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The Links Thread
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FixdePitchmark wrote: »So, back form Donegal – it has been a long time ambition of mine to play golf in North Donegal – from late teens I would look at the photos of the courses , completely perplexed by the beauty and what seemed like, madness to build a course on the land so rippled and so remote.
I’m not particularly a golf historian and maybe someone can explain why these courses were built at all. There seems to be a link to seaside towns and a time of train journeys and a bygone age. How sad all them railways are gone, the journey must have been fairly epic. It was almost part of the challenge.
Landscape like that , is enjoyed more at a slow pace – for that, we have golf.
Now with cars and modern roads and confused gps, maybe it is all a bit too easy. Covid has all these courses opening back up to the Irish only, the strange times we are in. But I do know from reading here – that Donegal and Sligo / Mayo , remained the true hidden and reasonable priced great golf of Ireland.
The strange thing about the links courses in Donegal – some are fairly modern as Links courses go ?
I simply love Donegal, the people, the place, the sort of outsider feel to the place. There is an honesty, a lack of pretension, a mystery and a darkness.
I’ve a fairly substantial chip on my shoulder about some Irish golf – but what I loved about Donegal was that you feel, the people actually want you there. There are certain places in Ireland in (pre covid) summer, that lack any authentic Irish feel to them. You feel like you are in an American 5 star resort, almost a bit of cap tipping and tip searching. All a bit fake.
Anyway – back to golf, we played Portsallon, Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) and Ballyliffin (old).
Very different courses and feel to the 3 places, but I suppose, the common element, is that rugged and erratic, stunning Donegal backdrop . One moment you are looking at a perfectly clear cliff then it is covered in clouds or rain and a change in light and mood.
Portsallon is a wonderful little course. Hardly a hole the same – and the beach is stunning – the way it is used on the 2nd , is incredible. We were playing into a tough wind on the front 9. But for once the golf was a bit irrelevant (probably as mostly terrible), you were trying to work out the course and the views. It is certainly a course you need to play a few times. The course changes a little on the back nine as you head into a mountain face and this changes the feel of the course. But it still makes for very interesting golf holes and great elevated views. One slightly strange feature is the tunnel at 1 and 18 – and that is the first time I seen anything like that.
Day 2 we hit Rosapenna (sandy hills) – what a place. From the second you drive in, it feels special. Then the course. What an incredible golf course. I typically use Enniscrone as my reference (gold standard) in Irish golf. But within 5 or 6 holes you are thinking, how could you have so many great holes in a sequence. It becomes a game of, is there a bad hole on this course at all? finding one is almost a harder game than the course.
It is a tough walk and incredibly punishing – probably is too hard. But what a course. I will return some day. Almost had a hole in 1 – and had a great front 9. Some of only decent golf I played.
Day 3 we hit Ballyliffin The Old Links. I’ll admit I would prefer to be playing Glashedy – These journeys are big and you do not get in the areas too often, so I do like to play the championship courses. I know there are fantastic secondary courses. But it is a big enough challenge in this life to fit all the big ones in. Never mind the others. We were very lucky to play at all, as the rest of the country was a complete wash out. Another lovely course, but it is up against it when it is the 3rd course on such a run.
So another big part of the list ticked off. I’ll need to review where I am, not much to go Links wise. But there probably is more than I think.
I need to dream up another trip – or like this occasion, I need someone else to dream it up for me.
It is kind of hard to plan anything at present, but as has been said on this thread. Get the course in now when we can.
Yesterday towards the end, rain came in off the mountains. It is rare you see rain like that before it hits you , I hit a perfect drive and a 2 putt bird . For a few holes, there was no covid, or doubt or anxiety or fear.
It is the little things in life you miss. Golf at least remains a stunning distraction
I played in the same comp took me 3 days to get used to links.
Played Ballyliffin first day which was a chasening experience, lovely course but rough was so penal if you missed fairway. 24pts learned towards end stop driving high!!!
Portsalon the second day, this is one of the most picturesque courses I have ever played. The 2nd stands out but so many great views over the beach and sea. Rough not quite as penal as other 2 courses. Really like the 18th had dinner there and great fun watching half the people either go in ditch before green or go over green as nearly impossible to stop ball. 31pts
Played Rosnapenna last day, weather was bad really strong cross winds. We took a buggy as forecast was shocking actually worked out great as would drive ahead to see where danger was etc. By this stage finally put away my 60 degree and every drive was about 10ft off the ground. Was putting from everywhere or bumping and running.
I bet it was the 16th you nearly had a hole in one where ball rolls back down hill.
Should have won this comp
I had 34pts standing on 17th tee box when a huge squall hit with lashing rain could barely stand up. Par 5 3rd landed on green to get blown down hill about 30ft below pin. Had watched my partners on 9th hit lob wedges up hill to continuously roll down to their feet so bumped and ran it up over green!! Blank.
On 18th lads stopped me hitting driver which had been my straightest club of day for me to whack my 5w into hay and blank that as well. 37pts won!!
Some of my mates could not cope with links golf at all continuously hitting it high only to see it blown in the deep sh*t. It really is a different game though played my own parkland the next day and couldn't chip to save my life.
Agree a beautiful part of the world, best beaches in the country with really friendly genuine locals. Down a similar trip end of month to Ardglass, Royal county down, cannot wait!!0 -
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27 holes in Carne tomorrow! Can't wait
Enjoy bud, don't go long/left on the old 17th!!!!!!My stuff for sale on Adverts inc. outdoor furniture, roof box and EDDI
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RoadRunner wrote: »BRS v poor for me. Got it in the end
Sounds like trying to get tickets for a U2 gig - hope it is a great burger and doesn't rain on ye 0 -
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Benicetomonty wrote: »Decent thing to do would be to put a 3rd day on and hold slots for anybody who sent them an email within 15 minutes of their notice. We'll wait and see.
or just put a normal open on every 2 weeks
:D 0
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