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

FixdePitchmark

Back to Portstewart.

The more you play Links golf and talk about them to the well-travelled golfers – it is amazing the opinions and subjectivity of it all. I think my birth in Links golf was of the extreme type – Corballis and Enniscrone , moving onto the likes of Strandhill and Co Sligo. I didn’t know that this type of golf was an uniquely Irish eccentricity of golf . You eventually get to play some of the east coast ones, like Baltray and Portmarnock , Royal Dublin . But then you get to play Donegal – and might be lucky to do the North run. It’s a complex journey of golf and life , like the front 9 at Portstewart

Now that the thread is 11 years old – I’ve definitely seen more and have a better feel for the variety of Links golf out there – it is a fascinating conversation and rarely do you get total agreement on the courses that people love the most – or even the type of Links course you in particular like. Also – who in this world is truly consistent on their opinion on a course – you change , courses change – your views can change. Maybe the best course ask you questions you can’t answer first time out , even after 5 rounds. The experience grows.

I love the likes of RCD – and yet people I really appreciate and are well travelled in golf – go as far as saying , they hate RCD. This game is fascinating – well people are fascinating too.

The last few years I’ve had a few trips, about 5, to the North coast. This time it was to play Portstewart and Portrush Valley (a new one for me). I happened to start my North journey , very fortunately before The Open Championship run – but the word is out now – and there is basically a You Tube video from every influencer and anyone in the game about this run of courses.

On Monday we started at Porstewart (The Strand) – and rather unusually , there was a dramatic fog – this meant we were starting (the considered) best first tee shot in the world, without the usual amazing view. I do think this is the latest time of the year I have gone up this coast – and I have noticed before , it can be colder and have much harsher weather versus the East coast. Your taking a chance late October.

When I started my Links Odyssey – I was often very intimidated going into the big courses and the Royals. It was a combination of excitement, lack of experience, and a sort of working class hang up or insecurity. I know I’m older now – not wiser , but I’m happy that, that is somewhat gone. I still have that excitement, but feel a little less out of place. Now , to add to that , I think golf has changed and modernised and accepted that society and people who love golf are from a vast variety of backgrounds and attitudes. I hope I’m right here , but some of the older clubs have matured and changed their approach to front of house too. They are customer facing, and everyone is a potential repeat customer – and every aspect of your day is all part of your golf experience. The amount of people who have said to me – The GM was sound. The starter, the people at the bar . A round at some of these courses , is your once in a lifetime. And maybe in the past the Irish golf industry didn’t get that right. Prices are very high – so the product has to be more then just a round of golf. And , I have to say Portstewart are top of the class in this regard.

It was nice to go back to Portstewart to see the changes that have been completed (13 and 14) and more to come. I’m often terrified of changes to Links golf course – when I love a golf course – I even fall in love with the unliked holes , the excentric ones , the flat ones, the ones that often face the knife. But when you read the history of any course out there, changes and evolution of every course is a feature, of at this point, for centuries. The changes that Porstewart are making are on the subtle side – making an amazing course slightly better – and trying to counter the often mentioned “ weak back nine “. By the way , I’m a bit of an outlier on this and actually love the back nine too. I love the entire course. I get 18 is a weak hole (being changed also) – but place that hole in the middle of the round on so many other courses and it would be a great golf hole.

I was hoping to break 80 – and turned in 40. A decent score there – as a bad shot on most of the front 9 is a double – at best. Missed about 3 good birdie chances – got a few bad lies – but no real magic , just good golf. The half way house is absolutely class – and I think whilst the pint was lovely – was a bad move for my sub 80. 44 back. Not great. Was up from 0600 am , 3.5 hour drive – hit a bit of a wall. The changes on 13 and 14 are bedding in well and whilst soft as changes go , they have improved the 2 holes.

I’ll also mention – and not often mentioned – the par 3s on the course are such a joy to play , they test every aspect of your iron play – and are different every time you play them . You need to know your game , your flight and need to hit that green. Such a fun golf challenge.

If I lived in the area , I would join the club, do whatever is required , spoof , dance , sing.

Up to the clubhouse for 1 more pint – and that view along the first was back to its majestic best. I have loved every trip to that course – what a place. Not sure when it will be again. Maybe if changed again , I’ll have to return. Tread softly on them course changes, you tread on my dreams.

Portrush Valley

I was looking forward to playing the Valley (as never had). It can be a bit confusing as this course is often referred to as Rathmore – the club that Graeme McDowell made famous. It was often fairly openly referred to as the “working mans club “ – I don’t truly understand the various social structures around golf clubs in the North , it seems like it is rather complex. This course is currently being restructured to up the overall quality. The target is to have an excellent championship alternative to the world famous Dunluce. As the demand and global standing of the courses in the North go up – there is a need for all the secondary courses to up the standards too. Is impressive the amount of work going on – and how quickly the courses can come back into play. It is all a massive logistical challenge.

I had no reference for the course – most notable thing is how close it is to the town – I find these courses have a great life with the town and community. It makes golf normal, embedded and part of the normal social activity of the town. I’m sure there have been great nights in that clubhouse.

Whilst the weather was a nightmare – it has wonderful golf holes and great raised greens in tight dunes , it requires accuracy on approach shots and real skill around the greens , with very dangerous run offs. The weather was so bad – we had to walk in mid back 9. So I will have to return. It looks like this whole area is setting itself up , to be a singular golf location – where you can play maybe 4 rounds over a short period.

After playing the course – you get why Graeme had great creativity and shot making ability. You need to be able to play all the shots and have great short game skills. If you master here , you can win a US open one day.

I will have to return – when all the changes are made and bedded in. I would highly recommend it as a warm up to one of the big 2 there. Stay in the town – have a few drinks with the locals in their clubhouse.

So another successful trip up to that coast. On the way home I took a drive a bit further along the coast than necessary – It is a place hard to leave. It gets into the heart and mind. The Sea was violent , the passing waves of time.

Golf at the big courses is getting harder and harder to do , maybe a little out of reach at this stage. I’ve been unbelievable lucky meeting so many people along the way , in the industry , on Boards – and have got unbelievable offers and good will to play. I’ve been able to play nearly every course I ever dreamed of. Great rates , even invites. I’m so grateful to them. I started out the journey a long time ago. Unsure , intimidated , feeling an outsider. But , I have had some journey and am eternally grateful to anyone who helped me on the way. The forum was a massive help along the way.

I think I’ve about 4 more to go. What a country North and South – we have incredible Links golf, and great people involved in them great courses.

slave1

Valley (and Cashen) would be names in their own right if not for their more illustrious neighbours, both super courses

bakerbhoy

Played European today..

Playing surfaces in great condition..

First time to play .. loved it..

Didn't score near aswell as i played, not the course ,just golf.

Prep work already underway for upgrades. Looks like total clearance of vegatation . Major rescuplting of mounds and dunes to come 2027 before we know..

Benicetomonty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123932070#Comment_123932070

Playing there Tuesday. What sort of lost ball count should I plan for?

bailey99

Whats the max handicap limit to play on the Tuesdays please? Is it 13 of the whites or blue tees?

bakerbhoy

I donated two..

Found a few more than that...

bakerbhoy

It was white on thursday..Which in some cases was a mix of white/blue.

A great test.. it left me with 180… 195 approach distances on most par 4s..