New Forest Golf

New Forest Estate and Golf Club, located in the south of Westmeath County, lies a short distance from the M6 and about an hour’s drive from Dublin. It seems quite a long way, however, from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world in its serene countryside setting, a setting anchored by a stately Manor house and a fittingly traditional lodge, which itself vies with the elegant look of the Georgian-style house.

The golf course here, however, is a distinctly modern layout (though the beautifully mature trees—ash and oak, chestnut and beech—appear to suggest otherwise). It is also a multi-faceted golf course. Though several of these eighteen have links-like characteristics, this is far more parkland than links: many of the holes are relatively or quite open, yet most are still bordered on one edge by solid forestland. The gently rolling fairways are not nearly as bumpy as those on a links. Still, NFGC is a tough track: the scratch against par rating is 74.2 from the tips, and is similarly rigorous from the other tees. That should come as no real surprise, however, as its architect was Peter McEvoy, who enjoyed a long career as a top British amateur golfer and Walker Cup standout. McEvoy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, created or was involved in the design of some thirty courses, some more well-known—to a degree—than this one. Yet he thought the New Forest Estate’s landscape "the best I have ever worked with."

Course Design:

It is the fairways that build this course’s foundation. Many are doglegs; others curve, jog, bend or wriggle along unpredictably. Several of them are offset from a direct line of play to the green—adding strategic interest. On the back nine, too, the fairways feature steeper hills and more dramatic shapes on several holes. On the front side, by contrast, fairway bunkering is more prominent; moreover, bunkering is often used in an intriguing manner, and even profusely on a few holes. Alongside the fairways, many of the roughs are nicely contoured, not flat and featureless, in their own right; they create character by significant mounding, hillocks, sideslopes, or swales.

This layout also emphasizes well-contoured and cleverly protected greens, many of them sprawling and a good number elevated; moreover, they are defended by some 47 bunkers. Greens are often placed at different angles to the line of play; after landing on them, you may find subtle borrows or larger undulations—or both. Playing them the first time—as I did today—it seemed inevitable that some would prove to be puzzling. On several holes, water also lurks near the green complexes, and several others are raised, well above grade. For me, the net result of these sophisticated greens is that making GIRs was often exacting: high-quality approach shots were a must.

New Forest has no shortage of excellent holes. Perhaps the most interesting here are two par-5s, the fifteenth and seventeenth. The latter runs 525 yards and features a twisting fairway with terrific up-and-down ground movement. It finally bends, over its last fifty yards, toward a green tucked into the woods. The equally impressive 15th plays steeply uphill over and around magnificent terrain. Ideally it may play as a switchback hole, starting with a fade off the tee and then a draw on the second. The green, neither welcoming nor large, is defended by frontal bunkers and proves adept at fending off slightly errant approaches.

Three par-4s (among many good ones) are equally noteworthy. At the 413-yard seventh, the drive is a stern test, as its fairway is set amid six bunkers, equally balanced on the right and left. Stray too far right, and your ball will disappear in the marsh. Nestled among four bunkers, green seven—small and angled from the line of play—awaits a precise approach. Ten, a dogleg-right of 451 yards and the #3 index, is a fine driving hole that encourages a draw. To find the green, the long second shot must thread an opening between sentinel trees and cross a swale, the surface set upon a low rise and framed by a quartet of bunkers. Fourteen plays 388 yards, falling from a high tee to a fairway with peril all around it; it is comparable to three other holes on the back side that accentuate target golf. Another small target awaits at the fourteenth green, with sand left and a stream right; missing it by much will likely spell trouble.

The par-3s offer challenge but also charm, and each is outstanding. Both the eleventh and sixteenth are long and demanding, and often will leave difficult up-and-downs when you miss their greens. On the mid-length second hole, the tee shot ideally calls for a fade with bunkers right and the narrow surface angled from the left; a drawn ball, though, will almost certainly fall prey to a tall tree on the right. Measuring a mere 115 yards, the ninth ranks as the course’s easiest hole; still, the quasi-medieval wall and attractive garden surrounding it is unique.

The rest of the holes, ranging from good to excellent, are certainly nothing to sneeze at. There is the tricky and nearly unforgiving 12th, a long par four that gives you several options—none of them especially enticing—from the tee. There are some great mid-length and shorter par-4s (the third, especially, stands out). And there are the back-to-back par-5s on the front side, both of which require skill and strategy if you hope to play them well.

The final six holes are an especially appealing sequence, with sensational views across the landscape from tee sixteen and other points nearby. The views here may haunt the memory; the challenges will likely live in the memory. At the finish comes the inspiring and tough eighteenth, a classic driving hole on which the tee shot must reach the fairway along the proper angle and the right length if it is to be effective.

Course conditions were good, overall, for the rainiest season in Ireland, even if the layout was a bit waterlogged. Greens, tees and bunkers were mostly good, greenside/fairway roughs very good. Only the fairways (which were undergoing some form of conditioning) lagged: they were average.

Some Conclusions:

Peter McEvoy created a first-rate layout in every respect: it keeps its footing throughout; the designer’s high standards never waver. Beyond that, some of the bunkering has a certain “wow factor,” but overall the course keeps clear of the stagy and the superficial—that is, the kind of aspects seen in so many modern designs. New Forest is also a strong driving course that demands precision but rewards imagination.

Clearly, McEvoy’s intent with New Forest was to create something that went well beyond the typical golf course. It is new yet old, bold yet restrained

Having just played the Golf course, I feel a little bit Dissapointed in truth. I found the course very average dull and boring. Too many holes played the same. Like a lot of the holes just ran into eachother. The par 3 9th (walled garden was enjoyable) but too short. The hill from the 9th green to the 10th tee box was a joke. Mount everest comes to mind. The same with the 12th green up a steep hill to the 13th tee box. You'd need to be a mountain goat. Just an average Parkland Course if I'm honest. Thank god I only paid €20. Greens sanded aswel, the reason the green fee was cheaper. The volume of cars driving right through the course was a joke, very off putting to be honest. Staff were very helpful and friendly in fairness.

An hour and 20 minutes from Dublin. I definitely won't be back that's for sure. And yes it is a hilly course in some parts so be prepared.

The tee boxes were sanded big time, very frustrating.

As I've said just another average boring golf course. Like many I've played.

2 stars for me... NEXT!!!

Very enjoyable course in very good condition play a little slow on first nine. Definitely play again

In excellent condition, great value for money and never over crowded

Early Feb but all 18 holes open. Tees a little forward. Main tee boxes still being protected.

Greens were in brilliant shape.

Still a good challenge from forward tees.

Absolutely lovely course a lovely length on the holes for the average golfer.

Only down side was no buggies available on Saturdays or Sundays

10/10 course in super shape. Would highly recommend a visit from