History dates back to long, long ago,

Druids worshipped in the Glen's meadow.

Look for altars and remnants on the grounds,

Close your eyes and listen to the sounds.

From hole number one to the approach at the last,

It is a walk for the ages from new and the past.

The "Augusta of Europe" has given a gift,

Receive it all it will give your spirit a lift.

What is a druid and what does it have to do with golf at Druid’s Glen?

According to history, druids were of the educated class from the ancient Celts (Irish).  They were priests, teachers, and judges.  The name comes from the Celtic word translated to “knower of the oak tree.”  As with so many religions, belief systems, groups, there is a multitude of information, much of which contradicts the next.  For our purposes here, it is all in the name.

The druid's altar off the 12th hole

Druid’s Glen rests in the county of Wicklow, in the town of Newtownmountkennedy, Ireland, just about 22 miles south of Dublin.  The name is driven from the artifacts and altars found on the property, dating back to the 5th century.  It is believed that pagan high priests, or in this sense - druids, worshipped in the forested countryside near the property that is now Druid’s Glen.  But history doesn’t stop there.

The Woodstock Estate dates back to 1600.  It was a landholding for over 150 years, trading owners form Sir Thomas Wentworth to the Earl of Aldorough.  It wasn’t until 1770, and the son of the Earl, that the Woodstock House, was erected.  The stately building of stone, slate, and cast-iron is of the late Georgian era.  Most of the interior has been retained including the rococo plaster work, the original stairs, and several fireplaces.  The timeline and dating include multiple owners and many uses, but in 1990, Irish investors purchased the property commissioning Pat Ruddy, St. and Tom Craddock to build a golf course. The Woodstock House is now the intimate, yet grand, location of the Druids Glen clubhouse. The same patio that held dignified and courtly many decades in the past is now host to modern day patronage.

Inside the Woodstock House - original stairs and columns

Arriving at Druid’s Glen is impressive, majestic.  Similar to what the druid’s would have frolicked  amidst, the forests that line the drive are dense and deep, heeding way to the the meadows that then open to the grand estate.  Fast forward a few centuries, step back in time, picture horse and carriage driving up to the stone entrance, men and women arriving in full garb, ready for a high society dinner, dance, or ball.  The roads would have been dirt, rough on the wear, but park-like.  Now, open your eyes and view modern day Druid’s Glen.  Flags of various countries flying high over the 450 year property.  Men and women enjoying a cup of coffee, glass of wine…sharing stories of the hours of play on what is now called the “Augusta of Europe.”  People walking through the gardens that surround estate.  The hustle and bustle of golfers getting ready to head out for a walk in the same meadows that the druids meandered through hundreds of years ago.

Translation - "A 1000 Welcomes" - as you arrive at Druids Glen

The ninth hole comes back to the clubhouse so no need to weigh down your bag with extra drinks, balls, tees, etc.  Food will be awaiting you at the turn (just say truffle fries!), golf balls are by the dozens in the golf shop and tees, well…they give those to you!  So, grab your clubs, throw them on your back, put them on a pull cart, or even the electric buggy, and let’s get on the course.

Let’s play golf!

Opening hole at Druids Glen - wide and inviting

The first hole at Druid’s is a nice entry into the round before you.  A wide open and a little bit uphill par 4, just tie up your shoelaces and go after it!  Keep it down the left hand side to avoid the fairway bunkers on the right.  With the breadth of the landing area, they really should not be in play.  With a good drive, a fairly open approach is ready for you.  There is a small bunker  that catches your eye on approach.  It looks to be green side but really is a wee bit from the green.  Make sure you stay clear and your round is off to a good start.

Continuing the tone of playing amongst the past, the par 3 second hole is one of the easier on the course.  It also is framed by one of the ancient rock walls that will, literally, stop your ball if you hit it long. The green is massive so pick a club that will land center of the green.  This is only the second hole so let’s keep it simple.  That said, if the pin is middle, then take aim and swing to the target.  There is a bunker left, but that shouldn’t be too much of a “thing.”  Long is protected but does create havoc so middle is the shot.  The surface has a bit of tiering, so make sure you look at the break!

Backstop at the par 3, second hole

Hole #3 is a beautifully designed parkland hole.  All the architectural components are there…dogleg (right), treelined, topography, bunkering, and challenging choices for pin placements.  Trouble comes from hitting it offline off the tee, whether left or right, or the unfortunate fairway bunker landing.  It is a rather short hole, so think of playing your straightest arrow in the quiver.  The approach does get a bit tricky with a couple of prime bunkers.  They line both sides of the green, but don’t fret - the sand is soft and perfect.  A smaller green is comforting so knock it in and move on.

Ring the bell at the 4th!

And now it really begins, at least for me.  The 4th hole is a wonderfully designed dogleg right, slightly downhill and into a recreated green.  The fairway tips to the right so landing a bit left off the tee is good strategy.  If you are a longer hitter, flying it down the hill can leave you with a short approach in but check the yardage book for the trouble that lurks.  Sculpted into the before, around, and to the back of the green is a water hazard that definitely comes into play.  Favor the left side on entry and you will be okay.  Short is much better than long so keep that in mind!  The green is flat but the break will move toward the water.

