14 The European Club
2010 Top 100 Golf Course Rankings: The European Club, number 14 [Getty Images]
14 The European Club
Architect: Ruddy
Stats: 6,720 yds, par 71, SSS 72
GF: €100-€180
Visitor information: Guests welcome any day, not before 9am on Sundays
W: theeuropeanclub.com
2008 Ranking: 15 (Up 1)
Improvements since 2008 Rankings:
Course: Grass bunker on 16. New back right corner on 3rd green and a new back left corner on 13th green.
More gorse/furze added
Clubhouse: Upstairs added to the clubhouse in 2009
This wonderful Co Wicklow links overlooking Brittas Bay is the design handiwork of golf writer turned course architect, Pat Ruddy, who took a helicopter flight around the Irish coast in the 1980s with the specific goal of finding a spectacular new stretch of golfing linksland. His search yielded one of the finest plots of land imaginable for a golf course. The sea is in view on 16 of the 20 holes - the two ‘extras' are in play most days - and visitors will go away remembering the warm welcome and distinctive sleepered bunkers spread liberally throughout the links.
Panellists' comments: "A complete test without being overwhelmingly difficult"; "Splendidly unspoilt and peaceful"
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Reader comments
Add your commentsDecember 18 21:04
brian reynolds
This is the hardest course but also the best course i played. It is perfectly kept
March 13 18:54
Paul Aylward
Never happier with 27 points after a day out on this wonderful links (very high wind) Some of the holes on this track are just awsome, definetly one to visit