DESTINATION GOLF 2026
Druids Heath
Bray
This modern, hillside course slots neatly across the slopes rising up to Bray Head. When you reach the 11th, you’ ll have views across the bay, as far as Howth. There aren’ t many trees so it feels quite exposed, especially on the front nine where holes rise in gradual steps but the terrain adds plenty of character. The back nine’ s tempo wins the battle of the nines with some clever and challenging holes. The 11th is special but so too is the par five 18th which leads back to a very attractive clubhouse.
Courtown
This 80 year old parkland offers smart, enjoyable golf. The course roams over lilting, tree-lined terrain with several tee boxes promising those delicious drives at fairways below or over crests; from a couple of them the proximity of the sea is made abundantly clear. The trees squeeze in and out, presenting different challenges, and for every hole where you have room you’ ll find another where accuracy is paramount. Combined with some short par fours this is why it is so much fun to play. The greens are good, two of the par fives offer good birdie opportunities, and the par threes are all excellent.
Druids Heath
A sibling of the mighty Druids Glen, the Heath course was designed to be something very different. And it is. With links and heathland traits you play over a constantly moving landscape that often fools the eye( and your club selection). The course is awash with gorse and stern challenges – particularly the vast and speedy greens – but it was softened and re-imagined in 2020 / 21 with the removal of some 70 bunkers and the replacement of those that remained with a smaller, more ragged version. It fits together really well and makes the big and beautiful green complexes stand out all the more.
Moyvalley
The flowing, easy, almost hypnotic rhythm of Moyvalley is something you experience when you take the long drive up to the club, passing the hotel as you go. You get a good idea of what awaits. Here, the occasional giant tree stands alone beside a fairway, splashes of gorse add depth and colour to the sinuous rolling mounds, and golden grasses flash threateningly in the sunshine. Amongst it all, the bunkers are big and bright and well positioned. Moyvalley is calm and pleasurable golf with generous fairways and big, inviting greens … but the closing three holes promise a dramatic finish, with water threatening.
32