Views to the countryside - the tee box at the 5th

France?  Italy?  Nope!  The 5th hole at Druids Glen.  A lovely par 5 that starts from a blind tee sheet from a chute amidst lush foliage.  Depending on your length, a shot that skirts the middle is just about perfect.  There are fairway bunkers left and right that do come into play.  The design begs you to sweep the driver a bit left, but really, the shot is right side.  If you can get it on top of the hill, your next shot is down the left as the contour of the fairway will bump you down those needed extra yards.    The beautiful countryside of County Wicklow opens up as you crest the elevation.  Different hues of green coupled with the natural landscape paints a picture reminiscent of a Georgia O’Keefe or Vincent van Gogh.  Once down at the bottom, the approach is inviting from the left (another reason to hug the left on the fairway shots).  The green is only slightly protected so the entry in should be uneventful.  The green slopes a bit left to right so play for that break.  Take a look back from the green at golf architecture at its best.

Depending on your eye, the par 4, sixth, is inviting, or not.  A sharp dogleg to the right begs you to cut the corner, but with a menacing little bunker about 200 yards out, anything short of a perfect shot might give you heartburn.  Stay to the left and take the medicine of a club more into the approach.  It is an uphill walk to the green that is funnels in from both sides. One lone bunker take refuge to the right that really isn’t much of a bother.  If distance keeps you from a long approach, play it as two shots.  Unlike much of Irish golf, use of the sand and pitching wedges should be part of the bag.  A relatively small green suggests accuracy, so keep that in mind.

A bender to the left welcomes you to the 7th tee.  Downhill makes this long par 4 a little more “doable.”  Take aim at the inside corner of the last bunker on the right and swing.  If you can draw the ball, that is the perfect shape.  The fairway slopes right to left so the little bend will overspin down the landing area, getting you closer for approach.  It is still going to be a longer club to the green, so pull up the bootstraps and move ahead.  There is a water hazard off to the left that cuts in from the 8th hole, but only a wayward shot will find it.  The green is fairly open and is long, so club selection means a lot.  The putt breaks right to left!

An island green in the middle of a Japanese garden - par 3, #8

All of the par 3s at Druids Glen are glorious, signature, but the 8th just sparks a different fire inside.  An island that sits amidst the serenity and peace of a Japanese garden.  It is one of the easier holes on the course, but don’t let that fool you.  The staggering beauty of the surroundings, the chirping of the local birds, the smell of nature, all can take your mind away from the task at hand.  And then there is the water that fronts the green.  Whether you play this hole in the spring, summer, or fall, the colors come straight out of the Crayola box.  Watch the break of the putt, it leans a bit left to right, depending on the pin placement.  And once you hole out, take a look back at the tee.  Japanese garden (are there any goldfish in the pond?).

Suspension bridge and looking back to the 9th tee

Wow.  Just wow.  This might not be my favorite par 4 but it weren’t for a few coming up, the 9th hole it could be.  And placed on any other course, it would be a no brainer.  Over the river and up the hill to the green in the distance we go (the cart knows the way…..).  Picking a spot, a tree, a bunker (preferably right center) and focus.  When an architect adds elevation, the game plan is for you to try and lift the ball. No need.  Just keep your spine angle and swing away, letting the club do the work for you.  Take a walk across the suspension bridge, take it all in.  Once across, look back to the flora.  Then keep your game moving.  The approach should be pretty manageable.  There is one trap to the left and one to the right.  Look to the middle and trust your swing.

Here we are, at the turn already!  Grab something to go…a sandwich, burger, salad, and truffle fries!  Fill your water bottle, count your remaining golf balls, and head to the 10th tee.  The back nine at Druids Glen is one to write home about.

From the box next to the Woodstock House, your drive needs to carry a number of yards to arrive in the fairway (another reason to recharge your energy with those fries!).  From there it is a stunning walk down the lush, Augusta-like, fairway.  It is hard to describe, as it is with the Masters, how undulating the contours are at Druids, and it continues on 10.  A par 4 downhill, slight dog leg to the left.  Favoring the left is actually the play as the ball will kick back to the middle. But check the yardage as you need to get to the corner to take this advantage.  The other play is down the right, lining yourself up for the next shot. There are enough bunkers around the green to give you agita!  Miss them and you are off to a great start on the back

The forgiving 11th hole is a prime opportunity for a birdie.  A drive down the left will miss the fairway trap on the right and then open up the fairway for ample room to line up for the second shot.  If length is your captor, then you can play this hole to get home in two.  The other strategy is to ride the right side up to the green.  This will allow you to see the whole green for your approach, and the bunker left will be kept out of play.  Tranquility at its best to the back of the green, breathe in and breathe out.  You are in for more.

