2019 Irish Open - Lahinch

Seve OB · 17-05-2018 12:06pm #1

Just announced, Paul McGinley hosting next year in Lahinch

benny79 · 17-05-2018 12:46pm

Never Played it but spend a lot of time down there found it a bit of a snobby club (Just my Opinion) As I tried loads of times to play it but unless you know a member or are a yank not a hope! don't have opens either. But have walked it and by all accounts its a super course!

Maybe someday I'll get out on it.. Super part of Ireland I must say..

LuckyGent88 · 17-05-2018 1:01pm

What super news for the area. Parking maybe a nightmare though and of course the famous Blake’s corner in ennistymon could be fun!!!

Course is exceptional though.

slingerz · 17-05-2018 1:12pm

great course wonder how it will handle the number of spectators, imagine numbers will be limited

doublecross · 17-05-2018 1:26pm

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

What super news for the area. Parking maybe a nightmare though and of course the famous Blake’s corner in ennistymon could be fun!!!

Course is exceptional though.

I hope the new bridge will be in place to bypass Blake's corner otherwise it will be a nightmare!

ThunderCat · 17-05-2018 1:56pm

benny79 wrote: »

Never Played it but spend a lot of time down there found it a bit of a snobby club (Just my Opinion) As I tried loads of times to play it but unless you know a member or are a yank not a hope! don't have opens either. But have walked it and by all accounts its a super course!

Maybe someday I'll get out on it.. Super part of Ireland I must say..

Are you not able to play it Benny if you just pay the green fee?

golfguy1 · 17-05-2018 2:04pm

benny79 wrote: »

Never Played it but spend a lot of time down there found it a bit of a snobby club (Just my Opinion) As I tried loads of times to play it but unless you know a member or are a yank not a hope! don't have opens either. But have walked it and by all accounts its a super course!

Maybe someday I'll get out on it.. Super part of Ireland I must say..

Mistaken on the open front as they had open singles weekly about 18 months ago over the off season. Also u could just pay the green fee like every other course has.

Golfgorfield · 17-05-2018 2:29pm

benny79 wrote: »

Never Played it but spend a lot of time down there found it a bit of a snobby club (Just my Opinion) As I tried loads of times to play it but unless you know a member or are a yank not a hope! don't have opens either. But have walked it and by all accounts its a super course!

Maybe someday I'll get out on it.. Super part of Ireland I must say..

Nothing could be further from the truth, of all the higher bracket Links in Ireland Lahinch is easily the most down to earth and homely.
Ive been lucky to play here a huge amount over the years and its extremely relaxed compared to others who have the pathetic, jacket in the bar rules, member only areas etc etc. They have regular opens, and a payable green fee with a GUI rate. No idea how you coundnt play??

bmay529 · 17-05-2018 2:41pm

golfguy1 wrote: »

Mistaken on the open front as they had open singles weekly about 18 months ago over the off season. Also u could just pay the green fee like every other course has.

You can play it if you are prepared to fork out €210 p/head or €160 in the "Shoulder" season. As far as I know they don't even offer a GUI rate (Rosses have a €50 GUI rate) and they havn't had an open singles for quite a while.

Miley Byrne · 17-05-2018 3:03pm

Golfgorfield wrote: »

They have regular opens, and a payable green fee with a GUI rate. No idea how you coundnt play??

He could just pay the green fee if he wants to play there.

But I'd like to hear more about the regular opens on there that you mentioned? Scratch cups are on the Castle Course and I'm not aware of any Opens on the Old Course apart of course from the South

PokeHerKing · 17-05-2018 3:09pm

Golfgorfield wrote:

Nothing could be further from the truth, of all the higher bracket Links in Ireland Lahinch is easily the most down to earth and homely. Ive been lucky to play here a huge amount over the years and its extremely relaxed compared to others who have the pathetic, jacket in the bar rules, member only areas etc etc. They have regular opens, and a payable green fee with a GUI rate. No idea how you coundnt play??

We played it last year. 190e a head and we got a round on the castle course included on the Sunday. There was no GUI rate available when I asked.

Members we got chatting to in the bar after our round where embarrassed we had to pay that, they said that's only meant for the yanks!

