Ireland's Top Ten 'Bucket List'

Kevinmarkham

An American website - Golficity - asked me for an Ireland's Top Ten 'Bucket' List. Here's a link.

http://golficity.com/golf-bucket-list-ireland/

It is aimed very much at an American audience... hence no parklands... and in the end I had to leave out a couple of the really big names (e.g. Lahinch) in favour of one or two of my personal favourites (e.g. Enniscrone). Maybe I should have done a Top 15.

pcasso

I enjoyed the read and your course choices Kevin.
I was especially glad to see Carne listed so highly as it is my favourite course, though I have yet to enjoy the pleasures of Royal County Down.
If you excuse me for being a tad over pedantic, I think your description of the land Portmarnock is on, as a spit of land created courtesy of Captain Bligh, actually describes Bull Island.
Or were you perhaps utilizing your artistic licence?
In this case I apologize.

poteen

Some good choices there in my opinion. Glad to see you have rated Enniscrone the way it should be. Its just a quality course. Also I would have suggested maybe Co. Sligo for tourists considering its big history and Hall of Fame pictures of West of Ireland Champions which is something that American tourists would like.
Overall though i would say that its a fair representation of the four provinces.

Kevinmarkham

pcasso wrote: »

I enjoyed the read and your course choices Kevin.
I was especially glad to see Carne listed so highly as it is my favourite course, though I have yet to enjoy the pleasures of Royal County Down.
If you excuse me for being a tad over pedantic, I think your description of the land Portmarnock is on, as a spit of land created courtesy of Captain Bligh, actually describes Bull Island.
Or were you perhaps utilizing your artistic licence?
In this case I apologize.

Shocking - a complete cock-up by me and a serious 'doh' moment. Thanks for pointing it out - I'll see if I can get that changed.

Redzah

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

An American website - Golficity - asked me for an Ireland's Top Ten 'Bucket' List. Here's a link.

http://golficity.com/golf-bucket-list-ireland/

It is aimed very much at an American audience... hence no parklands... and in the end I had to leave out a couple of the really big names (e.g. Lahinch) in favour of one or two of my personal favourites (e.g. Enniscrone). Maybe I should have done a Top 15.

Yeah interesting choice Kevin and I respect (although don't fully agree ) with your choices. I would think that the Doonbeg experience would make the list. Although the course may not hit the heights of Waterville and portrush (which I think are the best links in the country), I think it is as good as any Ballybunions and Tralees of this world. Add in the spectacular lodge and 6 star service that is aimed at the US customers and I would think it is an absolute must on any irish trip for Yanks in terms of the overall package.

I played Waterville in a storm on Saturday and it is the most amazing course, absolutely specatular, despite it being the worst weather I have ever played golf in, i could still fully appreciate the course and the bar and shop staff were the friendliest I have ever come across. Generated huge kudos.

Kevinmarkham

Redzah wrote: »

I would think that the Doonbeg experience would make the list. Although the course may not hit the heights of Waterville and portrush (which I think are the best links in the country), I think it is as good as any Ballybunions and Tralees of this world. Add in the spectacular lodge and 6 star service that is aimed at the US customers and I would think it is an absolute must on any irish trip for Yanks in terms of the overall package.

Agreed... but... having had several conversations with American golfers and a couple of writers, the feeling on Doonbeg is that it is a new and glamour resort aimed at 'money'. It is exceptional and I love the course (Personally, I'd play it ahead of Portmarnock), but many of the Americans want old school or, at least, that Irish flavour (Carne and The European would be the youngest Irish links which deliver that). Leaving Lahinch out was a tough call because of its history and reputation, and I would have put that at 11 and then Doonbeg and Rosses Point at 12 or 13.

As with most lists you can pull out anywhere from five to seven names straight away, and then you're struggling with the bottom half of the draw.

