SkyGolf Blog... Golf Courses Around the World: Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, Adare Village, Ireland

An idyllic golf course set in the heart of an 840 acres lush landscape, a pristine river that snakes along the property, a stunning historic manor reminiscent of a chateau that dominates the property, and a magic atmosphere surrounding the whole estate.
This is Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, a five stars luxury retreat known to be one of the best and most scenic resorts in Ireland.

Adare Golf Club (not to be confused with the nearby Adare Manor Golf Club which is not part of the resort) opened for play in 1995 and was the last major golf course designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. (and only his second in Ireland after The Cashen at Ballybunion)

Regularly ranked among the top 15 golf courses in Ireland, is also known to be one of the best parklands of the country, a layout that hosted two Irish Open (2007-2008) and several notable tournaments.
It's a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, a parkland that stretches 7,453 yard from the back tees. A challenging terrific layout that flows naturally through the property bordered by the forest, and by the River Maigue, with a collection of memorable and dramatic holes playing through or alongside it.

The opening hole is a 444 yds par 4, and as Mr. Trent Jones Sr. stated, it is probably one of the most challenging opening holes in golf. A perfect tee shot is needed in order to hit the severely and sloped green protected by a winding creek. The challenge continues with two consecutive par 4s and 17 index but not easy 178 yard par 3, before reaching another big one, the index 1 uphill 421 yard par 4 5th hole. The drama builds with the downhill 6th, a superb 203 yard par 3. A long tee shot to its severely sloped green surrounded by a lake on three sides. And the 14 acres lake comes entirely in play on the first par 5 of the course, the 528 yard 7th that runs all along the right side of the water hazard.
The front nine, which at times brings to mind the traditional North American parkland golf courses with wide fairways, mounding, water hazards and large bunkers, ends with one of the most scenic par 5s you can play. A long 631 yards hole played with the Manor serving as a magnificent backdrop.

Thinking of playing an hard course? The best is yet to come.
River Maigue comes in play for the first time at the picturesque 11th, a tough 187 yard par 3. The tee shot must cross the river to hit the small and well protected green.
The layout starts to flow inside the forest at the 12th, another marvelous par 5, an uphill 551 yard double dogleg to the left. After two consecutive solid par4s, river Maigue comes in play running down right of the fairway at the 378 yard par 4 15th, the shortest par 4 of the course.
The 167 yard 16th is another exciting par 3, a short hole featuring a green protected by a lake in front of it and huge bunkers behind.
The 18 index hole of the course is the straightforward, narrow and tree lined 457 yard par 4 17th. Not easy at all. A par here is an excellent results. But is the perfect appetizer before enjoying one of the best and memorable finishing par 5s you could ever play. The signature hole Adare's 18th is simply astonishing. So beautiful but so demanding at the same time. 548 yards played with the river flowing alongside the fairway and the green, overlooked by the historic cedar of Lebanon and by the manor house, set on the other side of the river.

Yes, Ireland is home to some of the world's finest links courses, and links golf is probably what brings players to the Emerald Island from all the world, but discovering and playing parklands jewels such as Adare Golf Club or the K Club is a rare and extraordinary experience that lovers of the game will never forget.

www.adaremanor.com