Royal county down

golfguy1

Hoping to be playing here in the next month.
Does anyone know if they use mats on the fairway during the off season or would the fairways be in play

Benicetomonty

golfguy1 wrote: »

Hoping to be playing here in the next month.
Does anyone know if they use mats on the fairway during the off season or would the fairways be in play

I played in winter a few years ago and there were no mats. This year might be a different story as they prepare for the Open (therl be a lot of demand for RCD from pros and fans alike during the summer so theyl want it ship shape). But Id anticipate youl be off grass.

backspin.

The British Open is in Portrush.

Hoboo

When the Irish Open was played there in 2015 mats were in play throughout the winter. As someone else said they might be keeping it in good condition for the influx of visitors for The Open, and after last summer scorching. Best to ring and check.

(I know 'The Open' is in Portrush)

slave1

backspin. wrote: »

The British Open is in Portrush.

Nearby rated links will be in demand in the weeks leading up to The Open, Portstewart, RCD, even ROI ones like Baltray, The Island etc. as they are close-by in the grand scheme of things

evillive

slave1 wrote: »

Nearby rated links will be in demand in the weeks leading up to The Open, Portstewart, RCD, even ROI ones like Baltray, The Island etc. as they are close-by in the grand scheme of things

Yep, the Mourne Golf Club not running their July open week this year (which is played on RCD) as RCD being kept available for the pros to practice on. Cant see why they wouldnt want to play in a scotch 4some or champagne scramble myself!! Be a great week to be a member there I'd be playing every day giving loads of advice to them 'visitors!!!

ThunderCat

OP I've played it 3 times in winter months over the years and there was never mats in use and all the greens were open and in play. The only difference was they tend to push the tees up a bit on some of the holes. For example on the famous 4th you won't be up in the dune teeing off but rather down on the same level as the green. Unless they no longer do that.


Heard that a lot of pros will be using RCD to warm up for The Open. So much so that Mourne Golf Club won't be running their open week on RCD this year. At least that's what I've heard.

Benicetomonty

backspin. wrote: »

The British Open is in Portrush.

🙄

thewobbler

ThunderCat wrote: »

OP I've played it 3 times in winter months over the years and there was never mats in use and all the greens were open and in play. The only difference was they tend to push the tees up a bit on some of the holes. For example on the famous 4th you won't be up in the dune teeing off but rather down on the same level as the green. Unless they no longer do that.


Heard that a lot of pros will be using RCD to warm up for The Open. So much so that Mourne Golf Club won't be running their open week on RCD this year. At least that's what I've heard.

I’ve had the same experience on my multiple winter visits Thundercat. Still long enough and enjoyable, especially as winter golf goes, big not quite the full dauntingess of the regular tees.

——

Interesting comments re it being a practice course. I’d assume that playing commitments, qualifying commitments and simple logistics would mean 100+ of the competitors won’t arrive in Ireland until the Monday before the Open, at which point they’ll surely head to the north coast.

Putting a course on freeze in high summer, so maybe a couple of dozen pros can get a round in, would seem a strange business venture for any golf club, even one as strange and wealthy as RCD.

Hoboo

thewobbler wrote: »

I’ve had the same experience on my multiple winter visits Thundercat. Still long enough and enjoyable, especially as winter golf goes, big not quite the full dauntingess of the regular tees.

——

Interesting comments re it being a practice course. I’d assume that playing commitments, qualifying commitments and simple logistics would mean 100+ of the competitors won’t arrive in Ireland until the Monday before the Open, at which point they’ll surely head to the north coast.

Putting a course on freeze in high summer, so maybe a couple of dozen pros can get a round in, would seem a strange business venture for any golf club, even one as strange and wealthy as RCD.

Its a strange club alright

ThunderCat

thewobbler wrote: »

I’ve had the same experience on my multiple winter visits Thundercat. Still long enough and enjoyable, especially as winter golf goes, big not quite the full dauntingess of the regular tees.

——

Interesting comments re it being a practice course. I’d assume that playing commitments, qualifying commitments and simple logistics would mean 100+ of the competitors won’t arrive in Ireland until the Monday before the Open, at which point they’ll surely head to the north coast.

Putting a course on freeze in high summer, so maybe a couple of dozen pros can get a round in, would seem a strange business venture for any golf club, even one as strange and wealthy as RCD.

It could be the case that only Mournes Open Week is cancelled. Member play might not be affected very much, or those visitors paying full whack may just have to tee off from 2pm onwards or whatever. Something like that seems more likely than no play at all outside the pros practicing.

Kevinmarkham

I'm 95 per cent sure that RCD has introduced mats during winter in recent years. In the run up to the 2015 Open, mats were compulsory for members/visitors and I suspect the club saw the benefit that this had on the fairways for the rest of the season. They introduced mats the following winter. As you need to phone up to book a tee time, ask them then. You might find you can place in the rough.

Portmarnock Links is one of the only courses left where mats aren't in use during winter.

golfguy1

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I'm 95 per cent sure that RCD has introduced mats during winter in recent years. In the run up to the 2015 Open, mats were compulsory for members/visitors and I suspect the club saw the benefit that this had on the fairways for the rest of the season. They introduced mats the following winter. As you need to phone up to book a tee time, ask them then. You might find you can place in the rough.

Portmarnock Links is one of the only courses left where mats aren't in use during winter.

I am playing with a friend of a friend who is a member so the round is only £20 so not fussed either way. All links courses here in Kerry are off the fairways so I assume rcd will be the same.
Looking forward to it anyway.

backspin.

golfguy1 wrote: »

I am playing with a friend of a friend who is a member so the round is only £20 so not fussed either way. All links courses here in Kerry are off the fairways so I assume rcd will be the same.
Looking forward to it anyway.