Signature? August number 12? The first maybe but the second...#12 at Druids Glen

Remember the comments about par 3s?  Well, the 12th at Druids Glen is purely divine  Part of “Amens Corner of Europe,” this hole starts high above the green, with flora and foliage that take your breath away (alas the breath work on the last hole).  Probably the easiest hole, by yardage, on the back nine, it still requires complete focus and attention.  Water surrounds the green, similar to the 12th at Augusta, complete with a bridge.  Exquisite and elegant landscaping behind the green bursts in color and texture. There is a bunker in between the flowers and shrubbery and the green.  Anything long will stay safe.  Anything short and you are re-teeing.  Could this be the most photographed hole at Druids?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  But it is a must for a selfie or group shot.  From the green, look back at the sculpting of the Druids Cross.

Bridgework at the 13th - Druids Glen

Now the 13th.  It just keeps getting better!  A elbow of a dogleg right sets your drive up for left center.  It is one of the most demanding tee shots of the day, if not your week.  Water cuts through in several different places, so depending on the tee box your are starting from, just take note of the distance to different spots.  The optimum spot is to find yourself 150-175 yards for the approach.  But that is just the beginning of the hole.  The shot into the green is over another body of water, so if length and height are in your bag, okay.  The other thought is to play just short of the water, take your wedge and settle it onto the green.  Take note of the multiple bridges on this hole, starting off the tee.  They are simply magnificent.  No wonder this is the number 1 index on the course, and the favorite of many. Again, experience the design looking from the green back. Just sublime.

Just keep swinging to the beat.  After a beautiful drive through well manicured gardens, the 14th tee opens unveils itself.  The same water that encroached on 13 finds its way to the front of the tee, requiring a good “poke” with the driver.  Yardage is your advantage here as it is not very long.  However, precision is key.  Take aim at the space between the bunkers in the distance.  Go ahead!  If a fade is in your bag, here is your chance.  The approach is special as there is a Sycamore tree behind the green that is over 400 years old.  Just think, that was about the time of many a party at the Woodstock House.  Back to golf.  The green is very well bunkered so hitting it high is of benefit.  The green is tiered to show off the tree, and to give a little challenge on a very large green.  Make sure you reach the correct tier!

Autumn falling on the 15th hole

Hole 15.  Another one of those, “if it were anywhere else, it would be the favorite/signature.” It is a shorter par 4 but the water that attacks the green is far enough back to give you heart a bit of pause.  Keeping the drive to the left and away from the single fairway bunker on the right, and you are halfway there.  By the way, if your ball does find itself in the trap, lay up.  Seriously.  Lay up!  There is a bail out to the right side of the green as water lines the left.  Bridges and more bridges!  Wonderfully designed, implemented, maintained, and structured.  Though not a true false front, beware of the forepart of the green.  Anything short can roll back.  Take it long and you are just fine.

Bunkers, bunkers, and more bunkers.  From the tee to the second shot, third shot, fourth shot…how ever many it takes you to get to the green.  Sand is everywhere.  A tactical hole, well thought out, takes the tee ball from start to finish down a narrow line as you are asked to pick aside, left or right.  Fairway traps, big ones, dart the center of the landing area.  The play is short unless you can carry the expanse.  From there, your second shot is best to squeeze the left to give you a couple of plays to the hole.  The hole is uphill in its entirety.  The green is large and runs off to the front right.  The first part of the trio back to base.  It is fair but tough!

Bridge to the island green at 17

And the last of the signature par 3s.  Hole 17 is home to white swans, an island green, and yes…another picturesque bridge.  This is ALL carry with water circling the putting surface.  If there is any thought to club selection, no matter the pin position, select the club that will settle on the green about middle. The green is crowned so any shot too far right, left, or front will slide into the abyss.  There is a very small trap at the back but you would almost have to aim for it.  This is target golf at its best.  It is a matter of trust, belief, and gumption.

Flags from various countries flying above the 18th

The final hole at Druids Glen is nothing short of eye-catching and breathtaking.  If there were snow on the ground, the site before you might look more like a halfpipe.  But the greenery is out there and the clubhouse is before you.  So grab your driver, take that deep breath, and swing freely.  As a par 5, the first shot is key to set you on your way.  The walk takes you uphill to a larger landing area for the second or third shot.  Then the approach.  Water, water everywhere and so be it here.  Suggestion…lay up until you get 20-25 yards from the drink, then with a short iron in hand, smooth it out.  Long is a bit better than short, so once again, pick the correct club.  Sink that last putt, look back, take that deep breath.  You have just played “The Augusta of Europe.”  Woodstock House is behind the last green, start the walk up.

Beverages and food are waiting for you on the porch just steps from the 18th green.  Woodstock House is worthy of another walk, a personal one.  The tile work, columns, stairs, and multiple paintings throughout.  It is a magnificent opportunity and one that is encouraged.  Then go back to the chairs, draw up a conversation, take the scorecard out and relive the day.  If you journal, what a wonderful course to fill pages.  There will be a day you might want to cast your mind and heart back to the day your feet graced the carpet in eastern part of south central Ireland.  Slán a bhaile!