The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club remains a links masterpiece on Ireland's western shores

LAHINCH, COUNTY CLARE, Ireland -- The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club is a century-old links masterpiece on the Emerald Isle's western shores. The club was established in 1892 and Old Tom Morris redesigned the golf course in 1894. Alister MacKenzie came along in 1927 and made it into the marvel now known as the "St. Andrews of Ireland."

The club remained largely unchanged until 1999, when it embarked on a multi-year restoration project. The most famous hole here is one of its shortest: No. 5, aka the "Dell," which plays to a shallow, wide green nestled between two dunes. The tee shot is completely blind and only an aiming stone offers any advice as to the location of the pin.

Lahinch is also home to the Castle Course, which was built in the 1960s and plays around Castle Dough across the street from the Old Course.

Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 4

The par-5 fourth hole on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club is only 472 yards but plays downhill to a green set alarmingly close to a boundary wall.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 2

The second tee on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club offers a great view of town and the surrounding hills.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course

The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 4

A narrow valley between dunes greets golfers on Klondyke, the fourth hole on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course

The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 5

It's a blind shot off the tee on no. 5, the Dell hole, on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course

The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - fifth green

The fifth green on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club is shielded by dunes.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 6

The Mine bunker lurks off the sixth hole on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - sixth green

The sea arrives in full force at the sixth green on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course

The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.

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Lahinch G.C. - Old Course

The Old Course at Lahinch G.C. in County Clare, Ireland.

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Lahinch Golf Club - Old Course - hole 12

On the par-5 12th hole on the Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club, your line is Castle Dough in the distance. Miss left and you could find yourself on the beach.

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