Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland

Sean_pop

Each year links golf courses tend to rank the highest among all the courses in Ireland. I would rate Druids Glen & Adare much higher than any link golf course I have played. (Royal County Dublin, Portmarknock, Tralee, Doonbeg, Roses Point and Killarney).

How are golf courses rated when it comes to putting them in the top 100 courses in Ireland?
Do you agree or disagree and what are your favourite golf courses in Ireland?

FixdePitchmark

Disagree.

You can play a parkland course anywhere in the world. The parkland courses you mentioned are great courses.

But The likes of Enniscrone and The Island are special. There are only a few like them in the world. People travel to play them.

I think some people dont like links golf , but the people who judge these things seem to.

But if im being fair. These places have more influence in the golfing circles.

Kevinmarkham

It's to do with the origin of the game as well. Links is where it started and courses, such as those mentioned by Fixdepitchmark above, form the sternest of tests. They are also - usually - the most natural.

I agree that there are plenty of golfers who don't like links - too hard, too punitive, too barren - and that's a personal choice, but when it comes to rankings and in terms of the spirit and origin of the game it's tough to keep links courses out of the upper echelons.

FixdePitchmark

I know many won't agree with this. But, Royal Dublin is flat and featureless, you can understand why people say overrated - but after walking it 4 ot 5 times ( Irish Amateur ) the place grew on me, the great green complexes, the wildness of it all. what a tough test.

So above shows I'm not a great judge, because I'd love even Corballis over many top class parkland. So not a great judge in a top 100 list.

mike12

Links for me every day of the week. Of the 100 odd Irish Courses i have played Mount Juilet, Druids Glenn and Concra woods are the only ones in the top 20 that are not links despite having only played 24 links courses.
Playing Portrush, Portstewart and Ballyliffen in October so expect 2 of them could drop out of the list and I haven't gotten down to the South West yet.

The natural wind swept terrain beside the sea is just so much better than being on some tree lined fairway that is the same on 50 odd courses in the country.
Royal Dublin misses out on my top 20.

Sean_pop

I cant really judge as I really haven't played enough links golf and especially the highly rated ones. I was just wondering why some of the best parkland golf courses in the country are not rated higher in the list.

St Andrews is a golf course every golfer would love to play simply because of the history associated with it and it big wide open fairways and the 6 massive double greens.

I will play it someday, but a friend of mine said it not much of a golf course to look at. Although they did say walking up the 18th is something that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world as the town is just meters away from the 18th green.

realgolfgeek

my favourite course in the country is Baltray.

Kevinmarkham

realgolfgeek wrote: »

my favourite course in the country is Baltray.

Since I'm taking three of the boys up to Baltray for Inside the Ropes this weekend, would you be kind enough to elaborate on why you say that?

mike12

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Since I'm taking three of the boys up to Baltray for Inside the Ropes this weekend, would you be kind enough to elaborate on why you say that?

Because he hasn't played. Enniscrone, Carne, The Island, The European, RCD,
RossesPoint, Strandhill, Donegal, Ect.:D
Mike

thewobbler

I've converted to links golf love in the past few years. My transformation started happening inexplicably during one of the worst rounds of my life at Kirkistown, a decent but rather uninspiring track. Something bit me that day when my full, clean 5 iron ended up 20 yards short, but my playing partner's punched 9 iron, from the same distance, just kept on bounding until it ended up pin high. That's all it took. RCD a few months later and I was sold forever.

Parkland golf is fun but is infuriating in that even though you only need one type of game (on most courses), that game rarely comes together as you'd expect. Links golf is more fun, for me, in that it's never a case of 'what I did last week' or 'what I tried last week', and more a case of 'mmm, I've never tried this before'. I guess members of links courses eventually run out of completely new scenarios, but for us infrequent seasiders, that's the real buzz.

FixdePitchmark

I put up a review of Co. Louth here at one stage. Loved it there. (only parts of review below as it was in the context of my own game).

It is a course that would not have as many dunes or blind shots. I just remember being around the greens thinking , ok this is the feel of an Irish Open. This is a real chip and run.

The only thing it lacks is a sea view, but perhaps that makes the condition and playability of the place more enjoyable. Louth is stunning and I was a bit more flowery back then.


County Louth.

As I walked out from the bar into the locker room in Baltray, an unidentifiable list of the world’s top 100 courses was on the wall, perhaps an old Golf World. It listed Co. Louth at no. 68. This is a list with Augusta National at no. 2. What a place. The last time I was there was in 2004 for the Irish Open. Loved the look of it and said, “I’ll return and play this place”. As the years went by, the green fees put me off, over 100 euro for a game of golf is mad stuff.

 The greens are the best I’ve played on a links, they aren’t as wind swept and as thin as most links courses. Perhaps, I’ve played it on a very wet year and it is not always like this. But, fantastic greens. It is a course you can score on, not as crazy as The Island or Enniscrone. A bit more forgiving and all in front of you, only 3 and 12 have a wacky feel to them – I don’t mind an old crazy links hole now and again.

The clubhouse was lovely and the members and staff were very welcoming.

decko11

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I know many won't agree with this. But, Royal Dublin is flat and featureless, you can understand why people say overrated - but after walking it 4 ot 5 times ( Irish Amateur ) the place grew on me, the great green complexes, the wildness of it all. what a tough test.

So above shows I'm not a great judge, because I'd love even Corballis over many top class parkland. So not a great judge in a top 100 list.

