Hanbury Manor

I receive numerous invites to play different courses, most which I kindly decline (so that I actually do some work for most of the week. However when an invite for a corporate golf day at Hanbury Manor dropped on my desk, I immediately accepted.



I've played Hanbury three times now. I absolutely love the course. It is always really well kept and can pride itself on very good greens.



The front and the back nine are very different.



The first is a driveable par 4 with a huge hollow protecting a raised and undulating green which is a real 3 putter. The second is a short and tempting Par5 but a shallow green is protected by a lake so gives a real risk reward.



the Par 4 8th is stroke index 1. A long sweeping par 4 with a pond protecting a tilted green.



The back nine is good, two short but tricky par 3's and with par 4's using the water cleverly it has some great features.



My favourite is another shortish Par 5 narrowing to an approach shot over water to a 2 tiered green. I won longest drive there on the day (over 300 yards - very good for me!!!!).







Hanbury's hotel by Marriott is a good 5 star and the whole complex is a very good and different offering to the Grove.

Carton House Ireland

My trip to Carton House was just a stunning experience from beginning to end. Situated near Maynouth, close to Dublin, this golf resort boasts two golf courses. The highly acclaimed (and former home to the Irish Open), the Montgomerie is a terrific challenge. It has a linksy feel with a huge emphasis on Bunkering. The first sets you off across the River Rye and the Eighteenth returns you to the Hotel alongside the river.

In between are some great holes, with the 4th, 5th 12 and 14th all springing to mind. The main strength of the course is the greens. They are immaculate - and the best I have putted on.

The Eighteenth Green on the Montgomerie.

The O'Meara course is the less written about, but I thought the course was brilliant, especially the back nine. It really uses the River Rye well (unlike its sister course the Monty) and the finishing stretch (15 16 and 17 are just brilliant. The greens were in good shape, despite being less attended to than the Monty.

All in all a must for your Irish Golf Break

Introduction

Well, as a fairly well travelled golfer, who plays (pretty badly) off 14 - I thought it would be a good idea to post my (and my friends) recommendations about golf travel plus any anecotes about golf that we may run across......

My first post takes me back a couple of weeks and a short hop on Easyjet to Faro and then down to the Dom Pedro Golf Hotel in Vilamoura. We stayed at the 4 star (not bad not great) hotel and the shuttle buses collected us each morning, as we played the Victoria Course, Vila Sol (1-9, 19-27) and finally the under rated Pinhal.

I played really well around the Victoria, which is pretty expensive. The front nine is a bit forgettable (although brilliantly kept), but the back 9 is fantastic, 11 and 12 are great holes - the 12th is a cracking par 5 with water all along the left and positional play essential. 14 is another thinking mans hole and the finish is superb - 17 a testing but Birdieable (is that a word?) par 5 and 18 an tough Par4.

Vila Sol I was disappointed with - the front 9 was good, but the 19-27 loop was not very well kept and did notlating impression one me.

Pinhal is a terrific course. Some tight holes, great greens and fabulous backdrop overlooking Vilaoura and the surrounding Villas and apartments. Great club house and brilliant staff!!!!

Took the money 2 out of 3 days, so pretty happy with the trip.

If you are using the shuttle buses - call early - otherwise you may find it tight for tee times.

Going for a beer in Vilamoura? Avoid the Casino (its a rip off) head for one of the Irish bars or Italian restaurants on the front.