Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington officially launched the Marlay Putting Green in Dublin on Friday and hopes families from nine to ninety who have never played golf before will use this free facility to get started in the game.

This new free public amenity aims to attract new audiences to golf and provide a place for everyone to meet and have fun.

The Marlay Putting Green is located in Dublin’s Marlay Park beside the new Boules Court and has been designed to provide an enjoyable golfing experience for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The putting green has been constructed in a sustainable manner to conserve resources and can be easily accessed from all parts of the Park.

“Three years ago we had this idea that we would build a putting green,” Harrington said. “It’s immensely easy for people to do and it is very satisfying, for beginners particularly. And yet, as we know, when you become an accomplished golfer it’s actually hardest thing to do.

“So I wanted to build something that beginners would come along and not be afraid of, have a bit of fun, no rules or regulations in the sense that you could come on here in your jogging gear and your t-shirt and shorts. Anything you really like. The only thing we’re stopping is football boots or something like that.

“So somewhere you can have a bit of fun and don’t get too stressed. And hopefully people will enjoy it. And maybe if people enjoy it they might say ‘you know what, we might try the par-3 course’ which is only a hundred yards away. And if they like that they might advance to golf so it is just to introduce people in a less pressurised, fun environment.

“And know these greens are popping up all over the world at the moment. Not this idea, but a huge amount of putt-putt (crazy golf) courses. They are all there to sell alcohol and drink. This is just for sheer fun, for the kids. So I’m hoping people bring their kids along and enjoy it. From nine to 90.”

The Marlay Park green is highly sophisticated with huge humps and hollows. But it’s “just a concept.” Harrington said.

“There were putting greens in a lot of parks over the years. I did a putting green in St Luke’s (Hospital in Rathgar) when my dad was convalescing there with his cancer and they loved it. It’s still there. It’s just a very pleasant thing to do, putting. It’s nice and calm and a bit of fun. Mind you, this green isn’t so calm but it is a very enjoyable pastime that doesn’t take a lot of effort. So everybody can do it. I’m looking forward to people coming and trying it but what would really please me is people coming back. The repeat use will be success to me. There is no constraint on ability. You can come and enjoy it and there is no judgement.”

it’s all free and Harrington is only too happy to help.

“My sponsors pay me handsomely so everything I have ever done in Ireland for the public always has to be free,” Harrington said. “Wherever I do my talks and things like that, they are all for charity or free of charge because I do very well out of my sponsors. Every logo you see on my jacket and things like that, I am doing so well that they are encouraging me to give back and anything I can do like this in Ireland I don’t want anyone else to pay. It’s not about me making money and it’s difficult enough for the park because they have built it and they now have to sustain it. Long-term the par-3 will be tied in to managing this because there is a bit of management involved. The biggest key is that it is a free facility.”

As for the standard of the green, Harrington said: “Yeah, it is probably a little too high a standard. It is exceptional how good it is now. This at the moment will be limited use. For the moment we will have to monitor and see how the green can handle the volume of people playing.

“It is in very good condition. I wouldn’t always envision it being that good. It is pretty tough, you want something that is quite robust so I would be more thinking wintergreen than summer green. Something that can take a lot of winter traffic, something like the Himalayas in St Andrew’s which is very robust. I think it is going to open three or four days a week for the moment and then we will see how we get on from there.”

The key is that it’s all about fun.

“We’re here a while and we see people trying it out, having a few putts, and that’s the thing,” he said. “There is a set pattern to go around the course. There is 18 holes and people when it’s busy will play that but at the moment you can see people have a go at the more adventurous putts and that’s what we expect if it is quiet. You’re there to have fun.”

Councillor Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach at Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said: "Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is dedicated to maintaining and developing the very best in publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities to the citizens of the county and is very proud of this new partnership with Padraig Harrington, one of Ireland’s greatest sports stars. We look forward to welcoming all ages and abilities to the Marlay Putting Green."

Harrington worked closely with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who provided the site and will manage and operate the green. John Clarkin’s team at Turfgrass® provided their expertise in construction and agronomy and worked alongside Atlantic Golf Construction in the build of the putting green.

The project was funded by the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation together with the assistance of a golf development grant from The R&A, and also a grant from Golf Ireland, supported by Sport Ireland’s special projects scheme.

 This is a consolidation of philanthropic teamwork, as highlighted by Padraig Harrington: “I am thrilled to announce the opening of the Marlay Putting Green. It has been amazing to see this project come to fruition, and I am so pleased the people of Dublin will be able to experience golf in a fun and family-focused setting.

“My aim for this project has always been to create an affordable and accessible facility which is designed for all ages and golf abilities at no cost. I’ve always wanted to give back to the community and find a way to introduce the game of golf to all generations.”

The Dubliner would like to see more putting greens built in parks around the country and said he’d help if sponsors came along.

“They don’t have to be as good as this one,” he said “The before-and-after pictures of this one was a wasteland, a lot of rubble and dirt. We came in here and cleared it out. We put in a full-spec green. Atlantic Golf and Turf Grass have put in a huge amount of effort and time, pulled in a lot of favours. It’s a premium green here.

“Yeah, other parks will do this. To be honest, you don’t have to go to this level but a little putt-putt anywhere, at any facility, in a public facility… Even a little putt-putt in a hotel out on the grass. It could be three, nine or 18 holes. It doesn’t have to go to this level.

“I have no qualms to do other ones but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do other ones (sic). I don’t think my foundation will do another one but maybe if someone else sponsors it we probably will go in and do other ones in parks around the country.”

Harrington added: “I would like to extend a special thank you to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it’s Parks team, John Clarkin and his team at Turfgrass®, Anthony Bennett and the team at Atlantic Golf Construction, as well as all the contractors and suppliers who have also offered their time and services for free or at preferential rates.

“I would also like to thank The R&A, as well as Golf Ireland and Sport Ireland, for their generous grants which have made this project possible, in addition to my sponsors, Wilson and Titleist for the supply of putters and golf balls.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said:“We are immensely proud of our partnership with Padraig Harrington and this new world-class local facility at Marlay Park.  This is a state-of-the-art, unique putting course covering 3000 square metres and we look forward to bringing the game of golf to a new generation and a new audience”.

John Clarkin from Turfgrass® commented: “We are delighted to offer our services and participate in this community-inspired project with Padraig, one that will hopefully encourage a new generation to get involved in and experience the fun side of golf.  The putting green will be six times the size of an average green and incorporates various undulations which will provide some fun hole locations.”

Marlay Putting Green Opening Hours (It’s closed on Tuesdays)

The Marlay Putting Green will open to the public on Saturday 22nd April at 10.30 am. In order to protect the Green during the initial two months when grass growth is low and ground conditions are unpredictable due to weather, we have to limit play to approximately 700 rounds per week spread over 6 days.  The numbers will increase over the summer, as ground conditions and grass growth improves. 

The Putting Green is a family-focused golf amenity, located in the centre of Marlay Park adjacent to the boules area and tennis courts.  Admission is free but those wishing to play must obtain a ticket from the adjacent Treo Coffee Trailer, where putters and golf balls are also available on loan. There will be a limit to the numbers playing the green at a given time in order to protect the surface and this will increase as the weather and grass growth improve.  Please ensure you do not wear heels or studded footwear.

Open daily at 10.30 am from Saturday 22nd April (depending on weather, condition of green and maintenance) and closed every Tuesday for maintenance.