The 5 Best Links in Ireland

carlspackler

On the back of the recent Golf Digest Top 100 Golf Courses I have began to question the criteria and methodology behind the selection of some of the placings. Now I have a particular interest in Links golf. I'd be grateful to know what posters here believe are the best 5 Links in the country.

More importantly, is tradition a bigger factor in a course placing highly than the actual merits of the course itself?

heavyballs

carlspackler wrote: »

On the back of the recent Golf Digest Top 100 Golf Courses I have began to question the criteria and methodology behind the selection of some of the placings. Now I have a particular interest in Links golf. I'd be grateful to know what posters here believe are the best 10 Links in the country.

More importantly, is tradition a bigger factor in a course placing highly than the actual merits of the course itself?

i think it's very hard to compile a list as most won't have played a huge amount of links countrywide,but i suppose best thing to do would be to break it into provinces,top 3 in each province,that way i think you'll get a better overall idea

there's been a lot of talk regarding how courses are selected for the various top 100 etc and i think there's defo some dodgy well known couses thrown in

my tuppunce,you memtioned 'tradition' above and yes this is important but there are many factors.
For me more than anything it's the enjoyment and the feel

My top 3 are The Euro,Enniscrone and Waterville.

my most over-rated in Arklow,even though i like the course for me it's not a pure links and you don't get the feel you're playing a links throughout the round

carlspackler

heavyballs wrote: »

i think it's very hard to compile a list as most won't have played a huge amount of links countrywide,but i suppose best thing to do would be to break it into provinces,top 3 in each province,that way i think you'll get a better overall idea

there's been a lot of talk regarding how courses are selected for the various top 100 etc and i think there's defo some dodgy well known couses thrown in

my tuppunce,you memtioned 'tradition' above and yes this is important but there are many factors.
For me more than anything it's the enjoyment and the feel

My top 3 are The Euro,Enniscrone and Waterville.

my most over-rated in Arklow,even though i like the course for me it's not a pure links and you don't get the feel you're playing a links throughout the round

I think I'll narrow the criteria to 5 courses. I guess the difficulty in getting a tee time at some of the more prestigious courses is a limiting factor also.

The European remains the best course I have played. Simply stunning. As far as natural terrain and visual appeal Enniscrone is still very much underated. Brilliant course. Although it has leapt almost 20 places in the list since last year I believe.

Now, does Portmarnock offer anything like that or is it the quality of the test and condition of the course that places it above the previous two?

stockdam

I haven't played that many links courses (probably 20).

What makes a good links course?

For me in top spot is the overall views. There should be some tees or vantage points were you say "wow, where else would I rather be". Things that influence this are views of the sea, mountains, a fairway contrasting with heather etc.

The 2nd criteria is the use of nature.........do the fairways and greens look part of the terrain?

Next is the condition of the course. Is it well maintained? Are the fairways close cropped, are the greens true, is there good quality sand in the bunkers?


Next is the trickiness but fairness of the greens. Are the greens challenging? Does the ball run true?

Does each hole need to be planned from the tee? Can you play most or all holes in several ways with rewards for excellent shots. SO you can take the safe option but if you are good enough you can also take on a more risky shot that will reward you if you make it. Can you putt from 50 yards from the green - the Texas Wedge?

What about the clubhouse.....it should have distinction and history.

The staff.....are they knowledgeable and polite? Do you feel welcome?

Overall, do you feel that it was a special round and is it a course that you'd love to come back to.

What links do I like best........my two favourites are Royal Portrush and Royal County Down. Both tick all the boxes.

heavyballs

carlspackler wrote: »

Now, does Portmarnock offer anything like that or is it the quality of the test and condition of the course that places it above the previous two?

havn't played it in years and when i played it i wasn't good enough to really enjoy it,played the new links but don't like it

of the courses i havn't played yet R Portrush and R Co.Down would be top of my list

carlspackler

stockdam wrote: »

I haven't played that many links courses (probably 20).

What makes a good links course?

