Hole 7
Par 4
411 | 366 | 349 | 295 yards
The 7th is a very familiar theme to holes 3 and 6. This is the closes you get to the ocean here. The tee box is perched above the beach. Your shot must again carry an elevated fairway making for another blind tee ball.
The preferred tee shot here is right in the middle of the saddle at the top of the hill. This fairway is also within reach of running out on if you don't hit it down the middle. Missing either right of left will make for an awkward second shot from an uneven lie.
Once again, the fairway is actually generous, though out of sight on your first shot. The hole turns again and falls towards the green which is back near the ocean.
This green is almost 35 yards deep but it is canted diagonally from most approaches. two deep bunkers short make hitting to the back of this green the smartest play, regardless of where the pin actually is.
This was a strong left to right wind on the second shot. Missing to the right, which Lisa and I both did, is not a good place as the long grass on the hill comes into play
I managed to get onto the green and made 2 putts for another bogey. Come on ride the train!
A look back down the hole from behind the green.
Hole 8
Par 3
166 | 156 | 147 | 128 yards
As you make your way to the 8th tee, you are greeted with a fantastic view north along the coast and out to see. You can also see the outlet for the Inagh River which frames the northern edge of the course property.
Turning back towards the task at hand you are faced with a wicked looking par 3. Elevated atop a hill this green sits beside a large mound and protected by some world class pot-bunkers. Anything short is absolutely gone into the thickest grasses on the course.
As we watched the group ahead we noticed an extra couple of legs in there party. Yes a goat was walking around up on the green. It even let the girls ahead pet it for a while.
The advise here is to take an extra half or full club and to avoid the bunkers at all cost. I made quick work of that by hooking my tee shot well right onto the foot path to the next hole.
The green slopes left so the best play is to hit towards the right side of the green as everything will work back to the left.
A view as you climb up to 9. They aren't kidding to avoid those bunkers at any cost. Had I gotten in there without any wedges I think I might still be there!
Hole 9
Par 4
400 | 391 | 355 245 yards
Finally a bit of a break from the gauntlet that is holes 3-8. The 9th hole is a straight ahead par 4. The fairway here is generous. The holes primary defense is a large hill that prevents tee balls from running up close to the green unless you can carry it 300 yards to the upper shelf.
The fairway slopes hard to the left, especially off the hill so it is likely you will playing the ball from the left edge of the fairway.
The green is tucked back onto a perch with a large bunker on the right and a fall-off to the left of the green. You do not want to go left, that is for sure.
The green is 56 yards deep and features a false front so carefully select the right iron for your approach.
A view back down the hole from the front edge of the green
With doubles on the last 2 holes I ended up carding a front 9 45.
The Old Course Part 1
The Old Course Part 2
The Old Course Part 4
The Old Course Part 5
The Old Course Part 6
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