Mount Juliet
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
is also 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. The
putting surfaces are sublime and are forever mentioned when Co
Louth is appraised. 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 shapely. The biggest dunes are pressed up
against the sea and this is where the most dramatic holes exist,
with the renowned run from the 12th to the 16th promising some
outstanding thrills. New practice facilities have enhanced its
reputation.
European Club
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.
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Carton House (Montgomerie)
The two courses at Carton House are in sharp contrast to each
other. It adds considerably to the experience of playing here (and
staying here). The Montgomerie, opened in 2002, was designed
as an inland links and it certainly boasts many of the features
of a links: tumbling and deceptive fairways, deep bunkers and
glorious greens. There are few trees on this landscape and when
the rough is up, the course glows many shades of gold. This is
one of Ireland’s toughest courses, so choosing the right tee and
not trying to be heroic is the best place to start. Gentle doglegs
abound and with that dramatic bunkering you need to stay above
ground to score well. The 2005, 2006 and 2013 Irish Opens were
held on the Monty, so you know Carton House has every ounce
of quality you could ask for.
Mount Juliet
The sylvan setting of the Mount Juliet estate is home to one of
Ireland’s most popular parklands. The course was designed by
Jack Nicklaus, and opened in 1991. Mount Juliet also boasts two
magnificent hotels and the Michelin-starred Lady Helen Restaurant.
This is top-tier stuff and the course is just as elegant, sweeping over
the landscape, through the trees and throwing in the occasional but
dramatic splash of water – the 3rd, 4th 13th and 18th most notably.
It is a generous course where golfers of all abilities will find plenty
to excite them, be it the short par three 3rd over water, the tree
enshrined setting around the 13th green or the par five 17th, curving
between sentinel-like oaks. But perhaps most exciting of all is the
entire package, because the Mount Juliet experience is something
truly special.