78. Lough Erne: Top 100 Courses UK & Ireland 2015/16

Lough Erne in Ireland has been ranked number 78 in Golf Monthly’s top 100 UK & Ireland golf courses 2015/16.

78. Lough Erne: Top 100 Courses UK & Ireland 2015/16

Belleek Road, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, BT93 7ED

T: 028 6632 3230

W: lougherneresort.com

GF: Check with club for offers

Architect: Nick Faldo

Visitor Information: Welcome at any time

Catering Options: A selection of bars and restaurants on site

2012 Ranking: Down 15

Work Undertaken since 2012 ranking: None advised

Host of a G8 Summit in 2013, Lough Erne enjoys a superb setting, with each hole separate from the others and offering new and different challenges and vistas.

The five par 3s and five par 5s offer even more variety, and the waters of the lough are a constant threat, coming into play on no fewer than 11 holes.

Nowhere is this more dramatic and scary than on the short par-4 10th hole where the green is built on a small promontory jutting out into the water where anything left, right or long will be history.

Each of the closing three greens is flanked to the right by water, but despite the level of difficulty, the course is still playable by golfers of all standards.

Although there is still in places a slight feel of newness and openness to the course – perhaps as there is room to accommodate large numbers of spectators – it is now bedding in well and should only improve.

+ Some outstanding and thrilling holes

– Course suffered from lack of investment during recession

Panellist Comments

“The best course constructed in Northern Ireland in the last couple of decades.”

“Ireland’s answer to Loch Lomond.”

“A first-class resort in a beautiful setting and a very good golf course.”

Next course: 79. West Lancashire: Top 100 Courses UK & Ireland 2015/16