jams100 wrote: » Playing rosapenna scratch cup on Saturday (36 holes). Any tips, other than bring plenty of balls?
Dublin Spur wrote: » get a buggy !
jams100 wrote: » Not allowed buggies anyway in a scratch cup as far as I'm aware, given you a competitive advantage.
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 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
Miley Byrne wrote: » Do not get a buggy, links golf is best experienced by walking and buggies are a hindrance on a golf course like Sandy Hills. Not to mention a pain in the hole for your playing partners
Dublin Spur wrote: » I wouldn't be doing 36 holes anywhere without one
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.
blue note wrote: » The northwest is probably the best place in the country for golf. You have the combo of top quality courses and value there that you don't have anywhere else. I actually think the Midlands in summertime can be fantastic for golf as well. The courses aren't as good as those links ones, but the value and choice is incredible too. If you base yourself in athlone or the like, you'll have tullamore, esker hills, new forest, athlone, mullingar, Glasson, carlow and more I'm sure I've forgotten all within an hours drive, and in an open I suspect you wouldn't pay more than €25 for one. They're also more convenient to get to than Donegal. That said, Donegal is worth the extra green fees and travel. It's a beautiful place.
jams100 wrote: » Played Rosapenna today. Very nice track but also very tight with some fairly juicy rough in spots. Shot 93 and 94! I generally didn't do too much wrong just racked up way too many trebles over the 36 holes, tiredness got the better of me towards the end. Alot of climbs if your doing the 36 in one day, personally I found sandy hills to be a lot better than the old course although both were nice. Thankfully the weather was relatively ok, i wouldn't fancy playing there with a 40km/h wind. Overall I think its well worth playing and in my opinion quite a bit better than Ballyliffin which I also played last year (the Glasheedy course). Its probably the best links course I've played to date but in saying that I probably haven't played that many links courses yet
etxp wrote: » Playing Portrush Tuesday and Castlerock Wednesday, cannot wait! Warming up tomorrow at Lough Erne. Anyone else playing portrush Tuesday?
frink wrote: » Portmarnock doing an open 4 person team event 29th September and 12th October. €100 per person with a burger after 9.
etxp wrote: » you probably don't enter many scratch cups then?
callaway92 wrote: » Is it only the Front 9 twice?
slave1 wrote: » Says "Front Nine" above the Date on that screenshot. I think it could mean you start off on the Front 9 of the main course, Portmarnock also have another 9 holes on site, not to be sniffed at either, some lovely holes there
mighty magpie wrote: » Played both too. started with 82 on old tom, NR on sandy hills after starting well. Lipped out for hole in 1, 17th sandy hills. 4 iron into the breeze 180 yards. one of the guys leading after old tom took a 10 on sandy hills 1st!
