Our Course & Playing Tips

Our Course and Playing Tips Hole by Hole

The 1st /10th

The wind will help decide your choice on this semi-blind opener, as it will on many holes on our Links. The safe play will require a mid-low iron to the plateau, favouring the right side. The brave golfer will pick a line on the horizon and seek out the deceptively wide fairway which is 60 yards at its widest point. Tee shots should avoid the left side of this hole at all costs, which will often lead to difficult approaches.

The long, narrow green is protected by 2 front bunkers and on either side by deep rough. A front pin can yield birdies while a back placement can challenge even the most skilled golfers. Take 2 stableford points and clamber up the hill to the next.

The 2nd / 11th

Time to stretch out a bit with a more forgiving tee shot. For most, the fairway bunker will provide a good line, with the natural camber of the fairway (usually) allowing balls to escape a sandy grave. Again, the left side should be avoided off the tee - right will leave a longer but safer approach.

This hole offers one of the more challenging approaches, with a narrow green that is over 40 yards long. Players will have to ensure they navigate the elevated green while avoiding the overly safe approach left of the green, where balls may never be found again. Anything pin high right will leave a treacherous chip - most non-regulation pars will be made from short of the green. Pin position is key again here, with a front pin requiring careful consideration even as far back as the tee.

The 3rd / 12th

Our lone par 5 offers another chance to hit the driver. Longer hitters should look to draw off the inside bunker, where shorter hitters should favour the left side. A well struck drive will take advantage of fairway slopes and make the second shot considerably easier - bravery will be rewarded.
The second shot requires some thinking - OOB left will be hard to ignore, but a right-to-left 4 iron off the mound will put most in a good position. In a favourable wind, the longest of hitters will get home in 2 but this requires some favourable conditions.

The ideal approach will be with a lofted wedge and from the middle/left side of the fairway (for most pins). The green slopes sharply back to front and has ruined many promising rounds before they really got started. Players will be rewarded for keeping the ball short of the hole, especially for a front pin where the surface is relatively flat. A birdie opportunity for the brave.

The 4th/ 13th

The dreaded OOB stakes will force any sane golfer to seek sanctuary left, but this can lead to a very difficult approach into this mid-length par 4. Let the fairway help you - a low chaser can be very helpful when it comes to hit your second. Longer hitters can take a brave line directly at the green, trusting the prevailing wind to steer the ball to safety.
Best to take an additional club on approach due to the false front. Pin position will play a huge part in this wide (but shallow) green. Anything short or long can cause real problems. Birdies will be made on central pin locations but three putts will be commonplace when holes are cut at either extremity of the green.

The 5th / 14th

Tee position on 5 will offer 2 very different holes. What may seem a straightforward drive will usually be buffeted by a wind off the left, pushing longer hitters towards the right fairway bunker leaving a longer shot to the green. The savvy golfer will favour the left side of the hole and will reap rewards if they can carry the farthest fairway bunker.

The hole bares its teeth on the approach, which is often a mid-high iron into a narrow, well guarded green. The left bunker is a busy beach, with anything left of the sand leaving an even more challenging recovery. Another back-front sloping green will provide a stern test of the flat stick. Anything over the back on a back pin brings a 6 into the equation, whereas once again the flat front of the green offers the best chance of birdie.

The 7th / 16th

A strong par 4 that will present challenges throughout. Despite OOB looming right, the best approach hugs this side of the hole. Position should be prioritised off the tee - any approach from the left is fraught with danger.

Any approach should take ample club to clear the hollows left and right of the tear-shaped green. Front and left pins should be ignored - only the lucky or very skilled will be able to get close, especially downwind. A relatively flat green is the reward for a challenging brace of shots.

The 8th /17th

A beautiful short par 3 offers some respite,with a fantastic view of Lambay although it won’t feel like that if the wind is coming from the sea. Christy O’Connor once hit every club in the bag into this hole, you might feel like you’ll need to do the same after a few rounds at Rush. Pins on the left will be made all the more accessible by the ridge running through the green. The mounding offers a backstop so don’t be afraid of going past the hole. If the pin is on the right of the bunker the only miss is short of the green - we don’t see many pars from the right hand side.

The 9th / 18th

Risk or reward for our closing hole - more suited to those who are comfortable shaping the ball right to left. A fantastic par 4 that requires real conviction from the tee. A well struck mid iron will leave a simple wedge to the green, but the temptation to go for glory is too much for most. A line tight to the left side will be rewarded with an eagle putt if the ball misses the greenside bunker. The exposed green means you’ll have wind and slope to contend with before you take refuge in the clubhouse. Almost every putt on this green will break away from the sea.

PGA Professional Dearbhla Behans Top Tips for RGC

The wind is a constant element here at Rush Golf Club so ' When it's breezy, swing it easy'.

We host a few short par 4s , but don't be fooled by taking the driver on every hole. Think about the ' Risk versus the Reward'. The links ground is hard and can cause the ball to take an unwanted bounce. A ball in play is better than a ball on the beach regardless of distance carried.

Some tee boxes are sheltered and can shield you from feeling the 'real' wind. Allow for the wind at the flag / down the fairway more than what you feel on the tee box. This will be the case on the 6th / 15th. So don't get caught out.

The 7th hole can be a daunting hole from the Men's tee box, but remember you have some room to the left once you get passed the greenkeepers area. Left is safe, right you are in the clubhouse and OB.

The 9th/ 18th hole is my favourite hole at RGC. It has made and broken score cards for many years now. The temptation of driving the ball onto the green is often a short lived dream with a bunker welcoming you for your second shot. My advice - 6 iron, wedge, putter....Home and dry with a par in the pocket.

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