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European Club, Ireland |
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The European Club
Brittas Bay
Co Wicklow
Ireland |  | Pat Ruddy |  | None |
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The European Club is located in the garden of Ireland, between the coastal towns of Wicklow and Arklow, about 30 miles south of Dublin. It’s Pat Ruddy’s creation and he and his family have stayed there ever since. This is a unique experience, a 20-hole links set amongst rugged dunes. It opened for play in 1993 with only one thing missing – history.
Ruddy’s continued involvement with the European Club will no doubt only improve matters; the course needs time to evolve and he will be there to help it on its way. We are especially pleased to see that a charming burn has replaced the out-of-place lake in front of the 18th green. It’s an old adage to say that many of the holes look so natural that you’d think they’d been there forever, but it’s true. Ruddy has done an equally good job here as that of Kyle Phillips at Kingsbarns.
This is an inspiring place for golf, huge dunes provide tremendous definition and the Irish Sea is very much a backcloth. It’s a bit of a monster too; the 18-hole layout stretches to more than 7,000 yards, a challenging par 71. Two par 3s (7a & 12a) make up the par 77 20-hole layout and they are definitely worth playing, making a refreshing break from tradition.
 There is no doubt that Ruddy has a sense of humour – the scorecard is full of witticisms, even the green on the par four 12th is humorous at over 125 yards long, with any three putt being an achievement. This is an enjoyable and memorable course. Many of the holes are varied and capture one’s attention and there are some great holes too. The 7th (stroke index 1) is a long 470-yard par four, it's ranked in the world's best 100 holes and it's set on a sandbank that runs through a bed of reeds. A burn runs along the right hand side, beyond which there's a hundred acres of unspoiled land without a building to be seen. On the left are towering dunes, a marsh filled with reeds and more sand dunes by the green. Brittas Bay shimmers behind the green. The 13th – four evil bunkers on the left-hand side and the Irish Sea on the right – amply protect this very long 596-yard par five. The 14th is an arresting par three, measuring 165 yards with a plateau green shielded by huge dunes.
This is an absolute must-play gem of a golf course and quite likely one of the last links courses to be built in Ireland. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | Time for a confession - I've enjoyed reading the reviews on this site for the last few years, without ever feeling the need to contribute any reviews of my own. For that, my apologies. 36 holes at The European Club this weekend (and 18 at Portmarnock) force me to write my first review. I've played golf for 20 years, and have been lucky to play many of the best over this time... RCD & Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, The Old Course, Royal Dornoch and Turnberry in Scotland, Royal Lytham, Ganton, Woodhall Spa. Each year we visit Ireland, and enjoy being beat up at places like Ballyliffin, Rosses Point, Enniscrone, Carne, Murvagh. I've never had as much fun playing golf as I did playing The European!
Others have written detailed hole by hole reviews much better than I ever could, so I won't add another here. All I will say, is that this place made me go 'Wow' more than anywhere I can remember. I've never played anywhere which asks you more questions on the tee... what club, what line, which bunker to aim at (or away from!). That's if you divert your eyes away from the magnificent views which are afforded from almost all tees! The way the holes are framed is spectacular. Miss a green with your approach, and the beautiful cavernous bunkers await. The greens are a delight to putt on, and were as good as anywhere we've played this year... and it was the first week in November!! The course beat us up big time, and we'll be back as often as we can to see if we can get even!
I've also got to confess to being a bit of a traditionalist, and love the clubhouses/history of Ganton, Portmarnock etc, which The European doesn't have... yet. I've surprised even myself choosing this over The Old Course's storied links, Ross's upturned saucers at Dornoch, or those amazing shaggy bunkers at RCD. I'm sure this place will evolve and continue to grow and write its own history. What is does have is the most unique visitor experience I've encountered anywhere. Mr Ruddy (and everyone else here) granted us the warmest of welcomes, shared several stories, and advice on how to tackle his beloved links. If I'm lucky to enjoy a long retirement, and one which involves being able to play lots of golf, this is the type of place I'd like to spend it. For me, the best overall experience in GB & Ire... and my new number 1. |
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| 04 November 2012
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| | I've had th great pleasure of playing this wonderful golf course on many occasions. I believe that the course is one of the truest tests of a golfer’s skill, intelligence, patience and character. On no two occasions does the course seem to present the same challenge and it demands the full repertoire of shots in order to be successful. It is a tough but fair challenge and offers the correct balance, which all golf courses should aspire to, between rewarding a good shot and punishing a bad one.
