The Leinster Hills Challenge

Having just played Leinster Hills, I have a challenge for you. Actually, it’s more of a bet. Here’s what I want you to do: take a €10 note and put it in an envelope. Now write my name on it, because if you go to Leinster Hills I have a wager for you that you can not win.

When you get to the 8th green (see photo - it doesn't do the green justice) I want you to walk up to the back, top left corner. Now, imagine that the pin is on the very front, lowest level (which is where it was when I played). I’ll give you five attempts to get the ball to stay on the same level as the pin. It can’t be done. You have two tiers to negotiate and the second is almost vertical. Your ball will simply race off the green, down the slope and into the rough. If you are playing in a competition then this is a crazy green; if you are playing for fun, then it’s good for a laugh.

I have another challenge for you too. The 18th is 400 yards long and I drove the green. Actually, I landed on it. So when you get here, see if you can do the same. I’ll let you in on a little secret: 18 is not merely a dogleg, it’s a U-leg. If there’s no one about, you can turn 90 degrees on the tee box and hit directly at the green, over the 16th.

It certainly makes for some very interesting golf. Let me know how you get on