The bridge that rose over the River Nore,

Adjoined estates for Mount Juliet's core.

Centuries past and history has found,

A story of love, the families it bound.

Fifteen hundred acres invites all that is keen,

To walk through Mother Nature where everything is green.

Whether golf, fish, or walk, there is much to see,

And of course to eat, there is Afternoon Tea.

Ballylinch Castle.  Seat for the family Butler (owner of the Kilkenny Castle), or the Earls of Carrick, from 1700 to 1897.   It would be directly across the river from the castle, on the west bank, that Somerset Hamilton Butler, the first Earl of Carrick, would build a great house for his newly wed wife.  The “new” estate would be named Julianna.  With stunning views and acreage of land, it would soon become the home of the Earl, and his lovely wife, better known as Juliet.  He would then extend an eight-arch stone bridge to connect the two properties.

Bridge over the River Nore

Julianna Boyle was the daughter of the Earl of Shannon.  She was but a teenager when she married Somerset, moving in with the family at Ballylinch Castle. In times of arranged marriages, it was clearly evident that the two had a love story for the ages.  Julianna brought to the relationship, a dowery of £5000, equal to millions of dollars/euros/pounds in today’s currency.  Within a few years of marriage, the property across the street went up for sale, and with the nuptials finances, the couple bought and renovated what would become Mount Juliet.  This would be home of the Carrick’s for the next 140 years.

Original interior mixed in with modern luxury - Manor House

By the 19th century, the family Carrick’s had become financially strained, and all of the estates, with the exception of Mount Juliet would be sold.  However, by 1909, the upkeep became too much for the family to bear and the final estate would be sold to the McCalmont family, Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont and his wife Rose Bingham.  With a taste for luxury, and money to spend, the couple renovated the great house, installing many of the chimneys that still stand today.

Manor House

The Mount Juliet bus that will take you different areas of the property (hotel review here)

Arriving at Mount Juliet, the hotel, wasn’t exactly the experience that you hear about.  There was no one there to grab luggage, no welcome until you got to the office, and the staff was equivocally unaccommodating.  Even the initial communication via email, and phone, was beyond lacking.  As a Platinum member, a “suite” upgrade request had been made well in advance, to which ended in just a larger bed, the room overlooking mown grounds that extended to the parking lot.  But… since this is the course review, let’s not take valuable space, as the golf facilities and staff could not have been any nicer, more inviting, and the reason I would return.  A full hotel review here.

The new clubhouse at Mount Juliet captures the history and the modern era of golf.

Teeing off at Mount Juliet, you just know you are in for a pleasant and luxurious walk through the best that Irish nature has to offer.

Back side of the clubhouse en route to the 1st tee

Let’s play the course!

The first hole at Mount Juliet is a long par 4, but with a proper drive off the tee, is very welcoming for an opening hole.  A stream passes through after the tee, which really should not be in play.  Line up to the inside corner of the bunkers on the left and let your breath out.  The fairway gently rolls so uphill, downhill, sidehill lies are possible, but they are calm out of the gate.  Entry into the green is best from the left, but do watch the two green-side bunkers.  The parkland fairway is cut perfectly for you to follow!

Opening hole sets the tone - from the tee at #1

A dogleg right welcomes you on hole 2.  A mid-range par 4, the drive is the key.  It is a fair carry over a pesky little pond of water of the tee.  The narrower part of the hazard is to the left so if distance is in question, just aim a bit to that side, perhaps pick an area of the trees ahead.  You will be just fine!  The land area narrows so be aware.  Favor the left side if you can as therein lies the entry into the green.  Whether you are coming in high or bumping it in the low, the green slopes right to left.

Mount Juliet’s claimed signature hole - #3.  This par 3 is sublimely serene, tranquil and peaceful.  The tee is tucked into the trees, quieting everything around, with the exception of the            bird.  The hole sets up directly over a swan pond.  Though not overly long, it can play into the wind.  Check your club selection and make sure you have enough for the middle of the green.  A silly little bunker lives at the back of the green and to the right, just be mindful. This is a birdie hole so play it as such!  Then listen to the birds as you walk off the green. What a gift it is.      

Utter peace and tranquility on hole #3

Mount Juliet’s claimed signature hole - #3.  This par 3 is sublimely serene, tranquil and peaceful.  The tee is tucked into the trees, quieting everything around, with the exception of the            bird.  The hole sets up directly over a swan pond.  Though not overly long, it can play into the wind.  Check your club selection and make sure you have enough for the middle of the green.  This is a birdie hole so play it as such!  Then listen to the birds as you walk off the green. What a gift it is.     

Pretty hole after pretty hole.  The 4th is a very manageable par 4 as long as you hug the left side of the fairway.  It is narrow but shorter so a driver is not necessary.  A good play might be a 3 wood or hybrid off the tee.  A sneaky water hazard creeps in short and to the right of the green.  The course is usually very lush so the putting surface will be receptive.  The ball will break left to right and back to front.  Oh… and listen for the Irish cows in the background!        

Tip from Jack from the tee at #4

Long and well bunkered but wide for the drive.  The 5th hole is a cheeky par 5.  Your target should be left center so align your feet left of your target line, club at the target and trust your swing. Visualize the shape of shot you want to hit and swing.  Work the second shot up the fairway toward the green.  There are a series of sand traps that dot and cross the fairway about 100 yards from the green.  Smart play, unless you have a cannon for a 3 wood, is to lay up short for a 110 yard shot onto the putting surface.