Some absolutely magnificent holes. The 7th is the signature hole and perhaps the toughest I have ever played. My favourites include the downhill par 5 3rd (visually stunning thorugh the dunes playing from on high with the sae as the backdrop) the 8th (position off the tee and 2nd shot play over a bit somewhat of a gorge) the 11th another short 4 through the dunes where accuracy is premium and the par 5 13th a great risk reward hole played along the sea)
I would happily play this golf course every day for the rest of my life! |
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| 18 November 2011
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| Response: | | | Ebrahim Vahed | 29 May 2012 | | Simply stunning. Played on May 24th in great sunshine. Was the last links course we played on our tour. great conditioning and simply breath taking bunkering. Had some of the best holes we played, with the tricky additional stroke 19 and stroke 20 holes. big disappointment with the water feature at 18th. Would look stunning with a row of pot bunkers instead, but figured that this was Pat Ruddy's way of saying" If you don't like it, get stuffed. This is my course and I will do with it as I please" A great no frills golf course with the best conditioning possible. Just a pity that we did not get to meet the man himself. well done Sir. Ebrahim Vahed, South Africa |
| | | I have just played The European and would recommend in playing this course. The course was in fantastic condition and was everything that I could hope for. The hospitality was warm and friendly and would most defiantly come back
And play again. |
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| 04 October 2011
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| My experience at The European Club was an excellent one. In May of this year decided to take a golfing trip to Ireland with my son the week of July 23rd through July 29th.  We stayed in Dublin so wanted to book tee times on links courses within about an hour drive of Dublin. Since we were arriving on the 23rd, left that day open and planned on making tee times for all the other days. I found links to play using the this Top 100 Golf Courses in Britain and Ireland Ranking and the Golf Guide 2011 published by Failte Ireland.
I had no problem booking tee times online on Monday through Thursday, but had a problem on the weekend. Since the European was within an hour drive of Dublin and south of the city, sent some emails to the Ruddy family and wanted to know if we could play their links on the weekend. The family was very hospitable and welcomed us to play on Sunday July 24th and on Wednesday the 27th. We booked the tee times for 2:00 pm on both days. The family even gave us directions how to get to the links and said it was an easy drive. It was and a very nice ride it was.
We arrived about 2 hours early for the tee time and hit some balls on the range. Found the Ruddy family to be the best hosts one could have for playing their links. They did make sure we enjoyed our stay. Talked to an long-time member at the range who wanted to know where we were playing on our trip. Advised we were playing The European on Sunday and Wednesday, St. Anne's on Monday, Seapoint on Tuesday, and 36 holes at Portmarnock on Thursday. He wasn't sure why we wanted to play anywhere else, but thought it would be a good idea to play some other links. He said he hit the first shot on the European and was good friends with Mr. Ruddy. He said Mr. Ruddy placed bunkers wherever he hit his shots. He also recommended when we get to number 12 green that we try to putt the ball from the front of the green and try to hit it off the back of the green. He said to try and even Tiger Woods could not putt the ball off the back of the green. The green is 127 yards long and it is the longest green in the world -- longer by 9 yards than the longest double-green at St. Andrews. Why such a long green you may ask -- but why not -- it is Mr. Ruddy's links and the setting with the Irish Sea is beautiful. And a good place to take fantastic pictures. By the way, only got the ball within about 20 yards from the back. Did putt the ball off the front from the back -- it was downhill which made it easier but still took quite a putt. For sure my longest putt ever.
When we played on Sunday, we virtually had the course to ourselves and could enjoy the challenge of all the holes and the beauty of the Irish Sea and Brittas Bay. I made a video slideshow for the Wednesday round that is included in this review. For the links that we played, The European was definitely the most scenic. It is also a very challenging links as the links record is a 67 by Tiger Woods. Rory McIlroy nearly matched Tiger with a 70 in the 2006 Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship qualifier. Rory went on the win the match play Championship at The European Club.
 The condition of the links was excellent. I see many of the reviewers compare The European with Portmarnock. Both are excellent in their own unique ways. Portmarnock, established in 1894, has a great history on its side and is definitely a great and challenging links. The bunkers at Portmarnock are sod bunkers while The European has railway sleeper bunkers. Old Tom Morris couldn't have done better. Mr. Ruddy feels bunkers are hazards and they are definitely hazards. The fairway bunkers were difficult at both links as sideways or backwards was a common option. The greenside bunkers were more difficult to hit out of at The European than Portmarnock. Sideways or backwards was an option more at the European. I felt the greenside bunkers at Portmarnock were relatively easier than the European. As far as conditioning, both were excellent and could not easily determine if one was better than the other.
The European was opened for play on December 26, 1992. It is already a great links with an even brighter future with Mr. Ruddy committed to make design changes to reflect the modern golfer, which is ever changing, for the rest of his life. Even though Portmarnock was opened 98 years before the European, this links will have the next 100 years to show its excellence and grow as the game continually progresses over the years.
All of the holes at the European stand out as great holes on their own. Some are ranked higher in the rankings as the seventh is ranked among the top 100 holes in the world. I felt several holes at The European were just as good or better than the seventh. The bunkers are easily visible and sometimes a shot straying slightly off the fairway just seems to sink into the landscape. Make sure you keep a good line on the ball if it is off line. At Portmarnock did not lose a ball for 36 holes. At The European did lose some balls, but the landing areas are generous with well thought out shots. Would highly recommend The European Club for any golfing trip to Ireland. Visitors will be warmly welcomed by the Ruddy family and the links is definitely a pleasure to play. Someday hope to play both The European Club and Portmarnock Golf Club again. Jim Brady |
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| 25 August 2011
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| Response: | | | Keith Baxter | 25 August 2011 | | Click here to see a video slideshow with more excellent photographs of The European Club courtesy of the reviewer. Please note, the video has a musical soundtrack. The reviewer also created a second slideshow... click here to watch. |
| | | 'NOT in the same league' as the 'top links courses' of Ireland.
