Dungarvan Golf Club, Co. Waterford

I doubt there are many golf courses in the world who have had to relocate as many times as Dungarvan Golf Club. First founded in the early 1920’s, the original 9-hole links had to find a new home due to coastal erosion in 1929. They moved to an area called Clonea. However, in 1936, when the lease was not being renewed, the search began again.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 001 The view from the 18th green back down towards the fairway — The view from the 18th green back down towards the fairway

In 1939, a new 9-hole course was opened in Ballinacorthy, where the outbreak of war unfazed the golfing fans of the area. During the late 1980’s, with the likelihood that the club needed to expand to 18 holes, the search was on yet again. In 1993 the club moved to its current location and is still happily there today.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 002 A little tester of a par 3 on the 13th hole — A little tester of a par 3 on the 13th hole

Being a part of the popular ‘Dungarvan Golf Triangle’, along with Gold Coast and West Waterford, it’s a must play for anyone who is in the that part of the country. I was there for a short trip, so of course I had to play it!

Below is my review of Dungarvan Golf Club.

Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

What Dungarvan does really well in my opinion is to take holes that could be a bit monotonous and add a little spice to them. In a few cases I found myself taking a fairway wood off the tee to ensure I didn’t reach a strategically placed lake! It cost me on distance, and I had a longer shot into the green for my approach, but it was a good tactical course defence system!

Par 3’s

The par 3’s are a good test! Two of them are more than 180 yards. Another was only 117 but with lots of danger you need to take a deep breath before teeing off! The 8^th hole is a great hole playing long and with water in front the knees were definitely shaking on the tee box!

Dungarvan Golf Club - 003 The 8th hole needs an accurate and well struck tee shot — The 8th hole needs an accurate and well struck tee shot

Par 4’s

As mentioned above, holes that could be seen as mundane are transformed by strategic placement of water hazards. On holes 7, 9, and 10, you need to be mindful of your carry distances with driver to make sure you don’t veer slightly offline and end up in the lakes. It adds a little bit of thinking to the mix which I always think is good on courses.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 004 The 7th hole is one where you need to be mindful of water off the in the landing area — The 7th hole is one where you need to be mindful of water off the in the landing area

Par 5’s

The par 5’s are holes that give you birdie chances with little risk. Except for the last hole! You need to play that one carefully due to the water in front. But the others you can have a go at and if you play a bad shot you aren’t punished too much. It is nice to see some holes which are a little forgiving especially after getting through the section from 7-10 with the water hazards.

The highlight of the course layout for me was holes 11 to 14. These all run alongside the estuary and you’re always mindful of the water or OOB on the left when playing them. You have a lovely variety of holes in that little stretch also where no two holes are the same.

Course condition (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

The condition of the course was immaculate when I played it. Fairways were being cut the same day and we remarked that they didn’t even look like they needed a cut. But it showed the level of commitment to the course the green keeping staff had.

Greens were beautiful. They rolled nicely and there were no jumps or bounces of the ball on them.

The bunkers had plenty of sand and you could easily play a nice splash shot out of them. They were hazards but fair hazards.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 008 Bunkers had a nice amount of sand in them and it was easy to play a good splash from them — Bunkers had a nice amount of sand in them and it was easy to play a good splash from them

All in all the presentation of the course was very good. I had absolutely no faults with how it looked or how it played on the day.

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆)

In the course there is a clubhouse where you will find the bar, restaurant, and pro-shop. The pro-shop, run by head professional David Hayes, was well stocked and was quite large.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 009 The clubhouse where you will find the pro-shop, restaurant and bar area — The clubhouse where you will find the pro-shop, restaurant and bar area

We ventured up to the bar to have a coffee after the round and we found a nice outside sitting area on the balcony where you can overlook the 18^th green. Nice to sit and watch the approach shots to the final green over the water!

Dungarvan Golf Club - 010 The view from the balcony out to the 18th green — The view from the balcony out to the 18th green

For practice areas, there is a putting green close to the first tee, and some hitting nets which are slightly hidden off the 9^th fairway.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 011 The putting green close to the 1st tee — The putting green close to the 1st tee

Dungarvan Golf Club - 012 The hitting nets located off the 9th fairway — The hitting nets located off the 9th fairway

Price (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Dungarvan Golf Club has a large variety of options available for green fees. The maximum you will pay is €30 at the weekend on peak times. But there are also cheaper rates available if you play with a member or if you take part in one of their open days.

For the rates to play the course please click here.

Setting & Course location (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

Located about 5km from Dungarvan the golf course is easily accessible if staying in the town. The 11^th, 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th holes all run alongside the estuary and are great looking holes.

For the location on Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

Dungarvan Golf Club was a pleasure to play. The condition was superb, the price was incredibly low, the layout was good. I really feel like this course doesn’t get the attention it deserves. In particular I enjoyed how holes that look like they would be straight forward holes suddenly become challenging and required more thought into playing them. Whether it was because of the strategic water hazards, or because of a slight dog leg in the fairway, it was a great way of making the course more enjoyable.

Dungarvan Golf Club - 013 My Dad and I playing the 2nd hole — My Dad and I playing the 2nd hole

For me, I will definitely be back to play the course again. And I would recommend anyone considering it to also go and play as it’s hard to find a course in as good condition for such a low price.