Hole 1.
The first hole is an uphill Par 4 for the men, Par 5 for the ladies. The fairway is protected to the right by three large bunkers while a large tree will provide a testing obstacle to those tee shots which are too far to the left. Tee shots played up along the left edge of the fairway will fall back to the centre of the fairway leaving a clear view of the green. The second shot plays uphill to a large green with the shot playing longer than it's actual distance because of the rise in elevation. The green is guarded to the right by a grass bunker and a sand bunker.
Hole 2.
The Par 3 second requires an uphill tee shot to an open fronted green with one bunker to the right. The difficulty of this hole lies in the three tiered green. Judging the distance on your tee shot is vital while a tee shot missing the green will test the player's short game ability.
Hole 3.
The third hole is a gentle dogleg Par 4 requiring a drive to be placed between two bunkers on either side of the fairway. The second shot is downhill to a large green protected on the right by a bunker while shots missing the green to the left or long will feed away down the grass banks.
Hole 4.
Hole 4 is a Par 3 played from an elevated tee to sloping green protected to the left by a large bunker. Because of the difference in elevation from tee to green the hole does not play it's length but a key factor in club selection is the wind.
Hole 5.
A gentle Par 5 providing a good scoring opportunity for the bigger hitters. The tee shot requires a carry over water or alternatively players can drive left of the water. Course management is essential with fairway bunkers strategically placed to catch loose shots. Avoid the water and the bunkers and par or better is a real possibility.
Hole 6.
A wonderful Par 5 with trouble lurking all along the right. Two bunkers located to the left of the fairway capture many drives but for those who keep it straight the reward is an opportuntiy to reach or get close to the two tiered green. A tree in the middle of the fairway less than 100 metres from the green provides an interesting obstacle for second and third shots. The green is raised with bunkers left and right while the green is also tiered.
Hole 7.
The seventh hole is a test of course management. Not long but a stray tee shot could find long rough to the right or one of the fairway bunkers to the left. The green is protected to the right and front left by bunkers while approach shots missing to the left will roll away down the grass bank which faces the left side of he green.
Hole 8.
One of the easier holes on the course, No. 8 is a pleasant Par 4 requiring an accurate tee shot followed by a mid to short iron second shot. The green is banked to the left with a bunker guarding the right side.
Hole 9.
The front nine is completed by a Par 3 once again played from an elevated tee. Clubbing the tee shot is vital as the difference in elevation from the tee to the green means that it does not play it's full length. Bunkers to the left and right of the green will capture slightly wayward shots while going long is a "no no" as trouble lurks.
Hole 10.
The back nine starts with an uphill Par 4 dogleg right to left. From the tee be careful of the out of bounds along the left side. Once you reach the top of the hill it is a short approach shot to a relatively flat green with only one bunker to the left side.
Hole 11.
The "Signature" hole of the golf course, No. 11 provides spectacular views out over Killiney Bay. A short Par 4 that calls for course management with bunkers on both sides of the fairway. Keep out of these and you are left with a short approach to a three tiered green. Avoid going left or long as you will be left with an extremely difficult up and down.
Hole 12.
The 12th hole is a downhill Par 4 dogleg right to left. There are thee bunkers along the right of the fairway and one solitary bunker to the left but its location is strategic. A three wood or long iron from the tee to the middle of the fairway leaves a short or medium iron to the green which is protected to the left and rear by foliage and by a bunker on the right.
Hole 13.
Hole 13 is a wonderful Par 3 requiring accurate iron play and a good putting touch. The two tiered green is protected by three bunkers. Missing the green left or right will test the players short game.
Hole 14.
A dowhill Par 4 which doglegs from left to right. There is out of bounds all along the right side and fairway bunkers place an additional premium on accuracy. The second shot will be played from an elevated fairway to a green which is protected on both sides by bunkers. For the longer hitters a well hit tee shot will leave a short approach shot and a birdie could be a possibility.
Hole 15.
A generous Par 5. Avoid the fairway bunker to the left off the tee and the large tree to the right. The approach to the green should be thought out as there are bunkers left, right and to the front while the green slopes back to front leaving a difficult pitch or chip if the player goes long.
Hole 16.
The sixteenth hole is a flat par three played to a large green. Bunkers left and right provide the only trouble. The hole generally plays into the prevailing wind so make sure to check before you select your Club because the hole can play longer than it looks.
Hole 17.
Hole 17 is a great Par 4. A tight tee shot on a dogleg left to right. The line is left of the big tree leaving you a medium to long iron second shot uphill to a slightly raised green. The approach plays longer than you may think so one club more may be required. A sloping green will test your putting touch.
Hole 18.
The finishing hole is a Par 5 which requires a combination of ball striking, course management and a good short game. The fairway doglegs right to left through trees which frame both sides of the hole. A wayward second shot makes achieving a par difficult and brings a large number into range. A well placed second shot leaves a short to medium iron to a green which is protected by three bunkers to the right. A large green can fool many so be careful when deciding on your approach to the green.