The few holes on the Irish Sea are the only ray of light.
Therefore the course ranks in the 2nd tier due the the bog-like marsh start to the front nine. |
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| 08 January 2011
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| Response: | | | James O Shea | 08 January 2011 | | Just noticed that it's 17th in GB&I... what a joke ! | | | Kevin Powers | 10 February 2011 | | For a nonsensical "review" such as this, there should be a name attached to it. Or it should be removed. I have played all of them and these 3 sentences do not begin to describe The European-it is at, or near, the top by any measurement-layout, condition, scenery, reception. | | | Stephen Mc | 22 March 2011 | | Utter nonsense. Played this course yesterday in perfect conditions, fairways and greens were pristine. The course chewed up and spat out 3 of our 4-ball, myself included, but not one of us would hesitate to return. A beautiful, stunning but savage course that everyone should attempt to play. | | | Pat Ruddy | 19 August 2011 | | Mr O'Shea's reaction to our links should be put in the context that he visited immediately after we had "enjoyed" the best part of 30 days of snow cover. Most courses were closed that week but it is our policy to play on through thick and thin and, sometimes to our cost, accept visitors without fuss. Pat Ruddy | | | Joey | 20 August 2011 | | I had the pleasure of playing The European Club this spring. I read reviews on this site and saw how they were a bit mixed, mostly positive though. My experience was one I will NEVER forget! I walked in to Mr. Ruddy with his laptop working on his next book. There are no other top flight courses in the world where you could meet the owner/architect/shaper of the course you are about to play. He was the most welcoming host I have ever encountered. To say the front nine is marsh like is at best a lie. There are wetlands throughout the course. They are used as strategic hazards though. The fairways, greens, bunkers, and tees are as firm and fast as any links course. I was fortunate to play when the gorse was in full color so it was truly magical, especially the front nine! Having the good fortune of playing many of the great courses profiled on this site, and many great ones that are not, the European holds it's own and then some. It has some fun quirks that differentiate it from others, yes, but isn't that what makes links golf fun? There isn't a warmer welcome, or a more authentically great experience. I proudly cherish my picture with Mr. Ruddy and dream of my return trip. As an aspiring golf course shaper, he lives all of our dreams every day and I was lucky enough to tell him that! |
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We played this course luckily on the 6th of November on a clear sunny day. I had read the book of Pat Ruddy (the owner and also architect) "50 years in the same bunker" before I played. The book was about the efforts of locating a suitable site for his dream golf course and when doing so designing and sculpting the course within his own reasonable means. It was great to get a insight into the development of the course and you can tell he is very proud of his efforts. Mr. Ruddy welcomed us before we departed out to the course which was great also.
The course itself is brilliant, the first thing that catches your eye is the Sleepers that are embedded into the side of all the bunkers, I think it sets off the bunkers very well along the fairways. Nearly every tee shot requires you to avoid these sleeper lined bunkers. We found the greens very fast even considering the time of year but were also very true. There is 2 extra par 3's which is also great fun which adds up to 20 holes. The highlight was the majestic views of holes 12th 13th 14th by the Irish coast where also you could have a putt on a green of 125 yards which is crazy but fun. The final hole also is very quant with a burn meandering in front of the green, where they even had ball collectors if your ball went into the water, amazing but simple idea.
All in all our 2 ball found our day out amazing, the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The experience was definitely helped with the clear sky and no wind as this could be a tougher animal with the wind howling into you. The clubhouse is basic enough but the emphasis is on the golf course and nature itself. We will definitely be calling back to Mr. Ruddy and the European club hopefully in the near future. (GM)
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| 07 November 2010
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| I loved The European Club. In particular, I loved the wooden sleepers lining the bunkers here - even if some of these railway ties were angled into the ground instead of being piled in straight,  allowing golf balls heading for a sandy fate to sometimes ricochet into play or into adjacent rough (as happened to me a couple of times). Then again, I don’t really mind such a capricious bounce as it surely goes with the uneven territory when playing by the seaside.
Before setting out on my round, I was surprised to read Local Rule 5 on the scorecard referring to “Large Greens” (balls on the green must be putted or dropped off the green under penalty as no chipping or pitching is allowed) then I realized the putting surface on the 12th is all of 127 yards from back to front! How could I have previously thought that only a certain Robert Von Hagge was prone to the occasional grand architectural statement on the course? Mercifully, the remaining greens were all of a somewhat more customary proportion, permitting sensible pin placements on every hole.
Although the first half dozen fairways are situated on high ground a good few hundred yards from the Irish Sea - the notes in the “Shot Saving Guide to the Links” describes the course as a “raised links” - they whet the appetite for the real deal to come on the back nine and the stretch of holes from 12 to 15 is very good indeed. And, despite the fact that holes 7, 13 and 14 are said by some to be the best on the property, I actually thought the best holes were the two delightful “extra” par threes at 7a and 12a. It’s not often that uphill par threes can be made interesting but these two certainly were with the former played to a bunkerless green nestled between dunes and the latter played to a green perched on the side of a sand hill with carry all the way from the tee – wonderful!
