The Farnham estate is a new course, doesn't have a clubhouse on the way, but I'm sure when growth returns to Irish society, then like Macreddin, Farnham will have a new clubhouse, and also a state of the art Academy. Right now, as of simmer 2010 in the place of the clubhouse is a prefab with a small shop, some basic showers and so forth.Graeme McDowell is the tour pro associated with this up and coming project, however I know little about his level of involvement. I've attached a course map to the bottom of this blog, so you get a feel for the spacious layout of the front 9, and the enclosed back 9.
Front 9,
The first is a decent opener, but lets cut to the chase, the 2nd what I would consider the signature hole. So, the view is spectacular, The Teebox is partnered by a large Oak tree, and down at the base of the hill is the green which is raised up on a fancy stone wall. Take the driver out, unless you are a particularly big hitter.
you could probably attack the green with a wedge, and not always a full shot if you can get the ball down to the bottom of the hill from your drive. You must clear the River in front of the green though, and dont be right either, as again the river awaits unpolished shots. You wont forget this hole in a hurry, so feel free to take it all in.
The 3rd is a tricky par 4, The lake Marshy pond you must hit over should ignite the warnings inside you to avoid hitting the ball right or having any sort of a fade attached, but what isn't so obvious from the starting blocks is that the left side of the fairway is by now means kinder. The same river that surrounded the 2nd green splits in 2 and becomes a border to each side of the fairway on the 3rd, on the left there are 2-3 small kettle like ponds which most closely resemble the shape and form of pot bunkers, but there simply is no way out. If you successfully find the fairway, then the sweat beads will retreat, as this hole softens once the water is avoided. A par is a good score here, you simply gotta know where to aim.
Step on up #4, This my friends is a tough hole, index 1, the crest of the hill separates the take-off from the approach, so you will not know where to aim. A cluster of trees splits the fairway, and thus presents you 2 routes to the green. The best and safest way to play this hole is to aim to the right of the trees, this will open up the green, and give you more protection from the water which borders the right and back of the green. If you take the more direct route to the left of the trees, you must ensure you are very accurate, as anywhere left of the fairway and you will need to reload. I assure you, a par is well earned.
see pic of the 4th below from behind the green, the large trees on the left will block the water from stray shots if you are approaching from the right, and the smaller bunch of trees in the middle are those which split the fairway.
The par 5 6th follows the previous par 3, and this par 5 is reachable in 2. The Tee sits atop a hill, and down below you see not only its own fairway, but for the first time you get to see a few other holes, namely the 7th, 8th & 9th. So, Your drive here is crucial, there is a large ridge in the centre of the fairway, catch this on the downslope as your ball lands, and you can get a great kick forward. I have over hit this green a couple of times with a 5 wood, so pick your weapon wisely.. This is a definite birdie opportunity, so give it your best shot! After his is a dogleg left par 4 7th, would take about 250yards to clear the bunkers on the left, if you prefer to aim a little right and you will need no more than a 9i to the green.
Let me tell you a little about the 8th, its a par 3, and it really has the teeth to bite! How can i describe its design? maybe it resembles a percentage sign (%), with the diagonal solidus representing a river, the Teebox on one end, and the green on the other.. 5w or Hybrid here, its not easy. Be happy with a par. I know id be delighted! The final hole on this 9 ofcourse is the 9th, its a short par 5, you can and will hit the green with an iron, but get your yardage right, as the bunkers 50 yards in front of the green can really confuse our perception of distance.
Back 9,
Ok, first of all, you gotta find it, and its a bit of a trek to get up to it. You see, This next hole is the first of a very different Farnham Estate, From here on in, Accuracy is your friend, as you play through a forest about 75% of the time. This 9 is certainly the harder of the 2, Its much longer, and with length most of us lose accuracy, If you are wild off the tee or with any longer club in hand, then its advised to park those clubs for a while.
Hole #10, Once you climb up to it, you will love it, how different is it to everything which has preceeded? It bares no resemblance at all. the drive is straightforward, but like all drives on the closing 9, keep it down the middle. Its the approach shot on this hole you gotta be careful about. Anyone who has played this course will tell you the same thing, dont go left, dont go right, and dont go long. If you do, not even the Squirrels could tell you how far down you ball could roll into the surrounding forest. So if you are straight, you can take a par easy. Roll up your sleeves for number 11, and be sure to aim left off the Tee.
The 14th is a 277yard par 4, The final stretch is a constant incline so you would want to be exceptionally long off the tee to attempt to drive it, but for the vast majority of us, Its not near our range. That said, you should still be thinking of birdie here, and this doesn't happen often after hole number 10.
The 15th is another beast, 606 yards from the back Tee's, Another hole carved entirely out of the forest. You must hit a long straight drive, and a long straight 3w to get near the green, the good news is, you can hit this in 2, which makes this hole soft at times, but I emphasise straight again, as you cannot afford to be offline much at all here.. The 2nd shot is downhill, and quite enticing.. You can take a birdie here, but be careful, a 6 or a 7 is also a reality.
Number 16 is a sweet par 3, much easier than the 12th which would probably be a 5wood for most. But the 16th is fairly straightforward, bunkers line the left side, so play it simple and take your par. 7-8 iron would be about right, but you have to cross a small road to get to the Tee.
Lastly, but by no means least, Another par 5, dogleg right over a large pond.This is the closing hole, the 18th, and certainly a hole that will seperate the men from the boys, when the nerves are twitching on a pretty decent round and you need that par to grasp a victory, this is exactly the sort of hole you don't want to be playing. The drive here is similar to the 3rd, Take out the driver if you must, and I think you should, but any cut/fade on this, and you are swimming with the fishies. Be careful, and be safe with your first shot. There is an emergency life ring that you should aim to keep left of. Your second shot will have to be aimed between the trees that provide a gaurd of honour for the waiting green, a small stream ensures the right side is a constant danger.. you can par this, but you must find the fairway with your first shot.
I have a couple of criticisms, but they are not at the golf holes which I believe are terrific. I always like a closing hole to be next to the clubhouse, but this wont be exactly so, you wont be far off, but there will be a road seperating the velvet green from the plush carpets. These small roads are a nuisance, you must cross a road 3 times in all, but to be fair they are not that busy, just a nuisance on what is a fabulous course. A few benches and ball cleaners wouldnt go a miss either, but im sure they will come in time... So if you get the chance to play the Farnham Estate, take it, and feel free to take a pitstop in the Radisson blu hotel/retreat, it really is fantastic!
http://www.farnhamestategolf.com/Golf-Course
http://www.farnhamestate.ie
How do i find it?
From Dublin - just keep on the main road all the way. which basically is straight through the small roundabout beside the bus station, and simply keep driving, you will mostly be taking left turns, but you never get off the main road per se.
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