David McLay Kidd — the architect behind Bandon Dunes in Oregon — brought a more open, windswept character to the Powerscourt West Course. Panoramic Wicklow Mountain views, a different design philosophy to the tree-framed East, and a layout that can play very differently depending on the wind. Often available when the East is fully booked.
Handicap certificate required. Shared car park and clubhouse facilities with the East Course. Also see the East Course.
Beloved café in Enniskerry village — 5 min from the estate.
Get directions →47-acre terraced gardens — National Geographic top-ranked.
Find out more →Powerscourt West was designed by David McLay Kidd — best known internationally for creating Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, one of the top destination golf resorts in the world. His commission at Powerscourt produced a course with a markedly different character from Peter McEvoy's East: where the East is set within the estate woodland and framed by mature trees, the West occupies more open, exposed ground with wider views across the Wicklow landscape.
The West is a par 72 layout of approximately 6,600 yards from the medal tees. The more open terrain means wind plays a significant role — on days when there's a breeze across the Wicklow uplands, the West can test shot selection and course management in ways that the more sheltered East does not. In calm conditions, the panoramic mountain views across the entire layout make it one of the most scenic rounds in the county.
Green fees run slightly lower than the East Course — from approximately €65 weekday — and tee times are often easier to secure, particularly for midweek rounds. The West is an excellent choice for visiting golfers who find the East fully booked, or for those who prefer open parkland to a tree-lined layout. Both courses share the same superb clubhouse and facilities.
A handicap certificate is required. Book directly through the Powerscourt Golf Club website or by phone on +353 1 204 6033. The two-course membership of the estate — playing both East and West on consecutive days — is one of the best golf breaks available within 30 minutes of Dublin.
| Season | Weekday | Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (Jun–Aug) | From €80 | From €90 | Advance booking recommended |
| Shoulder (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) | From €65 | From €75 | Best value season |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | From €45 | From €55 | Excellent value |
Rates are indicative and subject to change. Confirm directly with Powerscourt Golf Club. Two-round packages playing both East and West are often available.
The East Course (Peter McEvoy) is set within the estate woodland — tree-framed fairways, sheltered from the wind, and the Great Sugar Loaf as the defining backdrop. The West Course (David McLay Kidd) is more open, with wider fairways, panoramic mountain views, and a design that is more exposed to the Wicklow wind. The East is the more celebrated of the two; the West is a strong course in its own right with a different and equally valid character. Many visitors play both over two days.
David McLay Kidd is the Scottish golf course architect best known for designing Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, USA — one of the top destination golf resorts in the world and widely regarded as among the finest links courses built in the 20th century. His commission at Powerscourt West brought the same approach to using natural landform and open exposure as a design tool.
Not necessarily. The West Course has wider fairways and a more open character, which can make it feel more accessible in calm conditions. However, when the wind blows — as it often does across the exposed Wicklow uplands — the West can play significantly harder than the more sheltered East. Wind changes the course completely.
Yes — two-round packages playing both courses are often available. Contact Powerscourt Golf Club directly to enquire about combination packages. Playing both courses over one or two days gives you a complete picture of what the estate has to offer and is one of the best golf experiences available within 30 minutes of Dublin.
Yes — a handicap certificate is required for both East and West courses at Powerscourt. Visitors should bring their home club handicap documentation or a recognised digital handicap record (Golf Ireland HowDidIDo, WHS app, etc.).
The flagship course on the estate — 7,064 yards, Great Sugar Loaf views, consistently rated among Leinster's finest.
Four-time Irish Open host — championship parkland 20 minutes south. Wicklow's most celebrated golf venue.
Pat Ruddy's heathland companion at Druids Glen — gorse, heather and a different character to the parkland courses.