The Links Thread

Amazing.

Was saying to the lads the other day - I have 2 or 3 big links trips left.

North / Donegal

Then Kerry - have never played golf in Donegal or Kerry. Terrible, maybe the 2 best counties for golf in the country - I better get moving on it.

I was very lucky to play The Island today, with Golfgraffix, The Big Easy, and Ryaner777. Not my first time to be invited out there – I just love the place.

There is always an almost childlike excitement, when you know, you are heading to one of the “big ones”. Even the drive to The Island - is a joy and a discovery. If you’re from the North Side of Dublin, there was always a bit of mystery about The Island, it isn't an Island, but is about as out of the way you can be in Dublin – yet only 5 mins from the M1 these days. Dublin has changed from when it was a boat journey from Malahide.

The practice facilities are an incredible introduction to what is ahead – you take your normal chip on the full size chipping green – and then your ball rolls – then rolls – then rolls. You are on a perfectly course paced, chipping green. A joy, when you consider, how often you go to courses in Ireland and the practice facilities are a little forgotten about. You enter into a bunker at the practice area also, about 8 feet deep, top class condition – “Welcome to The Island”. As “Ryaner” said – you could spend a day there alone.

The condition of the fairways and greens are amazing - a must play for links lovers. In fact, does links condition get any better? - I’ve only seen that level of Links condition, at Rosses Point – Portmarnock Old – The Island. I’ve played a good few of the other “top links” – but Links golf is a very very hard form of golf, to get the course into perfect condition – it can be a harsh place by the sea. Also, many of the surfaces are prone to wear and damage. It is a constant battle for the hard working and exposed green keepers. I congratulate them.

There are holes on The Island, that require local knowledge and experience – the first time I played 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 and 8, the holes were a true mystery, visually and difficulty. This time around, I got a bit more of a feel for them and was more in the par area on them. Even a birdie on offer on the shorter ones or if you get a good drive away. As links go – it is a course that requires a great first shot. People often say, that golf is about recovery and short game – but, recovery can be taken away from you, North of Malahide Estuary.

But the real test – if you do get away, starts at the green complexes, this starts at 2, when you see it is all about the flow of the green. This, sadly, is not something you learn after 4 or 5 rounds there, I’d suggest 10 to 20 rounds, maybe years. But the best links courses, require a long term relationship.

They are solid true mature links greens. They must be amazing in summer.
We were all in good enough positions on 3 – yet 2 of us ended up with doubles or more – people may laugh without playing the course – they may laugh – they may laugh. Try it. A totally different game. Not for everyone, but leaves you perplexed and would love to try it again, and again, and again. There seems to be a human condition, part of the Golf condition, to want to do it better. The Island, will certainly keep that condition alive, in any Links lover out there.

We all commented on the peacefulness of certain parts of the course, the dunes are so large, you feel you are cocooned in, you travel away from the clubhouse and you only see it another few times in your round, at the turn and the long view home on 18.

Many golfers have a great feel for a course layout – but, The Island is genuinely like a garden hedge maze of dunes. You are often lost and uncertain of where you will end up.

Back to, the too often through, true greens - it is a joy to play them, feel them and see them. They are fearsome too, as you can putt off the green, from on the green. None of us did this – but a chip from below or on the high side, was like a new golf experience.

The fall offs on some of the green sides – are almost unfair, but you love that, if you love your links. If you miss – it is a double on the way. But sometimes the ball will take an unexpected pleasant run too. It is the debate about Links golf the world over. Is it fair? Well it is when you use it to your advantage. But, not something we will ever find agreement on.

The course was not as hard as my last two visits, due to wind and winter rough – but you still need to have every aspect of the game in good shape , to get anywhere near your handicap there.

Had a funny event on number 9, there is a new mound being built on left of 9, a par 3, you have to go back 70 yards to a drop zone, if you landed inside the area under work. I said, I'm going to putt this, longest putt I have ever tried to make on a links, 210 feet, just went a couple of inches to the right and missed it, was funny, made one back for my longest ever 2 putt. That exemplifies why links is so interesting for some, there is no right shot, at one stage, we had 4 balls below a green, all played it in a different way, from flop – to chip and run – to putt -to normal pitch. All ended up in the same place.

The course is in fantastic condition. Has improved over last 3 years I’m going there.

It is literally and metaphorically the hidden gem of the east – perhaps, of the country. Rather ridiculously, of the world. When something is too close - you can be blinded by the brilliance. Are we blinded in Ireland ?

I definitely played the best golf I ever played there – that was still only 33 points – 10 pars and a bird , I’d be delighted with that there, but next time I go there, I’ll try score. But, I know that there is much more to learn – for example the 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th. I have seen from The Big, how to play 8 and seen from Ryaner that you need to be deep on 16 – as he holed a great Birdie.

The 18th – is almost too hard, but was delighted to walk away with a par. It is one of the hardest finishes in the country – just pure distance and typically into wind.

We finished off with a great lunch and a friendly atmosphere.

Thanks to David there – always very welcoming and everyone else at The Island. I don’t think your story, once started with The Island, Is ever finished.

charlieIRL wrote: »

Fix, you are a legend, every post like this is a story into an experience on a golf course that we all must experience at least once in our golfing lives.

I'd love to send you off with kevinmarkham for a summer to photograph and document the best courses in Ireland!!

Vegas,

No charlie - was just saying to a lad there - I've done golf and talking crap about it.

Sick of myself, again.

One more Jug - then taking up Spanish Guitar, full time.