The Links Thread

blue note · 07-03-2022 5:22pm

At least you put worst in inverted commas. It's like asking which member of the Dutch women's hockey team is the ugliest.

Seve OB · 07-03-2022 5:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118746564#Comment_118746564

🤣 off now to Google the Dutch womens hockey team

CorkBoyInDub · 08-03-2022 10:18am

Does anyone know if the fairways are back in play in Waterville?

thewobbler · 08-03-2022 12:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118746528#Comment_118746528

OTM is the least eye catching of the 3 as the front 9 in particular is set in lower dunes and away from the sea. But it’s a fine golf course and the back 9 is superb. it’s the shortest and easiest walk.

Sandy Hills is a beautiful brute. Apart from the stunning 6th and 3rd, it mostly rolls into each other and you won’t find yourself remembering individual holes. But it’s rhythm is sensational and it’s a great course for letting it rip off the tee then climb a dune to look for your ball.

St Patricks is the star of the show, an absolutely extraordinary golf course, which has a series of brilliant reveals and memorable holes. Its conditioning won’t yet match the more established pair but you won’t mind, trust me.

——-

Mine is a drinking man’s society and for fun and hangover friendliness, if we had to pick 2 it would probably be OTM and St Patrick’s. Sandy Hills shouldn’t be relegated by anyone at anytime, but it battered us into submission last July.

Mushy · 09-03-2022 9:44pm

Playing Murvagh next week, 2 open comps on the bank Holiday days, 35 quid for entry so can't go wrong there

willabur · 10-03-2022 11:03pm

Murvagh is brilliant

thewobbler · 15-03-2022 10:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118759425#Comment_118759425

Just back from a weekend in Murvagh.

the course isn’t quite in the best of shapes. Greens were pole forked recently, which should be sorted by the time you arrive…. but they’re generally patchy and look like they’ve had a tough winter. There’s bits of GUR on most holes and 5-6 bunkers under reconstruction - though you’d expect that surely this time of year.

Still an enjoyable course, a good but fair test (rough is generally manageable), and the warmest of welcomes from all staff. But you won’t be getting the links greens you’ve been dreaming off over the winter.

Mushy · 15-03-2022 12:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118787041#Comment_118787041

Cheers for that heads up. Luckily I've played it before so I've experienced it at its peak. Would be nice to have it in proper condition but I won't complain too much. With how my game is, the less bunkers possible the better. First game since September so could be grim

Mushy · 23-03-2022 12:11am

Mourne GC have open week from 8th May to end if week, so that cover Royal County Down

https://twitter.com/Mourne_GC/status/1506169214570270721?t=T_aEZ2yzxJ1y07K8eFDQqg&s=19

Kevinmarkham · 26-03-2022 2:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118749935#Comment_118749935

This right here is an astute and accurate snapshot of Rosapenna's three courses. Sandy Hills has been made a lot easier... or perhaps 'accessible'... in recent years. It was the toughest course in Ireland (IMO) but fairways have been widened and some tee boxes and bunkers relocated. Personally, I thought the condition of St Patrick's was magnificent but a lot of people are suggesting it needs to settle in... so anyone visiting can judge for themselves. I certainly wouldn't want to see the course over-manicured - that's not its vibe.

thewobbler · 29-03-2022 10:08pm

You’re right there Kevin. St Patrick’s wasn’t designed to be over-manicured. It’s natural golf. I guess what I mean in terms of conditioning is that when I played (first weekend open to public tbf!) there were a few sparse patches here and there, and I’d guess that over time there will become a clearer definition between green and fairway (which there’s really no need for).

Ballyliffin (played in Nov) enjoys a similar kind of disparity between its course “style” rather than conditioning. The Old feels more natural. Some would describe that feeling as “rougher round the edges”. Whereas I think most people without any information at all would be able to pick out Glashedy and Sandy Hills as having the same designer. There’s a clear symmetry in polished presentation between those too.

blue note · 05-04-2022 11:27am

I'm booked into Rosapenna St Pats and Old Tom in June. I'm very excited about this! We went to Donegal two years ago and had three incredible courses in Narin, Portsalon and Cruit island. Narin is the best course I've ever play and Cruit the most picturesque. I have it in my head that St Pats is going to replace Narin for me. But I'm pretty sure no place will ever take my breath away like Cruit island. Spectacular.

Kiith · 05-04-2022 11:40am

Have Carne, Enniscrone and Rosses Point booked in for mid July, so looking forward to that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118882918#Comment_118882918

The par 3 over the cliffs in Cruit is absolutely stunning.

CorkBoyInDub · 05-04-2022 1:09pm

Might be up in Donegal in July, and staying near Narin and Portnoo. Opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays for €50/€65. Has anyone here played there before? Looks amazing.

blue note · 05-04-2022 1:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883374#Comment_118883374

Literally two posts above I said it was the best course I've ever played!

swededmonkey · 05-04-2022 3:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883374#Comment_118883374

Murvagh is about 40 minutes from Portnoo and run open comps on Wednesdays for €35. Highly recommended

slave1 · 05-04-2022 5:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883374#Comment_118883374

Jez, they were €35 for the Opens in 2020

Mushy · 05-04-2022 6:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883374#Comment_118883374

Played it a few times as wife is from that neck of the woods so it's close by. Lovely spot, although haven't played it since it's been done up. Supposed to be a better course now for it.

On the area as a whole, the beach is amazing there. Ardara is lovely spot with some nice pubs (Nancy's, Corner House). Best County for golf and holidaying

mjsc1970 · 05-04-2022 10:58pm

Annual trip to Rosapenna for me again in a few days. Love the place.

fred funk }{ · 06-04-2022 5:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118884237#Comment_118884237

Been in poor condition the past few years.

willabur · 06-04-2022 9:18am

Played there last year and the condition was close to perfect. So have to disagree strongly with that

sean.ocall · 06-04-2022 9:52am

Played both courses at Ballybunion over the weekend. This was my first time on a links course so I have nothing to compare it to, but I was totally blown away. I'm still buzzing from it. I can remember every single hole from the 36 in detail. Looking forward to exploring a bit further over the Summer.

swededmonkey · 06-04-2022 3:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118886912#Comment_118886912

Haven't played there since July last year, but can't say it stood out for being in poor condition IMO

fred funk }{ · 09-04-2022 9:53pm

I've played it every August for the last 3 years and it's has progressively gotten worse. Now, it could be just that time of year but greens very slow and knarly. General condition of the course hasn't been great.

I will say that it's a superb course and a real test but not in the condition that I'd expect and most from our group that travel, agree.

DuckSlice · 11-04-2022 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118886471#Comment_118886471

Booked in for May for the 3 courses. Cant wait.

blue note · 11-04-2022 3:26pm

Lots seem to be going to rosapenna. I think we're right to do it now before the American tours start going there in greater volumes.

DuckSlice · 11-04-2022 3:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118911617#Comment_118911617

4 of us do an annual trip away and we normally do 3 different courses. But this involves a lot of travelling. Last year we done Portmarnock, RCD and Ardglass. Rosapenna is perfect for 3 days golf and only having to travel 5 minutes between rounds. And they are doing the 3 course pass for €195, serious value.