For those who read such things, the course guide mentions a) how highly ranked the course and some of the holes are, b) the big names that have played here, and c) the golfing greats with particular holes dedicated to them. Now things like that can offend the golfing sensibilities of some - I’m more put out by having the likes of non native vegetation such as palm trees dotted around courses, actually - but I’ve read the owner’s book “50 Years in a Bunker” and fully appreciate that his half century of service to Irish golf earns him the right to spread the golfing plaudits as thick as he likes.
Pat Ruddy’s natural ability to cock a snook at convention is concisely encapsulated within his Mizzen Head property, both on and off the course - and, fair play to him, he has adapted and changed things around over nearly twenty years as the layout has evolved. If you like your golf tough, scenic and totally engaging then this place will give you all of that and a lot more besides. With the new ring road around Dublin bringing Brittas Bay to within one hour of the airport, visiting golfers would be foolish to not include The European Club in their itinerary. Jim McCann |
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| 01 July 2010
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| | The best course in Ireland. Played here following Portrush, County Down and Old Portmarnock. Portmarnock doesn't belong in the sentence above with the other three. But back to the European Club. Wonderful conditions, slick greens and fairways! Beautiful views, memorable holes and the added treat of a conversation and photo op with Pat Ruddy after the match. Very friendly reception at the clubhouse. Get good directions it's a little hard to find but well worth the effort. Do not go to Ireland golfing without playing here! |
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| 04 June 2010
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| | Unique is a cliché used to describe many courses but the 20-hole European is surely more unique than most. Perhaps it’s too difficult for the handicap player, especially when the course is set up in it’s tournament livery. We played here ahead of the 2009 Irish Professional Championship and it was too difficult for me to play anywhere near my handicap despite calm conditions and the whole of Ireland basking in rare hot sunshine. The fairways were too narrow and the rough was frankly too rough. That said, this was the 2nd time I’d played Mr Ruddy’s course and I enjoyed the experience every bit as much as my previous encounter. I’d certainly recommend the experience to any serious golfer who is not afraid of getting beaten up and losing a few balls. The eccentricity of the place is obvious and I’m not a personal fan of railway sleepered bunkers, especially those placed on fairways. If it were my course, I would consider a programme of riveting and the use of pot bunkers. However, a course designer I am not, but all I know is that a sculled shot from a sleepered bunker can result in injury and a solid tee shot hitting a railway sleeper can result in your ball disappearing into oblivion. All of this said, I do agree with an earlier reviewer, the European is a better course than Portmarnock Old and feel the European thoroughly deserves its position in the World Top 100. |
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| 13 November 2009
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| Response: | | | Cedric | 13 November 2009 | | I also loved the European... But saying it's better than Portmarnock Old?? I'm not sure... There isn't a country mile between those 2, but Portmarnock has the edge for me. | | | Tom Sleater | 16 November 2009 | | The european is quirky, challenging and beautiful. To my mind the most personal and special day can be had here. Its spectacular a course that deserves the merits it gets - a must place course in my mind. | | | Kevin Powers | 25 November 2009 | | To compare the European and Portmarnock, I think, is awkward, at best. One is virtually flat (Portmarnock), the other rises and falls among the dunes with a number of elevated tees (European). Portmarnock's defense is 100+ bunkers, European's its rough and the player's picking a poor line off the tee. And while the European is very scenic, Portmarnock is very average in that regard. Both great courses and difficult, but not at all similar. |
| | | Very Tough course for this 10 handicapper. A must play if your anywhere near this course. The staff is great and Mr Ruddy greated us and we took a pic with him at the end of the round. Not a lot of marking, no caddies, no GPS, tough rough, but a fantastic course and even greater back nine. AAAAA+++++ |
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| 15 October 2009
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| | Played today in fantastic conditions. Course was superb - surpassed all expectations I had heard from the reviews, seen in the photographs and heard from the Irish PGA. Fairways were like carpets, greens were fast and true, bunkers well placed with lovely soft beach sand. Each hole was spectacular in its own right. Highlights for me were the 7th and then 12th through to 18th. Looking back up the coast from the 15th green it felt like I was playing Pebble Beach! Just stunning. I've played RCD, Portmarnock, Baltray and Seapoint this summer. European blows them out of the water in both conditioning and course layout. Loved it. |
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| 21 August 2009
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| | The European Club was a perfect way to close out our recent father-son trip to Ireland.
Our driver walked the front 9/10 with us, and we enjoyed the front 9/10 a great deal. But then our driver quietly left us, offering us no hint of what the back 9/10 would hold for us. And wow, were we in for a treat!
The back 9/10 is so wonderful that it is a perfect way to close out any trip to Ireland. On this -- our first trip -- it was easy to get lost in the moment on the back 9/10, to the point that we really lost all concern for our scoring on this first trip.
