? or Old head. The famous par 3 hole over the water is alright but nothing special. I was very fortunate to win a couple of nights & 2 rounds of golf there in a raffle. dont get me wrong i enjoyed it. There are similirities to big Jacks "London club". I think the London club is superb - although it is not framed by trees. If the London club was more picturesque & framed it would merit a top ten spot...I think mount juliet has the same issue.
Ross K North
February 26, 2008
Mount Juliet was voted best Parkland Golf Course in Ireland for 2008 by Backspin Magazine. I have to agree - I played Mount Juliet in early Feb and the course was immaculate. Greens like carpet and fairways were very well kept, even after some harsh frost. I played well but the final hole, which is a long par 4 with a section of water all down the left has a narrow approach ... I lost 2 balls in the water and ended up with a 7. Great Course and under-estimated when it comes to golfers looking for a challenging day out.
Hugh
I can’t understand some of the naysayer comments below. I think Mount Juliet is one of the most underrated courses in Ireland and perhaps this IS big Jack’s best European design. Each hole is well thought out and the topography impressive, pleasingly undulating and tree lined. With no weak holes is perhaps deserved of an even higher ranking. Juliet’s bunkering is strong and even bizarre with an unusual walled bunker at the rear of 16. Over water par threes are not only exciting but exacting and the greens are superb and slope every which way. I’d be hard pressed to find a negative point about this course, except perhaps that it’s a breakaway from Irish tradition. The facilities at the resort are a bit special too so put me down as a big all-round fan of Mount Juliet.
December 23, 2006
8 / 10
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Nick Roy
A nice course & country club. I made the mistake of flying to dublin & then driving down to mount juliet...a bit tortous & not the most scenic of drives....The course is OK. I love Irish golf but i was dissappointed...if you are going for the country club retreat gleneagles is the better option & the courses around dublin are fantastic. There are so many irish courses that beat this ....portmarnock, k club, druids, old head to name but a few
December 22, 2006
4 / 10
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Bernhard Koehler
What a great parkland course. Really perfect conditions. We played on a sunny day in April, it was so much fun altough the scores were not too good. No really weak hole and many great golf-holes. Play this course you won`t be dissapointed.
June 22, 2006
10 / 10
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Shaun
Great condition but very bland. Very over rated golf course.
June 08, 2005
6 / 10
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Hugh
Played the course last summer for the second time and came away disappointed. They had sanded the entire course and it was pick and place on all the fairways. On the previous occasion I played here, the condition was superb. It’s certainly worth checking before you book to avoid disappointment. As I have already mentioned, they put loads of sand on these fairways and therefore it plays like and American layout and the divots often disintegrate into nothing. You seem to have to nip the ball off the surface otherwise you struggle with the contact. I can’t fault the greens, they are fabulous and some of the best putting surfaces I’ve played on, there’s no chance of avoiding a three putt here. If you like excellent service (at a price), superb facilities and Americanised golf, then you’ll love Mount Juliet. If you want history and tradition you are at the wrong place.
April 19, 2005
6 / 10
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