Weekend in Donegal

d2ww

Hi all,
Heading up to Donegal for the weekend soon, and am looking at 3 possible options.
a) Ballyliffin Old and Glashedy.
b) Murvagh and Narin & Portnoo.
c) Rosapenna- Sandy Hills and Old Tom Morris.
Of these, I have only played the old course at Ballyliffin and Murvagh, both of which iirc had wispy rough rather than the thick knee high stuff that gobbles up golf balls. We are both mid handicaps, so don't really want to spend the two days having to reload off the tee.
So is the rough at Sandy Hills really that bad, and what about the others?
Thanks.

Kevinmarkham

d2ww wrote: »

So is the rough at Sandy Hills really that bad, and what about the others?

Can't help you on the rough issue (I suggest phone calls to the clubs) - but Sandy Hills is regarded as a tough test of golf. And there's a new nine on the Old Tom Morris, which is a much more sociable course (i.e. playable)

Narin & Portnoo (photos) is a great course and picturesque - I'd recommend it to anyone. The run of holes from 4/5 to 11 is amazing. And if you've already played Murvagh, think about Cruit Island if you want to play a different course.

You've left out Portsalon (photos), which is also a good spot and close to Rosapenna.

fullstop

Yes the rough in Sandy Hills really is that bad! If you're worried about losing golf balls, don't go near the place.

Ballyliffin old course is good, Glashedy is a great course.

I'd probably go for the Murvagh and N&P option if I were you...as you said the rough isn't too bad in Murvagh and it's a top course. Portnoo have redone a lot of holes in the last few years, which has made an already good course a lot better.

LostPassword

Played sandy hills at about this time last year. The toughest course I've ever played (unless you got a freakish calm day). The problem wasn't so much the thickness of the rough - you could normally find your ball and play some sort of shot out of it - it was the precision required with virtually every shot. You can pitch on the green in regulation and still have a quadruple bogey if you hit the wrong part of the green. I found the old course and nearby Portsalon much more fun (category 2 golfer).

d2ww

Thanks for the replies, it has boiled down to accommodation more than anything else, as people do insist on getting married on a Saturday. Damn inconsiderate. So, Ballyliffin it is, and staying at the Glen House in Clonmany close by. It certainly won't be the last trip to Donegal, and we fully intend to get around to all them in due course. I had briefly looked at the Southwest, but I find it hard to believe that the likes of Tralee or Lahinch are 3 to 4 times better than those up North as their green fees would suggest.
I can believe it about Sandy Hills being tough, it does seem to be a Pat Ruddy trait. The whole 'come on then if you think you're hard enough' macho thing.

d2ww

Well, Ballyliffin wouldn't budge on their green fees of a combined €300, so we're going instead with Portsalon and Sandy Hills at €200 in total. Staying at the Fort Royal in Rathmullan, and looking forward to spending the difference on some good food and wine.
If it's howling, or more likely one or other of us is playing s***e, we will take your advice and try to get out on the Tom Morris instead.

mike12

Hi,
Just back from Donegal and play Sandyhills Nairn and Donegal, Sandyhills is tough the rough is not too bad but there is a lot of mossy stuff that makes your ball dissappear. Think we payed 50 for Sandyhills. Nairn is stunning and very playable as is Donegal. Great place to play golf.
Mike