By the time we saw our driver again on the 18th/20th green, the only word I had left for him was "superb!"
One more thing -- the hospitality at the European Club was so wonderful and refreshing. My thanks to the Ruddy family for their vision and hospitality.
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| 09 August 2009
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| | Another year, another trip to The European Club. And it was as brilliant as last year. It is a great layout (and I don't use the term lightly), the condition was again excellent, and I simply never get tired of the views-particularly from 3, 12, and 17 tee boxes. I didn't think the Ruddy family could outdo last year's reception and treatment but they did. Let me say it this way; if I could choose 5 courses in Ireland to play forever, and only 5, they would be in order, The European, Waterville, Ballyliffin, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down. |
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| 12 July 2009
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| | A lot has been said about Pat’s own golf course and the bulk of it complimentary; it is impossible to disagree with any of it to be honest. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole aspect of the course, including the two extra par-3 holes (one on each nine) that have stroke indexes of 19 and 20! It is close to being a 6-baller but I take one away just on degree of difficulty; some holes are unbelievably difficult to play to handicap on. Great experience though and the 12th green at 100 yards or so in length is a hole in itself. Recommended. |
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| 06 July 2009
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| | A warmer welcome to a golf club you will not find anywhere else. As for the course, this really is an absolute brute and if you are slightly off your game, you will be looking for a an awful lot of golf balls. The Irish PGA championship is being played here next month, and clearly the course is being set up for that: shin and knee high rough (just a yard or so off the fairways) and greens running extremely fast. We played it on a gorgeous sunny afternoon with a stiff-ish breeze, but it was almost too much for us. There are so many good holes. No.7 has been mentioned many times below, but for me, the run from 10 to 13 is unbelievable. By some distance, this is the hardest links I have ever played and I will be interested to see what score wins the PGA next month. If I had to make just the tiniest criticism, it would be the bunkers. Yes, they look super, and they are proper hazards, but because they all have wooden sleepers in the face you can run the risk of a slightly off line shot being unfairly punished if the ball lands on one of the faces on the fly and rebounds into thick rough, sometimes never to be seen again. Overall, though, this is a superb course and probably second only to Royal County Down in Ireland. For the welcome and service you get from the staff at the club, however, nothing else comes close. |
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| 15 June 2009
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| | Myself and three friends have just returned from a golfing holiday to Wicklow (29/4/09). The European Club was the second of four courses that we played. It’s a truly magnificent set up and track, playing this course was a spectacular experience and one I shall never forget. We received the friendliest greeting imaginable from staff upon our arrival perfectly setting up the day of golf which lay ahead of us. The course was immaculate, tee boxes appeared almost unused, the fairways were similar to some greens which I’ve played and the greens were amazingly true and fast. The European Club is a “must play” for any golfer.
This track will test your golfing ability in full and is probably best suited to sub 15 handicappers, although higher handicappers (myself playing off 18) will appreciate the course lay out, challenging holes and the experience of playing such a fine track. To play this course you need to be on your game, all bad shots are severely punished either by rough, bunkers or positioning. The setting is also outstanding in terms of scenery, particularly the 12th and 13th both of which run alongside the coast line.
Unfortunately you cannot control the weather. We experienced heat, sun and wind for the opening two holes, followed by wind and rain then heavy hail stones and torrential rain which flooded the course. Due to flooding and lightning we were unable to finish the round fortunately for us Pat Ruddy Junior was working in the pro shop. He arranged for us to return the following afternoon providing buggies and the round free of charge, a measurement of the terrific service we received at the Club. The course had fully drained in those 24hrs the sun was shinning and the golf was great. I’ll never forget my rounds at The European Club and I look forward to returning again one day and taking up the challenge once more.
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| 01 May 2009
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| | We just returned from a trip to Ireland where the European Club was our last course. I played on a Sunday afternoon while my wife walked along and we had a marvelous time. The course is beautiful and a great challenge and the staff were as nice as could be, everyone from the restaurant to the starter. We were even welcomed by Mr. Ruddy himself and he was a most pleasant person. Everything that has been written about this place and course is true and is a must play when in Ireland, we will definitely include it again on our trip next year, thanks for everything. |
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| 01 April 2009
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| | I've played this course twice, in 2005 and 2007.
Have had an excellent welcome in the clubhouse and thoroughly enjoyed the course both times, once in a 30 mph wind, the other a relatively calm day. Challenging but fun course to play with outstanding scenery, especially by the ocean. I love the 12th and 13th holes, I watched my dad hit a hybrid into a back pin position on the 125-yard 12th green to about 4 feet and he made birdie. One of the more fun shots I have witnessed from him. If they would allow this American to be an international member, I'd be honored. A must on any golf itinerary when in the Dublin area. Alex Westenfield, Iowa, USA. |
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| 18 December 2008
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| | A great course and a great story (a labor of love for the well-known Irish golf course architect, Mr. Pat Ruddy). A physical setting on a par with ANY classic coastal course (Pebble Beach, Ballybunion, Turnberry, Portrush), with a challenging, varied layout and great conditioning. I find the criticism of some of the quirky features ("burn" in front of #18, 125 yard deep green, two auxiliary holes) misguided. While there can be a fine line between gimmickry and idiosyncrasy in course design, the latter is an essential element of classic links such as Lahinch, North Berwick and The Old Course. I don't begrudge Mr. Ruddy these personal flourishes. Play this course, which is a bargain compared to most comparable "Top 50" tracks - and certainly compared to many vastly inferior courses. P. McGarey |
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| 06 November 2008
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| | We played this course when the Ryder cup was being played at the K club.
