If you could play one course in Ireland. Which?

14handicap

If you had one last round on this earth and had to pick one course in Ireland to play which would it be and most importantly WHY?

Kevinmarkham

Carne.
Golf Links Heaven.
No more needs to be said

DuckSlice

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Carne.
Golf Links Heaven.
No more needs to be said

i love carne, and the new nine are even more of a challenge. of all the courses i have played if i had to pick one it would be Carne without a doubt, played it 2 weeks ago actually. in great condition only one hole on temporary tees and thats because of work on the course not the condition. im quite lucky i only live an hour away from it.

of the courses i havent played i think it would have to be Lahinch.

scrubber72

Carne again for me too. But going to play tralee in April so i might have to get back to you on that.

A New earth

If you made it Carne you would need another wish - a fine day. We played it so many times in the rain (either May or Sept) most of the group said they would rather give it a miss whenever are in the west. Probably Old Head for me (need weather there too)

FixdePitchmark

Enniscrone so far.

Could change. But I think it will be hard.

Why, I guess it is the first course that blew me away, the first course I got a handicap from.
But most importantly . The first time I stood on a tee box (13). And went.

Jesus, Ireland and that is stunning.

denishurley

Waterville.

In my view, the reason is fairly self-explanatory - it's just so spectacular and a challenging, but fair, test. Assuming Armageddon hasn't started by nightfall, I'd then repair to the Butler Arms Hotel for a seafood dinner and pints.

big_drive

Tralee

plumber77

Ballybunion

indabunka

Dunluce @Royal Portrush followed by pints of Guinness in the Harbour Bar

Benicetomonty

Would probably go for Old Head, since I haven't played it before. If I had to play one course in Ireland for the rest of my life, it'd be a toss up between Ballybunion, Royal County Down and Carne.

Howjoe1

Ballybunnion

Mr. Larson

European off the Blues in a Medal on a calm day. Coz lets face it. Rory or Tiger would struggle to break 80 out there in the wind & rain

ForeRight

Waterville on a glorious day.
Heaven.

mjsc1970

Old Head because I hear its spectacular.
or
Rosses Point coz its the first golf course i ever played

Curly head

Carne for sure

14handicap

Wow Carne seems to rate VERY high and no mention of Portmarnock? I got to go play Carne maybe in the Atlantic coast challenge.
You have me very curious to play it...!!!

Milkers

Tralee for me

PARlance

Carne (or Tralee)

Am taking a punt there as I haven't played either. But have seen both courses and heard enough to think they're ahead of Ballybunion which I have played.
I actually think Ballybunion has a "weak" opening 5 or 6 holes. Weak when talking about the best of the best.
1st graveyard takes from it.
2nd great hole
3rd aiming for the holiday homes takes from it
4th tee shot over the 3rd green, if it was anywhere else it'd get more stick.
4th, 5th & 6th hug the road, certainly don't blow you away until you get the 6th green with its upside down saucer shape.

From 7-18 you're in heaven and by the end you've forgotten about the rest or welcome of the relative ease of them.

So, it's over to Tralee or Carne to beat it this year.

DuckSlice

PARlance wrote: »

Carne (or Tralee)

Am taking a punt there as I haven't played either. But have seen both courses and heard enough to think they're ahead of Ballybunion which I have played.
I actually think Ballybunion has a "weak" opening 5 or 6 holes. Weak when talking about the best of the best.
1st graveyard takes from it.
2nd great hole
3rd aiming for the holiday homes takes from it
4th tee shot over the 3rd green, if it was anywhere else it'd get more stick.
4th, 5th & 6th hug the road, certainly don't blow you away until you get the 6th green with its upside down saucer shape.

From 7-18 you're in heaven and by the end you've forgotten about the rest or welcome of the relative ease of them.

So, it's over to Tralee or Carne to beat it this year.

From the west and you haven't played carne. You should be ashamed of yourself!!!

PARlance

etxp wrote: »

From the west and you haven't played carne. You should be ashamed of yourself!!!

I am ashamed... In my defence, I'm only playing 3 years and when I left the west over 10 years ago, my life was more carnage at weekends than Carne for golf!

Mates down west never really got as hooked on golf as me, so I wouldn't think a round in Carne would be advisable for the level of play.

