TESTING GREAT GOLFERS SINCE 1885 – THE ROYAL DUBLIN GOLF CLUB
Photo: Johnny Bambury
Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin is Ireland’s oldest links. Its clubhouse sums up the quality and history embraced by the traditional outand- back routing at one end of Bull Island. There are no big dunes here – this is about the natural twists and turns that make bumpand- run links golf a joy to play.
Low, subtle and often narrow fairways lead into exceptional greens…
but be warned: the bunkers may prove your undoing. You can expect a windy assault when you reach the turn for the prevailing winds that made the front nine play benignly can hit you hard all the way home. Low struck shots may be the only way to play this back nine. Why not take inspiration from the plaque beside the 16th tee, where Christy O’Connor Senior started one of the greatest finishes in Irish golf, playing the last three holes in five under par to win the Carrolls International in 1966.
Favourite Hole: The short par four 16th offers a do-or-die drive that could see you putting for eagle… or floundering in the swathe of bunkers.
What’s in the Bag? Links golf as it is meant to be played… low, cunning and relentlessly searching your golfing abilities.
c/o DESTINATION GOLF IRELAND 2021 – TOP150 GOLF COURSES
Editor, Kevin Markham