For me in top spot is the overall views. There should be some tees or vantage points were you say "wow, where else would I rather be". Things that influence this are views of the sea, mountains, a fairway contrasting with heather etc.

The 2nd criteria is the use of nature.........do the fairways and greens look part of the terrain?

Next is the condition of the course. Is it well maintained? Are the fairways close cropped, are the greens true, is there good quality sand in the bunkers?


Next is the trickiness but fairness of the greens. Are the greens challenging? Does the ball run true?

Does each hole need to be planned from the tee? Can you play most or all holes in several ways with rewards for excellent shots. SO you can take the safe option but if you are good enough you can also take on a more risky shot that will reward you if you make it. Can you putt from 50 yards from the green - the Texas Wedge?

What about the clubhouse.....it should have distinction and history.

The staff.....are they knowledgeable and polite? Do you feel welcome?

Overall, do you feel that it was a special round and is it a course that you'd love to come back to.

What links do I like best........my two favourites are Royal Portrush and Royal County Down. Both tick all the boxes.

Thats a wonderful answer Stockdam, cheers for that. And touches on something I would like to pose to other posters. What are you looking for? Condition, scenery, welcome, facilities and so on.

I have absolutely no doubt that RCD and Royal Portrush set the standard.

If we follow your criteria, which I believe is fair, how would Portmarnock rank higher than The European club? Or Ballybunion?

Nerdstrom

I havent played Waterville, Old head, or Rosapenna, but actually have played most Others. I have compiled a top eight, in order, here goes:


8. Baltray
7. Ballybunion
6. European
5. Rosses Point
4. Royal County Down
3. Portmarnock Old
2. Royal Portrush
1. Lahinch


I found Lahinch to be a fantastic test of each shot in the bag, Particularly Driving and long irons, with a nice amount of elevation changes. Not too flat, but not too crazy. Great views of the bay, and several memorable holes. Great party town too

Same goes for Royal Portrush(apart from the party town:p), but it is definitely the toughest course Iv played. Extremely penal of the tee.

Overrated ones imo include Royal Dublin- flat, long, tight, unimaginative design, and average greens. Not in the category of the above list.

Also Enniscrone, tricked up golf, you could play great and not have a score at all, and play crap, but get away with shots all the way around. Too much elevation change. I think its 17, par 3, and blowing about 30mph(not too crazy) last time I played, we reckoned there was no possible shot to hit that would finish on the green, given the wind direction.

Same goes for Ballybunion cashen course, too tricked up IMO

Of the 8 listed, the last I played was RCD, and I had heard it was THE COURSE to play in the country. Slightly, slightly dissapointed I have to say. Still fantastic tho!

Thats my tuppence worth anyway

stockdam

carlspackler wrote: »

If we follow your criteria, which I believe is fair, how would Portmarnock rank higher than The European club? Or Ballybunion?

Thanks for the comments. I haven't played the European nor Ballybunion.......I have only walked part of Ballybunion.

I've played Portmarnock (last month) and the reason that it ranks highly (not as highly though as the two I mentioned) is that I had to play all my shots. In particular you have to play target golf. By that I mean that you have to pick the side of the fairway for your drives and then for your approaches you have to "ease" the ball into the flag from the "right" side.

One thing that I didn't mention was the wind. On a links you have to learn the low shot and also be able to hold the ball into the wind.

Good links courses make you think.....you need to use the wind and the slopes. You just can't aimlessly blast it down the middle.

I think Portmarnock took 5 hours to get round which in normal circumstances I would hate but because I had to concentrate and plan each shot it went past in a flash.

stockdam

Nerdstrom wrote: »

Royal Portrush...... it is definitely the toughest course Iv played. Extremely penal of the tee.

Yes I found Portrush to be difficult off the tee mainly because the wind is generally blowing. There are many ways to hit the fairway but it sometimes seems that there is only one line for every type of shot......you need to know how far you are going to hit the ball and whether the wind is going to affect it. You need a "computer" brain to work out where to aim your teeshot if the wind is blowing.

