DESTINATION GOLF 2024

Founded in 1885 , Royal Dublin is Ireland ’ s oldest links . Its clubhouse sums up the quality and history embraced by the traditional out-and-back routing on Bull Island .

There are no big dunes here – this is about the natural twists and turns that make bump-and-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 . Those bunkers have undergone a full rebuild under designer Frank Pont ( Clayton , Devries & Pont ), and their number has fallen from 93 to 55 . Every one is superb and it has seen the links rise to another level .

You can expect a full-frontal assault when you reach the turn as 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 . Take inspiration from the plaque beside the 16th tee where Christy O ’ Connor Senior started one of the greatest finishes in golf . He played the last three holes in five under par to win the Carrolls International in 1966 .

WWW . THEROYALDUBLINGOLFCLUB . COM

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