Glasson Golf Club

Designed by Ryder Cup player Christy O’Connor, Jr., and a top-notch test of golf, Glasson is lush, rolling, strategic, varied, pastoral, and incredibly scenic, with nicely contoured and fast greens. Today I played twelve holes here, as I ran out of time when darkness began to fall. Still, I was hardly disappointed with the experience.

What meets the eye on the course’s front side may seem welcoming, most notably from generally open driving zones and gradually rolling terrain, and from the typically straightforward nature of a layout that plays no big tricks. What you’re really up against, however, is a tough and long (3500-plus yards) outward half: the periodic hills and the doglegs and the cleverly placed bunkering can surely wear you down (as it did me). A look at this course’s strategic bent, its overall design, and especially its key holes should bear this out.

A Modern (but Distinctly Irish) Inland Course:

Characteristically for typical inland Irish courses, the aesthetic of this course, (developed in 1993 on a former farm) is more subtle and understated than that of the typical modern American parkland courses I play. Mostly, fairways and greens are mainly natural-looking; they do undulate gently, but often without heavy shaping. Outside of Lough Ree, the other water hazards I saw, which primarily served as complementary features, appeared to be wetlands rather than ponds. Greens were slightly elevated and their undulations more moderate than those on layouts of, say, American architects such as Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, or Jack Nicklaus. Still, some of the fairway bunkers are a bit sculpted artificially, and there is some modern cluster bunkering, but these never detract from the prevailing aura. This is not a minimalist course by any stretch, yet its playability often stems from these more quietly strategic elements–as explained in part below:

Hole 3: 219 (back tee):

At the third, the tee shot will traverse a vale to find the green. It is the modest putting surface, however, that makes the hole: egg-shaped, tapered in the front, and tilted mainly from the back, it sits on a knoll after a small uprise. Landing in any one of the four deep bunkers, including the largest one set thirty yards short of the green (the scourge of an underpowered shot), will mean a brutal up-and-down. As well, there is a tremendous view to enjoy of Lough Ree, behind and far below this first-rate golf hole.

Hole 4: par-4, 404: The straightforward fourth (index 5) is ironically one of the course's toughest since the open driving area offers options. The approach shot is the key one, playing straight uphill to a semi-blind, markedly sloped, back-to-front green–a green surrounded by deep bunkers.

Hole 6: 559 nine yards:

Playing either of the back tees, this rigorous and long par-5 will tempt many to take the shortest possible line, thereby cutting off some of the OOB running down the left side. Unless you never hit a hook, this option could prove costly; instead, I think the best route is to aim well right and draw the ball onto the fairway. The second shot is equally interesting. From the top of a hill from which the fairway sweeps down toward the green, the landing zone will be clear, and the shot will have to avoid a large pond on the right but also four gaping fairway bunkers–both left and right. Many scattered trees also punctuate the rough. A single left-side, tri-lobed bunker guards a sprawling, nicely contoured green. This will be a three-shotter for most–and a tricky one at that–but balanced shot values carefully offset its toughness.

Hole 8: par-4, 432 yards:

A dogleg left, this hole tempts a drive over the corner, but one of three bunkers may well punish any failed attempt. Another wide bunker on the outside elbow can snare a long-hitter’s miss. Downhill and exhilarating, the approach is slightly more forgiving. The opening to the raised green is tight; a bunker guards the right flank and a marsh lurks left and behind (miss right for safety). Putting is tough from the back tier with the pin cut in front.

Other holes of note:

TWO: An uphill behemoth par-5 (index 4). Fairway bunkers guard the right side; a pair of others pinch the front of the skull-shaped green. At least it's straight.

TEN: Mid-length par-5 (510 yards) that plays longer. The uphill fairway doglegs right past six scattered bunkers. The second shot through a tree-lined corridor is rigorous, but a receptive green tilts back-to-front. Again, balanced shot values.

TWELVE: While I’ve seldom admired right-angled doglegs, this one does offer a well-proportioned landing zone that helps playability. The beautiful downhill second shot favors a drive toward the inside of the dogleg for a straight-on approach into a nicely contoured, two-tiered green.

Other: Friendliness was outstanding (A+) from Donncha, met at check-in and again after playing, where we discussed various aspects of the course.

Course Conditions: Good for this time of year (the course was wet, but drainage was effective). Very good greens, along with favorable fairways, roughs, and tees. Bunkers looked mostly well-kept.

Some conclusions: Unfortunately, I was unable to play the last six holes here, which–from even a cursory look at the course flyovers–appear to play a starring role at Glasson.

It has been well documented how astonished Christy O’Connor, Jr. was upon first seeing Glasson’s superlative site. I would hazard a guess that he was inspired, too, by the routing opportunities, because every hole I played used the landscape nearly to perfection. Although beautiful, the course seems to prize restraint over showiness. The greens are uniformly challenging, and the vistas of Lough Ree are striking in several places. A return visit here–sometime in the future–seems to be inevitable.

The only reason I gave the staff a 2 star, is just because there was no interaction of any kind with one member of the staff. Not rude exactly but just not forthcoming with any chat or asking if we had enjoyed the course etc. nothing. The other member of staff was better, but they are the forefront of the club. Also we played at 8.20am on the Thursday ( our final day) and no one was at the golf shop to check us in. But don’t let that put you off, amazing views, fast greens and views to die for. Exceptional value for money. Played 3 times as we were staying at the hotel.

Great course and the work done over the summer looks great. Gps course maps need to be updated so bring a lazer for a competition. Definitely going back soon

Had a great time at this course, even though the price for a buggy was a bit steep at €40 a round.. The green keepers are clearly doing a fantastic job and will most certainly be playing there the next time I’m in Athlone.

P.S. the view off the back of the 3rd hole is spectacular.

The course has been upgraded and it’s notable from the first green. The last 6 are impressive, not sure about the 18th but they can’t do everything I guess.

This course is well worth a visit