Pity the pro shop didn't agree!ðŸ˜‚

evillive · 17-05-2018 7:45pm

Played it on Monday (only previous game there was 15 years ago) its an utter, utter delight, had a cracking day weatherwise, strong breeze, had 3 pars and a birdie and kept the same ball. Our 3 ball took just over the 4 hours with some waiting on last few holes

the course was immaculate, grass cart paths better than fairways in a lot of places, greens are devilish but use your imagination and the contours will work to your advantage, plenty of nice shots to the green running off, bunkers were tough to escape though, go badly off line and you may reload, course management is crucial and find the fairway and the ball will rattle on, an approach shot beyond my distance would often kick on closer

had a chat with Tony in starters office heading out and he gave me a helpful walkthrough the course and tips off the tees on driving lines etc, a strokesaver is a must, we played off whites but the back tees will make the Irish Open some test as i said anything wayward is bye-bye

found the staff in the bar and members most friendly and the grub was excellent too, plenty of Americans playing it who were just blown away by the experience

up there with Royal County Down now for my favourite course

Corkblowin · 17-05-2018 7:49pm

Played open singles there last October (I think) for 50e - great course - not sure how they will cater for any great numbers. Probably be like when it was played in Ballybunion & each day will be restricted.

Tom.D.BJJ · 17-05-2018 10:30pm

I played it last summer. Loved every inch of it..maybe more so because I birdied four holes ðŸ€£ðŸ€£

I didn't pay the full green fee btw, was paired with two members and a visiting American. Members have me their number if I fancy a game next time I'm down. Top class

Ronney · 18-05-2018 8:15am

golfguy1 wrote: »

Mistaken on the open front as they had open singles weekly about 18 months ago over the off season. Also u could just pay the green fee like every other course has.

They also allow the GUI to Run an open comp for 5 days in July, anyone can enter*

*Handicap cut off might rule a few out though:)

bmay529 · 18-05-2018 9:01am

Ronney wrote: »

They also allow the GUI to Run an open comp for 5 days in July, anyone can enter*

*Handicap cut off might rule a few out though:)

Interesting!! I rang the Lahinch office who said they did NOT offer a GUI rate and do NOT have any "open" competitions and said they they have not had any for several years!!!

I heard that members have been restricted this year to the number of visitors they cam invite during the year... 6 I thought!!!

Is it the case if you turn up on the day you might get a better rate???

benny79 · 18-05-2018 9:03am

Lads it was just "my option" of when I was down there (at the time) which I used to be regularly not so much these days and am not slagging the club or course as it looks magnificent. I used to ring all the time when down (being about 4/5 yrs now) was told they don't do opens (by reception) or gui rate and green fee was €190+ and was told timesheet is full for said week even though the course was empty. Lets say she didn't seem to come across pleasant. I found it really strange as I never had this problem with any other course. When I was on holidays in Kerry some years ago I played Waterville €65 gui rate receptionist was rude as hell but I got out. but thats a different story

Maybe she doesn't like Dubs or was having a bad day who knows. I have always been mad to play it as its on my bucket list and have walked the course many times..

I'm glad to see they are holding Opens now as mentioned above. Obviously things have change as I said its being a while since Ive being down.

valoren · 18-05-2018 9:15am

Just looked at the course and the scorecard. That 12th hole looks amazing. At 577 yards is it the longest hole in Ireland?

Joe_ Public · 18-05-2018 9:28am

There's one on the Old Head weighs in 600+ off the back sticks. Think it's downhill, though, so may well not play its length.

valoren · 18-05-2018 9:43am

Joe_ Public wrote: »

There's one on the Old Head weighs in 600+ off the back sticks. Think it's downhill, though, so may well not play its length.

Ah forgot about that. 623 from the back.

kiers47 · 18-05-2018 10:30am

One of the par 5s in Killeen castle is also 600+ from what I remember although a few years since I was up there. The 2nd hole I think. A brute of a yoke.

fearruanua · 18-05-2018 10:32am

kiers47 wrote: »

One of the par 5s in Killeen castle is also 600+ from what I remember although a few years since I was up there. The 2nd hole I think. A brute of a yoke.

613 off the black sticks :eek:

Ronney · 18-05-2018 10:37am

bmay529 wrote: »

Interesting!! I rang the Lahinch office who said they did NOT offer a GUI rate and do NOT have any "open" competitions and said they they have not had any for several years!!!

