DESTINATION GOLF 2026
Muskerry
Douglas
Set on gentle slopes in Cork city’ s suburbia, Douglas is well over 100 years old. More recently it has acquired a reputation for two things: the social activities of the members which emphasise how important clubs can be to a community; and the quality of the greens. Douglas slides gently down a hillside so holes can leave you with tilted lies or downhill / uphill shots … but it’ s never severe and when the flags come in to view they make delicious targets. It is a shortish par 72, but you need to avoid the trees, putt extremely well and overcome the excellent late charge of holes from 13 to 17. A new par three 4th hole was added in 2022
Monkstown
A fine, mature and peaceful parkland awaits at Monkstown, just south-east of Cork city. Trees define holes from the start and, as a short course, you’ ll find those trees prove over-protective time and again. Careful judgement is required off the tee and the best hole on the course- the par four 10th- calls for two razor sharp shots, first through a tricky dogleg in the trees and then to a perched green sitting above water. But this is a gentle, embracing affair and its length makes it fun and accessible for everyone. The front nine does, however, deliver a steep and unexpected drop to a green( the 3rd) above the harbour before rising sharply back up( the 5th). A complete design and strategic overhaul of the course’ s bunkering was completed in 2025.
Mallow
Established in 1947, Mallow is a gentle hillside parkland poised above the town. Trees dominate, many of them ancient and majestic, and it is these that help to define the course. But beware the many sloping and often narrow fairways which will lure your ball towards the rough. It will also leave challenging approach shots to greens in enchanting settings. The Galty Mountains provide the backdrop on a curvaceous, surprisingly challenging course which calls for accuracy off the tee. A new short game area has just been introduced.
Muskerry
The River Shournagh brushes up against this old parkland course and it comes in to play on the final three holes. It ensures a sedate and colourful end to a course that is anything but sedate. The heart of your round is spent playing over a wooded, gorse-laden hillside. It is wild and natural and rarely is a flat lie to be found. It’ s exhilarating and testing stuff … and fun, too. The opening holes are the calmest before the brilliant par three 6th introduces you to the swashbuckling hillside. And while those final three are sedate … they are a stern test. Alister MacKenzie was involved here, but even without his name this is an adventure worth taking on.
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