Baltinglass Golf Club
Once again we have chosen wisely with our golf courses as Baltinglass turned out to be yet another gem. The course itself was fantastic but the whole experience was set up very nicely when we arrived the evening before.
After we told our story to the barman we went into the lounge with our Guinness to watch the election results coming in. We got talking with a guy from Athy who was there with on a small society outing. The subject of the Irish language came up when a woman who was giving out one of the results made a very bad job of it and it was at that time we discovered that the barman was from Kosovo! That kind of threw us as his accent was as Irish as the man from Athy’s. His name was Agron, affectionately known as Aggie. He had been living in Ireland since he was 8 (of was it for 8 years – can’t remember which) and had not a word of English when he arrived in Ireland. Though he didn’t say who for, he voted in the elections!
So things moved on and we were then joined by Paula and John and we must say a big thank you to them for giving us a very enjoyable evening of craic. They were there for something to eat and carried on talking to us even when their food arrived. We talked about golf (obviously), their commute to Dublin, houses and they were interested in our story – they have a friend who has played as many courses as ourselves. Thankfully John did not make good on his threat to call in and see us for a coffee on his was home at 1am. Oh, and congratulations to Paula on winning the gross prize!!
They were also having a card night at the club, which appears to be a regular Friday night thing, so there was no shortage of activity in the clubhouse. The clubhouse itself wasn’t one of those fancy €1million places – it was neat and welcoming and had a very nice looking conservatory area overlooking the 18th.
The course went to 18 holes not that long ago (about 7 or 8 years I think) and there’s a definite distinction between the new holes on the front nine and the original holes on the back nine. The front nine climbs high up into the hills rising out of Baltinglass and there are some fantastic views of the surrounding Wicklow countryside to be had through the trees. The holes have been carved out of the tall fir trees growing on the hills which gives the fairways and enclosed feel as well as instant maturity for their age.
In contrast the back nine is flat and open and whilst not nearly as interesting as the front nine are still challenging and well laid out.
You need to be at least a little bit fit to make it round the front nine in one piece. The first is straight up the hill and the rest gradually take you higher with the occasional steep climb from green to tee. The second was one of the nicest par 3s we’ve played, even more picturesque than Mannan Castle. Similar to Mannan it’s downhill with a pond in front – the pond had crystal clear water up close – with trees and shrubbery all around. The par 5 third was 500 yards long with gentle sweep and one of the slipperiest greens on the course.
Baltinglass also has one of the nicest, longest par 5s we’ve played. The 8th is almost 600 yards from the back tees and you’d be hard pushed to make it in three though it has the widest fairway – which is handy for the wayward amongst us.
Thomas says:
I’ve never had such an enjoyable time playing such bad golf. I played so badly today it was an embarrassment to my handicap. But the course and scenery was just superb that you could not be cross with your golf for long. The front nine holes were just excellent, despite all the climbing you have to do. They are a bit up and down but they are so nicely done and in such a lovely location that you don’t really notice it.
One of my favourite holes was the 10th, a dog leg par 5. I hit a screamer of driver over the trees, cutting the corner and setting myself up nicely for my second. Needless to say it went very badly wrong indeed after that but at least I have memory of that drive.
We had such an enjoyable time here both in the clubhouse the evening before and on the course. The people were friendly, the course was excellent and the weather was great. I’d definitely consider repeating this course.
Clive says:
This was definitely one of the best of our 2007 new courses. It’s a pity we didn’t get an open here for my golf (for a change) was pretty good – I might even have won a prize. I liked the little clubhouse with great craic amongst the people there.
We were up at 6.40 and on the first tee by 7.20 – it was just as well for there were other intrepid golfers not far behind. I loved the holes on the outward nine. You need relatively straight drives and I hit quite a few. My pitching was better than usual which helped me to some pars on the first nine. I was just a bit disappointed with the ‘lower’ nine holes. This was obviously the original 9 hole course and were on a flat area. But, with 10 points on the last 4 holes – and a par 4 at the 18th, I was pleased with Baltinglass. County Wicklow, after county Down, of course, is my favourite county in Ireland. There are wonderful views everywhere and lots of history (the 1798 rebellion) hanging around.
This is a track for everyone to play – but, as Thomas says, you need to be fit. marks out of ten – a good 8 and a half.
