Powerscourt Golf Club (East Course)

From Slazenger to Powerscourt East

The East Course at Powerscourt Golf Club opened in 1996 as the Slazenger Course, the first of the estate's two layouts. Peter McEvoy, a former Walker Cup captain, followed the natural movement of the land rather than imposing a heavily built design. It took its present name when the West Course opened in 2003.

The round moves through hedges, ancient oaks, and beech trees, with Powerscourt House and the Wicklow landscape shaping the outlook. Three par threes play downhill, while the 16th crosses water to begin a testing finish. The par-five 17th asks most golfers to lay up short of another water carry before approaching a shallow green with bunkers behind.

At the 18th, the preferred drive starts towards the right side of the fairway, but water waits beyond that line and a long bunker guards the left. This closing sequence captures the East Course's character: scenic, fair from the correct position, and demanding when the safest side is missed.