Mount Juliet

It is certainly a tough challenge with lush semi-rough, vast bunkers and water on numerous holes providing the main test.

Mount Juliet is a Jack Nicklaus Signature parkland course and stretches to 7,264-yards if you are brave enough to tackle it from the back tees. Par is a rather energy sapping 73 which includes five par 5s.

Its credentials as a test for the best is not in question. Tiger Woods was triumphant when a World Golf Championship was staged here in 2002 whilst Ernie Els won the same event two years later. Other notable winners at the venue include Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Lucas Herbert and Sam Torrance who all claimed Irish Open titles.

For the amateur golfers there are some  interesting holes early. I particularly enjoyed the snaking 2nd, the short 3rd and tricky 4th. From here on though you must have a much better long game than myself to be able to enjoy this lengthy layout. The back-to-back par fives to end the round do provide a dramatic finish though with water in play at both.

Ultimately, Mount Juliet is very good at what is designed to be but failed to inspire me personally for the most part.