If you miss the fairway then the rough looks benign........in fact it doesn't even look like rough at times with the long sparse whispy grass.........but once that grass grabs your club you can hit any bad shot in the book.

I do like Portrush more than RCD but both are top class.

carlspackler

stockdam wrote: »

Thanks for the comments. I haven't played the European nor Ballybunion.......I have only walked part of Ballybunion.

I've played Portmarnock (last month) and the reason that it ranks highly (not as highly though as the two I mentioned) is that I had to play all my shots. In particular you have to play target golf. By that I mean that you have to pick the side of the fairway for your drives and then for your approaches you have to "ease" the ball into the flag from the "right" side.

One thing that I didn't mention was the wind. On a links you have to learn the low shot and also be able to hold the ball into the wind.

Good links courses make you think.....you need to use the wind and the slopes. You just can't aimlessly blast it down the middle.

I think Portmarnock took 5 hours to get round which in normal circumstances I would hate but because I had to concentrate and plan each shot it went past in a flash.

Would it be fair to say the criteria must therefore be an amalgamation of the challenge of the course, the landscape within which it sits, the condition of the playing surfaces? I have to confess to a vested interest in the conditioning side of a golf course. In which case, realistically the work we do is the icing on the cake, the layout of the course and its setting is the foundation.

zztop

?? Belmullet/carne.....Surely thats a links course with all the tick boxes.

Kevinmarkham

A fascinating read - intriguing to see what people look for in a links and what is most important to them.

There are so many ways - too many ways in fact - in which to rank and rate them.

You could rank them in terms of the difficulty you want face. Royal Portrush, Portmarnock Enniscrone and Rosapenna are all extremely tough.

If you want views: Waterville, Narin & Portnoo, Rosses Point, Carne

If you want big dunes and changes in elevation: Ballybunion Cashen, Enniscrone, Carne

Reputation/Tradition: RCD, Portmarnock, Lahinch, Portrush...

Newness: Doonbeg, The European, Portmarnock Links, Carne

Clubhouse: Doonbeg, Ballybunion, Ballyliffin, Portstewart

Stockdam has some great criteria - for me it's all about the wow factor, which means the number of holes that make you stop in your tracks, the views and the thrill of playing the course. Tradition is important but always seems like an unfair advantage to the RCDs and Portmarnocks of the world.

My five:
Carne
Ballybunion Old
Waterville
Enniscrone
Rosses Point

But ask me next week and The European, RCD, Narin & Portnoo and The Island could all be included. It's too difficult to choose!

moycullen14

It's very hard to judge one links against another. It's like comparing two lakes or two mountains - it's God's work, after all!

Having said all that, let's give it a go....

For the quality of individual holes: Lahinch. The number of outstanding holes (3,6,10,12,13,15,17) is breathtaking
Location: Rosses Point (under bare Ben Bulben's head) or Dooks (On a sunny must be the most beautiful place in the world to play golf)
Best test of golf: Portmarnock. Even when you're playing well, you have to pick your way around - very difficult.
The wildest: Carne by a mile
Best modern links: Waterville
Most underrated: Enniscrone - i think it's a jewel.

If I had to play one round of golf with my best game it would be Portmarnock, otherwise Lahinch.

Most overrated. I never liked Ballybunion

The 50 or so links in Ireland are real national treasures. Parkland courses are a poor substitute no matter how good they are.

scrubber72

thank god someone mentioned carne. Although I do like Enniscrone too and havent played any links on the east coast but Carne is to me the best links I have ever played. Not a fan of Doonbeg as to me its not a true links. It reminds me of something that you might see in the states. Just my 2 cents

ThunderCat

My 5 are Baltray, Ballyliffin (Galsheady), Carne, RCD and Rosses Point. Id find it hard to list them in order with the exception of RCD at #1. Havnt played any of the Derry Links and none in the Southwest either...yet. I liked Old Head too, but it's not a links in my opinion.

