Destination Golf Ireland 2017 * | Page 11

8
5 6
1 : Dublin ’ s O ’ Connell Street Bridge at dusk . 2 : The par-4 7th at The European Club is one of the world ’ s greatest
100 golf holes . 3 : The 7th green at The European Club . 4 : Lovely day for a Guinness . 5 : 13th Hole at Druids Heath Golf Club . 6 : St Anne ’ s Golf Club , a good quality links north of the city . 7 : Stunning views of the Irish Sea from Deer Park Golf Club . 8 : There are plenty of golfing options in and around Dublin .
7
conditions throughout the year and some of the most consistent greens in the country , Corballis Golf Links is a hidden gem located just 25 minutes drive north from the centre of Dublin . Well recommended for an introduction to the vagaries of links golf .
Hole 6 – Rathsallagh Golf Club
A top-quality parkland track that has rapidly developed a reputation as one of the best courses in the Dublin region is Rathsallagh Golf Club , beautifully laid out by Christy O ’ Connor Jr and Peter McEvoy on 250 acres of superbly natural terrain dotted by mature oak and beech trees . It features several lakes and small streams that meander across the fairways with immaculate greens .
Hole 7 - Royal Dublin Golf Club
On Dublin Bay ’ s Bull Island Nature Reserve you will discover a natural links fashioned in a classic style in the early part of the last century by the renowned golf architect Harry Colt . Over the years , many legends of the game have played here including Nicklaus , Trevino , Ballesteros , Langer , Norman and Faldo . Martin Hawtree has now enhanced this top-drawer links for the modern era ; making one of Ireland ’ s greatest golfing tests , well , even greater .
Hole 8 - The K Club
West of Dublin is the K Club ’ s Palmer Course and the dramatic scenes of that famous European victory over the USA in the 2006 Ryder Cup . One of Ireland ’ s finest parkland courses , the closing stretch is a classic . The 16th is an all-or-nothing two-shotter , where an accurate drive must be followed by a long and precise approach over water to an island green . The 18th dares the golfer to drive over the top of a bunker-strewn hill and then tempts you to fire straight at the flag in search of that heroic Ryder Cup finish . The K Club ’ s other course the Smurfit , would best be described as an inland links , with dune-type mounding throughout .
Hole 9 - Portmarnock Golf Links
Widely recognised as one of Ireland ’ s premier golf resorts with a golf course that combines all the charms of a traditional links layout with the challenge of the modern game . Gently undulating luxuriously sprung fairways leading to large fast greens must be negotiated through 98 strategically placed bunkers , while hillocks , wild grasses and gorse await wayward shots . The 1st tee and 18th green are conveniently situated just a wedge shot from the hotel and clubhouse .
9