Our journey to becoming a clothing brand stemmed from our love of golf. As a young golfer, nothing trumped an away day; getting your clubs ready the night before, making sure every club was polished and every ball marked up, the early start and the mandatory breakfast roll every time you left the county surrounds. Oh we do love playing away! That is ultimately where this blog came from. We have spent years travelling the length and breath of the country and now we are hoping to compile the practical golfer's travel guide. It's imperative for Irish golfers to spend time researching which course to play, which has the best offer for your regular Saturday fourball and moreover where shall you get our feed before, during and after. Yes, I'm sure you can find a sponsored article out there that will advise you which five-star hotel you should book in tandem with your round, but here at Zenith, we're about good quality and affordable. Bang for your buck as one would say.
Let's not break the bank here and over-complicate things. A nice day out on a new golf course is comprised of three things in our opinion. Good coffee for the road, good golf and good grub. Over the course of the year, we will bring you all of the (practical, not boujee) things you need to know about the amazing courses we are blessed with on the Emerald Isle and beyond. We hope you enjoy it!
Our first course is none other than the remarkable Druids Glen Golf Club. Sandwiched between the Wicklow Mountains, the Irish Sea and the merciless N11, (if you know, you know) is what can only be described as the 'Augusta of Ireland'. Our round here was booked a week in advance at a rate of €120. Was it value for money? We will get into that later.
Best Coffee: Society Coffee, Kilmacanogue.
Located right beside the Northbound Circle K, Society Coffee has become a regular stop for us en-route to Dublin and surrounds. A warm welcome to Dublin, with a 6oz flat white breaking into the €4 mark. Price aside, a consistent and tasty cup of coffee which never disappoints. Would highly recommend.
Druids Glen: Voted Top 5 Parkland Courses in Ireland
Now, let’s talk about the course itself. Druids Glen is often referred to as one of the best in Ireland, and for good reason. Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, the 18-hole championship course is a blend of beautiful scenery and challenging golf. It’s not just about the beauty, though; Druids Glen can be a cruel mistress if your not on target which makes for an exciting 18 holes.
The first nine holes are relatively open, allowing players to settle into their rhythm. However, the back nine tightens up significantly, with narrower fairways and strategic bunkers that require precision. Water features, particularly on the 17th hole, add a layer of difficulty, and the 18th hole is a challenging par-5 that makes for a memorable finish.
In terms of condition, Druids Glen is consistently top-notch. The fairways are always in excellent shape, and the greens are a testament to the greenkeepers. The scenery, however, will bring you back again and again. Whether you’re playing for fun or in a competitive setting, the layout offers a variety of challenges that will test your game.
Our favourite hole has to be the iconic par 3 12th, which looks down from a height on a large undulating green which can make or break your round, closely followed by the island green 17th.
Post Round Meal: The Wilds @ The Beehive
Now, regardless of how good or bad you played on the day, the post round feed can be a real decider in the overall performance of the excursion. Anyone who remembers the pre-M11 days will have fond memories stopping off at the Beehive. The newly opened Wilds Cafe serves breakfast and lunch along with artisan coffee and homemade cakes. They place a very big emphasis on organic produce and boast a very impressive menu. I opted for the Organic Beef Burger which was very reasonably priced at €19 and was exactly what I needed after 18 holes. There are great choices on the menu, but this will only suit the early bird golfers as their kitchen closes at 3.30PM on the weekend.
