DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL
LEINSTER
The European Club
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. New ownership promises new ideas.
Killeen Castle
No other course can boast such a glorious landscape. Killeen Castle flows over 600 lazy acres, drenched in trees and wrapped around a 12th century castle. How could it not be the idyllic setting for a Jack Nicklaus‘ Signature’ course. Here the fairways always appear wide and inviting, which makes this a delicious driving course. Approach shots, however, are where you earn your bragging rights as greens are elaborately shaped … and well bunkered. You’ ll need a compass to navigate your way between them at times and that can apply to fairways, too. The par five 12th, with its stream cascading across the front of the green, may well be Killeen Castle’ s signature hole, while the lake squeezed between the 2nd and 17th holes is equal parts beauty and terror.
Headfort New
Headfort has two very different but excellent parkland courses. The New opened in 2001, spread across a swathe of the old Headfort Estate. It is home to majestic trees, bountiful water features and two islands which are at the heart of the course. Holes fit elegantly into the undulating landscape and, despite its length( 6,164m middle tees), every shot is enjoyable. Big( and straight) hitters will love it. The par threes are exceptional. The natural water features are, not surprisingly, a constant highlight, appearing in one shape or another on the opening 10 holes, as well as three more. Holes 9 and 10 demand big drives over a lake, so finding land is a victory. Home to the European Challenge Tour in 2023.
The K Club( Palmer North)
This is big, glamorous parkland golf. Lakes, streams, river, ancient trees, lazy rhythm, and lots and lots of space. The Palmer North course carries an enormous reputation for its design pedigree( Arnold Palmer) and for the events it has hosted( Ryder Cup, European and Irish Opens). It is no surprise that it promises all the frills and thrills you could ask for. The River Liffey squeezes some holes but many other water features abound on this gently rolling Kildare landscape. Despite such volumes of water this is a relaxing round of golf with generous fairways and big, swinging greens. You probably won’ t even mind depositing a ball in the Liffey on the par five 7th... countless others have done the very same. And those fairways- all 18 of them- were completely re-laid and reseeded in 2022.
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