All I can say, with a lump in my throat, is it was quite simply the finest golfing experience of my life. At one with nature, majestic challenging stunning links golf, and we had the pleasure of shaking Pat Ruddy's hand to boot.
What a masterpiece!
Martyn Lowden |
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| 01 October 2008
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| | I have never written a golf review before but having just returned from playing the European I feel compelled to write. It is quite simply the finest links course I have ever played, and coming from a Scotsman who has played every top links course in my homeland, that is some statement. The course just kept on building up to a crescendo with us having to spend a few minutes on each tee box just taking in the views and "smelling the coffee". A superb creation that would do credit to the hosting of a major professional tourmament. It is also the first time that I have played in a 4 ball where the combined total of strokes taken on one hole was 8 (par 3 7th). Pat Ruddy - I doff my hat to you, and next time we come over I promise we will not be wearing denim in the clubhouse afterwards. |
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| 29 September 2008
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| | I have been playing golf up and down the length and breath of Ireland for more than 20 years and I have never played on a finer golf course then the European Club.
It's a fantastic challenge. The holes are carved out of the naturally spectaculor landscape. Each hole fits beautifully into the natural terrain.
The highlight for me is the 12th & 13th. Both run parallel to the Irish Sea and provide amazing views. Both holes also posses fabulous greens that could not be replecated anywhere else and are a perfect example ofthe depth of imagination that has been gone into on the design of the course
I generally play the European Club once a year (in Nov) and it is always the highlight of my golfing calander.
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| 25 August 2008
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| | I have played this course about fifty times. In my view, it has the greatest collection of consistently high standard and difficult golf holes in Ireland. Not a weak hole and great variety. Any decent golfer playing off the back sticks when the wind and rough are up (as they invariably are) will have a fantastic experience even before you consider the beauty of the place. I have played many other links in Ireland and many of them are truly wonderful to play. However, the European stands apart as the one where the excitement does not diminish to some extent after the fourth or fifth round. A pleasure in all respects. |
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| 16 August 2008
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| | With Royal County Down and Waterville, my favorite in Ireland. It is fair, can be played long, good greens, excellent fairways for a links, must be planned in terms of club selection and landing area and very scenic. In addition, the Ruddys (who manage it all) could not have been more personable and attentive. If you play the east coast The European should be considered mandatory. Great experience in every respect. |
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| 10 July 2008
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| | The course is still fresh in my mind after playing yesterday morning and I must say that this is one of the “can’t miss” courses on the Irish links circuit. The real estate is beautiful, the routing is spectacular and the condition most impressive. I would only place it behind County Down and certainly in the same category as Ballybunion, Portrush and Portmarnock. To me, the experience “feels” most like that at Waterville, another outstanding course. Besides the stunning beauty of gorse-and-dune-framed fairways (played the tips so my legs are still sore today), the challenge is certainly there from tee-to-green. I appreciated the lack of blind tee-shots (even though Royal St George’s is one of my favorites) and I was very impressed at the illusion of small landing areas only to find 60+ yards when I finally reached the fairway (this can be frustrating for a low handicap, first timer and caddies would have made the difference.) Greens were immaculate and didn’t have the “fall-away” feature of many links courses. I met Mr. Ruddy before the round and only wish he was still there when I finished so that I could ask him about some of his design features (purpose of the 12th green, water at 18th, etc) which seemed a bit out of place but certainly not a detraction from the golf. My only suggestion to make this a better place is the addition of a dormy house. That way I could join from London and play on weekends. |
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| 13 April 2008
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| Response: | | | Kevin Powers | 10 July 2008 | | Agree completely re the water on 18. It was the only hole that didn't fit. Some creative bunkering would have been preferable. Expect that the green on 12 is for the pros-pin in back makes it a 540 yard par 4. Pat's revenge I suppose. |
| | | I am certainly not a world traveling golfer, and have not had the opportunity to play some of the more famous courses around the world. Having said that, I had the opportunity to play the European a few weeks back and I was blown away by the beauty, course layout, challenge and fun that the course offers. I played with a couple of N. American friends who live in Ireland and play the course regularly. What I found most refreshing was the people that tend to the course and it's patrons. The front nine is a challenging links layout with several blind shots that made having a few more experienced players along a necessity. The back nine was stunning along the water. I enjoyed 17 the most with both an elevated tee box and green. It was a special round and will go back again on my next visit to Ireland. |
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| 17 November 2007
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| | Played this awesome course nov 8 2007,benign conditions and what a challenge.Very long,deep penal bunkers and slick sloping greens.The condition of european gets better with each passing season.A must play for any serious golfer |
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| 08 November 2007
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| | played this a few years ago on a wet windy day. Quite the hardest combinaton of course and conditons I've ever experienced. This is exhilarating links golf - proving too tough for my higher handicap colleagues after 10 holes. along with Royal St George's and Silloth on Solway the best links course I have played and the ussual friendly Irish welcome. |
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| 28 October 2007
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| | I played the course back in 2004 with my 14 YO son, it was a day to remember. there was only two other people on the course, not many courses you can say that about. I will be moving to Arklow in early 2008 & am realy looking forward to playing the course again. |
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| 10 October 2007
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| | Had the pleasure of visiting in Sept 2006 on a truly miserable day for golf, with 40mph winds and sheeting rain. The highest compliment that I can pay is that our group hoped that the round would not end. Excellent routing and variety of golf holes, I do believe that I would never tire of playing this fine course. Highest quality service and greeting as well.