Agreed Royal DUblin, is per the low amateurs the toughest course on the circuit

Milkers

Sean_pop wrote: »

Each year links golf courses tend to rank the highest among all the courses in Ireland. I would rate Druids Glen & Adare much higher than any link golf course I have played. (Royal County Dublin, Portmarknock, Tralee, Doonbeg, Roses Point and Killarney).

How are golf courses rated when it comes to putting them in the top 100 courses in Ireland?
Do you agree or disagree and what are your favourite golf courses in Ireland?

I'm no sycophant of links but I wouldn't even consider Druids Glen in the same league as Tralee (having only played each of them once). And Druids Glen was excellent!

realgolfgeek

mike12 wrote: »

Because he hasn't played. Enniscrone, Carne, The Island, The European, RCD,
RossesPoint, Strandhill, Donegal, Ect.:D
Mike

The only ones I haven't played on that list are RossesPoint and Strandhill.

Personally I just think Baltray is best, with the European next.

realgolfgeek

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

the green fees put me off, over 100 euro for a game of golf is mad stuff.

Not having a go FixdePitchmark, but this is really a pet hate of mine.

These type of courses, we don't get to play every week (unless we're fortuate enough of course).
I don't see anything wrong with paying 100 euro for a round of golf once every 2 or 3 months as a treat.
I've got friends who just won't do it,

However, they'd be quite happy to spend 100 euro on a dozen points, a chippers, and a taxi for a night. Other would spend it in a sh1tty restaurant.

I'd rather spend it on something that I'd remember for a long time and get alot of enjoyment out of experiencing and playing some of the best courses in the world.

Benny Cake

After playing Lahinch, Dooks & Ballybunion old this summer I'm officially a links convert. Its the way you are forced to play such a variety shots in the course of one round that makes it such an enjoyable experience...

Sean_pop

realgolfgeek wrote: »

Not having a go FixdePitchmark, but this is really a pet hate of mine.

These type of courses, we don't get to play every week (unless we're fortuate enough of course).
I don't see anything wrong with paying 100 euro for a round of golf once every 2 or 3 months as a treat.
I've got friends who just won't do it,

However, they'd be quite happy to spend 100 euro on a dozen points, a chippers, and a taxi for a night. Other would spend it in a sh1tty restaurant.

I'd rather spend it on something that I'd remember for a long time and get alot of enjoyment out of experiencing and playing some of the best courses in the world.

My thoughts exactly. I find myself having to force lads to play these fantastic golf courses. If it was up to me I would play one of these great courses every 2nd week.

mike12

Hi,
Plenty of ways to play the top courses without having to pay crazy money €100+.
Most have a reduced fee during the winter and as long as fairways are in play they often play much the same as the rest of the year.
Open Comps are another way to tick off a few extra.
Enter the Match Play in the European maybe get 5/6 rounds for €60.
Play in one of the many 3/4 day events. Coast of Down get's you to RCD plus Ardglass and Kirkstown for €120.
Atlantic Coast €135 gets you Carne, Rosses Point and Enniscrone.
Playing the Great North Links Challange at the Start of October, Portrush, Portstewart and Ballyliffen for €175.
Mike

FixdePitchmark

realgolfgeek wrote: »

Not having a go FixdePitchmark, but this is really a pet hate of mine.

These type of courses, we don't get to play every week (unless we're fortuate enough of course).
I don't see anything wrong with paying 100 euro for a round of golf once every 2 or 3 months as a treat.
I've got friends who just won't do it,

However, they'd be quite happy to spend 100 euro on a dozen points, a chippers, and a taxi for a night. Other would spend it in a sh1tty restaurant.

I'd rather spend it on something that I'd remember for a long time and get alot of enjoyment out of experiencing and playing some of the best courses in the world.

But it is subjective,

Everyone places value on things in a different way.

During the Celtic Tiger - lads I knew , some only casual golfers were off playing top courses, some were near 200 euro and over a round. When you would press them, most were on freebies or corporate outings (plenty of banks and car dealers). There was no need to have a reasonable green fee rate when such silly carry on was an everyday thing.

Golf is one of the luxury markets , where there is no real linearity in quality v cost. Even for a small step up in quality you can double the cost.

But hey, that is the free market for you (we love it in the end) - if they wanted me to play Portmarnock or Royal Dublin they would have it priced so.

I will play "mad money", but has to be out of this world (In this world). RCD was just about worth it. Now that is mad money.

In America, the symbol of capitalism - there is a local rate, this means the prices are set for rich tourists on a once off trip. But, they let locals in at a sensible rate on certain days - better sense of community - Empty golf course , let local members play.

As Mike has said, you can play these places, when you are on the ball. But the contortions for me, seem a bit much, there are golfers in the area , real golfers that would treat the course with so much respect ,

Sometimes I just go "Feck Em" , but then I go and pay and play in the end. (lol). Will play all the top course by - id love to say 40, but 50 sadly, Portmarnock on my doorstep haven't played it.

whizbang

Parkland golf is fun but is infuriating in that even though you only need one type of game (on most courses), that game rarely comes together as you'd expect. Links golf is more fun, for me, in that it's never a case of 'what I did last week' or 'what I tried last week', and more a case of 'mmm, I've never tried this before'. I guess members of links courses eventually run out of completely new scenarios, but for us infrequent seasiders, that's the real buzz.

Apologies Fixie, while I love your verbosity, and I agree with you more often than not, this sums up the thread perfectly for me.!

FixdePitchmark

whizbang wrote: »

Apologies Fixie, while I love your verbosity, and I agree with you more often than not, this sums up the thread perfectly for me.!

Lol, yes did go on bit of a tangent there.
Yes . Does sum it up.