The Links Thread

thewobbler

very much agree with @FixdePitchmark - the west coast courses are initially more fun to play, much more attention grabbing. But the flatter links are the fine wine of golf. It’s a case of you, your ball and the elements. They help you understand that it’s not the course that beats you in golf, so much as what’s between your ears.

slave1

To me the difference in links boils down to two words, options and feel, the course/conditions will give you loads of the first and critically you need loads of the second.

It's a different (better) game

willabur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123514983#Comment_123514983

ah its been a while, haven't forgotten the sound.. that boy can launch a rocket

Ronney

New Owners of the European Club have launched a new Website. Easy to book and have a GUI Rate and Open Comps live.

Interviews in the Sunday papers saying how they plan to soften up a few holes and improve the off course offerings

Unfortunately the GUI is €250 and possibly the most expensive Open in the country @ €200.

Portrush in comparison have a GUI rate of £150

slave1

Nice update but they can keep it at that rate, all links have really pulled the piss on green fees since COVID

IAmTitleist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123611992#Comment_123611992

Have never heard of anyone ever being successful acquiring one of Portrushs GUI rates.

FixdePitchmark

250 a GUI rate ..jaysus....

slave1

That's a "we don't want you" rate, pure and simple

slave1

You know I have no problem with courses setting high green fees but those that do not run Opens should be penalised via their members, it seems very unfair to me that members of clubs that don't have Opens (loads of them) can go play other courses Opens, it's 2025 and the system should be able to not allow them do that

Gandalph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123612266#Comment_123612266

I could be talking out through my arse here but I thought that if a club didn't give GUI rates they didn't get (or received less) funding/grants from golf Ireland.

slave1

Sure it's easy to offer GUI rates and then just not accept visitors

IAmTitleist

Played St Pats Rosapenna yesterday for the second time.

Simply put the greens are awful. When we arrived at the chipping green before hand they were hollowtined and verti-cut. Asked the starter if this was the case out on course. He replied "no". But of course when we got out on course every single green was.

St Pats is just a bit too wild for me for it to ever be considered a proper golf course. Both times i've played the conditions of the greens have been awful and that's not to mention the green complexes are utterly ridiculous in places. Crazy hills and lots of pin positions that are completely inaccessible even if you are putting from on the green.

It is more akin to crazy golf which is fine every once in a blue moon but it can't be considered a serious golf course with greens like that (purely my opinion of course).

Having said that from tee to green the place is an absolute joy (conditioning not great on many fairways also) and for a links course the forgiveness you offered off the tee makes it very enjoyable.

All in all i will play it again but would be very hesitant about returning. 3 hour journey to get there and to be met with greens in that condition in the middle of July begs the question when would they possibly be in acceptable condition?

REFLINE1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123685447#Comment_123685447

interesting, have only heard extremely positive reviews of of the course so far. I guess they have the maintain the greens like every other course, unfortunate to be booked to play just when they've done it, usually takes a week or so before there playable once hollowtined.

slave1

Good courses will have hollow tinning etc on their booking portal so you can be aware

REFLINE1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123686291#Comment_123686291

Lots of people will have booked trips to Rosapenna months in advance

IAmTitleist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123686178#Comment_123686178

I played it 2 years ago in September and now in July. Both times conditions of the greens have not been up to scratch. More irked that we were told by the starter that they hadn't been tined or verti cut when we got out on the course they had.

slave1

Reminds me of the time I played Doonbeg after the green changes, the course was 100% but the greens needed a few years bedding in for sure, they were just too raw and not dense enough grass growth but amazingly I shot my lowest round ever (still) as I just loved the place, you are really out there, very little world intrusion and nothing beats out and in layout, it seems like you are miles away on the 10th green