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Druids Glen Golf Club
by Anders Bessermann & Lars Rudbeck
| Links Corner Course Database ID Number - 1430 |
Release Date |
CRZ Filesize |
Par |
Course Length |
| 2004-03-29 |
83,601,371 bytes |
71 |
7026 yards |
| Type |
Style |
CRZ Filename |
|
REAL |
PARKLAND |
Druids Glen.crz |
| Course ID |
Course Key |
| b17e514c60854e4bb83e7497454ce51d |
16eba7414875eed86de633a618d77b07 |
|
LINKS CORNER REVIEW |
Info from the readme:
History of the Course:
Druids Glen owes its name to the pagan high priests, or druids, who worshipped in the forested Wicklow countryside in the 5th century. A druid's altar at the 12th hole remains as proof of their inhabitation of the glen. It is situated south of Dublin in the heart of beautiful County Wicklow, nestling between the Irish Sea and the stunning Wicklow mountains in an area known as the "Garden of Ireland" due to its impressive beauty. Druids Glen is both technically demanding and visually appealing, and the mystique of this exquisite matural setting, the rich history of the land and surrounding amenities combined with a picturesque 18 hole course leaves no wonder why Druids Glen is such acclaimed.
The majestic clubhouse is the former manor house, called Woodstock House, which was built in 1760 by an Irish earl. Later, a local bishop took over and enlarged the house. Restored to its original architectural elegance, the clubhouse now includes an exquisitely appointed small dining room overlooking the 18th green. The course is laid out over the original estate that features ponds, high banks planted with trees and shrubs, a walled garden, and low lying areas where streams meander over rocks. The course of bent grass greens is impeccably landscaped with all kinds of trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
Architects and architectural features:
Course architect Pat Ruddy, whose achievements include Ballyliffin and the highly regarded European Club, joined forces with Tom Craddock on the assignment. Money, the pair was told, was to be no object. Architects Ruddy and Craddock came up with a stunningly beautiful design that many compare to Augusta National. The landscaping is, to say the very least, lush and extravagant, providing a sense of maturity well beyond its tender age, resulting in the course being a riot of color throughout the year, even in winter.
Druids Glen presents a technically demanding challenge to even the pros on the European Tour, who were uncommonly flattering and respectful in their evaluations of the course. There can be no question that Druids Glen is difficult and in parts, extremely so. It demands that you have every aspect of your game working perfectly if you are to come up with a decent score. From the opening hole, a 445-yard, sweeping par 4, you know this will be no cakewalk. The challenge only builds.
The par 3s at Druids Glen are among the most memorable, with several playing from elevated tees. Streams and lakes provide frequent hazards and nowhere is this more frightening than on the 17th where you play to an island green. Water is again ominously present on the closing hole, where three lakes surround the green. Once the round is completed, you understand that Druids Glen is a course of real substance and a relentless fighter, ready to take on all challengers.
International tournaments:
Druids Glen opened to much acclaim in 1995, and within an amazingly short period of just one year was hosting Ireland's premier golf event, the Murphy's Irish Open, an honor repeated for each of the next three years. In 1999, Sergio Garcia won first professional title in his only sixth tournament start since he turned pro when he captured the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen. Voted European Golf Club of the Year in 2000, the meteoric rise of this relative youngster has continued and in 2002 Druids Glen hosted the first Seve Trophy, a European Tour event pitting a combined Great Britain & Ireland team against the best from continental Europe in true Ryder Cup fashion.
About Anders Bessermann and Lars Rudbeck
The course design of Druids Glen was lucky to have two acclaimed designers give it a go. Anders Bessermann is known for his excellent work on the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course with was ranked in the top 10, and plays as a tournament course to many online tours. Lars Rudbeck has designed Cogitara Golf Course which received a top 25 rating, and Midnight Golf Club, a favorite to many here at Links Corner.
Technical Aspects
I thought the color of the textures suited the course very well. All the textures blended nicely to make a great product. Both designers did a great job of paying attention to detail. The fact that it wasn't 100 percent accurate didn't have any effect on the quality of the course. In the readme file, the designers mention that no DEM date or aerial photographs were available, so they did this course based on visual identification which I was very much impressed with.
Shot Value
Shaping tee shots and iron shots are actually an advantage on this course. If you can find the fairway with a well placed tee shot, you can hit draws and fades to the green and use the subtle, yet sometimes hilly slopes on the greens to your advantage. Druids Glen is a course that tests your driving ability and aggressiveness with your iron play. You can be somewhat greedy and play well, and you can be too conservative and play poorly too. Hit your irons in the right quadrants of the greens and you'll find that you can make just about anything. Hit your approaches on the wrong side and you'll find yourself with difficult curling putts. You'll notice in the secton below entitled "Key Holes" that you will encounter holes with unique characteristics as well as variations in length. It's not a classic bombers course, nor is it a U.S Open Course. You can be a little scrappy and get away with it.
Playability
This course is a real treat for all to play. Very playable if you know how to work the ball and control your distances. Imagination is key here. I personally recommend this course to newcomers to Links and those whom have been playing for a while.
