Lough Erne Resort Faldo Course
7167 YARDSPAR 72
Designer: Nick Faldo
When I first played the Faldo Course at the Lough Erne (pronounced “LOCK EARN”) Resort I must say I was prepared to be unimpressed as I have been with nearly every other inland course in Ireland. What a shock then when near the end of the round I realized I’d never played another course quite like it. The setting is spectacular. Perched on a peninsula of a large lake amid the hills of Northern Ireland with 11 holes on the water, the view from the sixth green, the highest point on the course, is breathtaking on a clear day.
The fairways are rock hard and links like. That day I played was preceded by 24 hours of mostly rain to the point where my drives would have plugged on a typical inland course. But at Lough Erne they chased on like I was playing the links of nearby Donegal or Rosses Point. My fairway divots were sandier than those I gouged out on a famous links course a few days later. By contrast, the Faldo greens are softer and more forgiving than links greens yet still a bit firmer than a typical inland course.
The holes are distinct and memorable with nary a mediocre one in the bunch. While I didn’t take any notes during the round, over lunch after play I described every single shot on every hole to my playing companion, my brother, Mycroft. Since he had witnessed every one, my recitation would have bored him no end except that he was able to interject his own terribly humorous comments about my numerous bad ones. My primary problem? All the water on the course lies to the right of the fairway attracting rather like a magnet the stiff back fades I’ve developed in my senior years.
I find at my advanced age the ability to remember a course that well is one of the best indications of its quality. I was most impressed with the fifth, a lovely par three that requires a mid iron carry over the lough. The seventh, a dramatic downhill par four that entices the big hitters to go for broke. The ninth, a superb three shot par five that bends right along the lough. The tenth, a classic risk/reward short par four with a peninsula green built into the lough. And then there’s the most unusual finish which the locals call “the Faldo Challenge”. It’s pars 5/4/3 played along the lake usually into the wind back towards the luxurious hotel. Anyone who scores net birdies on all three receives a prize from the resort and I’m told very few are awarded. I’ve yet to net pars on all three.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Ireland, visit the links below, read our Ireland golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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