*Lahinch Golf course.
“When the phone call comes inviting you to play one of Irelands finest links golf courses, it’s hard to not get butterflies and it’s an offer impossible to turn down”, PGA Golf Professional, Pádraig McGrath states in this week’s article.
The course and grounds are so steeped in golfing history it always brings back so many fond memories, for myself in playing throughout two separate decades in the prestigious South of Ireland Championship and at the end of my amateur career getting the opportunity to represent Lahinch such a prestigious club in their Senior Cup, Barton Shield and also playing on the mixed team that won the regional final. When you walk into the clubhouse you are surrounded by memorabilia of the history of the club and all the past South of Ireland winners. It’s like a museum of history and it is always impossible to just stroll past without taking time to look at all the achievements at the club over the past century.
The clubhouse is a charming structure with a rich history, provides a welcoming atmosphere for golfers and visitors alike. It serves as a hub for camaraderie, where tales of memorable rounds and historic moments are shared over a post-game drink in the bar served up by Dave and his team. Nothing is better than a steak and a pint after your round, to chat about all those dropped shots you left behind out there on the course that day.
Established in 1892, Lahinch Golf Club has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most revered links courses in the world. The history of Lahinch Golf Club begins with the vision of Alexander W. Shaw and Richard J. Plummer, two prominent figures in the Lahinch community. Inspired by the burgeoning popularity of golf, they decided to create a golf links that would take full advantage of the natural beauty surrounding Lahinch. The original course was laid out on commonage land, and in 1892, the Lahinch Golf Club was officially founded.
The early years of Lahinch saw the course evolve organically, shaped by the hands of Mother Nature herself. Old Tom Morris, a legendary Scottish golf course architect, was invited to contribute his expertise to enhance the layout. His influence can still be seen in the timeless design elements that have stood the test of time. Old Tom Morris 1894 who originally designed two of the most famous holes in the world the Klondyke 4th and the Dell 5th holes. Both holes are extremely unique leaving you with blind approach shots into greens where you have to hit over two large sand dunes. These blind shots add to the excitement and wonder, not knowing how close your approach shot is from the pin. I have to admit both holes always give you a sense of excitement when you stroll towards the tee box.
In 1907 Charles Mo Gibson did a major redevelopment of the course, but he focused mainly on the ocean holes mainly the 6th and 7th holes. Charles lengthened the course to 5,893 yards long.
Later in 1927, Dr. Alister MacKenzie, mostly renowned now for designing Augusta National Golf Club, made further improvements to Lahinch. His touch refined the course, introducing additional challenges while preserving its natural character. The MacKenzie influence elevated Lahinch to a new level of prestige, cementing its reputation as a world-class links course. Dr. Alister MacKenzie in 1927 was asked to submit his opinions on how the course could be improved further. The redesign took almost a year and he added a lot of tiered greens to the golf club. The changes were so positive Dr. MacKenzie felt Lahinch would become a hugely popular, which of course it has today. Dr. MacKenzie later went on to design some of the most famous courses from around the world in Augusta National, Royal Melbourne and Cyprus Point in the famous Monterey Bay.
Then in 1999 the renowned Martin Hawtree did the most recent up to date redesign to the now Par 72 and lengthened the course to 6,950 yards. He added Two incredible Par 3’s the 8th and 11th which are two of the best Par 3’s around the country.
The 8th usually plays with a strong westerly breeze from the Atlantic Ocean to your left of this hole. It usually plays anything from 145 – 165 yards and is protected by three pothole bunkers at both sides of the green left and right and the third bunker is located just short of the green which has an inviting slope downhill for any golf ball that doesn’t reach this green front. Outside of these bunkers there is also heavy thick wispy links grasses awaiting any tee shot that doesn’t find this green. Controlling your launch trajectory is crucial if you are to find the green on the 8th at Lahinch especially when it’s blowing hard. Once you arrive on to the 8th green the fun is only beginning as you are now faced with a steep tiered right to left sloped green which has little or no straight putts. Not only do you have to achieve a perfect line but the pace is essential if you are to two putt this green.
The 11th is a longer Par 3 that predominantly plays straight into a strong westerly breeze and it is also surrounded cleverly by three pothole bunkers that surround this sloping green. Any ball that lands on the edge of this green will filter off the green usually towards one of the pothole bunkers that seem to attract golf balls like a magnet. All the surrounding slopes filtering towards those deep pothole bunkers. This green also is extremely undulating with several slopes and it would be easier to find a great white offshore than finding a straight putt on the 11th green. The stunning backdrop views of the 11th hole has breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Liscannor serve as a reminder of the unique beauty that makes Lahinch a golfing paradise.
The recent newly open academy in June 2019 and short game practice facility at Lahinch is one of the most modern facilities in the entire world. Head PGA Golf Professional Donal McSweeney and his team of Professionals golfers are surrounded with everything you could possibly need to improve golfers of all levels. From Sam balance labs, Sam putt lab, Trackman 4, PuttView it truly is a state-of-the-art indoor golf facility.
The history of Lahinch is heavily involved at the top amateur level hosting the prestigious South of Ireland Championship each year for the past hundred and twenty-nine years since 1895. Along with the South of Ireland Lahinch will host this year the Arnold Palmer Cup followed by the prestigious Walker Cup in 2026 a Ryder Cup like event for the top amateurs of the world. Notable winners of the South of Ireland include Joe Carr in 1969, Darren Clarke in 1989, Paul McGinley in 1991 and Graeme McDowell in 2000. Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington finished runner up on two occasions. Showing this event is a crucial stepping stone for anyone who is looking to become a world-renowned top golfing professional.
More recently in 2019 Lahinch also hosted the men’s Irish Open one of the events on the DP World Tour. This event was one of the best sporting events I’ve ever attended. For the whole week the course and town of Lahinch became one and the atmosphere was electric. It was like a festival golfing week, where there were open air concerts, golf, surfing and the streets were packed with activities. It truly was a credit to Paddy Keane and Paul McGinley and his vision to take the Irish Open to Lahinch Golf Club.
A day out at Lahinch Golf Club is always a memorable day out that you’ll never forget. Whether you are a member or guest you’ll never take for granted stepping foot on such a historic prestigious first tee steeped in so many memories for the Top Amateurs of the world, World’s top Golf Professionals, A-list celebrities, Royalty, Presidents, you name it they’ve stepped on that same tee box under the pressure and ambiance of the amphitheatre of the first tee box. A huge amount of credit has to go to the manager Paddy Keane for all his hard work since appointed at Lahinch and the improvements that have followed. There is always a warm welcome from the Pro shop team of Aisling, Robert and Martha as well as from Dave and his team in the bar and restaurant. Even when you get to the first tee, you’ll have great banter and a laugh with Tony Molloy the starter. A golf course is only as good as its greenkeeping team and a special mention has to go out to both sets of greenkeepers at Lahinch who work tirelessly to have both courses at the highest of standards throughout the year. Lahinch are currently improving the course further by installing a multi-million-euro state of the art irrigation system this year and there are talks of a newly built clubhouse on the horizon also.
So, if you get a chance to play Lahinch Golf Club in 2024 don’t let the chance pass because it truly is a day out, you’ll never forget.
