Photo of The European Club

The European Club

Brittas Bay,

nr Wicklow, Co. Wicklow

  • Office

    +353 (0)404 47 415
  • Pro shop

    +353 (0)404 47 415
  • Fax

    +353 (0)404 47 449
  • Golf pro

    None

About the course

  • The Course:

    20 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    Pat Ruddy

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7355
6168
5804
Par
71
71
71
SSS or slope
74
69
72

Location

Latitude:

52.859854

Longitude:

-6.071748

How to get there:

65 km S of Dublin

The European Club

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1987

The European Club: A large and local fan base for this splendidly scenic and relatively recent links golf course was quickly established after it opened in 1987. That fan base rapidly rippled out across the golfing world. Perhaps no surprise that the 20-hole layout of the European Club is now routinely regarded as one of Ireland's best ... and most challenging.

After a rather tricky beginning, the course soon comes alive as it tumbles through dramatic sand dunes, and journeys down to the sea's edge. Here you will find some of the most spectacular golf holes anywhere in Ireland. Unusually and rather uniquely, this is a links course that features 20-holes - two extra par-3s (7a and 12a) are in play on most days.

With ever-undulating terrain, railway-sleepered bunkers galore and plenty of trouble awaiting stray drives (including the beach), your game will indeed be seriously challenged. As for testing your putting, the 127-yard green at the long par-4 12th, will see to that.

With sea views from most of the course, and many definitive seaside links holes, especially the ones skirting Brittas Bay, this is a course that does indeed deserve its place amongst Ireland's elite. The rather heavy green fee is obviously a reflection of the layout's growing reputation ( ... perhaps also influenced by its proximity to Dublin).

List of courses: Ireland - East
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club
  • Photo of The European Club

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. No handicap restrictions, but players must be competent on a links course.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (April thru' Oct): weekdays €250; weekends €275.

Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (best to book in advance). Caddies not available.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

The European Club was created and the course laid out by its owner, golf-writer turned golf designer Pat Ruddy. Regular tweaks by Ruddy ensure this relatively modern design continues to remain current and ever challenging.

The European Club is quietly located just south of the popular holiday village of Brittas Bay, which boasts a 3 km beach which faces out onto the Irish Sea.

Published ranking

Ireland: 13th best in Ireland (Golf World, 2023).
GB&I: 57th best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2022).
World: formerly ranked 97th best course in the world (GOLF magazine, 2017; not in subsequent editions of this ranking).

Where2Stay

  • Tinakilly House Hotel4-star

    Rathnew, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow

    +353 (0)404 69274

    Visit website
    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Druids Glen; Druids Heath; The European

  • Woodenbridge Hotel3-star

    Vale of Avoca, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

    +353 (0)402 351 46

    Visit website

    Reputedly Ireland's oldest hotel, established in 1608 and located right next to Woodenbridge Golf Club.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Woodenbridge

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      The European; Seafield.

Find a course

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

AVIS CAR RENTAL

To secure the best rates and ensure availability, it's recommended to book your rental car in advance, especially during peak golfing season.
Car Rental in Belgium, Europe & Worldwide – Avis

Avis Budget

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

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