Dave McGill
Toledo, Ohio |
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| 19 April 2007
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| | First let me qualify the negative side of this review by saying that this really is a very good golf course and that the greens are amongst the best I have ever played on, however whether the European deserves to be ranked this highly (within the World Top 100??) is questionable. The course's owner and designer Pat Ruddy claims that the European Club is all about the golf course and openly makes no apologies for the lack of adornments on the course or the "Spartan" nature of the clubhouse. This philosophy is very admirable and when combined with the extremely polite and helpful hospitality that was a theme throughout the booking process, our arrival on the day (where we were greeted by Mr Ruddy himself), on the first tee and throughout the service in the clubhouse, a day at the European makes for an extremely friendly and enjoyable golfing experience. However, something doesn't sit quite right - if you are going to distribute pamphlets on the simplicity and purity of this "true links" and mark out the tee boxes with simple wooden stakes and old stones then don't present me with huge marble plaques on some of the tees saying how "so and so" golf writer decided that this hole (the 7th) was in the Top 100 in the world or have cheesy hole dedications to some of the "game's greats" – it smacks of contradiction and frankly comes across as self-congratulatory. On top of this, whilst some of the shoreline holes are really special, the 120 yard green on the 12th adds nothing to an already exceptional golf hole and if anything, in the context of Mr Ruddy's philosophy, detracts from its enjoyment by turning the approach and putting elements into little more than a gimmick. This is a fantastic golf course but because the opening handful of holes have too much of a parkland feel and there is something not quite right in the set up, it cannot be considered a great links and should not be keeping the close company with magnificent courses like Lahinch, Sandwich and Waterville that it currently enjoys on these pages. |
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| 07 November 2006
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| Response: | | | Pat Ruddy | 14 April 2007 | | It is never comfortable answering nameless and faceless people.
However, the writer is unfair when characterising one's love of the game and respect for the great champions one has known, by dedicating holes to them with their written permission/acceptance, as "cheesy". If it ain't "cheesy" elsewhere it ain't "cheesy" here.
It is not "self-conratulatory" to draw attention to awards earned by our links. High rankings are generally well earned in most fields of endeavour, especially when they are held over many years and over several ranking endeavours in different countries, and we make no apology for displaying our awards no more than a Michelin restaurant would make no apology for hanging its stars.
On the matter of the big green at 12 we will agree to differ. I love it and I hope that the nameless and faceless one will return someday and think it out.
Pat Ruddy | | | Mick | 06 September 2007 | | Its a must. Easily the most difficult course I've ever played, and I havent even sniffed the back tees yet. Played the alliance a number of times over the winter, and on a nice day there's no better place to be. The stretch of holes from 10 through to 14 are stunning, especially the 11th, 12th and 13th. Other notable holes include the dogleg 5th and the spectacular 17th, both of which are considerably more appreciable than the course's most lauded hole, the brutish 7th. 7 is hard, thats all it is. Its a very intimidating drive, with a swamp down the left and a green that was not designed to accept long irons. It is hardly the best hole on the course, neither aesthetically nor strategically. As you'd expect the greens and fairways are pretty flawless (it IS a links), but I'd question the purpose of the wooden sleepers in the bunkers. Rather than make it more difficult to get out, they merely make the traps more hazardous to one's well being, since anything that's thinned will ricochet back at you with potentially lethal results. A quirk that does nothing for the course, as is the burn in front of the 18th, which, despite being an improvement on the lake that preceded it, still seems out of place. The par 3's are wonderful with no exceptions, especially the one after 12, which I've yet to play, since its the course's number 19 or 20. Hence on to the 21st. Many have complained in prior posts that the facilities and food are not up to scratch in the clubhouse. Well, its
rate the golf COURSE isnt it? Its a great track, Ballybunionesque, but with a ways to go before it can truly be compared to Kerry's finest. |
| | | One of the most exciting links courses I've ever played. A touch of Ballybunion or Tralee, but in much better condition. We played on a sunny but windy day, it was really hard, but it was so much fun. There are probably no weak holes, but the 7, 8, 10, 14, 17 and 18 are really great. In my opinion this course is much better than the more famous Portmarnock Old. |
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| 22 June 2006
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| | I found The European Club a big let down. On arriving at the club, I found it completely lacking any ambience.
