Carton House (Montgomerie)
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.
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.
Druids Glen
In terms of colour, rhythm, variety and sheer intrigue there is
no Irish course to compare with Druids Glen. This is thrilling
golf from start to finish and the club possesses the best set of
par threes on the island. Despite the youthful age of the course
(1995), Druids Glen feels so much older, flowing over rolling,
mature parkland packed with wildlife. It is by no means an easy
course – much of the back nine is laced with water – but this is
all about the many thrilling shots. It doesn’t get much better than
the par three 8th and 12th, both in enchanting settings and both
promising watery ends for the faint of heart.