Ireland's Toughest Golf Holes - The Back Nine

The front nine of the the most difficult 'course' in Ireland have already been posted (see here), so now it's time for the back nine. The full 18 holes and their descriptors are to be found in the current issue of Irish Golfer Magazine (page 81).

10. Ballybunion 11th hole

11. Galway Bay 12th hole

12. Old Head 12th hole

13. Tralee 12th hole

14. Druid's Glen 13th hole

15. The Island 13th hole

16. Royal Portrush 14th hole

17. County Sligo 17th hole

18. Adare 18th hole

Ireland's Toughest Golf Holes - The Front Nine

In the current edition of Irish Golfer Magazine, there's an article on Ireland's 'Green Monster'... 18 holes that, if put together, would create the toughest course on the island and, perhaps, much further afield.

Here's the front nine in photographs, but if you want to get the list and descriptions of the full 18, pick up a free copy of the magazine at your golf club, or check out the online version (page 81). There's plenty of other stuff in the magazine (which will be blogged about in due course), so go get that copy.

1. Portsalon 2nd hole

Ballyliffin Golf Club Battles the Elements (and red tape)

The low dunes separating the ocean from the 13th green.

An article in today's Irish Independent is a stark reminder of the effects the destructive power of nature has on our Irish golf courses.

Last year, storms had a huge impact on courses on the west coast and across the south west, flattening swathes of woodland and encroaching onto links courses (Doonbeg* and Lahinch,

10 Reasons to Go to The Irish Open

Here are 10 reasons why you should be attending this year's Irish Open at Royal County Down.

1. Royal County Down. Does anything more need to be said about a course that is often ranked as the best links in the world. Oh sure, you won't get to play it at the Irish Open (28-31 May), but you'll get to see the world's best golfers tackle this remarkable course.

Copyright Getty Images

Part II: The Gorse of Galway Golf Club

Some more photographs of Galway Golf Club, which just happens to sit on the Wild Atlantic Way and on the outskirts of one of the best foodie cities in Ireland.

The 4th green, with the 2nd green behind

Galway Golf Club is among the forgotten golf courses in Ireland, which is a shame... it offers a flash of everything and the place is brimming with confidence. I like a course that a) leaves piles of copies of the Irish Times sitting by the entrance, and b) has the self-belief to leave a Comment Card in full view, which covers the full day's golfing experience.

You can leave a few comments yourself at the bottom of this blog, because these photographs show you how good the course looks and how much fun you'll have.

The Gorse of Galway Golf Club

20 degrees centigrade is not what you expect for the West of Ireland in early April. Clear blue skies and the gorse blooming. The colours were a brilliant contrast, and worked wonderfully as I spent the early evening with camera in hand. Here are a few samples. I'm out again in the morning... for more perfect weather.

Galway's 11th hole. A par three

Approach to the 17th

Straight down and to the mountains beyond. The par four 14th

Views to the clubhouse and beyond as golfers tee off on the 15th

The Masters, Golf World, Everything You Need to Know

Everybody is talking The Masters 2015. The first major of the season is big, and the fact that it's Augusta just makes it bigger. Then you have Rory looking to complete his Major trophy cabinet, Jordan Spieth showing that an even younger generation is charging through, and the mercurial genius of Bubba Watson waiting to tighten his recent stranglehold on the lush Augusta fairways... and it's a heady mix that will mesmerise worldwide golfing audiences in less than a week. Oh, and Tiger's playing too. Will he shine? Will he make the cut? Seeing him in the mix on Sunday will