On the golf course, there are clearly several fine holes on the back nine, bordering the Irish Sea. On the whole, however, I found the layout, routing and overall quality of the holes very mediocre.
Kelly Conway |
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| 22 January 2006
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| Response: | | | Pat Ruddy | 14 April 2007 | | I'd get mad at Mr. Conway if I didn't know that he wrote rubbish about Waterville, too. He seems a fine example of the loud American. Perhaps he might layout his course design credentials? | | | Trent | 15 August 2007 | | Mr. Conway is way off the mark here. I played the European 3 years ago and I am coming back to play it on 8-28. I have played over 50 of the top 100 in the world and to date this is my favorite course that I have played. | | | Kelly Conway | 08 November 2007 | | Dear Mr. Ruddy, I am not a course designer but i know what I like: Royal Cinque Ports; North Berwick; Kingsbarns; Royal Aberdeen; Royal Dornoch; Western Gailes; Formby; Portmarnock; County Louth; Royal County Down, Portrush; Portstewart; Lahinch; The Island. I just did not think that The European Club measures up to these courses. Kelly Conway (The Loud American) | | | Kevin Powers | 05 September 2008 | | Ambience ? Perhaps you could attach a chandelier to your buggy. Might help you "go low". | | | James O Shea | 08 January 2011 | | Well put Mr Conway ! |
| | | One of the most interesting and most exciting links courses I've ever had the pleasure to play. A touch of Ballybunion and a hint of the Glashedy course at Ballyliffin awake the senses. The 20-hole layout pitches and rolls through and across some fabulous ground and the best holes hug Brittas Bay. We played here last week on a warm and sunny day and it was magical. It's a nice touch to see the plaques on various holes, especially the ones which were rated in the World's 500 Greatest Golf Holes, but I have to say that I think they got it wrong. There are far better holes here at the European than those selected by Mr Peper for his book. There is a need for the course to settle down and mature into what I think will be one of the greats. My only critisism is that the grass is a bit coarse in places and doesn't have the firm feel of old-fashioned links courses... come on rabbits, do your stuff! That said, hats off to the Ruddy's. Cracking course, great value and a warm welcome. |
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| 30 August 2005
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| Response: | | | Mo | 30 August 2007 | | Mr. Pat Ruddy. I am a FAN of yours. I just booked my tee time on your course for a quick weekend to play The Island, The European Club, Turnberry and Prestwick. However, I find your comment regarding "Loud Americans" very distasteful, disrespectful and offensive. WHy would you alienate the Americans who are probably your biggest clientelle? With that, I am looking to reconsider playing your course. You can take the compliments but not the critics. It's a GOLF course you will never make everyone happy, no one will ever play it the same way, the course is never the same day in and day out, the course will be different for everyone. Just take your ciritcs as they come, time and play of the course will be the true judge. Thank You.. plese see my course reviews at www.mygolfadventures.com |
| | | We were expecting a great course and were not disappointed.Was indeed better than we thought!
Perfect greens and fairways.No weak holes.Among them,the par 4 12th and its almost 100 m long green!A beautiful setting and lush vegetation with very penalising rough.Not much more to say.Great!! |
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| 15 June 2005
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| | One can be forgiven for thinkning that this course is in poor condiion after seeing the inadequate club facilities, but oh how wrong can one be! Winding its way amongst magnificent 30m high dunes this gem of a course provides the golfer with a stern test of accuracy and links technique. If the wind blows add at least 4 shots to your score and simply enjoy a setting that feels as far from reality as any course I know. When you eventually exit the dunes for views of the Irish Sea you will not regret making the trip. This course has a soul that is so often lost on today's courses. Pat Ruddy must be commended. |
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| 25 April 2005
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| | Surely the European is the most friendly and welcoming club on the planet? I have never received such a genuinely warm reception in all my travels and all of this was before the fun really started. I love this course and you must play all 20 holes, they are all memorable in their own right. The keyword here is excitement. Each and every time you stand on the tee it generates a thrill. This course is up there amongst my all time favourites...sheer delight.. |
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| 15 February 2005
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| | I was slightly sceptical when arriving at The European as in my opinion a links course is a piece of history and attempting to create a course would take something extraordinary. The initial impression was poor. The entrance was untidy and the surrounding area look unkempt. However when we got into the clubhouse and were met by Mr. Pat Ruddy himself, our perceptions began to change. He was full of passion and enthusiasm and offered us the warmest welcome I have ever received from any golf club. The course itself is a beast. Lots of great golf holes ensuring that every single club in the bag is given an airing. The 7th is rightly the show piece and what a golf hole. A tight drive that needs to be long to give you any chance of reaching the green in two, is but the beginning of your concerns. The second shot is into a green adorned by danger. Rough grass, dunes and water all protect this stunning golf hole. The course for me still needs time to develop, but Mr. Ruddy may I say you have made a great layout and I hope that nature allows this course to develop into a true great. In my eyes a modern day classic. |
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| 20 May 2004
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