The setting for Galway Bay couldn’t be more idyllic. The land flows down to the sea from the highest point (the clubhouse) and views spill across the water to Galway City and The Burren.The course has been designed as a links and the barren, aesthetically shaped landscape definitely has links features: bunkers are often revetted and the glorious, raised greens are open and accessible to bump-and-run. It is a sweeping layout in two loops of nine touching the sea on two sides.
Let’s not forget the wind. There aren’t many trees here but those that exist have been bent low by the prevailing winds and indicate what may be in store.
With its superb levels of maintenance and wide fairways, Galway Bay is very playable indeed. Just mind the water features close to the sea and the many bunkers that dazzle along fairways and under greens.
There’s an elegance you might not expect, undoubtedly raising it to the top level.
Favourite Hole: the par four 12th is a brilliant, long and tough par four dogleg down to the water. The green is visible from the tee, but it sits behind a treacherous lake
What’s in the Bag? A good day for the driver… and keeping the ball low.
Click link to view full list of “DG Ireland Top 150 Courses 2016”:
http://www.destinationgolf.travel/dgireland-16/