£20 great value, do you need a 4th man..

golfguy1

backspin. wrote: »

£20 great value, do you need a 4th man..

Sorry lad line is full. Some value alright couldn't believe it myself.
Had a free game in ardglass organised but cancelled it for this once in a lifetime chance.
Hope RCD lives up to its reputation

dar_cool

Its class, we go up every year for the mourne open, sad to hear its not on this year. Its a seriously tough test of golf especially as alot of blind tee shots and well protected greens

backspin.

dar_cool wrote: »

Its class, we go up every year for the mourne open, sad to hear its not on this year. Its a seriously tough test of golf especially as alot of blind tee shots and well protected greens

What do they normally charge for that.

dar_cool

Its 50 sterling. Really good value , they have it on all week so have fourballs, foursomes, singles etc. We normally play Thursday as its singles and off the medal tees, comp is called the mckeown cup.

backspin.

dar_cool wrote: »

Its 50 sterling. Really good value , they have it on all week so have fourballs, foursomes, singles etc. We normally play Thursday as its singles and off the medal tees, comp is called the mckeown cup.

I must give that a go next time it's on.

davegilly

golfguy1 wrote: »

All links courses here in Kerry are off the fairways so I assume rcd will be the same.

No they're not - I played both the Cashen and the Old in Ballybunion just after Xmas and both of them were off mats. Anywhere the course was mown was off mats so this included the cut rough.

golfguy1

davegilly wrote: »

No they're not - I played both the Cashen and the Old in Ballybunion just after Xmas and both of them were off mats. Anywhere the course was mown was off mats so this included the cut rough.

That is what I meant no play from fairways.
Ballyb, dooks, tralee all use mats.
Waterville u must drop off to the side

Neworld17

golfguy1 wrote: »

That is what I meant no play from fairways.
Ballyb, dooks, tralee all use mats.
Waterville u must drop off to the side

Played the European 2 weeks ago and No mats

Johnny_Fontane

We have had mats since Dec (Island). Its actually not as bad as people think. You can get seriously creative with a mat as you can really spin the ball. Kind of adds a bit of nuance to it. It's only shots from the fairway and you have the option to drop 3 yards into the rough if you like. Most of us here, hit what, maybe 8 fairways a round. Great fun around the greens zipping in off a matt instead of the usual bump and run/putt.

ThunderCat

Corballis off mats during the winter or not? Thinking of playing there later in the week.

londonred

ThunderCat wrote: »

Corballis off mats during the winter or not? Thinking of playing there later in the week.

No mats just placing as a lot of damage on the fairways since the heatwave , greens in great condition.

idle

Would you rather play from a mat on the fairway or take your ball to the side?

backspin.

idle wrote: »

Would you rather play from a mat on the fairway or take your ball to the side?

I'd prefer to drop to the side. Mats are not real golf, at least dropping to the side you get to practice your play from the rough.

davegilly

Anyone know if Doonbeg mats are fairway only? In Ballybunion mats were used in the cut rough as well, only in the dune grass could you play without!

Poker Face

davegilly wrote: »

Anyone know if Doonbeg mats are fairway only? In Ballybunion mats were used in the cut rough as well, only in the dune grass could you play without!

Fairways only, know someone who played there recently and they said you could move to the side if you didnt want to use the mat

golfguy1

Well played rcd last Friday. Beautiful day. No mats or dropping off fairway so delighted with that.
Played off the yellow/forward tees.
Honestly can't rate rcd above tralee/ballyb/waterville or lahinch.
No spectacular holes imo.
No holes along the coast so not as stunning scenery as I was expecting.
Clubhouse is stunning mind.
Will have to play it mid summer to truly rate it as rough will be more penalizing.
Overall disappointing for a number 1 in the world course

slave1

Go further and play Portrush, golf porn

Golfgraffix

golfguy1 wrote: »

Well played rcd last Friday. Beautiful day. No mats or dropping off fairway so delighted with that.
Played off the yellow/forward tees.
Honestly can't rate rcd above tralee/ballyb/waterville or lahinch.
No spectacular holes imo.
No holes along the coast so not as stunning scenery as I was expecting.
Clubhouse is stunning mind.
Will have to play it mid summer to truly rate it as rough will be more penalizing.
Overall disappointing for a number 1 in the world course

I’m not sure I would put RCD into my top 10 in the country.

golfguy1

Golfgraffix wrote: »

I’m not sure I would put RCD into my top 10 in the country.

I would have to agree. I was so looking forward to it but it was a major let down.
Would add further doubt to how these rankings are done

mikepajero182

golfguy1 wrote: »

Well played rcd last Friday. Beautiful day. No mats or dropping off fairway so delighted with that.
Played off the yellow/forward tees.
Honestly can't rate rcd above tralee/ballyb/waterville or lahinch.
No spectacular holes imo.
No holes along the coast so not as stunning scenery as I was expecting.
Clubhouse is stunning mind.
Will have to play it mid summer to truly rate it as rough will be more penalizing.
Overall disappointing for a number 1 in the world course

No spectacular holes? What about the 4th? 9th?
13th?
Ive only ever played it in summer time but find it as spectacular a course there is.

golfguy1

mikepajero182 wrote: »

No spectacular holes? What about the 4th? 9th?
13th?
Ive only ever played it in summer time but find it as spectacular a course there is.

13th is very good alrite. 9 and 4 are good holes wouldn't rank them as spectacular in my opinion.
I suppose my expectations were very high considering it was ranked no 1 in the world.
Personally I've played 5-10 courses in Ireland alone that I would rate higher