THE BEST GOLF COURSES FOR HOLIDAYS IN COUNTY WICKLOW
Reviews of our recommended courses south of Dublin.

Around the old country house and estate, Druids Glen has an almost formal garden like appearance and stands up well to its epithet 'The Augusta of Europe' a very pretty place particularly in Springtime.  Each hole has been crafted by two very knowledgable architects to provide both a visual treat as well as a golfing test.  The land has some hills and hollows to it so there are plenty of elevated Tee shots and approaches looking down on amphitheatre Greens.  Has hosted the Irish Open on four occasions and is every bit as good to play as it is to admire.

Just half-a-mile down the road and encircling the modern hotel, the Heath is the younger of the two courses at Druids Glen, although you would be hard pressed to tell its age as the trees were here first!  Druids Heath's other prominent feature is acres of golden gorse - stunning both visually and olfactorily in Spring.  The original course was deemed too tough by many so a rethink of a few holes has led to a softening here and there.  Druids Heath is now offers a more relaxed game of golf but you will still have to play well to score well!

If you like tough links golf you will love the European. Here, an exceptional piece of land has been transformed into an exacting links course in a spectacular setting: tall dunes, waist-high rough and deeply-sleepered bunkers abound. An absolute must for all links enthusiasts but do not underestimate the severity of the challenge that lies outside the tiny Clubhouse.  Designed, owned, managed, loved and staffed by the legendary Pat Ruddy - no greater golf enthusiast ever walked this planet.

Powerscourt Demesne is a expansive country estate complete with manor house, Capability Brown formal gardens that should be visited whilst you are here and 36-holes of parkland golf. The East course is the more varied of the two Powerscourt courses with a start that leads you off through vintage oaks before broadening out amongst saplings and cleverly bunkered, moulded Fairways.  The back nine has more hills and more established pines with some lovely views back down towards the Sugar Loaf mountain and Powerscourt house. The course condition at Powerscourt is exemplary, lush grass neatly trimmed into Tees, Fairways and Greens, very impressive.

The West couse at Powerscourt is more open than the East and hillier too with just about every hole either going up or down.  However, these contours have been well employed in shaping the holes and there are some inviting looking approaches and Tee shots waiting for you.  Throughout the course water comes into play on a fairly regular basis either in the form of lakes or cleverly placed streams to negotiate.  A very enjoyable test of golf, impeccably maintained, but a buggy worth considering.

The stunning setting where the Wicklow Hills meets the Irish Sea will have you wondering why you've never heard of Wicklow Golf Club; one of Ireland's best kept golfing secrets. At Wicklow you will enjoy some of the most scenic holes in Ireland - and probably the best value too. Although there are a couple of shortish holes on the front-nine (birdie opportunituies maybe?), Wicklow still offers a good test of golf particularly if there is a little sea breeze in the air. You will also enjoy a very warm welcome in the Clubhouse from where you can marvel at the gorgeous views of a course etched into the Wicklow coastline.

Utter tranquility near the archetypal Wicklow village of Avoca (wher Ballykissangel was filmed, if you remember that series?). A sheltered course that wends its way surreptitiously through three wooded valleys at the confluence of two rivers. Probably the most peaceful course in Ireland.

Blainroe is a more recent addition to the Wicklow golf scene; someone must have thought ther was a shortage of courses in this part of the Emerald Isle! It sits just south of Wicklow right on the coast with eleven holes in full view of the sea, the other seven climb away inland across classic green fields and together they offer a good variety of golf and some magnificent views.

Arklow sits on a patch of land perfectly suited to golf: sandy soil, mild dunes, Maram grasses, large Greens with plenty of hummocks and hollows and a small stream to boot.  Hazards are clear to see from the Tee as the playing surface is generally flat, except where a couple of elevated Tees have been added around the Clubhouse.  There is a large, one-room Clubhouse, which is always abuzz with the many Members at Arklow - but as a visitor you will be made most welcome.

Other courses to consider

Woodbrook Architect: P. McEvoy.  18 holes: 6,863yds: Par 72.
From the back Tees a very strong challenge to anybody's golf, which explains why Woodbrook frequently plays host to the senior Irish Open.  Predominantly a parkland course there are also a few holes that run along the clifftops overlooking the sea.