Royal Dublin
Royal Dublin is a pure classic Links course located just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport on the Bull Island nature reserve. In 1889 Queen Victoria granted Royal Club Status.
The Course was given a full makeover after severe damage during the second world war by none other than Harry Colt who transformed the terrain into one of the finest examples of links golf anywhere in the world.
Royal Dublin is one of the more traditional links in Ireland like you would find in Scotland with a no hidden and everything right in front of your eyes, a simple 'Out and Back Links'. The Course has a wealth of admiration from the professional golfers and Christy O'Connor was the club professional. O'Connor was a life member until his death in 2016.
Royal Dublin is Ireland's second oldest golf course and has been involved in numerous Tour events and competitions.
The Irish Open
The Irish Open has been held at Royal Dublin six times and was first introduced in 1931 and has seen Seve Ballesteros, who was a huge fan of the links take multiple titles in 1983 and 1985.
Although the European Tour event has not been played at Royal Dublin since. The club still attracts high profile professionals and celebrities who hold the club very close to their hearts. Dustin Jonhson plays here whenever in the Dublin region.
Martin Hawtree oversaw a period of re-development between 2004 and 2006 and has polished an outstanding Links course superbly.
For us, the layout of the 18th(Garden) would be our favourite hole. A long 463 Yard Par 4 that almost doglegs 90 degrees. A ditch runs the entire length of the hole and the garden that the brave will play their second shots over is also out of bounds. To play the hole sensibly you need a long tee shot just right of the left-hand side fairway bunkers leaving the shorter shot in, Take aim at the greenside bunkers and take enough club. The closing hole at Royal Dublin is very special.
Find Royal Dublin on Google Maps.