Bandon Golf Club, in historic West Cork, offers Ireland’s richest wildlife course, nestled between Kinsale and Clonakilty on the Wild Atlantic Way.
A slow curving dog leg to the left. A tee shot with a slight draw over the white stone will give the best results. A 2-tier green awaits the 2nd shot. Walking off here with a par is a great result.
You will need to decide where you want to position your tee shot at this hole. Only the brave or foolish will try and thread the gap between the trees. The 2nd shot is best positioned to the left-hand side of the green.
This slight dogleg to the left will again need a positional tee shot, a 210yards shot straight at the telegraph pole should do the trick. Left or right will leave a 2nd shot over trees that have been there for over a hundred years. Missing the green long will leave you with a game of ping pong to get back on the green.
The first hole of 3 which the members describe as the Castle holes. Be careful not to concentrate too much on the Castle as your ball may also be attracted to it. Avoid the bunkers off the tee. The 2nd shot will also have to positioned between the green side bunkers. A par is very acceptable here.
The most difficult hole on the front nine. In the summer time the water may be reachable for longer hitters but for most its your Sunday best off the tee. The 2nd shot is played possibly from a downhill lie to a green slightly above. A par on this hole will gain a shot at least on the field.
The first par 3 on the course offers a spectacular view of Castle Bernard. A tee shot to the right centre of the green will do nicely and avoid the attractive water that protects all the left side of the green.
This is the first par 5 on the men’s card. Also, the only hole without a Bunker. A tee shot up the left-hand side is important to avoid the severe slope on the right. Position the second shot between the 2 large trees. This should set up a strong possibility of a birdie.
One of the tightest driving holes on the course. A positioned tee shot of 220 yards will leave you 140 yards approximately from a small green that is slightly above. Finishing the front nine with a par will set you up nicely for the back nine.
A long par 4 that requires a good drive to a nice flat fairway. Right of centre will give the best line to the green. Trouble starts with the 2nd shot. A well protected green with bunkers protecting the front. A sharp bank on the left and a grove of trees on the right. A par is great start to the back nine.
A very difficult driving hole. OB on the left and large trees on the right. A slight fade off the tee is the best shot. The 2nd shot is to a large sloping green. If the flag is on the front don’t go past it. You may be chipping after the first putt. A bogey is quite acceptable here.
The most difficult hole on the course. OB runs the full length of the hole on the Left-hand side. A large bank on the right with trees protecting the 2nd shot means a straight tee shot is essential. The green is well protected with bunkers making the 2nd shot difficult even from a good tee shot. A par here is a good as a birdie on most holes.
The 2nd Par 5 on the mens card. A wide uphill fairway awaits a good tee shot. OB on the left has to be avoided. Positioning your 2nd shot to approximately 100 yards from the green will give the best approach to the green. Finding the correct level on this 3-tiered green will give the best opportunity for a birdie.
A relief at last the 18th hole. That’s what you think. This hole has ruined more scores than won competitions. The water on the right has drowned many a ball and the trees on the left are no easy out. Finding the green will leave a smile on your face. Just hit it!