I heard that members have been restricted this year to the number of visitors they cam invite during the year... 6 I thought!!!

Is it the case if you turn up on the day you might get a better rate???

Still run 1 GUI Open as I said, limited to the lowest 150 H/C's

€60 euros and you get at least 2 rounds,

Link is here

https://www.golfnet.ie/tournaments/1763/south-of-ireland-amateur-open

kiers47 · 18-05-2018 10:38am

fearruanua wrote: »

613 off the black sticks :eek:

Ya. I havent played the blacks mind but i remember on the couple of occasions seeing the tee box and thinking "Jesus F*ck" :eek:

fearruanua · 18-05-2018 10:53am

I wonder will attendance be limited. I have never played lahinch but have been to the South once or twice. Honestly couldn't tell ya if the course could manage 20,000 or 40,000. Plenty of dunes so i'd say viewing vantage points should be pretty good.

valoren · 18-05-2018 11:29am

With such a close proximity to Shannon I wonder would any high profile US based players be tempted to play?
It's 2 weeks before the Open in Portrush, decent purse....

fearruanua · 18-05-2018 11:43am

valoren wrote: »

With such a close proximity to Shannon I wonder would any high profile US based players be tempted to play?
It's 2 weeks before the Open in Portrush, decent purse....

Heard mcginley on OTB last year and he said he's already been in contact with the R and A regarding the set up they are hoping to have in Portrush next year. green speeds, fairway width, rough height etc. he said that he going to try and set lahinch up as similar as possible to the set up in portrush in the hope that a lot of golfers would see it as excellent preparation for the british open.

WHIP IT! · 18-05-2018 12:36pm

fearruanua wrote: »

Heard mcginley on OTB last year and he said he's already been in contact with the R and A regarding the set up they are hoping to have in Portrush next year. green speeds, fairway width, rough height etc. he said that he going to try and set lahinch up as similar as possible to the set up in portrush in the hope that a lot of golfers would see it as excellent preparation for the british open.

Did his quote begin with the words "when I was captain in the Ryder Cup..."??

moycullen14 · 18-05-2018 1:24pm

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Did his quote begin with the words "when I was captain in the Ryder Cup..."??

Funnily enough he did mention it

fearruanua · 18-05-2018 1:30pm

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Did his quote begin with the words "when I was captain in the Ryder Cup..."??

what do you think????

:D:D

Rikand · 18-05-2018 3:28pm

Good buddy of mine is the assistant pro down there. Must give him a shout to see if he can wangle me a free/cheap green fee

Asus X540L · 18-05-2018 3:29pm

Be great if the Donald comes over for it

billy3sheets · 18-05-2018 3:37pm

valoren wrote: »

Just looked at the course and the scorecard. That 12th hole looks amazing. At 577 yards is it the longest hole in Ireland?

Hollywood Lakes 14th is 641 yards off Medal tees. Downhill too.

LuckyGent88 · 18-05-2018 5:21pm

The 12th in lahinch isn’t all that long to be honest. Majority of the time it is downwind so for pros it will be on in two from the backs. Might be a few balls heading into the beach though!!

Was speaking to a life member last night and the main hotels are all booked up by the European tour already. Did it on Tuesday.

They used to hold open days back in the busy years. 50 quid was such a bargain. They had membership open for last few years and once the entrance fee is paid the sub is very reasonable. Closed now I believe and only let in 2 this year. 2 lads who can play senior cup!!!

Lucky to have played it plenty of times and have been at every south of Ireland Iv been able to get to so really looking forward to this.

Will be interesting to see what they do with the 4th clondike. No way can they play it as a par 5.

Dr Devious · 18-05-2018 7:53pm

Asus X540L wrote: »

Be great if the Donald comes over for it

What would be great about that??

Asus X540L · 18-05-2018 8:32pm

Dr Devious wrote: »

What would be great about that??

Cause he's a cool dude

whatawaster · 18-05-2018 8:38pm

Asus X540L wrote: »

Be great if the Donald comes over for it

Luke doesn't play much on the European tour these days unfortunately

WHIP IT! · 19-05-2018 3:26pm

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

The 12th in lahinch isn’t all that long to be honest. Majority of the time it is downwind so for pros it will be on in two from the backs. Might be a few balls heading into the beach though!!

