Emerald Greens

The exceedingly well-travelled Andrew Marshall compiles his list of the best links courses that Irish golf has to offer

The wonderfully prepared European Club in County Wicklow

County Sligo

Enniscrone Golf Club

Mondays at Enniscrone Golf Club are no ordinary Mondays. Believe it or not, they are reserved for Priests’ Day, with priests coming from all over Mayo and Sligo to compete. Once the men of God have gone out, you’ll have the opportunity to worship the course yourself. One hole that will etch itself in the memory is the mountainous 350-yard par 4 13th, called "The Burrows", which is like teeing off the summit of Everest, with a green nestled down at base camp below. If you’re a golfer who is religious about pure links, make sure to include it on your Irish golf adventure. www.enniscronegolf.com

County Wicklow

The European Club

Crafted out of tumbling dunes by writer-turned-architect Pat Ruddy, this is seaside golf at its very best with monstrous dunes, fast-running fairways, greens that invite the pitch-and-run approach and dramatic views of the Irish Sea. Look out for the par-4 seventh, which has been voted one of the world’s greatest 100 golf holes. Tiger Woods still holds the course record of 67, shot on a pre-Open Championship warm-up in 2002. On the tees of several of the par-4s he said: "Is this a par-5? Wow … what great optical illusions!" www.theeuropeanclub.com

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Written by Andrew Marshall

Photography by Paul Marshall

Click here to see the published article.

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