Today we are at Lahinch and there are goats on the course – this means the weather will remain stable. When the rain approaches the goats are at the clubhouse. In the shop we find home-made wooden putters and photos of all the PGA-stars that have played on the course. We feel at home as a real links atmosphere is apparent as soon as we arrive. Old Tom Morris, Alistair MacKenzie and everyone’s favourite Martin Hawtree have created what today lies facing the Atlantic coast. We are asked to take a fore-caddie to assist but with sound experience from Perranporth we let courage be our guide. The ball ahead of us is a classic – 4 Americans and 4 caddies. Just like the ball behind – 4 locals and 4 electric carts. We start off with two warm-up holes – a par 4 and a par 5. On the 3rd tee, with a backdrop in the form of the local surfing school, we find a wonderful hole up in the dunes and down towards the sea – links75 class. We establish contact with the gods of golf – a warm feeling of home arises. Fantastic. The 4th and 5th holes are originals from the days of Old Tom. The 4th – a par 5 – tees off through one of the sand dune corridors which ends abruptly 300 yards away in the form of a 355-foot high dune. A view full of life, with the flagman sitting at the top. Red or green flag – the coast is clear! We cross the 18th and lie once again in a position to make eagle. The 5th hole – a par 3 – has a hidden green behind a 30-foot sand dune. A big, white stone lies on the crown and marks the flags position for the day – what joy!
The hidden green at no5, Lahinch
Suddenly we are thrown out into Martin Hawtree’s wonderful world. The 6th, 7th and 8th. Fantastic creations that play with the Atlantic. Two par 4s with difficult downhill slopes to the green, which feature classic run-offs and evil pin placements. A par 3 which is recognisable from Waterville – heavenly. Mr J – walkover.
8th green, Lahinch
Energy returns and we stop for a bite at the edge of the green edge of the 9th tee – 391 yards. Wholemeal bread with ham and hot mustard. Goats are visible. The course takes the form of a well-cambered motor-racing circuit. We drive along a wonderful par 4, par 3 and par 5 and lose the back end before accelerating out the corner. The 13th. Courage knows no bounds so we aim for the green but are swallowed by the abyss to the right. The 14th and 15th are two consecutive par 4 s with character and length. The 16th is the concluding par 3 and the ambassador has the hole of the week. First shot – miss to the right – the second shot gets under the ball in heavy rough – a violent third – straight up and straight in the hole – par! The 18th tee is a links plaza of rank and suddenly we are crossed from right and left. Everything must stop as the traffic tightens. We let out the clutch and Lahinch’s links delight shows the way towards a final par. There are still no goats at the clubhouse.
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