Will be interesting to see what they do with the 4th clondike. No way can they play it as a par 5.

Also, what do you think they'll do with 13? I think it's only 280/290 off the backs, is it too short for even a "fun, driveable par-four"? Might they make it a Par 3 for the week?

fullstop · 19-05-2018 3:58pm

valoren wrote: »

Ah forgot about that. 623 from the back.

2nd in Killeen Castle is 615 as well and plus uphill for the approach

Edit; beaten to it.

evillive · 19-05-2018 4:13pm

WHIP IT! wrote: »

Also, what do you think they'll do with 13? I think it's only 280/290 off the backs, is it too short for even a "fun, driveable par-four"? Might they make it a Par 3 for the week?

Id say it's safe enough to leave it, there's no way of running one in and holding the green with the pigs back type/fall off both sides on the approach into bunkers, flash one off the back and it's in rough/bushes facing a green u can't hold. Pros would prob take a drive into greenside bunker and try to get up and down.

Pal of mine who caddied as a kid there and watched a lot of our now pros play as amateurs in the south of Ireland comp said he never saw any drives hold the green

slave1 · 21-05-2018 7:53am

My second favorite course after Portrush, the bunkers are penal, some of the fairway ones are very deep and if it’s dry then are floury and very hard to play from. The Dell should be great fun.
If you ever plan on playing it then play it early and get in the Castle course afterwards, it’s a lovely track and mild in comparison to the very hard Lahinch.

I doubt Lahinch needs any advertising to our US buddies but no harm in portraying our Links to a worldwide audience, the Irish Open is deffo doing everything right the last few years.

rickis tache · 21-05-2018 7:58am

Stewart Cink played there in practice the year he won the Open and the Dell is Phil Mickelsons favourite hole outside of the U.S.
I can see a good few of the American contingent playing in this one.

Keano · 21-05-2018 9:05am

rickis tache wrote: »

Stewart Cink played there in practice the year he won the Open and the Dell is Phil Mickelsons favourite hole outside of the U.S.
I can see a good few of the American contingent playing in this one.

Phil is an honorary member of Lahinch so could very well play.

slave1 · 21-05-2018 10:46am

Keano wrote: »

Phil is an honorary member of Lahinch so could very well play.

No green fees so

rooney30 · 21-05-2018 10:21pm

I wonder if there is much opposition from members to this . Even though they will probably restrict the crowds if will wreck the dunes for a few years

valoren · 22-05-2018 10:18am

rooney30 wrote: »

I wonder if there is much opposition from members to this . Even though they will probably restrict the crowds if will wreck the dunes for a few years

Also there would be a playing moratorium in advance of it to get the course prepared?

mighty magpie · 22-05-2018 10:20am

Ballyliffin glashedy are off mats from last weekend in prep for theirs.

fullstop · 22-05-2018 8:03pm

mighty magpie wrote: »

Ballyliffin glashedy are off mats from last weekend in prep for theirs.

At least they can just play members comps on the old though. And they have a few extra holes for practice too.

Dr Devious · 24-05-2018 8:28pm

Playing off mats during may and June and the course limited/closed nearer the event make you wonder if your club would be far better off without hosting the Irish open.

slingerz · 25-05-2018 9:48am

Dr Devious wrote: »

Playing off mats during may and June and the course limited/closed nearer the event make you wonder if your club would be far better off without hosting the Irish open.

both Lahinch and Ballyliffen have secondary courses for members for that period. Often its the prestige of being a member of an Irish Open course that appeals. Very different environment in these clubs to your standard golf club

ridonkulous · 25-05-2018 12:02pm

slingerz wrote: »

Dr Devious wrote: »

Playing off mats during may and June and the course limited/closed nearer the event make you wonder if your club would be far better off without hosting the Irish open.

both Lahinch and Ballyliffen have secondary courses for members for that period. Often its the prestige of being a member of an Irish Open course that appeals. Very different environment in these clubs to your standard golf club

I wouldn't agree with you on the different environment in those clubs whatsoever. There's no heirs or graces in Ballyliffin in my experience. It's a very down to earth club as I would expect from a course located in Inishowen. Lahinch I'm not as familiar with so I can't comment but you're way of on Ballyliffin.

2019 Irish Open - Lahinch

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