Links or Parkland?

sydneybound

When trying to organise our golfing holiday we always plan to play links courses normally in the West and North West of the country however this year for the first time we are toying with the idea about travelling to Preswick in Scotland and maybe playing Troon and a few other courses which are 10 a penny in a 15 mile radius around the airport.

It got me thinking that the group of about 10 of us have never once considered going on holiday to play a parkland course. To clarify it’s about a 60/40 spilt of those that are members of parkland to links courses.

Although wind becomes a huge factor with links courses it never gets too wet even after a week of horrible weather compared to parklands. I feel there a much better holiday destination however I would prefer being a member of parkland. Am I in the same boat as others?

loadwire

I generally find links more enjoyable to play, though the renowned ones like Troon don't come cheap. As you say, they're less likely to be waterlogged too. You could consider the ferry - you can get one direct to Troon from Larne.

ThunderCat

Links is far more enjoyable in my opinion but as stated above, they don't come cheap. If you are playing in that neck of the woods then you should consider Prestwick, Turnberry and Western Gales before Troon.

Kace

When we were looking at doing the same, we wound up heading to Portugal instead, as even though Scotland was very enticing, so was the sunshine, and there didn't seem to be any real difference in overall cost.

Worth thinking about as there are some cracking deals out there.

mike12

I'm heading to St. Andrews next month getting the ferry so was looking at playing Troon or Turnberry as part of the trip, the cost of both is steep think they were arounf 120 to 140 sterling. I'd much rather have a trip to the North/North west coast of Ireland for a bit of great value links golf.

Have done a trip to Spain 5/6 times and none have come close to the scottish trip in cost but you have to go play the home of golf at some stage.
Mike

searay

sydneybound wrote: »

When trying to organise our golfing holiday we always plan to play links courses normally in the West and North West of the country however this year for the first time we are toying with the idea about travelling to Preswick in Scotland and maybe playing Troon and a few other courses which are 10 a penny in a 15 mile radius around the airport.

It got me thinking that the group of about 10 of us have never once considered going on holiday to play a parkland course. To clarify it’s about a 60/40 spilt of those that are members of parkland to links courses.

Although wind becomes a huge factor with links courses it never gets too wet even after a week of horrible weather compared to parklands. I feel there a much better holiday destination however I would prefer being a member of parkland. Am I in the same boat as others?

Three years ago, we had the same dilemma and compared all the options. We got very cheap accommodation in Spain and opted for that for the certainty of good weather. I'd love to try Scotland but when you book in advance you can't avail of offers etc. sligo and Donegal offer great courses at great value. If only you could be sure of the weather.

The_Architect

If you love golf courses, you have to head to the sand and heather in England, Scotland and Wales. Spain just doesn't compare for golf but clearly the weather and sometime cheaper golf plays its part.

One bit of advice - stay clear of "The Open" courses which can be very expensive. There are plenty of courses of equal quality for less buck in more pleasant surroundings.Try these trips for better value and some lovely seaside towns:

East Lothian (Sea) - North Berwick, Muirfield, Dunbar, Gullane (stay in North Berwick)

Cornwall (Sea) - St Enodoc, Trevose, Parranporth, Westward Ho, Saunton

St Andrews (Sea) - Old course, Eden course, Lundin, Crail, Elie

Leeds (Inland)- Alwoodley, Moortown, Sand Moor, Ganton

Surrey (Inland) - The Heathlands e.g. Woking, Addington, Berkshire, Worplesdon, Liphook, Hankley Common

Aberdeen (Sea) - Cruden Bay, Murcar, Royal Aberdeen

Dornoch (Sea)- Royal Dornoch, Brora, Golspie, Tain, Castle Stuart

sydneybound

One thing I will say after doing a few quotes on different courses their expensive and I’m not talking about Troon which for obvious reasons would hold a high price tag.

Furthermore the responses I’ve had from clubs has been rather snotty and surprisingly at times rude. I realise the demand in Scotland must always be high, especially so given that area is holding the Open this year but a little customer service would have been nice. Here are a few quotes I was given: Prestwick GC £130, Prestwick St. Nicholas GC £65, Troon £130, Western Gailes GC £130, Kilmarnock Barassie GC £60, Irvine GC £60. So not exactly cheap!

To be honest I’m feeling rather flat now, so much so the hell with them I’ll ask round the group and try to get the North West of Ireland back on the cards. A couple of the lads are French and English coming from central London and have never been to the area so may fly into Knock and we’ll go from there.

Apologies if I let the thread digress, my the original point was about if people preferred links or parkland courses for holidays or to be members off. Personally you can’t beat links but a heavy wind, although a good challenge they can be a bit much at times. Well that’s my view anyway, not sure if I would like to play a links course every week.

caol ila

I am sure there's better deals out there sydneybound. The Scottish golf magazine is called bunkered they have a website too bunkered.co.uk and there's a bit of info there on Scottish courses and a link to a uk golfing society site. I subscribed to the magazine last year and at least once they had a pull out of good value courses in Scotland. Links and parkland, the east coast has loads of great courses but the drive to get there could well put you off.

Redtricky

caol ila wrote: »

I am sure there's better deals out there sydneybound. The Scottish golf magazine is called bunkered they have a website too bunkered.co.uk and there's a bit of info there on Scottish courses and a link to a uk golfing society site. I subscribed to the magazine last year and at least once they had a pull out of good value courses in Scotland. Links and parkland, the east coast has loads of great courses but the drive to get there could well put you off.

There are some good ones in and around Troon such as Barassie, Glasgow Gailes and Irvine Bogside. Prestwick has two public courses as well as the old course and Troon also has some cheap public links courses.
Only played one parkland in Scotland called Ladybank and after playing links it was a big let down.

The_Architect

Redtricky wrote: »

There are some good ones in and around Troon such as Barassie, Glasgow Gailes and Irvine Bogside. Prestwick has two public courses as well as the old course and Troon also has some cheap public links courses.
Only played one parkland in Scotland called Ladybank and after playing links it was a big let down.

One thing I will say is that the Ayrshire west coast area of Scotland has less value for good golf than East Lothian / Fife / Highlands. It's worth making the trip that bit further. Nicer seaside towns as well.

Redtricky

Agree and "apres golf" in Ayrshire not great

blue note

I played my first proper round on a links yesterday (Rosslare GC). The course destroyed me! 19 points.

3 killers on the day;

1. How the hell do you hit off those fairways?! I take enormous divots normally. Instead, my irons were just bouncing off the fairway and the ball was going everywhere. I couldn't even get the hang of it for my chips.
2. The wind was blowing across us for the whole round. It cured my slice for the first while and I thought I was just driving really well. Then we changed direction and I had to put the driver back in the bag.
3. My putting was shocking. Not really a links issue to be fair.

I'd love another crack at a links though. It's a lovely course. I actually think I'd need to change my swing for it though.