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DESTINATION GOLF 2022
Blainroe

Woodbrook

Woodbrook boasts a stunning location on the low cliff-tops north of Bray . This is a seaside parkland of easy pace , smooth terrain and explosive greens . Pine trees dominate but it still feels spacious and , when you reach the seaside holes and the views that spaciousness is fully displayed . To the south , Bray Head dominates , while Dalkey Island and Howth hover on the horizon to the north . These are the holes you will remember most but the classic clubhouse has plenty of impact , too . Play in summer when the fescue grasses glow golden and Woodbrook is a blaze of colour .

Royal Curragh

In 2013 , The Curragh uncovered proof that it was the oldest golf club on the island . They used that opportunity to revive their ‘ Royal ’ prefix . It has given a unique club a deservedly higher profile . The free-draining soil means play is possible all year round , although the spring / summer months may prove most attractive when the gorse is in full bloom . It is both alluring and a fair warning of the risks of going too far offline . Realistically , that shouldn ’ t happen as there is space to play . There are plenty of changes in elevation and those bumpy , heathland-like fairways and natural greens mean every single shot is an adventure . The sheep that once roamed the course are now mere spectators .

Blainroe

This high quality parkland perches above the sea and falls into distinct halves . The more level holes lie around the clubhouse and play alongside the sea while the more inland holes ( 2 to 8 ) slide across and around a hillside . There are plenty of doglegs here – some subtle , some less so – so golfers need to pay attention as positioning off the tee is key . And you ’ ll need to avoid the big , distracting bunkering . That said , the course is playable by all levels of golfer . The par four 14th is the signature hole – you drive over the cliffs and ocean to find the fairway .

Knightsbrook

Knightsbrook is the full resort package and one of Irelands newest parkland additions . The clubhouse is part of a hotel , and they both watch over the 1st hole which slides alongside . It is a Christy O ’ Connor Jr design and it is a muscular beast , measuring 6,600 yards ( par 72 ) from the forward green tees … you ’ ll need to be driving well to take Knightsbrook on . But the doglegs are plentiful and the water features magnetic so length is only one of the requirements Trees are infrequent so you definitely have lots of room to play on an open , mounded landscape , and hitting into such quality greens is always a thrill .
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