Tulfarris
Arklow
A links dating back to 1927, Arklow is a somewhat forgotten
course. And yet it has all the links traits you could ask for, with
bumpy, mischievous fairways, aggressive bunkers and perfect,
lilting greens. The clubhouse sits above it all and from the car
park you get great views of the course, offering an appetiser of
what’s to come. It’s a low-running links where bump-and-run
is nearly always an option – and often the best strategy – but
you need to be cunning to play this par 69 well. There are some
parkland traits in the middle of the back nine, but the 18th is a
links beauty to bring you home.
Seapoint
Seapoint, right next door to Co. Louth Golf Club, offers two
distinct sets of holes. The front nine play over sedate terrain,
where trees and water define the holes on the perimeter and
gorse plays an ever-growing role towards the end. The fairways
call for accurate driving and the doglegs have to be respected.
The back nine are true links holes, with the shapes and subtleties
that make links golf such fun. The closing three holes, above
the beach and through the biggest dunes, are a delicious finale.
The 17th is a gorgeous par three while the par five 18th streaks
straight towards the clubhouse.
Knightsbrook
Knightsbrook is the full resort package and one of Ireland’s
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.
Tulfarris
Tulfarris is a splash of lakeside heaven set on the Blessington
Lakes. And water plays a large part on the more inland holes, too.
As such, it is no place for the faint of heart (or for those with too
few balls) and yet Tulfarris is also one of the prettiest courses we
have. The lakes are one thing, but the mature trees that streak
across the landscape are idyllic… and they threaten often. Every
shot here is a pleasure, even those that leave you trembling
(approaches to 10, 17 and 18), and the par threes are excellent.
Exceptional value, too.
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