HOLE BY HOLE GUIDE
HOLE 18
BACK TEES DISTANCE : 563 YDS
MEDAL TEES DISTANCE : 528 YDS
CLUB TEES DISTANCE : 515 YDS
LADIES TEES DISTANCE : 467 YDS
PAR : 5
SI : 7
WATER :
There's plenty of it here. If you go well right you're into the main Dromoland lake. There's also a pond about 210 yards off the tee's on the right hand side of the fairway at the narrowest part. Then again the lake comes into play as you make you approach shot to the green.
OUT OF BOUNDS :
Between your tee shot and the fairway pond there's conservation ground similar to the ground on the 11th so keep out.
BUNKERS :
Just the one greenside bunker, it's just to the left as you look at the green and the way the green is shaped it does narrow the entrance quite a bit.
TREES :
There's a wood on the left hand side to it's quite thick where as on the right hand side there's a few trees in the marshy ground. The main one you have to worry about here is the tree in the middle of the fairway about 85 yards from the green. It's yet another thing that you have to worry about on this hole.
TEE SHOT :
This is a tricky one. The natural driving distance here will take you perilously close to the fairway pond. For those who try to play safe and aim a tad left there's trees waiting for you and chances are you'll be hitting out backwards if you end up in there. You need to hit a good shot to get in a decent position for your second shot.
APPROACH SHOT :
Chances are you won't be going for the green in two but if you're lucky enough to get into a decent position it's an extremely dangerous second shot. The best thing to do here is to lay up around the tree in the fairway. It's still a tricky approach after that with the greenside bunker on one side and the lake on the other.
GREEN OVERVIEW :
This is a very tricky layered green. There's a slight basin on the right hand side which goes up to a high point which is in the middle of the green then slopes downhill again to the left.
OVERALL TIPS :
Play this sensibly and hope for a bit of luck. Try to aim the tee shot left and fade it around the corner onto the narrow area of the green. Aim for close to the main tree in the fairway for the 2nd shot and try to get as much distance as possible out of it. Then try to pitch it onto the narrow green and watchout for the tricky putt. Again, take a par and thank your lucky stars then head to the 19th so you can put your feet up after a tough but rewarding round of golf.