Bunkers beware at the 5th

Benign but big, the sixth is a score buster of a par 3, even if it doesn’t look like it.  There is a green-side bunker right but that is really the only obstacle, except yardage.  Take the longer of two clubs if you are in question, the putting surface is large, receptive.  A good miss if short as long can get into the bushes.

Slight bend in the road upcoming.  A dogleg to the right, with a little slope up gives the 7th hole character and strength.  Stay left of the end of the tree line out in the distance.  The mower lines map the direction impeccably so just follow the lines.  Annoying and irksome, a pot bunker dissects the fairway closer to the postage sizes green ahead.  Add a club or two for the slope.

Big and bold, just like a fine cabernet.  The fairway at the 8th is wide with a launch pad for a tee box. Grip the club at the very end, widen your stance an inch, balance your set up, and let it fly. Down the hill the ball will go to the landing area a wee bit below!  The second shot need to favor the right side of the fairway for a as a dogleg right starts about 100 yards out.  The green is favorable to taking it high so play for that.

Rounding the front nine is a gentle par 4.  The ninth is straight but has a left to right slope that definitely comes into play off the tee. Hit it down the left side of the fairway for a mid-iron to hybrid into the green.  It is the longest par 4 on the front so keep that top of mind.  It will take all the yardage in your bag.

The Mount Juliet pheasant and sand bags to go!

The “turn” comes back to the clubhouse so any extra golf balls, water, food - is available.  For a cute picture, the Mount Juliet pheasant is on the side of the clubhouse as you pass by, as is the “wall of sand.”If you are out, grab a new one and move on your merry way.

As a par 5, the designer has more room to add flavor and texture, and he certainly did here.  Nicklaus pulled out all of the stops on the hole.  A stone wall wanders down the right side, providing an ancient feel to an otherwise modern golf course.  Wide and generous is the landing area for the tee shot, with a slightly uphill carry.  This suggests driver, and a big one.  You then have a decision to make as the fairway divides about 75 yards from the green.  A grouping of trees stands guard in the middle of the fairway.  Left is longer but offers a clear shot into the green.  Right is shorter but requires precision and length to fly over a series of green-side bunkers.  Which ever way you choose, think of your short game as you may have to rely on it.  Suggestion is to work the hole left.

The right side approach on 10 - lighting makes it look gloomy!

How can you not love a short hole that demands a proper golf shot?  Any good designer knows that putting “stuff” in the peripheral and direct vision of the golfer will taunt them to swing harder, or come out of the shot early.  This is all that and a bag of balls!  All uphill to a three-tiered green with a surface that slopes left to right.  Add a club, figuring distance to the middle of the green.  If you make the putt, excellent!  Par is also a fantastic score on this wee hole.

Par 3 - 11th - all carry and chance for birdie

From the 12th tee, this hole is a welcome sight as it is fairly straightforward and wide open, even though there is a blind aspect to it.  Pick a spot that splits the fairway and trust that the ball will end up where you need it to be.  The green is huge, almost 40 yards deep, so keep your focus and aim to the middle of the surface.  It is a mid-size hole, with not a lot of trouble, so enjoy it!

Ahhhh…the 13th at Mount Juliet.  Though #3 is their signature hole, several of the next six holes very well could be, starting here.  A longer par 4 that boasts a decent area for landing with a fairly open view to the green.  Keeping it left will allow grant a slightly better view to the pin, but make sure you look at the yardage book.  If you have a big club in your bag, there is a chance that the downslope can kick you toward the water that stretches out about 50 yards before the green, surrounding it.  If you need a few shots to get to the pond, be okay with that and set yourself up for a short shot in.  And remember, there is nothing in front of you.  Believe in you!

The green at the 13th - beautiful detailing

Just a stunning par 3 welcomes you at 14.  A stream crosses the fairway, providing ambience and peace, rather than an obstacle.  The green is surrounded by sand, clamoring you to take aim left center of the green.  The putting surface curls back on the right side, leaving a very small area to land the ball, so even if the pin is tucked in position right, call it a “sucker pin” and take target left.  It is a longer hole, so play your strategy, and if short of the bunkers is in the cards, that is okay!  You can still make par.

The stream at the 14th

Chance for birdie comes at the 15th with a short par 4.  Proper club selection off the tee is the key to success.  Check the yardage and choose a club that will land short of fairway end, about 65 yards from the green, thought best to stay about 75 - 80 yards back. The approach is over a trickle of bunkers to a very large green.  Beware of the false front and aim to the middle of the green.

A mid range par 4 is next at the 16th.  Deep and grump take residence on the right side of the fairway, so picking a spot to the left off the tee is ideal.  If you can note the rock wall that forms around the backside of the green, take aim at the far left edge.  Between the wall and the green is a large waste area.  Overhitting the surface on approach is not the worst thing so club accordingly.

The 17th is a stinger of a par 5 complete with water down the left hand side.  You are over four hours into the round, most likely, and the arms and legs are tired.  There are two holes to go, both of which will ask for your full attention.  For this hole, prime position off the tee is to the right of the tree on the left side of the fairway.  This will set up the second shot.  Yardage is the key.  A solid drive off the tee affords possibility of hitting the green in two; however, a string of bunkers protects the putting surface.  Be aware of positioning and you will be just fine.

Beauty at the 18th - epic final hole at Mount Juliet

Hard not to find favor with the 18th hole as the attention to detail is immense.  Water all along the left side, with large wispy cattail like fronds blowing in the breeze.  Right side of the fairway is necessary for any shot into to the green.  And it is long.  Remember with most parkland courses, the ball doesn’t run as much so trust the driver as distance is needed.  The green is protected by a bunker left.  If you cannot get to the green in tow, lay up to the right and bring it in with your short game.