Spanish Point

This nine hole links course has several moments of quirk and unique, fun golf holes but still has a few moments of quality too.

You will find greens sited on plateaus, nestled in dunes and a couple of crazy par-threes to finish with – what’s not to love!

Spanish Point isn’t great golf and at times is fairly rudimentary but the first, third, seventh, eight and ninth are worthy of the modest green fee.

You must endure an unusual walk back to the first tee before playing to a flattish fairway but the approach is incredible to a semi-blind green hidden at the foot of a towering dune. The third is a bit of a slog for the first part but it comes alive around the green which is perched on a plateau with a deep depression just before it and a pair of bunkers cut into the face of it for company.

The seventh is an outrageous hole in all truth. It climbs significantly uphill and doglegs to the right and the green at the top of a giant sandhill is virtually impossible to hold.

Then the back to back short holes to finish with sum up Spanish Point to a tee. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but is a joy to play. The yardage for the nine holes is just 2,665 and par is 34.

The course was omitted from the True Links book but undoubtedly should have been included.

Most people will race past Spanish Point on their way from Lahinch to Tralee or vice-versa and whilst I wouldn’t necessarily recommend pulling into the car park and stopping, if you do have the time and a sense of adventure then why not!