Arklow
Arklow
A links dating back to 1927, Arklow is a course rarely mentioned
among Ireland’s great links arsenal. And yet it has all the traits
you could ask for, with bumpy mischievous fairways, perfect
lilting greens and some spectacularly aggressive bunkering –
especially in the middle of the course: the par three 9th and 11th
will leave you reeling. The clubhouse sits above it all and from
the car park you get great views of the course and out to sea,
offering an appetiser of what is to come. Arklow is 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. The par four 2nd, and the par four 6th which crosses
it (so beware), are perfect examples where, despite generous
fairways, intelligence off the tee is the only route to par.
Royal Curragh
In 2013, The Curragh uncovered proof that it was the oldest golf
club on the island. They used that opportunity to revive their
‘Royal’ prefix. It has given a unique club a deservedly higher
profile. The free-draining soil means play is possible all year
round, although the spring/summer months may prove most
attractive when the gorse is in full bloom. It is both alluring and
a fair warning of the risks of going too far offline. Realistically,
that shouldn’t happen as there is space to play. There are plenty
of changes in elevation and those bumpy, heathland-like fairways
and natural greens mean every single shot is an adventure. The
sheep that once roamed the course are now mere spectators.
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Moyvalley
The flowing, easy, almost hypnotic rhythm of Moyvalley is
something you experience when you drive into the resort. It’s
a long driveway and you get a good idea of what lies ahead.
The occasional giant tree, standing alone beside fairways, the
splashes of gorse on the rolling mounds and the golden grasses
flashing in the sunshine. Moyvalley is a course that divides
opinions but this is elegant, pleasurable golf from start to finish.
The fairways are generous and the greens big and inviting. Playing
here is more about settling into that rhythm than playing one
dramatic hole after another… that said, the closing three holes
promise a big finish, with water threatening on two of them. The
18th is a beauty.
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.