March 2016 Launch

Gormanston Park

Irish FootGolf Association Course Design Guide Executive Summary

This document illustrates the design for the new footgolf course at Franciscan College, Gormanston. It explains the flow of the course with a hole-by-hole overview, makes recommendations, and describes how our design matrix maps to the course. The course is located on the grounds of Gormanston College which straddles the Meath/Dublin border along the Delvin River. The grounds are situated in leafy surrounds within short distance of the M1 half way between large population centres at Balbriggan and Drogheda. From the first raised box, the challenging holes take in the Delvin river, undulating greens, tree lined fairways and the natural topography of the land. The is 69. On some holes, particularly those over water or long par 5s, we recommend a junior tee box. The par remains the same so there is only a need for one scorecard.

Course Overview

The design makes maximum use of the River Delvin, bringing it into play on 7 holes. The 9 current well maintained greens make up half of the footgolf pin positions while the natural mounds and bumps will make up the remaining 9 holes. Lines of trees provide more than one route to tackle a hole and also narrow the wide fairways, acting as a challenge to footgolfers of all abilities. The 16th and 18th holes finish in front of the majestic castle and provide excellent photo opportunities. The signature 15th hole, a long par 5 favouring right footers off the tee and left footers on approach to a raised wedge green, surrounded on all sides by water, will be the envy of many courses countrywide. You can see the full balance of the holes below.

There are 5 holes of varying length that are perfectly balanced for left and right footed players. 6 holes favour left footed footgolfers with half of those on the front 9 and half on the back 9. There are 7 holes which are easier for right footed players spread across all three distances. Overall you can see there are no major outliers which are not countered by an opposite type of hole for the opposite footed competitor.

Hole by hole

1. Par 4

This par 4 starts on a raised tee box with the river sure to throw off a few players. It’s tight for a left footer but the approach opens out nicely. The pin is situated mong some bumps between the two large trees in the background. The castle overlooks the tee box. A net and ball retriever are needed here.

2. Par 5 The second hole is a long par 5 that opens out into expansive fairways with several bunches of trees as hazards before approaching a tricky slanted green in the back corner of the course.

3. Par 3 The first par 3 starts on another raised tee box and targets a triangle of trees so a cautious approach is needed. Open wind makes the real challenge here though as well as any over-hit shots being penalised.

4. Par 4 The first shot here is full power back towards the castle. A quick golf green means a strong second shot could end up in the water. Trees come in to play for anything hit wide left or wide right. Here is the approach.

5. Par 4 The tee box is a raised golf tee and you need it here for a powerful first shot up hill towards the trees in the distance. Positioning is key as the approach needs to come from right to left. The pin is nestled towards the row of trees.

6. Par 4 This long par 4 is split down the middle by a row of trees which allows players to go left or right off the tee. There is a two tier green which causes its own problems if the slanting hill and fence at the back of the green don’t.

7. Par 3 This is a deceptive hole. While it is a short par 3, left footers will be in danger of going too far and rolling down the hill but right footers will be tempted to cut the angle fine and could also fall foul of the tricky hill. The pin will be located right at the edge so bravery and precision will be rewarded.

8. Par 4 Another hole with the river penalising those who go gung-ho on their approach, the tee shot favours left footers slightly. Walking through two avenues of trees is picturesque but that’s all the relief players will get on this hole as another two tier green is sure to test their short game.

9. Par 4 This dogleg left starts on an old golf tee. It is very narrow with the river on one side and tree line on the other side. If the player can manage to get enough power on it to reach the open space, there is a straightforward approach but again, anything too strong could end up in the wet.

10. Par 4 At the turn, we take on a long par 4. A clean strike is needed on the tee shot in order to reach the green in two. This green slopes off on both sides and a back pin position here will really test a player’s short game.

11. Par 3 This left footed par 3 requires a strong boot off the tee and a delicate touch around the green which sits just in front of the tree lined river.

12. Par 4 This is the most challenging tee box for aspiring champions. The tee box is raised again and sits about 25 yards before the raging river. Full power and clean striking is needed to clear the water and set up a good second shot. A net will be needed with a retriever here and for that reason, we will also have a junior/women’s tee over the far side of the water. The pin can just be seen in the background.

13. Par 4 Here we have a left footed hole with the tee box placed in among the trees. A bunker guards the green and a difficult pin position near the bunker will see many more pars than birdies. The course opens out into the grounds of the castle and the pin can just be seen at the left of the red shrubbery.

14. Par 3 The final golf tee box used is for a par 3 hidden among the trees which can be attacked from left or right. It’s just a breather before Gormanston’s signature hole.

15. Par 5 This has the potential to be received as one of the best holes in the country. A full power tee shot from inside a triangle of trees aiming at the horizon between two more huge obstacles.

The second shot also needs to be full power and swing from right to left to open up the angle to attack the green. There is plenty of scope for mistakes here.

If the first two kicks have been executed flawlessly, it can still all go wrong here on the approach. A decision has to be made whether to lay up or get aggressive. The latter option has to take into account the pathway and small stream blocking the way to the green and any lapse in concentration will see the ball retriever used again as water surrounds the raised green on all sides. A true test.

16. Par 4 The final stretch sees players head towards the castle again with an open par 4 and a chance to regain a shot after the 15th. The views can be imposing and here is where galleries will gather and friends will judge their fellow player’s skills in full public view.

17. Par 4 This appears to be a simple par 4 but the trick is in the pin placement as the mounds and bumps come into play one last time to catch players out.

18. Par 3 The final hole is a left footed par 3 facing the castle which can be reached in one. Birdie chances will be plentiful and allow players to end on a high and look forward to taking on the challenge again.