The_Architect

stockdam wrote: »

I've played Portmarnock (last month) and the reason that it ranks highly (not as highly though as the two I mentioned) is that I had to play all my shots. In particular you have to play target golf. By that I mean that you have to pick the side of the fairway for your drives and then for your approaches you have to "ease" the ball into the flag from the "right" side.

Stockdam, your answers have been considered and educated. But please don't use the word "target" golf for the description you are applying to it. Target golf is the opposite of what you state above.

I have played all but one or two of the links in Ireland.

I believe the top 5 of them (in no particular order) to be:

Royal Portrush
Royal County Down
Portmarnock
Lahinch
Ballybunion

I could bore you why. So I won't.

The_Architect

carlspackler wrote: »

I have to confess to a vested interest in the conditioning side of a golf course. In which case, realistically the work we do is the icing on the cake, the layout of the course and its setting is the foundation.

I missed this before.

Very well said.

Benicetomonty

I must say Royal Dublin has always been in good shape anytime I've played it. Three best links I've played Portrush, Ballybunion and The European Club in no particular order. I've played them all on nice days, so no real sour experiences to speak of. Ballybunion might be the most idyllic; played it only once but on an absolutely gorgeous evening, not a breath of win and loved it. Played the European Club plenty over the last 4 years; in my opinion its the most challenging. And Portrush might be the fairest, not much in the line of blind shots, intimidating to look at but playable if you have a good day. Played Portmarnock Old once, a while ago now...some great holes but brilliance not as sustained as the other 3 imho.

mike12

Hi,
Haven't played a lot of the courses but of the ones i have played my top 5 are The European, RCD, Enniscrone, Baltray and Royal Dublin. Have signed up for the Atlantic golf challenge so will get to add Carne and Rosses Point to that over the summer. How many actual links courses are there in Ireland 18 holes that is.
Mike

LostPassword

Haven't played enough of them to have a proper top 5, but one course that I love and is rarely mentioned on these lists is Portsalon. Some stunning views and holes and not as punitive for the average golfer as many others. Sandy Hills at Rosapenna, nice and all as it may be, is hard to love unless you're very good.

f22

I've played most of the big names with the exception of Doonbeg and Portrush.

I like them all for varying reasons and in truth would take links over parkland any day of the week.

Of all of them Royal Co. Down blew me away the first time I played it, for all it's little quirks it's simply a magical golf course.

Portmarnock, while lacking the drama of quite a few other courses is one of the truest, fairest links courses I know. It's all there in front of you and rewards good play. Without wind it's a far easier challenge than many others, but those days are rare.

Baltray, maybe not the best links course in the country, but probably my favourite of all of them. A great variety of holes, not one I would class as poor and several risk /reward opportunities.

Carne, in the arse of nowhere and one of those drives that you never think you will get there. Huge dunes, always windy and a fantastic golf course.

Can't really decide on my fifth so I'll narrow it down to Rosses point, Enniscrone or the European.

LuckyGent88

Top 5: Lahinch
Royal Portrush
Ballyliffen
European Club
Tralee

Havent played any of the links in Leinster so cant comment on them.

Would have to say that Lahinch is my favourite... Great views and some smashing golf holes ( 6th must be one of the toughest in the country, also 3,10,15 & 16 are very challenging.

Most underated i would say in Ballybunion Cashen...think it provides a great test with its small greens and tough driving holes. Number 8 and 15 are superb golf holes.

carlspackler

Having read through the replies, which I'm grateful for, it seems to me impossible to concretely quantify what makes one course better than another. It really is in the eye of the beholder.

From a conditioning viewpoint, how aware is the golfer of course presentation?
Its probably something I'd be quite aware of but thats natural given my background. Aside from the pace and roll of the greens, are you aware of tee's, fairways, bunkers, rough and would it influence your opinion of a course to a significant degree?

stockdam

The_Architect wrote: »

Stockdam, your answers have been considered and educated. But please don't use the word "target" golf for the description you are applying to it. Target golf is the opposite of what you state above.

