Half an hour south of Dublin, Powerscourt Golf Club sits in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains and offers two championship layouts that make the most of 1,000 acres of rolling estate land. The East Course has hosted both the Irish PGA Championship and the European Tour Irish Senior Open, while the West Course stretches across open parkland with views that take in the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Both tracks strike a good balance, better players will need to shape it and think their way round, but if you're off a higher handicap you're not going to spend the day chopping out of trouble either. The setting is one of the main draws. You're playing golf on land that was once part of the historic Powerscourt Estate, so the backdrop is a mix of mature woodland, open fairways and distant mountain ridges. Conditioning is typically strong for an Irish parkland venue, with smooth greens and tidy presentation when we've seen it.
Powerscourt is close enough to Dublin to work as a day trip, but it's also a strong base for a longer golf break in Wicklow. The area is home to several other quality courses and the town of Enniskerry is only a short walk away if you want a post-round pint or a decent meal.
Who is this for?
Golfers looking for a quality parkland experience within easy reach of Dublin, with two championship courses that offer variety, challenge and scenery in equal measure.
Who is it best for?
Groups and societies wanting a solid two-course base in Wicklow, couples combining golf with countryside walks and heritage sites plus anyone who wants to play tournament-standard golf without the formality or price tag of some of Ireland's more exclusive clubs.