Howth Golf Club (218)

Before today we had played 217 courses in Ireland over about 9 or 10 years. In that time just one course, Waterford Castle, had turned us and our camper away. Last night Howth joined Waterford Castle in our Bad Book as they too would not let us stay overnight in their car park.

We arrived in the middle of the ladies night presentation and spoke to Aveen (I’m sure I’m spelling that wrongly) who put us in touch with Louise who spoke to the Captain who sent the Vice Captain to speak to us. They were all really nice people. The Vice Captain explained that he would call their Secretary who was also their insurer, or something, and it was that guy who said that we would be a ‘liability’ and so we had to leave. We were very disappointed. The Vice Captain pointed us in the direction of Howth harbour we spent the night there.

We teed off at around 12:10 next day with a couple of members, Paul and Pascal. It’s a bit confusing but we think Paul is married to Aveen (who is also the Vice Captain’s sister). Anyway the were a great pair. I’m sure they won’t mind if I said they were on the senior end of the age-scale. They played good, steady golf and there was no hurry in them while they were doing it though they were far from being slow golfers.

It’s just as well we were with members as Howth is a tricky course to negotiate, particularly today with the freaky weather we had. I’ve never played a round of golf in such varied weather conditions. It was a bit cloudy to start with, then the mist arrived, then some heavy showers, then the mist cleared and the clouds parted which caused the fairways to steam, there a bit more rain before the sun came out proper for while and a couple more heavy showers helped us home. And it was very sticky and muggy too.

There a number of blind drives and quite a few of the greens and tee boxes are quite close together which is surprising since it looks like there is plenty of space around the course to spread things out a bit more (however, we’re not course designers so there’s probably a good reason). Also, Howth is the first course we’ve played which has one fairway serving two holes: it’s hte 11th going uphill and the 17th coing downhill. Paul and Pascal told us that there’s rarely a hold up because of that so whilst it seems weird, it must work.

The course was in pretty good condition. The greens were very, very fast and the rough was unforgiving. There is quite a lot of natural ferns and heather all over the course (as well as some rhododendrons) and this adds a lot of colour as well as being nasty hazard if you end up in it. When the mist cleared there were some amazing view out over Dublin Bay and up and down the coastline. We got a good view of Bull Island where we will be playing in a couple of days time (St Anne’s) and there was a regatta in full show, braving the rain in the Bay.

Thomas says:
I quite enjoyed this course but it wasn’t one of my favourites. I think the crazy weather was putting me off – it was so sticky and uncomforatble for the first 5 or 6 holes. I didn’t like the way some of the tee boxes and greens seemed to be so close together and there were a few occasions when we teed off over the green we’d just played. But the greens were fantastic. I’ve said this so many times before but I love fast greens and these were amongst the speediest I’ve played on. The course is quite hilly so be prepared for a few climbs.

I think the nicest hole for me was the par 3 8th. It’s a short, downhill hole but with a superb view over the Bay.

Clive says:
I must say I was cross with the people for not letting us park overnight – if everyone else could do it why not Howth?

I don’t like starting a golf round late – and 12.10 was very late for us. The chaps we played with however were terrific and interested in our story. I didn’t play well apart from a few holes. The 14th is a lovely hole with views to die for – and I got a par 4 to boot. The course is in a fabulous place = on the hill of Howth and its natural surroundings made for a pretty good track. There are only 3 par 3s which is about enough I always think. The greens were great but there are too many greens and tee boxes too close to other parts of the course.

All in all I liked the high part of the course but thought that some of the par 4s were a bit short. What I did like was the fact that there was lots of trouble to carry from many of the tees – this always sorts the men golfers out from the boys – although it really should be the other way about when you see the youngsters playing our game. I’d give Howth maybe 7 out of ten.