A guide to golf courses at the top end of the market in 2003

Carton House Montgomerie Course: There are those who scoffed at the notion that what was basically a links course could be designed so far inland. But that is what has happened at Carton House, where the existing Mark O'Meara course - a traditional parkland lay-out, with trees and water features - will later this year be joined by a sister course that is so much different from the first course.

Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the seven-time winner of the European Tour Order of Merit, it is what is loosely termed "an inland links", with all of the features - bar the sight of the sea or the sound of waves crashing off rocks - that players experience on a traditional links course. Indeed, Montgomerie was so bold as to suggest that this course "will be one of the best, if not the best, links courses in Ireland . . . and that is saying something, because you have great links courses here. It is a joy for me to leave something with my name that I believe will be one of the best courses in Ireland."

The bunkers on the course, and there are many of them, are cavernous. This comes from Montgomerie's belief that anyone who finds sand should be punished. "I'm a great advocate for bunkers being a penalty. Far too many times when I have played in America, I've said 'thank goodness I'm in here', because the rough around the bunkers is more severe than the bunkers themselves. Here it is a true links course where the bunkers are a half-shot penalty," said Montgomerie.

Although the bunkers are big and numerous, the course has been designed to be playable for all standards of player, "whether they be five-handicappers, 15-handicapper or ladies", insisted Montgomerie. "You have to have a challenge for everybody. I want people to come back for a second time, to play the course again, and then want to come back again."

The course measures 7,245 yards with a Par 72, and the links characteristics are further enhanced by the use of tall fescue grasses in the rough. Stan Eby, who assisted Nick Faldo in the construction of the much-lauded inland links in Berlin, was the on-site architect. No date has yet been earmarked for the official opening, although it will be around July or August. "We're very pleased with the way the course is developing," admitted David Fleming, the director of golf. "As things stand, all tees and greens are in fantastic shape."

Membership: €37,500.

Bray Golf Club:  In a unique deal, but one which may yet prove to be trend-setting for older metropolitan courses squeezed out by housing, Bray Golf Club is ready to make the move from its old nine-hole course on Bray Head to a new 18-hole course about three and a half miles away, where a new clubhouse of 18,500 square feet also awaits them.

The move is set to take place in May, and the re-location to the new 180-acre site is part of a land swap deal worked out between the club and property developers Dwyer Nolan. The agreement gave Bray a brand new course and clubhouse without the need to vacate their existing course until the move could be made seamlessly.

There can be little doubt that this deal is one which favours the members of Bray, giving them as it does a new course - designed by Des Smyth and Declan Branigan - which has been constructed to the very highest standards and which provides spectacular views along the coast as far as the Pigeon House on one side and with the Sugarloaf on the other. Rumour has it that even the Mountains of Mourne can be seen on a clear day from the 11th green.

The quality of the course construction is such that Penn A4 grass has been used on the greens and, according to Gerry Montgomery, the secretary-manager, "drainage is superb". An added bonus for members is that while the course is built on Bray Head, it is not too physically demanding as the playing surface is relatively level.

As an existing nine-hole course, Bray was limited to a membership in the region of 500 golfers. However, the move to 18 holes means that new membership will be opened - on the lines of the traditional members' club with proposers and seconders - in the near future.

There are a number of feature holes, including the fifth hole which requires a carry of some 150 yards over water off the tee, while the 11th is a Par 4 dog-leg which requires shots to be hit over the out-crop of granite rock and which brings you to the highest point on the course. The finishing hole, the 18th, is a Par 5 dog-leg that requires a third shot to a narrow, elongated green protected by bunkers on each side.

Membership: €15,000.

Powerscourt The West Course: When it was first announced that a little-known but up-and-coming Scottish architect by the name of David McLay Kidd had been chosen to design the second course at Powerscourt, there were some raised eyebrows.

The choice, however, has since been seen to be an inspired one. "We saw him as a new kid on the block, but one who is unquestionably going to be one of the top," remarked Bernard Gibbons, the director of golf at Powerscourt.

The Scot's work in creating Bandon Dunes in Oregon, a links course that is being favourably compared to Pebble Beach, and, most recently, his commission to design the newest course at St Andrews, mean that Powerscourt acquired arguably the hottest name in course design to put his signature to the West Course, which is due to open for play in June or July.

The West Course is very different animal from the existing East Course and, if anything, the spectacular Wicklow mountains have an even greater presence. There is also a much greater emphasis on water - a lovely natural ravine runs through the estate and comes into play on four occasions - while a conscious decision was made to have the women's course some 300 yards shorter than the East Course.

McLay Kidd has used the natural landscape to tremendous effect. Work started on the course in 2001 and now it is virtually ready, with greens maturing nicely and the fairways well grown in. Ten holes are due to reopen in April with full play on all 18 due around June.

There is a fine mix of holes, but the fourth hole - a long Par 4 which dog-legs left back towards the mountains - and the 17th hole could prove to be the signature holes when players finally get to savour this new addition to golf in Wicklow.

Membership: €50,000.