Links Golf Courses

ForeRight

Hello there ladies and gents.

First time poster.

I have always played golf but over the last 12 months I have started to play pretty regular and seriously yet in regards to playing different courses I would be a novice I suppose.
I am a big fan of links golf but always find that they seem to be extremely expensive to play. I played Carton Monty course last week and ill be playing The European in a couple of weeks also but apart from them Corballis would be the only other links course I would have played. (the monty is not strictly links obviously)

What other links courses are out there that are little gems but resonable to play in your opinion?

Obviously I would love to play The Island, Royal Dublin, Portmarnock etc but they are just crazy money to get out on.

mike12

The Links Portmarnock the one at the hotel is about the best value bar Corballis on the east coast. For value head to Donegal or Carne the north west is where u will get the best value.
Mike

Benicetomonty

ForeRight wrote: »

Hello there ladies and gents.

First time poster.

I have always played golf but over the last 12 months I have started to play pretty regular and seriously yet in regards to playing different courses I would be a novice I suppose.
I am a big fan of links golf but always find that they seem to be extremely expensive to play. I played Carton Monty course last week and ill be playing The European in a couple of weeks also but apart from them Corballis would be the only other links course I would have played. (the monty is not strictly links obviously)

What other links courses are out there that are little gems but resonable to play in your opinion?

Obviously I would love to play The Island, Royal Dublin, Portmarnock etc but they are just crazy money to get out on.

I'd recommend Arklow if you ever get a chance, a real gem, tricky but very enjoyable. If you have a handicap, I'd also recommend you keep your eyes open for open fixtures; if you're on the ball you can get your named courses a little cheaper than the advertised green fee rates and you can ply great course like Donegal, Sligo, Belmullet and plenty more for exceptionally good value. May be petrol dependent of course!

FixdePitchmark

The best value for standard of course around Dublin is Portmarnock Links (IMO). Not cheap cheap , but a treat at 45 Euro

Arklow is good value at 25 euro.

St Annes nice/ok , flat , but 40 euro. Not in same league of Portmarnock Links

Seapoint is a great spot in Louth 35 euro

Rush is a nice little 9 hole links (cheap 20 euro).


You are playing European , so hard to play any above after that.

If you ever get The Island below 50 , jump at it. But too expensive most of the time.

I hear you can get Sutton at 20 euro for 18 ? , but have not played it.

Your other one is Laytown and Bettystown, Have not played it. Would like to hear what others think of it on here ? May head out and see it soon.

ForeRight

Cheers lads,

I have heard that Arklow is a great trek. I have a GUI so ill keep an eye on their website for open events during the summer.

Is The European course really all it is cracked up to be do you know?
I plan on just buying a box of soft srixons for that day. Not gonna hit any pro v's on it as advised by a friend who played it and he is a scratch golfer.

ForeRight

Probably slightly off topic of links course but are any of ye familiar with Woodbrook in Bray. Im playing it later in the week and know nothing about it.

Any use?

redzerdrog

seapoint is always in great nick and very under rated. Lots of availability on teetimes for on €20 ya cant go wrong

dines08

Played Arklow recently in a society outing, well worth a visit but pick a decent day weather wise. The wind blew a gale and 19 points was in the prizes. It was a 40/50 yard wind and it made some holes almost impossible

ThunderCat

To echo what others have said here, Portmarnock Links represents the best value for money in the Dublin area. It is a gem of a course and one that grows on me each time I play it. It's tough, it's always in great condition and there is plenty of variety in the holes to hold your interest. Without question it is underrated and may fly under the radar a bit due to it's similar name to the course next door, but those who have played there will all testify to it's quality.

If you are prepared to travel then look no further than Donegal which in my opinion is the best county in the country for links golf. Add in the fact that chances are you will be passing Sligo and Rosses Point (do not miss) to get there and you can't go wrong.

coddlesangers

ForeRight wrote: »

Probably slightly off topic of links course but are any of ye familiar with Woodbrook in Bray. Im playing it later in the week and know nothing about it.

Any use?

Yes, its an enjoyable course to play, couple of fairly tight greens and as far as I remember, has a very good finishing two holes. Very nice game there if the wind is blowing, very traditional members club. Birdie chances on all the par 5's, particularly the 1st. Some very good par 3's as well. Greens tend to be pretty good if uneventful by links standards. More heathland than links really.

ForeRight

Thanks for all the help.

Tones69

Portmarnock is class, some value at 45 quid too if ya can get it

pcasso

It only got a quick mention before but Laytown and Bettystown is a great links course.
I always try to play it during open week though there seems to be a lot more open competitions there recently.
It is up there or close to Portmarnock Links and far superior to St Annes and Seapoint in my opinion.
Rush is an ok nine holer with a few nice holes and Sutton is at best only half links with four of their nine holes being parkland.

The Island is a top links with the European Club a notch better.
Carne though is my favourite links and course overall

Kevinmarkham

ForeRight wrote: »

What other links courses are out there that are little gems but resonable to play in your opinion?

Benicetomonty wrote: »

you can play great course like Donegal, Sligo, Belmullet and plenty more for exceptionally good value. May be petrol dependent of course!

pcasso wrote: »

It only got a quick mention before but Laytown and Bettystown is a great links course.

Carne though is my favourite links and course overall

OP, I know it's a long way from Dublin, but as has been pointed out the north west is superb links country and great value as well.

Hope you guys are all in the draw for the free green fees at the Atlantic Coast Challenge (Enniscrone, Carne, Rosses Point)

Benicetomonty

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

OP, I know it's a long way from Dublin, but as has been pointed out the north west is superb links country and great value as well.

Hope you guys are all in the draw for the free green fees at the Atlantic Coast Challenge (Enniscrone, Carne, Rosses Point)

Trying to enter Kevin but to no avail...any idea as to what I might be doing wrong?

Kevinmarkham

Benicetomonty wrote: »

Trying to enter Kevin but to no avail...any idea as to what I might be doing wrong?

No idea mate,
What's happening when you stick in your name?

Benicetomonty

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

No idea mate,
What's happening when you stick in your name?

Just re-read the comments list there, I am down, one of my efforts worked out obviously :pac: Cheers again Kevin!