John McHenry takes a professional look at the best and most rewarding way to play the new course at The K Club.

1 449 yards, par 4

Straight away, a hole that makes a player think - and aware of the challenges ahead. With the prevailing wind from left to right, and into the player's face, the main objective is to negotiate the fairway bunkers on the left before facing a long approach shot to a large undulating green which slopes severely from left to right. My advice is to keep the ball below the hole, if at all possible, otherwise you are in real three-putt territory.

2 179 yards, par 3

From the tee, the sight of the huge greenside bunker is an intimidating one. But don't panic. The green is a large, undulating surface and, once you have the right club in your hand, it is one that you should find more often than not. A nice short hole, where par is always acceptable.

3 603 yards, par 5

To play this hole properly, you will have to thread the tee shot through the narrow bunker complex on the fairway. Although the hole doglegs significantly at the end, only the longest of hitters will attempt to take on this green in two as it is a well-protected green. Nonetheless, for those aggressive and straight off the tee, it will provide better players with a good birdie opportunity early in their round.

4 394 yards, par 4

Sometimes, the holes that look easy can bite the hardest - and this relatively short Par 4 falls into this category. The second shot is the most important as the green is hard to hold and the pitch is invariably a difficult one . . . but it is a hole where you must stay focused over each shot.

5 403 yards, par 4 Time for a breather. Although playing back into the wind, a good drive will leave you with a short to middle iron to this green. Club selection for the second shot is all-important as anything coming up short will quickly be gathered up by the cavernous bunker protecting the green.

6 436 yards, par 4

The temptation here is to be aggressive but, although an easy looking hole, players are advised not to gamble too much off the tee. The bunkers down the right are strategically placed and penal. If you find the fairway, trust your yardage for the approach shot as you are unlikely to be able to see the bottom of the hole. Although there are no bunkers protecting this green, there is a swale that can make life very complicated.

7 600 yards, par 5

The signature hole on the course, and one which will literally take your breath away. Respect is required on this hole - particularly if you are playing from the back tee - and a safety first approach is probably the best policy. A lake runs all the way down the right and it's best to play this as a three shotter and try to set up a good approach into a very long, large green.

8 144 yards, par 3

This hole may look innocent, but it's not. The green is treacherous and is also guarded by some fearsome bunkers. Club selection is vital and, if you find the right level, you may well be rewarded with a realistic birdie opportunity. However, anyone who comes up short will almost certainly be guaranteed a bogey at the very least.

9 464 yards, par 4

One of the most testing holes on the course, this hole is densely bordered by trees down the left hand side. A well-struck tee shot is essential and, even then, you will face a very demanding second shot to a narrow well-contoured green. Once there, the work is still not done as, just as your driving and approach play have already been tested, so will your putting ability. A great hole.

10 551 yards, par 5

This is a hole that offers a little respite. Although playing directly back into the prevailing wind, sensible course management - and a good tee shot - will offer you the chance to improve your scorecard. Probably the most important thing here is to control your third shot in to a tricky, undulating green.

11 365 yards, par 4

Climbing back up the hill, a good drive is required as there are fairway bunkers left and right. You don't want to find yourself in any of them. For the second shot, trust your yardage as the approach is played to an elevated green.

12 214 yards, par 3

This is the last "dry" hole, with water featuring prominently on the run in. This is a magnificent short hole where accuracy is essential. The green is one of the largest in the world, so any misdirected tee-shot could well find the putting surface . . . and still leave you with a putt of 60 yards.

13 468 yards, par 4

A truly testing hole, players will have to curb their gambling instincts or face the consequences. The ideal tee shot should be down on the left hand side of the fairway in order to open up the hole for a long second shot, depending on the wind direction. Once you have safely negotiated the water, the next challenge is to two-putt this heavily contoured green.

14 394 yards, par 4

Curb your aggression off the tee on this dogleg hole, because a good accurate tee shot is required here in order to play the ideal second shot.

Players should be reminded to take an extra club for their approach to this steeply inclined green, as it plays considerably longer than it looks, and it is absolutely vital to find the right tier otherwise you will struggle for your par.

15 376 yards, par 4

At last, a little breather and an opportunity for players to take advantage of the prevailing wind. The temptation, though, is to take off too much of the carry - but if the shot is any way errant, then it could lead to disaster. However, a good tee-shot should present the chance to get something back from the course.

16 457 yards, par 4

I spent all of two seconds deciding this should be the Index One hole. The prevailing wind is hurting you but you also need to gamble a little and take on the water down the left to set up the best position for the approach shot. If you're too far left, however, the water will swallow you up. For your second, you could be hitting anywhere between a seven-iron and a two-iron and you simply can't be short of the small green.

17 202 yards, par 3

Astute players will try to use the contour on this green wisely, by favouring the middle of the green from the tee. This is a short hole that is sure to jangle the nerves a little at the end of the round as anything hit too far left will have to carry water all the way to the putting surface. Miss the green right, and you have an extremely difficult chip.

18 578 yards, par 5

This is a great gambling hole, a real risk-and-reward finishing hole that will especially hold great appeal for the big hitters. If you manage to get away a good, long drive (and find the fairway, a must) then the temptation will be to go for the island green in two.

Even if you play conservatively and lay-up, your third shot over water requires accuracy and bravery.

John McHenry is a former PGA European Tour professional and resident professional at The K Club. He has been extended sponsors' invites to play in this week's Smurfit European Open and the Nissan Irish Open later this month.