Extras
There as extensive use of 3d objects around the course. The designers used actual hole previews (with permission)from the club itself. The course came with a cameo screen and a splash screen.
Key Holes
The 190 yard par 3, 2nd hole is a classic golf hole. A downhill tee shot to a fairly large green guarded by a lone bunker on the left side. A longish iron or lofted fairway wood is required to reach this mid-size par 3.
The 517 yard par 5, 5th hole is a hole that stands out to me. Not much trouble on the hole, but it's a good opportunity for an eagle. A blind shot greets you as you walk onto the 5th tee. A decent tee shot will leave you with about 235 to 245 to the flag. From there a lofted fairway wood is required to the green which is slightly elevated. Two main bunkers guard the green. One short and one long, so distance control is key.
The 174 yard par3, 12th hole is another example of a beautiful par 3. The tee shot requires good distance control. There's a bridge that the player has to cross to get to the green, take a look at it via the dynamic cam. I thought the designers did a great job of paying attention to detail here. Aim about 5 yards short to allow for a kick toward the flag. Danger is long.
The 471 yard par 4, 13th hole is the prettiest hole I have ever seen designed for Links. A downhill tee shot that takes the driver out of your hands leaves a long second shot that plays uphill. The second shot is a very beautiful one. A large lake starts on the right side of the hole but makes its way toward the left. However, it is not in play. Your second shot is with a long to mid iron to a fairly large green that is unprotected.
The 399 yard, 14th hole is a very unique hole. You're greeted with an uphill tee shot through a schute of trees. Though this hole doglegs from left to right, I recommend hitting a draw off the tee. That way you are favoring the left side of the fairway which leaves the best angle of attack to the flag. Your approach is uphill and you might have to add two or three clubs more to accomodate.
My Overall Impression
I thoroughly enjoyed this course design. Although this course is not 100 percent accurate, it didn't take away anything from the design. Each hole fit my eye and that made is easier to play. The textures used complemented each other nicely. I also thought the planting on the course was superb. I appreciated the attention to detail on all the holes. From the views via the dynamic camera, you can see the cartpaths, bridges, water fountains, and other images that were used to make this course the gem that it is. I recommend that everyone download this course, it is a must in everyones collection. This is definitely staying on my hard drive and will be burnt onto a CD. I thank Anders Bessermann and Lars Rudbeck for bringing a true European golf course design such as Druids Glen to our PC's for Links 2003.
Course website
http://www.druidsglen.ie/
Disclaimer:
This review reflects my opinion as a player and designer. For those whom disagree with the review given, the proper way to approach it is to simply write me an email. Here at Links Corner, we try to make it a friendly environment where golfers can come and give opinions without scrutiny. Leave your thoughts in a form of an email and not a public post. It is unfair to judge a reviewer based on his own opinion. Any comments or questions should be forwarded to andrewcraygolfdesigns@hotmail.com
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CLIPNOTES by Ben Bateson (ousgg) |
Description
Real, parkland course |
Location
TBC |
Conditions
TBC |
Concept 9/10
Some courses don't need an artificial 'theme'. In the re-creation of Druids Glen we get a larger-than-life depiction of a lovingly manicured and pieced-together golf course. Despite the alternation between Linksy-type holes, sharp woodland doglegs and stadium-style target golf, the whole course feels real and continuous. The variety of course, provides a good test no matter what your preferred course. |
Appearance 10/10
The luscious greens that make up the course are typical of the Irish locale and the choice of colours in this creation is brave but well-matched. One thing that will strike you as beautiful but unconventional is the planting. Druids Glen is a new course, and the small trees appear unthreatening, but come into play quite frequently. The bunker work is sublime, and part of the reason I chose the screenshot above many better-known holes. Textures throughout are very adeptly created and chosen. There is nothing here that you won't want to look at. |
Playability 9/10
I swear to God I'd reached the back nine before I'd noticed I was playing, such was the beauty of the environs. Most tee shots will require a choice of target or some shape, and several holes have a lay-up option. You'll want to slice a few shots off into the rough or the bunkers just to enjoy their look. The course always gives you the impression that you're playing well, such is the positive aura that surrounds it. |
Challenge 7/10
Maybe a shade too easy, especially the Par 3 holes: I averaged well under par on the short holes. None of the greens feature huge elevation changes, although several on the front nine are tilted. The judiciously-placed hazards keep it from being a pushover, but all but the most advanced options will lead to a rewarding round. |
Technical 9/10
The course is sublime technically, with perhaps only some of the flowerbeds and the green fringe blends (they actually need to be more delimited) warranting closer attention. These are almost possible to overlook in light of the brilliant bunker work and the ultra-real textures: the time that has gone into this course is superb. |
| Overall |
A great representation of a great course. Magic to play and rewarding to score upon. Highly recommended. |
44/50 |
Please remember that Clipnote reviews are the opinion of one person and do not constitute an 'Official' Links Corner review of the course. |
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