Guide to the K-ClubSmurfit Course

K-ClubSmurfit Course/Hole by hole guide: 1 449 yards, par four. The professionals must make a choice here, whether to hit driver and bring into play the bunkers on the left or three wood; the latter option would leave a long shot to a large and severely undulating green.

2 179 yards, par three. Much will depend on the pin placement here. If it's tucked in on the left then anything past the pin is going to leave a tricky downhill putt. The cavernous bunker in front will only be for those who catch it fat.

3 603 yards, par five. The wind will determine how difficult this hole will be. It's 312 yards to clear the bunker on the left with traps on either side in play. It's an easy three-shot hole with the premium placed on being accurate with the second for those laying-up.

4 394 yards, par four. It's about 70 yards shorter as the crown flies but it's all carry over water with the risk factor far outweighing possible reward. Most players will elect to lay up with an iron leaving them with a tricky wedge shot to a sharply sloping green.

5 403 yards, par four. This will generally play into the wind but the pros probably won't need anything more than a short iron. It's all carry to an elevated green and anything that comes up short will be severely punished, tumbling into a large bunker.

6 436 yards, par four. Too far right and sand awaits while it's 288 yards to clear the bunkers on the left. Precision off the tee paves the way for a second shot where the player will not be able to see the bottom of the pin. Right yardage crucial.

7 600 yards, par five. One of the signature holes. If they stick the tee all the way back then this is in all probability a three-shot hole for all but the longer hitters. Water right for anything that's blocked. No more than a wedge for the third to a large, sloping green.

8 144 yards, par three. It really depends on where the pin is positioned. There are several severe slopes on this green and any downhill putt is fraught with problems. The green is guarded by a huge bunker at the front but putting is really the key here.

9 464 yards, par four. It's sayonara to anything that's pulled left here as trees are no more than eight paces from the rough. It's 310 to carry the bunker on the right, the landing area narrows at that point. Big green awaits for a middle iron.

10 551 yards, par five. This is a definite eagle/birdie opportunity but the green is narrow and protected on the left by water. It's less daunting going in with a wedge but there should be plenty willing to gamble on making it in two shots, the bunker back right possibly the favoured option.

11 365 yards, par four. The hole is very much uphill but most of the professionals will elect to hit three wood or an iron here. It's an elevated green but this hole really does constitute an excellent birdie opportunity, providing the player can avoid sand off the tee.

12 214 yards, par three. The most difficult of the short holes, much will depend on the pin position here. The most straightforward will be back right but if it's cut in the middle, then it could end up in a valley that'll make it a tough two putt.

13 468 yards, par four. The water on the right all the way down the hole shouldn't really be in play for all but a block. The ideal line is probably to cut the ball off the bunkers on the left to the middle of the fairway; can't overdo it. Long iron in over water to a green that slopes from back to front.

14 394 yard, par four. Assuming that the pro hits the fairway then it's all about the right club for the second shot to a sharply elevated, undulating green. Above the hole here and the player is in real three-putt territory.

15 376 yard, par four. This one should be pretty straight forward for the professionals, likely to be straight downwind and an opportunity to leave little more than a lob wedge. Some may elect to hit an iron or even a three wood to leave a full shot.

16 457 yard, par four. The tee shot here is about picking a line over the water and not biting off too much. The ideal line is down the left, a brave shot, and then the second must negotiate water to a green that slopes from back to front. Potential card wrecker.

17 202 yards, par three. If the pin is tucked in on the left of this green, the wind is blowing a little then it'll really be a test of players' mental fortitude as the ball must travel all the way to the green over water. The sensible shot is the hit the middle of the green and use the contours.

18 578 yards, par five. The longer hitters will be in a position to take this green on in two, although the second shot to this island green will probably require a carry of about 250 yards. The tee shot is about choosing the correct line over water. Classic risk reward; an excellent closing hole.