New Ross Golf Club is a magnificent and mature parkland course. This 18 hole course combines stunning scenery with a challenging yet enjoyable layout.
Originally a 9 hole course, New Ross extended to 18 holes in 1995 when the course was redesigned by Des Smyth & Declan Brannigan. Since then, Gary Flood has undertaken work to reshape four of the older greens and approaches. The result is excellent. From the tee, each hole demands thought, with tree lined fairways, water hazards, fairway bunkers and out of bounds providing the challenge. For many, the real challenge begins when they get to the greens – superbly contoured and always speedy, our visitors have year after year heaped the highest praise on the condition of our greens.
The course is set on a gently rolling landscape, overlooking New Ross to the South East and the Blackstairs Mountains and Brandon Hill to the North. New Ross Golfers will tell you that the view from the 11th tee is one of the finest to be found in the South East.
Hole 1
Pro’s Tip
A tough opening tee shot with most of the trouble to the right of the fairway in the form of trees and out of bounds. A drive that finds the fairway will be rewarded with the best view of the green for the second shot. The hole doglegs slightly to the right to a green sloping from back left to front right. Any approach shot short of the pin will give the best chance of a two putt!
Hole 2
Pro’s Tip
A medium length par 3 which demands accuracy! The green is guarded by a bunker on the left side and water on the right side. The clever play is to aim for the front half of the green which will leave an uphill putt. Par is a great score here any day!
Hole 3
Pro’s Tip
A typical risk/reward hole the 3rd is one of those holes that can throw up anything! The sensible play is to lay up at the fairway bunker with a long iron/fairway wood which will set up a second shot of approximately 100 yards to a wide but shallow green with bunkers surrounding it. The longer hitters may be tempted to take this green on but it will require a long, straight drive with anything else resulting in trouble!
Hole 4
Pro’s Tip
The Index 1 hole for men and a par 5 for ladies, the 4th requires both accuracy and distance. The fairway is protected by bunkers on the right and trees on the left. Having found the fairway off the tee you are left with a long shot to the green. The green has water to the right and a bunker short left. A lot of players will lay up on the second shot, taking the water out of play and leaving an easier third shot.
Hole 5
Pro’s Tip
Picking your line off the tee is the key to the 5th hole. Just inside the fairway bunker is the ideal line, giving you a clear shot to a slightly raised green. The green slopes from back left to front right with trouble over the back of the green. The sensible shot is to play to the right half of the green, giving you an uphill putt.
Hole 6
Pro’s Tip
An accurate tee shot is the key to this tricky par 4. A long iron or fairway wood out through the gap will leave a mid iron to a green well guarded with water and sand. For the brave golfer the green is just in range off the tee but it is very important to have your line correct as water, trees and out of bounds await even the slightest stray shot.
Hole 7
Pro’s Tip
A slight dogleg to the right, the 7th hole plays back up the hill slightly. The line off the tee is the left side of the fairway allowing the contours to kick the ball back to the right. The uphill second shot is longer than it looks with the green protected by a bunker on the left. A tricky, slopey green awaits where players often rue a three or even four putt!
Hole 8
Pro’s Tip
A tough dogleg left hole with danger all the way through. The tee shot is the key to the hole as cutting the corner shortens the hole significantly, but brings the fairway bunker into play. The green has bunkers short right and to the left of the green. The green is two-tier so make sure to get your ball on the correct level to give yourself the best chance of a par.
Hole 9
Pro’s Tip
A flat par 3 which can play longer than it looks. A bunker short right of the green catches a lot of shots coming up short. The ground is well mounded which means your tee shot will have to be straight!
Hole 10
Pro’s Tip
A Par 5 which doglegs to the left on the third shot. The line off the tee is just inside the fairway bunker. Only the longest hitters will be tempted to go for the green in two so the ideal line is to lay up towards the white thorn bush. This leaves an approach shot over water and a bunker to a green sloping from back to front. Laying up in the correct spot is key to success on this hole.
Hole 11
Pro’s Tip
A picturesque hole, the 11th is one of the signature holes on the course. Don’t get distracted by the views as this par 3 is very challenging. The hole plays downhill with the green surrounded by bunkers on three sides. Anywhere on the front of the green is good here as anything long of the green will run off to the valley of sin.
Hole 12
Pro’s Tip
A lovely risk/reward par 4. Out of bounds on the right and water on the left makes this hole very tight. While some long hitters will be tempted to get as close as possible to the green the sensible play is to aim at the water at the left with a fairway wood and allow the slope to bring the ball back to the right. The green is a split level with a bunker short right. Make sure to check your yardage and choose your club correctly as any error on the second shot will be punished.
Hole 13
Pro’s Tip
A long, straight hole which gives a good chance of a birdie. The tee shot will want to kick right towards the trees so make sure to allow for this. The second shot is all about laying up to a yardage that you are comfortable with. The green slopes slightly from front to back and is protected by bunkers. Avoid going long over the green as your ball will kick forward into the trees.
Hole 14
Pro’s Tip
A par 3 that plays longer than it looks. There is out of bounds all the way down the right with a bunker guarding both sides of the green. The green slopes towards the front so a well struck iron short of the pin will set you up nicely for par.
Hole 15
Pro’s Tip
The 15th is a very demanding hole, index 1 for ladies and index 2 for men. Tight off the tee with trees on both sides of the fairway means a straight drive is a must. After finding the fairway you are left with a long second shot to an approach with a green surrounded by sand. Club selection and accuracy is vital here! The clever shot is to aim to hit onto the front right of the green giving you an uphill putt.
Hole 16
Pro’s Tip
A short par 4 covered in danger. The ideal tee shot is shaped left to right. The second shot plays downhill, but with water short right and long it is essential to choose your club correctly. The best approach is to carry the ball onto the green as anything short will gather towards the water on the right. The green slopes dramatically which means a two putt is a great result.
Hole 17
Pro’s Tip
The tee shot plays uphill to a blind landing area. The left side of the fairway is ideal as there is a fairway bunker to the right of the fairway. The second shot plays longer than the yardage suggests with the green slightly raised. Any shot landing short of this large green will want to kick right towards the greenside bunker.
Hole 18
Pro’s Tip
A long straight hole to finish, par 4 for men and par 5 for ladies. The tee shot needs to be aimed at the left side of the fairway as the natural terrain will kick the ball right towards the trees. The second shot will be long to a green that runs off at both sides. There are bunkers both sides adding to the difficulty. A tough finish with par a fantastic score.
