Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet itself has been around for much longer than the golf course. The estate dates back to 1757, thanks to the first Earl of Carrick.  The great Jack Nicklaus was the man behind the golf course at Mount Juliet, and in 1991, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course opened.   The course achieved championship status just a couple of years later. 1993 saw the Irish Open move to Mount Juliet for a three-year period, where Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer (opens in a new tab) and Sam Torrance were victorious. It returned in 2021, with Lucas Herbert taking victory. Poland’s Adrian Meronk won the last Irish Open to be hosted at Mount Juliet, in 2022.   The venue also played host to the WGC-American Express Championship when the tournament was on its European leg in the early 2000s. Tiger Woods (opens in a new tab) and Ernie Els (opens in a new tab) were the two men to have won when the World Golf Championships were at Mount Juliet.

The golf course at Mount Juliet is one of just ten Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses in the United Kingdom, and one of just two that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list alongside Killeen Castle. Some might say that Mount Juliet is not your typical Irish course, but with water on six holes and 80 bunkers dotted around the property, it is still a challenge for golfers of all abilities.  The Par 72 course is 7,200 yards long from the tips and provides a real test. It begins with a pair of par 4s, the first of which is gentle enough at just 360 yards. Things start to get interesting at the 3rd hole, which is one of three at Mount Juliet which are mentioned in the book ‘1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die’. It is a 180-yard par 3, all of which must be carried over water to a small green.  The course starts to wind through the trees more from that point on, with narrow fairways on both the 4th and 5th – the latter of which is the opening par 5 at Mount Juliet. From the tips, the par 6 plays over 220 yards, with the 7th and 9th to come, both of which are par 4s of more than 420 yards from the back tees. The 8th is the longest hole on the property, clocking in at 600 yards, playing as a dog-leg right. There is no danger by the green, but there are plenty of bunkers in the lay-up zone, so make sure to get your distances right.   The back nine opens with another par 5, and another dog-leg right. The approach to the 10th plays around or over a group of trees, depending on where you lay up to. The green is also surrounded by sand, with seven traps awaiting anything slightly miscued. 11 is the shortest hole at Mount Juliet and is followed by two more tough par 4s. The 12th has a slight turn to the left, with 13 going the opposite way. There is no danger on the tee shot – that all comes into play on your approach to the green.   “The water hazard surrounding the elevated green at 13 is beautiful. The green is built up and framed by rough brick, and the hazard below acts as a horseshoe, nearly surrounding the putting surface.” – Jeff Barr in ‘1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die’  The par 3 14th marks the start of the closing stretch at Mount Juliet, and one that is very tough. Playing close to 200 yards from the tips, the green is surrounded by four large bunkers. 15 provides a touch of respite, before the final three holes. The 16th has a walled green with sand around the entirety of the back of the green, while 17 is the last par 5. There is a large tree in the centre of the fairway which can get in the way of your second shot. There are also nine bunkers to contend with as you get closer to the green. The closing hole brings water into play for one final time. Anything left off the tee will lead to you reaching for another golf ball. Find the fairway on the 18th and you will be looking at hitting a mid or long iron into a narrow green.

Dove Jones: One of the best settings anywhere.

Ed Battye: A typical big & bold, modern ‘championship’ golf course. Certainly a tough challenge with lush semi-rough and water on numerous holes.

Michael Atkinson: Some really quirky and stand out holes like the par 5 10th, beautifully maintained.

Mike Hyde: Golf shouldn't necessarily always be relaxing but Mount Juliet is just an indulgent place to play golf. Some great holes - 3, 10, 13 and 18 in particular. Playable off the tee but plenty of danger about.

Read more about our panellists here (opens in a new tab).

Where is Mount Juliet located?  
Mount Juliet sits in the southeastern part of Ireland, in County Kilkenny. It is just a few miles off the M9, between Stoneyford and Thomastown. Waterford, Kilkenny and Clonmel are the nearest cities, all within 45 minutes from Mount Juliet.    The biggest and busiest airport in the country – Dublin Airport – is around 90 miles to the northeast, about a 90-minute drive. Mount Juliet is within three miles of Thomastown Railway Station. Thomastown is on the line that operates between Kildare and Waterford Plunkett, with regular trains each day. Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
Mount Juliet is one of several venues on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list that is within a 90-minute drive of the Irish capital to its south. Carlow is 25 miles away, and the nearest course to Mount Juliet. Royal Curragh is 60 miles north, while The European Club is around 75 miles away, on the eastern coastline.
What golf facilities does Mount Juliet offer?  
Along with the championship golf course, Mount Juliet also is host to The Academy. This is made up of a sheltered driving range, with all bays using the latest TopTracer technology.  The range also has a row of grass tees in front of the building so during the summer, golfers can play off the same turf.  The Academy also has a short game area and putting green to allow for players to work on their games before taking on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. The Academy also plays host to a dedicated Callaway Fitting Studio and Odyssey Fitting Suite. These can help players get the right clubs for their game and their swing, to help them improve quickly.  
What are the green fees at Mount Juliet?  
The price of a green fee at Mount Juliet changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.   For more information on current green fees at Mount Juliet, visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   You can check out our full piece on the Mount Juliet Resort here. Visit Mount Juliet's website here (opens in a new tab). Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.