Beech Park Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland

Hole 5

The fifth is a par 4 hole that well deserves its status as Beech Park’s index 1 hole. From the Medal tee a driver is essential if the green is to be reached in two shots. Yet the drive must be threaded between the two great beech trees that guard the entrance to the fairway.

Any faded drive is thrown away to the right by the lie of the land, into the lateral water hazard that runs the length of the hole.

A drive that is hit with a little too much draw settles down behind a line of massive lime trees that then tempt the foolhardy player into thinking that he can carry the trees and still make the green. Perhaps one day such a miracle shot will be witnessed in Beech Park.