Sorry that thought did cross my mind.

What I meant was that you have to carefully pick your target and that it isn't always obvious where it is. It depends on the wind, the slopes and your shot shape. I didn't mean the American version of target golf where the ball stick where it lands. On a links you may need to land the ball way short of the green in order to end up on the green........in the highly watered American courses you fire the ball at the flag. It's more of a thinking man's target golf than simple target golf.

stockdam

carlspackler wrote: »

From a conditioning viewpoint, how aware is the golfer of course presentation?
Its probably something I'd be quite aware of but thats natural given my background. Aside from the pace and roll of the greens, are you aware of tee's, fairways, bunkers, rough and would it influence your opinion of a course to a significant degree?

For me yes.

Even the flower beds or the state of the rough or whatever.

It's very obvious when you are playing on a well maintained course.......one where the greenkeepng staff know their stuff. It starts off at the first tee and runs through the fairways, greens, bunkers, water hazards etc. Even emptying rubbish bins.

carlspackler

stockdam wrote: »

For me yes.

Even the flower beds or the state of the rough or whatever.

It's very obvious when you are playing on a well maintained course.......one where the greenkeepng staff know their stuff. It starts off at the first tee and runs through the fairways, greens, bunkers, water hazards etc. Even emptying rubbish bins.

Thanks Stockdam, again your responses are very informative. And its something that plays a significant part in my appraisal of a course. And consistently I've been underwhelmed by the quality of presentation at a number of prestigious courses. And given the work done and the dramatic improvement in the presentation of my current course, I was pretty surprised to see us slip down a number of places in this years Golf Digest list. I still believe however, our tradition has us higher up than we possibly merit.

Dero123

My 5

1 European Club
2 Lahinch
3 Rosses Point
4 Enniscrone
5 Portmarnock


Like other could probably pick a different 5 tomorrow, ones left out I have always enjoyed would be Murvagh, Tralee and The Island.

Never played up North so cant rate them

bailey99

To be honest, my five would be Old Head, Lahinch, Tralee, Rosslare and Carne.

I've not played the big links.

Old Head is only down the road from me. There are holes there that you'll remember for the rest of your life. The Razors Edge is an incredible par 5.

Lahinch has history, friendly clubhouse, and gorgeous setting.

Tralee is in there for the back nine alone. The front nine is slow to start apart from the spectacular 2nd hole. The back nine simply blow you away however. Almost getting a hole on one on 13th will help you to like a course as well!!!

Rosslare I played last year on the Scratch Cup. I wasn't expecting much to be honest from a seaside course. My advice to anyone who hasn't played it is to give the course a run out. Its compact but the terrain is fantastic. The driving is a joy to beyond with the run off the ball. Around the greens is the true joy however. Bumps and hollows and all thats great about links golf.

The winner for me is Carne however. Lets be honest, its in the back arse of nowhere. Its miles from anywhere and its a serious effort to get to. You need to have a strong will to travel to Carne for golf. For those who are willing to travel, my lord what a treat awaits you.

I'm a member of Carne (distance member from Cork) and the course is incredible. If Carne was more accessible the yanks would rave about it. The amount of greens that are surrounded on three sides by mountainous sand dunes. The tee boxes are a little rough, but its roung because it's natural. It will provide the truest test of links golf.

Ronan Rafferty commented after playing Carne for the first time, that if he was restricted to playing one course for the rest of his life, then Carne would be his choice. Eddie Hackett, the great irish golf architect, and designer of Carne, Waterville and numerous other links around ireland said that in his opinion, Carne was he best course and he believed that in time, it would be recognised as the best course in ireland.

If those two peoples impressions isn't enough to sway you, perhaps a review by Golf World of the course sums up the course of Carne best: IF ever the Lord intended land for a golf course, then Carne has it.

Travel to Carne for one round of golf. You'll stay the nite and play again the next day. You'll go home and tell your friends about it. And like me, you might just love it so much, that you end up joining the place!

bailey99

I think people reading these posts will recognise Lahinch, Ballybunion, RCD, Portrush and all them.

