Druids Glen Golf Club

Druids Glen may not justify its nickname as the ‘Augusta of Europe’ but it’s easily one of the best golf courses in Ireland.

Druids Glen’s comprehensive hotel complex has two courses but this is comfortably the pick of the courses, even if its title as ‘The Augusta of Europe’ is a little far fetched.

However it is a lovely experience to play down its manicured fairways, flanked by mature trees and play to greens often protected by water and framed by glorious flora.

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The host of the European Tour back in the 80s and 90s, Druids Glen still has the cache that comes with an association with victories by Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia.

Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock in 1995 it hosted the Irish Open for four years in a row from 1996, which culminated in Garcia shooting a closing 64 to win in 99. Druids Glen has also hosted the Seve Trophy.

A championship parkland course, Druids Glen plays over sometimes undulating terrain and often where water is the main hazard.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 4.5 out of 5 A must play 09 November 2007

  By ev123uk

  When a course is dubbed "the Augusta of Europe" you feel it maybe a little too much pressure for a golf course to live upto. In the case of Druids Glen, it's not a problem. From the minute you drive though the gates of the club you feel you are in a special place. Little hints of the golf course that you can see as you arrive are a taster for a magnificent golfing experience. If theres any fault to be made, the Pro Shop is small but the welcome is first class and i was soon out onto the first tee. The course itself is classic mature parkland with fast sloping greens well protected by many bunkers and a number of lakes that are not just for show but slap bang in play. The highlight are the superb set of Par 3's, 3 of which are over water, not for the faint hearted. The 12 is a highlight, tucked away in a corner of the course, a toweing iron is required from a raised tee down to a generous green but it seems to take forever for your ball to land safely over the waiting water. Just when you think your safe after negotiating that hole comes the 13th. A devilishly tough par 4, a tee shot hugging the right side is needed to have any chance of taking on an approach of 200 yards plus over water, a par 5 for us mere mortles really. Monty took 7 here apparently so i was more than happy with my up and down for Bogey! Th speactacular holes just keep coming. 200 yards plus over water to an island green await you at the 17th and the 18th is beautiful but tough at 450 plus into the wind uphill as it was when i played it. I kept my ball dry until my third shot to 18 but by then i was already savouring a superb days golf at a special venue. Make an effort to play this gem of a course in the the beautiful surroundings of County Wicklow, the garden of ireland.