Probably Ireland's most underrated links, Baltray has long been a favourite with Irish links enthusiasts. On the mouth of the River Boyne, the course is situated in natural and unspoilt linksland. Golf World wrote "There is not a weak hole on the course and some holes merit greatness". Baltray hosted the 2004 Irish Open.
Across the mouth of the River Boyne from the links at Baltray and Bettystown is another fine links at Seapoint. Seapoint offers a links with a difference with mature trees bordering the course on the western side and water hazards playing a part in the first six holes. A terrific finishing stretch along the shore summed up by the description of the sixteenth - "...premium on position off the tee. Anything left is a lost ball, therefore consideration should be given to an iron. The approach shot should not go right".
Demanding accuracy from the outset, this mature, tee-lined course has undergone recent renovation to prepare for its centenary year in 2005. Located in the southern corner of Dundalk Bay overlooking the Cooley Mountains, Dundalk is a championship course that attracts Ireland's top amateurs to its annual senior scratch cup. A truly great parkland test.
The Old Course is a well-established, mature layout with trees lining the fairways and is as traditional a parkland course as you can get. Designed for the shorter accurate hitter with fairways lined by mature trees and greens that are small by modern standards. The greens are consistently rated as some of the best parkland greens in the East of Ireland. This place will charm the socks off you.
The New Course was opened in 2001 and receives glowing accolades from those who have played it. The River Blackwater is incorporated into thirteen holes and full use is made of two islands on the river. The tougher of the two courses at Headfort due to it length and the amount of water waiting to greet the wayward shot.
A premier league parkland course just 12 miles from Dublin City centre. The Montgomerie is described as an inland links with bunkers featuring at driving distance and again around the greens. Each hole requires a line to be picked over impressive fairway bunkers before approaching large, contoured greens adequately protected by further bunkers. The Montgomerie hosted the Irish Open in 05 and 06. One for the lower handicappers.
Considered to be the more forgiving of the two courses at Carton House, The O'Meara is a magnificent parkland course that makes splendid use of the estates rolling hills, mature trees and the River Rye. De singed to be tough from the championship tees and to give the handicap golfer a fair chance from the forward tees. In wonderful contrast to the Montgomerie course..
This links, in splendid isolation, is surrounded by the Irish Sea, Donabate Beach and Broadmeadow Estuary. The course nestles between the highest san dunes of any links course in Ireland. Golf World rank The Island as #70 in the Top-100 golf courses in the British Isles and The Island will be the Irish qualifying course for The Open Championship from 2005-1010.
A classic Palmer design that played host to the Ryder Cup in 2006. A 5***** resort with a magnificent period house overlooking both courses. This is not an easy test of golf, long from the back tees with bunkers at driving distance and protecting every green. A bigger menace to the golfer is the way the River Liffey weaves it way throughout the course. Immaculate attention to detail, not for those who are on a budget trip.
The best way to describe the Smurfit Course at The K Club is that of an inland links. However, its true attributes do not stop there. The Course has many dramatic landscapes with dune type mounding throughout. This assists in making the Course into a true Championship Golf Course with many vantage points for spectators to view the Golf Professional at work. Host to The European Open, on of the richest events on The European Tour.
Situated on the coast at Portmarnock, just north of the "old" Portmarnock club, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links has over 200 acres of ground that formerly belonged to the Jameson family. Bernhard Langer has used over 180 acres of this land to create a classic championship links test that combines the traditions of links golf with the modern elements of the game.
Portmarnock golf course is an outstanding links. It demands accuracy and skill together with a high level of commitment, nowhere more than the par-3 fifteenth, where a tee-shot should be aimed out over the beach to allow the wind to bring it back to the green. Portmarnock occupies a small peninsula and provides a splendid sense of isolation..
Dublin Golf Club was founded in 1885 and moved to the present location on Bull Island, just north of the city centre in 1889. Royal Dublin is traditional links golf at its finest, 9 holes out by the shore and 9 holes back to the clubhouse. Although considerably flat, it still presents as fine a links challenge as any Royal Dublin hosted the Irish Open from 1983-1985.
The northern half of Bull Island is home to another traditional links course, St. Annes. This par-71 layout underwent major redevelopment in 2003 and the course now presents 18 separate challenges that will require thought and a variety of shots. Spectacular views are afforded across Dublin Bay to the Dublin and Wicklow mountains and the newly constructed clubhouse is a perfect place to enjoy these views.
On the shores of the Blessington Lakes in the heart of Ireland's Garden County, Tulfarris is a remarkable golf course. Set on three peninsulas the course has been designed so that no two holes are alike. The integrity of the landscape and the environment has been preserved and the attention to detail in course presentation is especially notable. .
Opened in 1995 this parkland course has rapidly ascended into the list of best Irish courses. Beautifully laid out by Christy O'Connor Jnr. & Peter McEvoy, Rathsallagh features several lakes and small streams that meander across the fairways. The greens are simply immaculate.
Also known as 'The Augusta of Ireland' Druids Glen is a premier league parkland course just 20 miles from Dublin City. The emergence of Druids Glen golf course as one of Ireland's premier parkland courses has been nothing short of astonishing. Opened in 1995 it hosted the Irish Open Championship from 1996-1999 (and was the scene of Sergio Garcia's first professional title).
On the same grounds as Druids Glen, Druids Heath presented a far greater design challenge and has resulted in a unique golf course that is one of the toughest, yet most exhilarating golf experiences in Ireland. Through rolling terrain featuring water, rock quarries, gorse and sand, this heathland course is a difficult but the sense of a unique golfing adventure in a splendid setting tend to make this irrelevant.
A true and great links designed and owned by Pat Ruddy, one of Ireland's foremost golf architects. South of Dublin on the County Wicklow coast, the course tumbles through massive sand dunes and provides stunning views of he Irish Sea. The course bears all the hallmarks of a Ruddy design - well defined holes with large undulating greens and severely punishing bunkers. Tiger Woods recorded the course record 67 on his first visit to the club.
Powerscourt Golf Club is set on a grand scale in keeping with the splendour of Powerscourt Estate, one of the finest country houses in Ireland. The East and West courses both have exceptional tiered greens that have been developed to USPGA standards. Both have links characteristics and stunning views of the Irish sea and the Sugarloaf mountain .
Powerscourt Golf Club is set on a grand scale in keeping with the splendour of Powerscourt Estate, one of the finest country houses in Ireland. The East and West courses both have exceptional tiered greens that have been developed to USPGA standards. Both have links characteristics and stunning views of the Irish sea and the Sugarloaf mountain .