Courses

Ireland - Dublin & The East

Baltry (County Louth)

Known throughout the area as "Baltray," County Louth Golf Club was founded in 1892. The original course was redesigned by architect Tom Simpson in 1938 and it has basically stayed the same since. Surprisingly, this challenging but enjoyable tract is not nearly as well known as other links layouts on Ireland's east coast, such as Portmarnock and Royal Dublin. Locals and visitors alike, however, will tell you that Baltray is equally as picturesque and demanding as its more famous neighbors. It measures 6,936 yards from the championship tees — much of it is routed through towering dunes land — and it features 18 of the fastest greens you will ever face. Rest assured that you will not be disappointed by Baltray.

Druids Glen

The original course at Druid's Glen Marriot Hotel & Country Club opened in 1995. It was designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock and built on a spot that was once home to an ancient people known as the Druids. From 1996 to 1999, this very pretty parkland layout was the site of the Irish Open. Competitors have included Ernie Els, Seve Ballestersos, John Daly, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer. The last year the Irish Open was held here, Spain's Sergio Garcia won the event for his first victory on the European Tour. Tree lined fairways, several water hazards, and testing putting surfaces combine to make the 7,026-yard Glen course a memorable experience. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 9th best course in Ireland.

Druids Heath

Designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in 2003, Druid's Heath is distinctly different in style than its sister course at Druid's Glen Marriot Hotel & Country Club. Located on hilly terrain that provides stunning views of the Irish Sea, Wicklow Mountains and the beautiful countryside, it's a fairly wide open heathland layout that's also open to the constant wind. Due to the wind and because so many holes play uphill, this lovely layout plays much longer than its yardage. It is strongly advised that only big hitters and top-notch players take it on from the back tees (7,434 yards). Druid's Heath is quite challenging, but quite playable as well. Among the highlights is the par-3 "Quarry" hole, its green guarded on three sides by rock outcroppings.

European Club

When it opened in 1992, the European Club became the first true links to be built on the east coast in the 20th Century. Despite its youngness, however, this carefully crafted layout looks, feels and plays as if it has been here since the beginning of that century. For those reasons and more, Golf Digest ranked it the 4th best course in Ireland in 2005. The fact that only Ballybunion, Lahinch and Portmarnock ranked higher is evidence of its quality. Designed by golf writer-turned-architect Pat Ruddy, the European Club features blind shots, bottomless bunkers, large undulating greens, a back tee measurement of nearly 7,500 yards, and more than a bit of wind. In other words: golf as it was meant to be played.

K-Club – Palmer Course

With the Ryder Cup matches having been held in Ireland for the very first time in 2006, it speaks volumes that this prestigious event was at the Palmer course at the K Club in County Kildare. Designed by the "King" himself and opened in 1991, this lovely tree-lined layout measures a sturdy 7,337 yards from the back tees. As you would expect from Arnold Palmer, the opportunities to hit "heroic" shots here are frequent (that is, if you dare). Water is in play on 12 of the 18 holes, the greens are well sloped, and the bunkers are strategically placed. The Palmer course is definitely challenging, but very playable. The K Club's 70-room, five-Star hotel is worthy of a king as well.

K-Club – Smurfit Course

Opened in 2003 and also designed by Arnold Palmer, the Smurfit course was intended from the beginning to be as good as the original course but as different as possible as well. To say that this goal has been reached is an understatement. In fact, many golfers who have played it feel it's even better. This beautiful and challenging layout is often referred to as an "inland links". Unlike the Palmer course, there are few trees here. In addition, dunes-like mounds were created to enhance its links feel. There's plenty of water in play, however, particularly over its sturdy stretch of closing holes. From the tips, the Smurfit course measures 7,277 yards.

Portmarnock Golf Links

Opened in 1995, the Links Course at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links was designed by Germany's Bernhard Langer, two-time Masters champion and former Captain of the European Ryder Cup team. At 6,850 yards from the back tees, Links Portmarnock (as it is often called) is quite a bit shorter than the nearby Old Course but still very challenging. The deep rough is quite gnarly and there are nearly 100 bunkers scattered around the layout, many of them very deep and many of them used to make the fairways arguably even tighter than those on the Old Course. The beautiful and comfortable, 84-room Portmarnock Hotel is a Four-Star facility and the former residence of the Jamison family, world famous for their whiskey.

Portmarnock Old Course

Founded in 1894, the championship course at Portmarnock Golf Club is, without question, one of the finest links layouts in the world. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 3rd best course in Ireland and No. 30 on its list of "Best 100 Courses Outside the U.S." Located on a peninsula that juts out into the sea, Portmarnock's Old course features firm and fast fairways, thick rough, deep and difficult bunkers, slick, humpty-bumpty putting surfaces, and wind that can blow quite hard at times. The Irish Open has been held here on 13 occasions. In 1991, the 7,365-yard Old course was the site of the bi-annual Walker Cup matches. This is links golf at the highest level, and it's an experience that you don't want to miss.

Royal Dublin

Founded in 1885 and originally called Dublin Golf Club, this is the second oldest club in Ireland (it received its "Royal" designation in 1891). Following World War I, the course was completely redesigned by English architect H.S. Colt. A true links layout, Royal Dublin plays nine holes out and nine holes in. Unlike many of Ireland's most famous links, however, Royal Dublin is fairly flat. The wind is behind you on the front nine, in your face on the back. The closing holes here (13-18) are regarded as some of the toughest holes in the country. The Irish Open and Irish Amateur have been conducted here several times. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked it the 8th best course in Ireland.

St. Margaret's Golf & Country Club

Located just outside of city center Dublin, St. Margaret's Golf & Country Club has already hosted 3 international tournaments. The club boasts big dramatic holes like the roller coaster twelfth, which rolls between two lakes and across a babbling brook to a majestically elevated green. Seven of the par 4 holes are over 400 yards long and the mighty eight is all of 525 yards - a big challenge for the biggest hitters. As well as awesome struggles there are broad forgiving fairways, terrific par threes and greens that play very true on this fascinating course.

The Island

To the delight of locals who play here, The Island Golf Club is often ignored by golfers visiting Dublin. Why this photogenic and challenging links is so unknown after more than 100 years of existence is somewhat a mystery (as is the original designer of the course back in 1890). Located on a peninsula that pokes out into the ocean, The Island boasts the highest sand dunes of any links course in Ireland. Set between them are firm and fast fairways, deep bunkers, and small but speedy putting surfaces. Until 1990, one complaint about this 6,826-yard course was its numerous blind holes. During its centennial year, however, architects Fred Hawtree and Eddie Hackett opened up all but four. This well-kept secret was good before, but The Island is even better now.

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