They'll see Carne being mentioned and wonder, where the hell is that!!! That's a big factor with Carne for me. I love courses that I've visited and not really expected all that much, and yet I find myself smiling stupidily throughout the round, telling everyone how much I enjoyed the course and cant wait to return again as soon as possible.

I'm signed u for the Atlantic Challenge in July as well, with another friend from Cork. If anyone is interested in playing, we're looking for one additional player for our team. DRop me a line if interested sure!

stockdam

carlspackler wrote: »

And given the work done and the dramatic improvement in the presentation of my current course, I was pretty surprised to see us slip down a number of places in this years Golf Digest list. I still believe however, our tradition has us higher up than we possibly merit.

What course is that? Do you just play there or are you involved in looking after the course?

I've played on some courses that are very badly looked after and I wouldn't go back again. Tees that aren't level and are full of divots, bad drainage, greens that are so bumpy that it's a lottery. Most courses aren't like that but when you play on the very best then you notice the quality and the details of the work that has gone into them. It costs money to keep the greens, fairways, tees and bunkers in great shape but I really appreciate it when it's done correctly. I tend to notice good greens most........greens that are true but a challenge.

jpurtell

bailey99 wrote: »

The winner for me is Carne however. Lets be honest, its in the back arse of nowhere. Its miles from anywhere and its a serious effort to get to. You need to have a strong will to travel to Carne for golf. For those who are willing to travel, my lord what a treat awaits you.

I'm a member of Carne (distance member from Cork) and the course is incredible. If Carne was more accessible the yanks would rave about it. The amount of greens that are surrounded on three sides by mountainous sand dunes. The tee boxes are a little rough, but its roung because it's natural. It will provide the truest test of links golf.

Ronan Rafferty commented after playing Carne for the first time, that if he was restricted to playing one course for the rest of his life, then Carne would be his choice. Eddie Hackett, the great irish golf architect, and designer of Carne, Waterville and numerous other links around ireland said that in his opinion, Carne was he best course and he believed that in time, it would be recognised as the best course in ireland.

If those two peoples impressions isn't enough to sway you, perhaps a review by Golf World of the course sums up the course of Carne best: IF ever the Lord intended land for a golf course, then Carne has it.

Travel to Carne for one round of golf. You'll stay the nite and play again the next day. You'll go home and tell your friends about it. And like me, you might just love it so much, that you end up joining the place!

This yank had the pleasure of playing Carne in March. My friend and I intended on playing one round and then traveling to Lahinch the next day but as the quoted post said, we had to stay and play Carne the next day. What a great course!

We also played Portrush, RCD, Rosses point and Connemara but Carne was the top of the list.

I will return next November and I assure you, if I have to crawl through broken glass from Shannon to Belmullet, I will play Carne again.

Cheers!

sweetswing

Carne is king as far as I'm concerned, what a piece of land.
I think the 17th is the best golf hole I have ever played.
I had the pleasure of playing it for the first time 2 years ago ,we were just finishing our round on a beauty full summers evening as the sun was getting low " my god what amazeing views"
A truly fantastic place!

carlspackler

stockdam wrote: »

What course is that? Do you just play there or are you involved in looking after the course?

I've played on some courses that are very badly looked after and I wouldn't go back again. Tees that aren't level and are full of divots, bad drainage, greens that are so bumpy that it's a lottery. Most courses aren't like that but when you play on the very best then you notice the quality and the details of the work that has gone into them. It costs money to keep the greens, fairways, tees and bunkers in great shape but I really appreciate it when it's done correctly. I tend to notice good greens most........greens that are true but a challenge.

I'm a member of the greenstaff and as such I'd prefer not to say. Apologies.

Agree with you whole heartedly. Bottom line...Money, staff and continual reconstruction and repair.