Redzah

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Agreed... but... having had several conversations with American golfers and a couple of writers, the feeling on Doonbeg is that it is a new and glamour resort aimed at 'money'. It is exceptional and I love the course (Personally, I'd play it ahead of Portmarnock), but many of the Americans want old school or, at least, that Irish flavour (Carne and The European would be the youngest Irish links which deliver that). Leaving Lahinch out was a tough call because of its history and reputation, and I would have put that at 11 and then Doonbeg and Rosses Point at 12 or 13.

As with most lists you can pull out anywhere from five to seven names straight away, and then you're struggling with the bottom half of the draw.

Yeah, fair enough, the course is a big favourite of mine and the lodge experience is specatular, staff friendly etc and as I have spent a lot of time down there the yanks seem to love it with many basing themselves there and getting tour busses to BallyB, tralee, Lahinch etc.

Personally, I was extremely underwhelmed when I played portmarnock (about 6 years ago), I think its relatively featureless, flat and thinking about it now I cannot recall a single hole which is unusual. I've never understood the hype with this place. I suppose history seems to count for a lot (and far more than it should in my opinion)

poteen

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Agreed... but... having had several conversations with American golfers and a couple of writers, the feeling on Doonbeg is that it is a new and glamour resort aimed at 'money'. It is exceptional and I love the course (Personally, I'd play it ahead of Portmarnock), but many of the Americans want old school or, at least, that Irish flavour (Carne and The European would be the youngest Irish links which deliver that). Leaving Lahinch out was a tough call because of its history and reputation, and I would have put that at 11 and then Doonbeg and Rosses Point at 12 or 13.

As with most lists you can pull out anywhere from five to seven names straight away, and then you're struggling with the bottom half of the draw.

Which brings my point up about Co. sligo........I know you say 11 or 12 but alot more history than some others. Anyway, Overall its a good list.

Redzah

poteen wrote: »

Which brings my point up about Co. sligo........I know you say 11 or 12 but alot more history than some others. Anyway, Overall its a good list.

I never really got this arguement and how it would add to the general populations enjoyment. I mean history for a course like St. Andrews is one thing (home of golf and host to numerous opens etc) but for overrated courses around ireland like portmarnock and Co. Sligo, does the history arguement stack up (i.e. maybe a few irish opens or an irish major winner once won an amateur comp here etc) but im not entirely sure how this increases the enjoyment for a visitor over more important matters such as 1. the course 2. the facilities/service/staff

Dermoth

I think you've done a great job on it. Doonbeg is the only one that is really conspicuous by its absence but you'd be leaving another great course out.

ionadnapokot

Excellent selection. Delighted to see Enniscrone there. One of my favs also.
And the brilliant Waterville. A true gem. Small geographical note: The river "inny" is the estuary. The Waterville area itself is a golfing/fishing/walking paradise.
Must make a visit to Carne someday. Its on my list now!

shamco

Dermoth wrote: »

I think you've done a great job on it. Doonbeg is the only one that is really conspicuous by its absence but you'd be leaving another great course out.

Lahinch?

rambojon

shamco wrote: »

Lahinch?

cannot believe doonbeg hasn't made this list.. top 10 links in ire and no lahinch or doonbeg.. mind baffling. have spoken to yanks for many years now on their experiences while golfing in Ireland..and they seem to want the golf exp along with the scenery and the services to match(I know... they want it all).. and generally most of them go along these lines..(in my opinion).. really enjoyed old head.. Tralee a little feature less on one 9 holes(cant rem if its front or back).. Waterville seems to rate very highly with them.. often mention dooks as a little gem not on their original list but recommended to them while here ( and they love )..doonbeg has exactly what their looking for spectacular coastline although some holes are inland a wee bit....but service in top dog. and a lot they try and play 2 rounds their if possible.. lahinch as a golf course rates very highly.. but outside that not impressed with the service.... ballybunion does not rate well with them..( I think there expectations r too high initially.. maybe because of Clintons connection or tom Watson..) killarmey only alright as golf goes but a great base to work from.. night life second to none...carne comes up a good bit in conversation..a little out of the way for some.. but what a beautiful place to play golf...very rarely here portmanock mentioned... just my opinion.