I'll be putting that right in July during the Atlantic Coast, if not before.... If you're offering

inthehole1

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Carne.
Golf Links Heaven.
No more needs to be said

is carne that good.
Never played it but with all the talk about it here def going to fix that this year.green fees not too bad looking either
Played tralee and both bally bunions courses and doonbeg so you would be nice to compare them.think all above courses have few weak holes in them when you are considering them as best courses in the country

scrubber72

inthehole1 wrote: »

is carne that good.
Never played it but with all the talk about it here def going to fix that this year.green fees not too bad looking either
Played tralee and both bally bunions courses and doonbeg so you would be nice to compare them.think all above courses have few weak holes in them when you are considering them as best courses in the country

Yes

DuckSlice

PARlance wrote: »

I am ashamed... In my defence, I'm only playing 3 years and when I left the west over 10 years ago, my life was more carnage at weekends than Carne for golf!

Mates down west never really got as hooked on golf as me, so I wouldn't think a round in Carne would be advisable for the level of play.

I'll be putting that right in July during the Atlantic Coast, if not before.... If you're offering

I wanted to play the Atlantic Coast but it's midweek so would have to book days off. I don't play it all that often myself maybe 2/3 times a year.

14handicap

etxp wrote: »

I wanted to play the Atlantic Coast but it's midweek so would have to book days off. I don't play it all that often myself maybe 2/3 times a year.

Also tempted to play it but its a long drive and the time off.
Its that or the Giant Causeway event for me I think, unless I play both...!!! Need to do some extra work to cover both.

Howjoe1

nothing on the east coast (apart from the european club) worthy of consideration?

planning a weekend fourball but Carne is a little to far of a drive.

stockdam

Royal Portrush (Dunluce). There are other courses that are as good but I have fond memories and for me it ticks all the boxes.

dar_cool

Royal county down for me. Having caddied for my uncle up there once before it's s beast of a course off the blues. Some of the tee shots are unreal and the scenery is pretty spectacular. Hoping to go up there this year for a round!!

charlieIRL

Always wanted to play Carton House. ......heading there sunday with two other boardsies, can't wait!

Next on list is K club Palmer course, Fota & RCD. See the trend?!

fullback3

Narin and Portnoo for me. I played it 5 years one summers day, I was working in Donegal for a short while and rocked up to Narin by chance, I was just going for a drive after work. Arrived in to the pro shop in a pair of track suit bottoms and runners and negotiated a great deal for a green fee and as I had no clubs with me the Pro lent me his set. I think that poor man has died since but I will never forget the warm welcome I received.

donegal.

Ballyliffin

The Premier Man

Slievenamon-Must be hard to ever get out with all their "members"

The_Kew_Tour

Like to play Druids Glen.

mafc

The Premier Man wrote: »

Slievenamon-Must be hard to ever get out with all their "members"

That made me chuckle....

mafc

charlieIRL wrote: »

Always wanted to play Carton House. ......heading there sunday with two other boardsies, can't wait!

Next on list is K club Palmer course, Fota & RCD. See the trend?!

Which course are you playing Charlie ? Both very nice but for me the O'Meara is the best with 15,16 & 17 beautiful finishing holes

charlieIRL

mafc wrote: »

Which course are you playing Charlie ? Both very nice but for me the O'Meara is the best with 15,16 & 17 beautiful finishing holes

Playing the monty, will save the o'meara for the summer!

mafc

charlieIRL wrote: »

Playing the monty, will save the o'meara for the summer!

Enjoy.... leave the driver in the bag 😀

Howjoe1

charlieIRL wrote: »

Playing the monty, will save the o'meara for the summer!

interested to see what you think of it. I hated it.

yettie1701

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Like to play Druids Glen.

You won't be disappointed. Great course. One of my favourite parklands. But if I had only one round it would be Enniscrone or Carne. Fortunately ill be playing both in July. Can't wait.

The_Kew_Tour

yettie1701 wrote: »

You won't be disappointed. Great course. One of my favourite parklands. But if I had only one round it would be Enniscrone or Carne. Fortunately ill be playing both in July. Can't wait.

Hoping to head there for a round in summer with brother.

I was there as very young lad at Irish Open in 1997. Monty beat Westwood

I can remember the 12th and 13th holes being special. I think 13 is one of best holes I have ever seen. Touch of the 13th in Augusta about it.

