Royal Curragh
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.