Baltray - A hole-by-hole guide

A guide to the 18 holes of the Irish Open course

1st (454 yards, Par 4)

A straightforward opening hole, the danger off the tee lies with two pot bunkers that lurk down the left hand side of the fairway between 240-275 yards. There is a swale to the right of the green that catches loose approach shots.

2nd (523 yards, Par 5)

Players will want to make a fast start – with three Par 5s in the opening six holes – and this is a genuine birdie chance. There are fairway bunkers left and right, but most players should find the green – guarded by three bunkers – in two.

3rd (544 yards, Par 5)

A bunker-free zone this one, and most players – providing they avoid the rough – will feel confident of finding the green in two even if it is hidden from view on the approach by a protruding sand hill.

4th (379 yards, Par 4)

One of the easier Par 4s, providing players find a good lie on the wonderfully rolling fairways and stay clear of the hills down the right. The approach is to a smallish, elevated green with plenty of nuances to make players think twice over their putts.

5th (173 yards, Par 3)

The first of the magnificent short holes on the links, with a sure and committed tee-shot required. There is a bunker short right and another to the right of the green, while players who find themselves missing left are faced with a difficult up and down for par.

6th (531 yards, Par 5)

Another birdie opportunity for most players, with the lone bunker down the left not really in play. The onus is on finding the fairway, with the small green – surrounded by dunes – very much on in two.

7th (163 yards, Par 3)

No room for error here, with two deep bunkers guarding the elevated green and steep roll offs around the putting surface ready to suck down any loosely hit shots.

8th (421 yards, Par 4)

A classic links hole, with a narrow fairway facing players off the tee. There are bunkers down the right – the first at 230 yards, the second at 277 – to negotiate for anyone seeking the brave line. The small green is guarded by a bunker short left and another to the front.

9th (419 yards, Par 4)

The drive is all important here, with a cluster of four bunkers down the left and another two down the right. Again, the green is well protected: there is a bunker some 20 yards short of the putting surface and one on either side to grab any wayward shot.

10th (429 yards, Par 4)

A slight dogleg right off the tee, most players will take the braver line down the left to open up the approach to the green. There are two bunkers on the right elbow, while the green has a further two sand traps – one to the left and a pot bunker short right – for protection.

11th (470 yards, Par 4)

One of the toughest holes on the course, players must avoid the three fairway bunkers down the right – positioned at 240 to 280 yards – and then face an approach to the small green which has bunkers short left and two to the right.

12th (442 yards, Par 4)

Probably the best driving hole on the course, players have a small and narrow landing area to find. There are bunkers down the right hand side and huge sand hills down the left. At least there are no bunkers around the green.

13th (421 yards, Par 4)

Accuracy off the tee is important here, with strategically located bunkers on either side of the fairway at the 240-250 yards mark. Many players will opt for three-wood off the tee, setting up an approach to a narrow green.

14th (332 yards, Par 4)

Small is beautiful in this case, with a Par 4 that could be drivable depending on the wind direction. Despite the absence of bunkers on this hole, there are enough bushes and heavy rough around the green to make players consider using an iron off the tee to set up the preferred distance for the approach.

15th (167 yards, Par 3)

Another wonderful short hole, with a large sand hill on the left of the green very much in play. In addition, players must avoid the three strategic bunkers to the front and the right of the putting surface.

16th (429 yards, Par 4)

An excellent driving hole, with bunkers cleverly located on the left elbow of this left to right dogleg. It is important to find the fairway off the tee to set up an approach to a small green nestled in sand hills.

17th (207 yards, Par 3)

The longest of the Par 3s, two bunkers – one left, one right – await any mishit tee shot to this green which contains some subtle slopes.

18th (559 yards, Par 5)

With out-of-bounds down the right and bunkers located to the left of the landing area, the importance of finding of the fairway cannot be emphasised enough for any players – wind permitting – thinking of reaching this green in two.

Out:3,607 yards (par 37)

In:3,456 yards (par 35)

Total:7,063 yards (par 72)

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