Plus island green on 17.

Hopefully will get that chance this summer.

FixdePitchmark

charlieIRL wrote: »

Always wanted to play Carton House. ......heading there sunday with two other boardsies, can't wait!

Next on list is K club Palmer course, Fota & RCD. See the trend?!

Enjoy lads.
Had a good front nine there once.

princess poppy

Am really looking forward to playing the European this summer, friend of mine got a voucher for a fourball for Christmas so I have to be really nice to him until he invites me :-)

Of all the courses I have played, ballyconeely is the one I'd go back to in a heartbeat, played it on a wild and windy morning and absolutely loved it

Nuri Sahin

Parkland - Druids Glen or Mount Juliet

Links - This is far more difficult. It'd probably be Royal County Down from the courses I've played. Visually though it'd be Old Head Links, a proper beaut.

yettie1701

princess poppy wrote: »

Am really looking forward to playing the European this summer, friend of mine got a voucher for a fourball for Christmas so I have to be really nice to him until he invites me :-)

Of all the courses I have played, ballyconeely is the one I'd go back to in a heartbeat, played it on a wild and windy morning and absolutely loved it

The European club is brilliant. But brutal. It's a tough track and that's on a calm day. It's a family run place and I've always found them very friendly and welcoming down there. You will enjoy the day no matter how the golf goes.

Henry Ford III

I've played Old Head. Can't see what the fuss is about. It's spectacular visually but the course isn't hectic at all. Doonbeg is similarly over rated imho.

Waterville, Barrow, Ballyb, Lahinch, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Carne & Ballyliffin are all better (considerably in some cases).

m r c

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I've played Old Head. Can't see what the fuss is about. It's spectacular visually but the course isn't hectic at all. Doonbeg is similarly over rated imho.

Waterville, Barrow, Ballyb, Lahinch, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Carne & Ballyliffin are all better (considerably in some cases).

Having never played old head admittedly, I'm surprised to read that, I've played a few of the others you mentioned there and I had expected old head to measure up well.
I'm planning to play there later this year or early next if that doesn't work out. Coming from the north west I want to play Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion and old head in one go. It'd be 4 nights and probably midweek.
It'll be pricey too by the looks of some of the websites.

FixdePitchmark

m r c wrote: »

Having never played old head admittedly, I'm surprised to read that, I've played a few of the others you mentioned there and I had expected old head to measure up well.
I'm planning to play there later this year or early next if that doesn't work out. Coming from the north west I want to play Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion and old head in one go. It'd be 4 nights and probably midweek.
It'll be pricey too by the looks of some of the websites.

Couple of weak holes in middle part of head. But the holes along cliffs are spectacular.

Besides being amazing. 8 or 9 of them are great golf holes. (imo).

It probably is so spectacular , that you don't judge the course in the same manner you would others.

14handicap

No mention of Portmarnock? its the best course in Ireland that I have played so far and the downstairs of the clubhouse feels very special like a museum of golf in Ireland.

moycullen14

14handicap wrote: »

No mention of Portmarnock? its the best course in Ireland that I have played so far and the downstairs of the clubhouse feels very special like a museum of golf in Ireland.

I've been very lucky to have played this a good few times over the years. My first reaction was, what's all the fuss about? However, after a few rounds, I really started to appreciate the 'flow' of the course. Some of the holes are truly great. The 14th is a particular favourite. The clubhouse is wonderful and the people/staff there have never been less than friendly. A wonderful spot.

Miley Byrne

m r c wrote: »

Having never played old head admittedly, I'm surprised to read that, I've played a few of the others you mentioned there and I had expected old head to measure up well.
I'm planning to play there later this year or early next if that doesn't work out. Coming from the north west I want to play Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion and old head in one go. It'd be 4 nights and probably midweek.
It'll be pricey too by the looks of some of the websites.

I must say that I just don't "get" the love for Dooks. I hear lots of people that haven't played there say that they have heard great things about the place etc etc and must try to get down there for a game. In my opinion it's an OK course. It wouldn't be a patch on Enniscrone or Carne (both of which offer better value for money and host more opens during the year). Last time I checked their standard green fee was somewhere around €60 or €70 euro.

irishejit

Has to be Port Salon for me