Carlow
Co. Louth
Co. Louth (aka Baltray) is one of Ireland’s great links, 45 minutes
north of Dublin. It has graced this coastline since 1892, but it will
forever be known for more recent events: Shane Lowry winning the
Irish Open in 2009. It does, however, have a long and distinguished
history, with its impeccable design embracing old school strategy
and finesse. This is especially true with the slopes around the greens,
and on the four excellent par threes. Today, raised tee boxes help
to show off the beauty of the course’s holes which typically fall
into two types: the subtle and the dramatic. The biggest dunes are
pressed up against the sea and this is wh ere the most dramatic holes
exist, with the renowned run from the 12th to the 16th promising
some outstanding thrills. The more subtle holes are no less dramatic
for the challenges they present, and with two loops of nine the wind
will hit you from every angle. Smart, tactical golf is required.
The European
The European comes with all sorts of accolades – the best
modern links course in the world chief among them – and a
rich history that whirls around the legend who is Pat Ruddy.
The European Club, put simply, is the course that Pat built.
Set on the Co. Wicklow coastline, next to Brittas Bay, this is a
big, lilting and muscular test of golf. Pat does not design ‘easy’
courses; he makes you work for your par and The European is
especially challenging off the tee. Several of the green sites are
more forgiving, but only from the fairway… hit offline and the
renowned railway-sleepered bunkers will cause you endless
headaches. The courses boasts 20 holes (two additional par
threes) and while the Index 1 7th is rated as one of the best holes
in the world, the 11th, 12th (with its longest green in Europe) and
17th may prove even more appealing.
Carlow
They don’t come more distinguished than Carlow Golf Club. Tom
Simpson revised the layout in the early 1940s and it has remained
unchanged since then. Given the current trend of modernisation,
Carlow is a perfect example of why clubs should embrace their
roots. A big rolling landscape provides elegant and natural settings
for greens and tees. It is well wooded but despite chaperoning holes
so beautifully the trees rarely cause problems. The acclaimed 8th is
the exception, descend sharply through a dark corridor of beech and
oak. It may not have the dramatic shapes of modern parklands, but
Carlow fiercely embodies the art of subtlety and old-school quality.
Playable all year round.
18
At Carlow, golfers need smart
approach play to find the small,
devilish greens.