The Links Thread

Appletart Upsetter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123394794#Comment_123394794

What determines condition for you?

I would generally consider Royal Portrush the best conditioned links course in Ireland.

FixdePitchmark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123394819#Comment_123394819

Greens , fairways .

Appletart Upsetter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123394823#Comment_123394823

Fairways at RCD are extraordinary. Greens at Portrush shade it for me. Pure fescue.

Golfgraffix

have you played Portrush mid season ?

id agree that RCD had better all year round condition but Portrush in its pomp is the best course in the world for me.

Appletart Upsetter

It'd be really interesting if people could expand on what determines good conditioning for them.

Is it aesthetic, the firmness of surfaces, roll of the ball etc...

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123395073#Comment_123395073

Has to be good greens and fairways with scenery a close third for me.

spacecoyote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123395073#Comment_123395073

As I mentioned the tee boxes in RCD were perfectly mown and flat, with a surface better than some of the best greens I've played on.

The green surface was amazing, ran fast & true.

Fairways were perfectly defined and cut. The heather, the bunkers, whole place was immaculate

mjsc1970

Just back from Rosapenna playing the 3 courses, have been doing this for years every April - we go nowhere else. Super value but the prices are creeping up. However, GUI rates so it's all good. And it seems to be getting busier year on year.

Years ago (seems like a lifetime ago) we played most of the other "premium" courses - (Lahinch, Waterville, BallyB, RCD etc) no intention paying the fees now to play them again. Good and all they are it ain't gonna happen.

thewobbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123394819#Comment_123394819

it was about 15 years ago when I first played RCD. mid November, winter rate. Course fully open, but playing forward tees, occasionally red tees on some holes.

I hadn’t played any top 100 world courses at this point, but I had played 30 or so top 100 Ireland courses. And I’d played maybe a 8-10 Irish links courses at the time too,

I’m from the area, so the Mourne Mountains don’t enthral me. That’s not being flippant or dismissive. I’ve been driving through or walking up them a lifetime. They’re a part of home. I’m not looking at them, I’m looking at the course, so to say.

I beamed a driver down the first. Then I started walking the fairway. And I just couldn’t fathom what was happening underfoot. It wasn’t normal. Walking carpet doesn’t do it justice. It was more magic carpet.

I’ve never had that feeling before or since on a golf course. When we talk about feedback from that perfect iron shot, that’s what it felt like when walking this course.

I was mesmerised.

—I’ve since come to wonder though what about its sacred position in golfing circles. It’s not an enjoyable test of golf; much too punitive and erratic for all but the best of us. Holes 14-17 are just, frankly average holes. 4 is overrated beyond words.

But I’ll never forget that feeling underfoot.

plumber77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123393482#Comment_123393482

Yes they ferry you down to the driving range. Complimentary stack of balls. Mourne club is very friendly, even after for the food. Great experience overall

slave1

RCD have an aggressive visitor policy, I mean the weather has been great the last month or so and it's still closed to visitors since last yr, with just a small population of locals it would have to be in the best of nick

slave1

If you are up for it the second course in Portrush is also considerably better than the second course in RCD