Wicklow
Coollattin
Arboretum golf, pure and simple. Set in an old estate, Coollattin’s
trees are as varied and colourful – and ever-present – as on
any course you’ll find in Ireland. It is a magical setting and holes
weave through it all to give you the full exhibition. They threaten
constantly off the tee and if you can avoid an errant shot into
the woods you are doing extremely well. The greens and their
surrounds are tricky, no doubt a defence against the fairly short
length of this par 72 course, and there are some deceptive
slopes to fairways which will frustrate even the best. It is pretty
and enchanting but it can also sucker-punch you in a heartbeat.
Coollattin is famous for its 120 yard 5th hole tucked away in a
walled garden.
Wicklow
Wicklow promises quite the wild adventure as holes tumble
above the clifftops, rising and falling in rhythm with the tides.
The terrain is chaotic at times, presenting hollows, humps, ridges
and swales that can be cruel even to the best struck shots… but
it all adds to the thrill of playing here. As do some short par fours
where you might think you can open up your shoulders but any
savvy golfer will appreciate that is not the way to play here. And
certainly not with the exceptional, devious and fast greens that
Wicklow is renowned for. You won’t find one hole that doesn’t
move you up or down and the par five 1st makes that abundantly
clear as the landscape tumbles all over the place from a high tee
next to the clubhouse.
48
Woodenbridge
Routed through a spectacularly wooded valley, Woodenbridge
is almost overwhelmed by the peaceful beauty all around it. Two
rivers weave through the course, adding to that beauty but also
adding to the challenges, and you have to cross one of these
rivers to reach the clubhouse. It’s the sort of start that fills you
with anticipation. This is as sweet and relaxing a golf setting as
you could ask for. It is also a short, mostly straight course (par 71,
6,341 yards, back tees) so you’ll feel ambitious stepping onto the
1st tee. But… the greens here can easily make a fool of you.
Tulfarris
Tulfarris is a splash of lakeside heaven set on the Blessington
Lakes. Holes press up against the water time and again on both
the front and back nines, and even the inland holes have to
deal with some water features. All that water might make it
sound tough – and it is certainly no place for the faint of heart
– but this is beautiful golf. The course wraps around the hotel
and you only have to take a stroll around the buildings to
appreciate what the course has to offer. Recent investment has
helped to give the entire resort an important lift with pathways,
drainage and bunkering all being improved. And then there are
the holes themselves: the par threes are all delicious and the
closing four holes are an excellent mix of challenges and thrills.