53 County Louth
Architect: T Simpson Stats: 6,716 yds, par 72, SSS 72 GF: €65-€100 Visitor information: Visitors not encouraged on Sundays and Tuesdays. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays best. Availability on Wednesdays before 11.00am and Saturdays (March-September only) W: countylouthgolfclub.com 2008 Ranking: 75 (Up 22) Improvements since 2008 Rankings: Course: None Clubhouse: None
This East coast links half an hour north of Dublin may not have the trophy course status enjoyed by the likes of Ballybunion and County Down, but it's an excellent layout with no weak holes. It plays through natural, often-imposing dunes, with no two consecutive holes other than the 12th and 13th running in the same direction.
Panellists' comments: "Acres of rippling beauty"; "A proper links, maintained as nature intended"; "Superb greens"
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