Set within the magnificent Powerscourt Estate in the shadow of the Great Sugar Loaf, the East Course is one of the most photographed golf settings in Ireland. Peter McEvoy's championship layout tests every club in the bag across 7,064 yards of rolling Wicklow parkland with mountain views at every turn.
Handicap certificate required. Advance booking essential — the East Course fills up weeks in advance in peak season. Also see the West Course for availability.
5-star luxury hotel on the estate — walking distance to both courses.
Check availability →Ireland's highest pub — 10 min from Enniskerry, famous for seafood.
Get directions →Ireland's highest waterfall at 121m — 10 min from the clubhouse.
Find out more →Powerscourt Golf Club occupies a uniquely privileged setting — the grounds of the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, one of Ireland's most celebrated country estates and home to the famous Powerscourt Gardens (ranked among the top gardens in the world by National Geographic). The East Course was designed by Peter McEvoy, the English golf course architect who also worked on the renovation of Royal Lytham & St Annes. His layout threads through mature estate woodland and across rolling parkland with the Great Sugar Loaf mountain as its defining visual landmark.
At 7,064 yards from the championship tees and par 72, this is a genuine championship test. The course is maintained to high standards year-round, with USGA-specification greens and wide, well-conditioned fairways that play differently depending on the conditions. On a calm summer day, the parkland can be forgiving; when the wind comes off the Sugar Loaf, it becomes a proper examination of shot-making.
The setting alone is worth the green fee. The Wicklow Mountains form a constant backdrop, the estate woodland frames every hole, and the sense of playing within a landscape of genuine grandeur is unlike anywhere else in the county. This is why the East Course is consistently rated among the top ten courses in Leinster and in the top thirty in Ireland overall.
Green fees run from approximately €70 weekday in shoulder season to €100+ at peak summer weekends. A handicap certificate is required. Advance booking is strongly recommended — this course is popular with corporate groups and visitors throughout the season and can book out weeks ahead.
| Season | Weekday | Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (Jun–Aug) | From €90 | From €100 | Advance booking essential |
| Shoulder (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) | From €70 | From €85 | Best value window |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | From €50 | From €60 | Excellent value |
Rates are indicative and subject to change. Always confirm current green fees and availability directly with Powerscourt Golf Club before travelling. Golf + stay packages available.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship (Black) | 72 | 7,064 | Full championship test |
| Medal (White) | 72 | ~6,600 | Recommend for most visitors |
| Ladies (Red) | 72 | ~5,400 | — |
Exact medal and ladies tee yardages should be confirmed with the club — figures shown are approximate.
The combination of setting and course quality is what sets Powerscourt East apart. The course is set within the Powerscourt Estate — one of Ireland's great country estates, with the Great Sugar Loaf mountain as a constant backdrop. Peter McEvoy's design is a genuine championship test at 7,064 yards par 72. To play here is to experience golf in a landscape of unusual beauty — there are few more visually impressive rounds available in Leinster.
Yes — a handicap certificate is required to play Powerscourt East. Visitors should bring their home club handicap documentation or a recognised digital handicap record (e.g. Golf Ireland HowDidIDo, CONGU, World Handicap System app). Confirm the specific requirement when booking.
For summer weekends (June–August), book at least 3–4 weeks ahead. The East Course is popular with corporate groups and visiting golf societies, and prime tee times fill quickly. Midweek slots in shoulder season (April–May, September–October) are easier to secure and represent better value. Call the club directly or book via the website.
Yes — Powerscourt also has a West Course designed by David McLay Kidd. The West has a more open character and is sometimes easier to book when the East is full. Many visitors play both courses over a two-day visit to the estate.
The Powerscourt Estate includes the famous 47-acre Powerscourt Gardens — National Geographic ranked them among the top gardens in the world — as well as the Powerscourt House (shops, Avoca café), and the Powerscourt Waterfall (Ireland's highest, at 121m) a short drive away. Combining a morning round with an afternoon in the gardens and a late lunch is an excellent way to spend a day in Wicklow.
Take the M50 south and pick up the N11 towards Wicklow. Exit at the Bray/Enniskerry junction and follow signs for Enniskerry village and Powerscourt Estate. Total distance from Dublin city centre is approximately 25km, around 30 minutes in normal traffic. Use the Google Maps directions button above for turn-by-turn directions to the car park.
More open and panoramic than the East — panoramic mountain views, a different design philosophy. Often available when the East is booked.
Four-time Irish Open host — the other great championship parkland course in north Wicklow. 20 minutes south.
The 47-acre terraced gardens — among the finest in the world. Combine your round with an afternoon in the gardens and the Avoca café.