The European Golf Club

Few courses command such immediate respect as The European Club, a testament to its owner-built design, a personal vision carved into the dramatic Irish coastline of Brittas Bay in County Wicklow. Anchored by towering dunes and windswept fescue, this modern links, conceived by Pat Ruddy, offers a stern but fair test where imaginative shot-making trumps brute force. Ruddy’s hand is evident in every undulation and swale, from the daunting par-3 seventh with its forced carry over a chasm, to the rare double green serving both the fourth and eleventh holes, a quirky yet memorable feature. The European has remained primarily a haven for discerning golfers seeking a pure links experience, its challenging layout and isolated location fostering a sense of golfing pilgrimage. While The European Club hasn’t hosted major professional championships, its uncompromising design has earned it a dedicated following among avid players from around the globe. The club has been known for some to prefer it as a society club, a place where players are known by name and for their love of the game, not their handicap. One unusual aspect that adds to the mystique is the resident herd of wild Wicklow goats that roam freely across the dunes, a constant reminder that this is golf played on nature's terms. After a round, the clubhouse, modest in size, offers respite and conviviality, conversation often turning to strategies for conquering the "Coffin," the par-4 13th, a hole that has humbled even the most seasoned players.