Hole 1 | Par 4 (Ladies Par 5)
A testing, long par 4 played usually directly into the wind. Out-of-bounds on the left for the first 120 yards and beyond that again alongside the groundskeeper’s compound. Trees on the right and a narrow gap on approach to the green.
Hole 2 | Par 3
A lovely par 3 hidden from view by a challenging bank of furze bushes and heathers. Bunker to the left and two bunkers to the right of the green. A steep up-slope at the back of the green protects somewhat from overshooting the green. Tip: check the flag location when leaving the 1st green.
Hole 3 | Par 4
A good driving hole — let loose with a big one when the wind is at your back. Sloped dip on the left alongside the fairway and trees on the left and right. Bunker to the right front of the green.
Hole 4 | Par 4
A short par 4 with green that is well protected by a narrow approach, a fairway bunker, bunker front left and bunker front right. A steep bank to the right and at the back of the green.
Hole 5 | Par 5
A long par 5 again into the prevailing wind. If you go for the green with your second shot you will need to know the line as the top of the hill and green are well protected by bunkers left and right which cannot be seen until you get to the top.
Hole 6 | Par 4
Runs parallel to the 5th with trouble to the left and trees to the right. A tricky par 4 with bunkers to the front and right, and when the flag is at the front of the green, watch out! Green slopes from front to back, right to left, with a steep bank at the back.
Hole 7 | Par 4
A narrow par 4 with a bunker very strategically placed to the right of the fairway. Your tee-shot must be accurate here.
Hole 8 | Par 5
After crossing the road, this hole is a splendid par 5 with out-of-bounds to your right and trees to your left. Your second needs to be very accurate as the green has a lake to its left and out-of-bounds to your right. A par here and you will be happy.
Hole 9 | Par 3
A par 3 to an elevated green. Over-club and you are in trouble, under-club and your ball could roll back down to the bottom of the hill. On the green, easy does it with a downhill putt!
Hole 10 | Par 4
A dogleg to the right, this par 4 has a tough second shot to a sloping green. Out-of-bounds left of the green and bushes on the right.
Hole 11 | Par 4
A short straight par 4 again requires an accurate tee-shot with a bunker to the right at the green.
Hole 12 | Par 5
After climbing to the top of the hill, catch your breath before teeing off (hitting blind over the hill to the marker). Take in the lovely views over the surrounding countryside with Skibbereen town to the east, to the south the wooded hills around the unique saltwater lake of Lough Hyne, to the west the harbour at Baltimore and further west Mount Gabriel with the two air traffic control domes. Then you take on a short par 5 which will need your full attention as fairways are tight and anything left or right is lost. Bunker to the right of the green.
Hole 13 | Par 4
A classic par 4 which requires very accurate tee-shot (hitting blind over the hill to the marker) and then a second to a sloping green up on the hill. Bunker to the front right of the sloping green.
Hole 14 | Par 3
This is a par 3 with another sloping green and most golfers will play to the right. Depending on the wind, your club selection can vary from an 8-iron to a driver!
Hole 15 | Par 4
A short par 4, fairly straightforward but big hitters will have to watch for a string of three bunkers and a lake to the right.
Hole 16 | Par 4
Slightly dogleg right — your tee-shot on this par 4 is over the lake with trees to the left and right. Bunker short in front and left of the green.
Hole 17 | Par 3
After coming back across the road, you will face a long par 3 with bunkers left and right — a truly splendid hole.
Hole 18 | Par 4
Straight up to the clubhouse, a long par 4 with a lateral water hazard and out-of-bounds to your left running all the way up. Fairway bunker on the right and large uphill green protected by bunkers left and right. A par at this hole and you will head happily for the nineteenth!
