Arklow Golf Links – DG IRELAND TOP150 – 2021
Edited by Kevin Markham
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 the car park offers great views of the course and out to sea, providing 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 70 well. The par five 2nd, and the par four 6th, which crosses it (so beware), are perfect examples where, despite generous fairways, intelligence off the tee will serve you well. A fine links that deserves respect.
Favourite Hole: The short par four 8th tees off next to the car park and the green looks so tempting straight ahead… but the five par threes, as a set, are excellent.
What’s in the Bag? A very tight short game and a good day with the putter.
