St Margaret’s
Royal Dublin
Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin is Ireland’s oldest links. Its clubhouse
sums up the quality and history embraced by the traditional
out-and-back routing at one end of Bull Island. There are no big
dunes here – this is about the natural twists and turns that make
bump-and-run links golf a joy to play. Low, subtle and often narrow
fairways lead into exceptional greens… but be warned: the deep
bunkers may prove your undoing. You can expect a windy assault
when you reach the turn for the prevailing winds that made the
front nine play benignly will hammer you all the way home. Being
able to hit low shots may be the only way to play this back nine, but
take inspiration from the plaque beside the 16th tee. Christy O’Connor
played the last three holes in five under par to win the Carrolls
International in 1966, and the plaque marks the starting point.
St Margaret’s
It has been a fantastic return to form for one of Dublin’s most
enjoyable parklands. St Margaret’s plays over mostly gentle
terrain, with mature trees and lakes adding colour and challenges.
Where there ar e changes in elevation they are used to dramatic
effect – on the par three 5th particularly – but this is about the
easy rhythm and holes curving gently between the ever-present
trees to sweet greens. The lakes add tremendously to the heart
of the course (holes 7, 8, 12 and 13) and especially on the long
Index 2 18th. The par threes are all strong and the facilities are
excellent.
Corballis
Corballis has the honour of being the only public links in
Ireland. It lies next door to the mighty Island Golf Club, even
sharing some of the same dunes. A par of just 66 (seven par
threes and only one par five), this is tremendous fun and great
value. It is also an ideal introduction to links golf with all
the trials and tribulations that links golf can bring. Stretched
along the coastline near Donabate, with views to Howth and
Ireland’s Eye, there are several excellent holes here. The new
holes (4 to 7), designed by Ron Kirby in 2009, are the most
thrilling: two cracking par threes and two short, testing par
fours.
Balbriggan
Balbriggan Golf Club is a rhythmic flowing parkland to the north
of Co. Dublin. The course was redeveloped in 2009, by Eddie
Connaughton, and the club has benefitted as a result. The water
features which come in to play on seven holes have added to the
character, but the course has and will always be defined by the
strong movements to the land and the dense evergreen corridors,
through which the holes sweep. It promises many thrilling shots.
The new greens always make attractive targets, especially where the
water comes in to play. Enjoy the 1st hole – it is a perfect appetiser
for what is to come.
67