The Curious Case of Cruit Island An Unforgettable Stroll at an Unforgettable Course Daniel Jones 6 Minute Read “If you lose a golf ball at Cruit Island, it might end up in Newfoundland.” This sort of wit was common as my colleague, Connor Evers, and I explored the golf courses in Northwest Ireland. …
Cruit Island Golf Club
Course Guide
- Club Founded: 1986
- Par 34
- 2809 Yards
- Designer: Michael Doherty
- Pronounced "Critch"
- Pro Tip: Leave Driver in the bag on hole #3
Nearby Courses
Course Description
The single-lane path that leads to Cruit Island Golf Club feels like it's bound for the edge of the earth. For the better part of three miles, the road twists and turns its way over blind knolls, across a narrow bridge, past a shipwreck, and up the length of the island. The further one travels on the path, the more unlikely it seems that a golf course lies at the end of it. Eventually, a nondescript sign tells visitors that the course truly exists. But for most, that feeling of disbelief is only just beginning.
Cruit Island (pronounced “Critch”) was built in the 1980’s and designed by Michael Doherty, the head professional at the City of Derry Golf Club. The 9-hole course measures to just 2800 yards and carries a par of 34. When it comes to the story of Cruit Island, however, these bullet point facts hardly touch the surface.
The 1st tee at Cruit Island unveils much of the layout and a jagged peninsula that appears completely ill-suited for golf. After launching the opening tee shot across the entrance road–a car horn will signal oncoming traffic–a survey of the thrashing North Atlantic makes one thing abundantly clear: on this day, golf is secondary to setting.
Cruit Island – Golf at the Edge of the Earth
The 3rd hole is where Cruit Island begins to leave a permanent mark on traveling golfers. The drive on the short par-4 is completely blind. From the crest of the ridge, the fairway tumbles down to a tiny green that’s guarded in front by three bunkers. At first glance, the putting surface appears to be falling into the sea. Beyond, a rocky archipelago takes the brunt of the crashing waves, while the peak of Errigal looms in the distance. The sensation of cresting the ridge to discover this panorama is almost unrivaled in golf across the pond.
In addition to the 3rd, a quick Google of Cruit Island is certain to yield scores of photos of the par-3 6th hole. The tee box is on a thin peninsula that juts into the Atlantic, while the green sits on a similar, if larger, finger of land. In-between, There’s roughly 120 yards of crashing waves and rocky cliffs, shaped by millions of years by fire, water, and ice. The hole measures just 137 yards, but can easily play over 200 depending on the wind.
Cruit Island is the kind of place that defies the English language. There simply aren’t enough adjectives to do it proper justice. Yet the 6th hole offers a perfect summary of the experience: it’s equal parts spectacular, preposterous, and unforgettable. And it’s worth every minute of the journey to the edge of the earth.
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