Osgoodisgood

We are utterly spoiled with great links courses and everybody has their favourites. My personal top 5 in no particular order

RCD
Portrush
Portmarnock
The Island
Ballybunion

I'm surprised that The Island hasn't been mentioned more.

Webbs

sweetswing wrote: »

Carne is king as far as I'm concerned, what a piece of land.
I think the 17th is the best golf hole I have ever played.
I had the pleasure of playing it for the first time 2 years ago ,we were just finishing our round on a beauty full summers evening as the sun was getting low " my god what amazeing views"
A truly fantastic place!

Agree 17th is a phenomenal hole, the finish of 17 and 18 must destroy many a promisig round. I think though that the start of the back 9 lets Carne down in being considered a great course (10,11,12 all a bit mickey mouse).
Saying that looking forward to playing it again, as only played it once and half the time didnt know where I was going with so many blind shots!

macdonagh2007

Played Carne yesterday .The back 9 holes are probably the best/and most picturesque holes anywhere in Ireland. I note nobody has commented on Portstewart Strand course. To me they have the best opening 9 holes of any links course any where in the world. Just the thought of standing on the 1 st tee looking down the fairway is awesome!

macdonagh2007

Another links course we must mention is Portsalon in Donegal. I would love to be living and playing it every weekend. Great holes and views of the Fanad peninsular and Innisowen .

golfwallah

I don't like it too hilly (like Carne), so for me it's: Rosses Point, The Island, Laytown & Bettystown, Ballyconneely in Connemara and Royal Dublin.

Johnny_Fontane

In no particular order but with notes

Royal Portrush - an astonishingly unforgiving, balls to the walls type of course. Par3 14th is verging on the ridiculous. Rollercoaster of a round from start to finish.
Enniscrone - some of the best dunes around and incredibly friendly and welcoming course where staff treat you like one of their own. Super challenge.
Carne - cos its so far away and worth the trip. Last time I was there I felt I had the whole place to myself
Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) - Savagery like I have never seen before or since. 465 yard par 4 opener normally plays straight into a gale on the second shot. A good drive, 3w and half a wedge.....a yard off the fairway on most holes and you're gone.
Old Head - because you dont have to replace your divots, because they pick you up from the car park with a buggy, because of the practice facilities and mostly because of the look on peoples' faces who havent played it before when they step onto the 12th tee.

The_Architect

A couple of people have mentioned The Old Head.

This is as much a links as The K-Club.

Johnny_Fontane

not quite sure you can see the sea in the k-club.....

so, yes you are technically correct that old head is not a links golf course, but it very much plays like a links course.

You could say the same about pebble beach and whistling straits.....

The_Architect

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

not quite sure you can see the sea in the k-club.....

so, yes you are technically correct that old head is not a links golf course, but it very much plays like a links course.

You could say the same about pebble beach and whistling straits.....

You can't see the sea from many a links course so although proximity to it is a necessity, visibility of it is not.

Old Head doesn't play like a links. Neither does Whistling Straits. Pebble Beach does a little more but it still isn't a links.

Anyway, a bit of pedantry. I liked your other choices.

Poker Face

One of my Top 5 links is Tralee. Think the 2nd below, par 5 is a great hole

tubesgolf

Hi all,

Over the past year i have got the chance to play the likes of Portmarnock, Ballybunion, The Island, Waterville, European club, Rosslare etc, but i have to say for sheer beauty and enjoyment I would rate Tralee above the others mentioned!

REASONS WHY TRALEE GETS OVERLOOKED! 1.poor location 2.Price E160 peak season 3.Lack of open days{never advertised}.

If anybody is planning a trip down south visit there website and view the hole by hole virtual tour! For those true links golfers you will be more than impressed. holes 2, 3, 8 and all back nine will make you feel like your in golf heaven!put it this way you would brave the harshest of conditions just to grace the course that palmer designed P.s im not a kerryman

The_Architect

I'd agree that for sheer beauty, there is perhaps not a better course on earth than Tralee.

There are better golf courses though (including a couple you mentioned) but Tralee has to be experienced at least once.