Latest Top 100 courses in Ireland how many have you played?

Just 5 for me. Def gonna play a few more this summer.
Glad to see Portumna in there, really liked it.

38 for me. How they have RCD at 4 and pretty much every ranking in the world has RCD as the best course in Ireland. Lahinch ahead of it.........ah come here!

71 played but Ive pencilled in 2 that are in the Top 9 this summer so happy days! Hopefully we will see some of the big hitters reduce their fees for periods over the summer. Ive heard talk of The Island running Friday opens - can anyone confirm?

Come on this is crazy, really 100 golf courses ?!

ridonkulous wrote: »

The changes to Narin & Portnoo are sensational. Some golf course.

Was on family holiday in Donegal as a teenager (I would say 30 years ago at this stage) and played N&P. It absolutely bucketed down and I played awful. But I always remember nailing one particular shot with an old Fred Daly wooden driver, somewhere around the 12th, 13th, 14th I'd say. Always think of that shot whenever I hear of N&P. Golf is a great game for old memories like that.

I always think that if you wanted something more meaningful than these lists you'd go for a Michelin star type of system. Whether a course is 90th or 60th probably makes little to no difference. Whereas if a course either had a star or didn't, then you'd consider it a lot more meaningful. Or similarly going from a 1 star to a 2 would be a big deal.

If i was doing it I'd have a "Michelin guide" tier for the likes of tullamore, Tramore, new forest, etc. Basically the courses outside of the top 30 or so in these lists. I'd have one star for those courses that are great, but not quite challenging the top spots, the likes of portsalon, strand Hill. Two star for the courses that are just off the top guys, so the likes of the island. And then the three star courses being Portmarnock, rcd, Portrush, lahinch.

Obviously plenty of playing around with who gets included and not and how many stars. But it would be a better way of doing it for me.

very interesting idea.

What would separate level 1, 2 & level 3?

blue note wrote: »

I always think that if you wanted something more meaningful than these lists you'd go for a Michelin star type of system. Whether a course is 90th or 60th probably makes little to no difference. Whereas if a course either had a star or didn't, then you'd consider it a lot more meaningful. Or similarly going from a 1 star to a 2 would be a big deal.

If i was doing it I'd have a "Michelin guide" tier for the likes of tullamore, Tramore, new forest, etc. Basically the courses outside of the top 30 or so in these lists. I'd have one star for those courses that are great, but not quite challenging the top spots, the likes of portsalon, strand Hill. Two star for the courses that are just off the top guys, so the likes of the island. And then the three star courses being Portmarnock, rcd, Portrush, lahinch.

Obviously plenty of playing around with who gets included and not and how many stars. But it would be a better way of doing it for me.

I can see some merit in this but to draw comparisons with Michelin: the anonymous aspect of Michelin rankings means you’re effectively being rated for attention to detail every minute of every day. The meal has to be perfectly sourced, perfectly cooked, perfectly presented, perfectly served. All year round.

Golf isn’t like that. For example I’ve given off about Galgorm above, and I don’t wish to sound like I’m bashing the course, but anyhow. One of its nearest neighbours is Massareene GC. It’s a much older, more traditional parkland with good conditioning, a wonderfully rolling layout, and some quirky holes. It’s great fun. There’s not much water about, practice facilities are limited, and its club house is dated. It would struggle to get a star on the Michelin rankings.

Meanwhile, Galgorm in its endeavours to become known as the premier parkland in the 6 counties, has invested significantly in everything imaginable. And these efforts would surely gain it a star. Maybe 2.

Yet I know the one I’d prefer to play, any day or every day, is Massereene.

thewobbler wrote: »

I can see some merit in this but to draw comparisons with Michelin: the anonymous aspect of Michelin rankings means you’re effectively being rated for attention to detail every minute of every day. The meal has to be perfectly sourced, perfectly cooked, perfectly presented, perfectly served. All year round.

Golf isn’t like that. For example I’ve given off about Galgorm above, and I don’t wish to sound like I’m bashing the course, but anyhow. One of its nearest neighbours is Massareene GC. It’s a much older, more traditional parkland with good conditioning, a wonderfully rolling layout, and some quirky holes. It’s great fun. There’s not much water about, practice facilities are limited, and its club house is dated. It would struggle to get a star on the Michelin rankings.

Meanwhile, Galgorm in its endeavours to become known as the premier parkland in the 6 counties, has invested significantly in everything imaginable. And these efforts would surely gain it a star. Maybe 2.

Yet I know the one I’d prefer to play, any day or every day, is Massereene.

Really the only thing I'm taking from the Michelin star comparison is to make it stars instead of ranking every course. So you'll have 4 or 5 courses classed as the best, maybe 10 courses in the second tier and about 15 in the third tier. But as regards how you decide - you could have the same evaluation criteria as before. The courses could get a score out of 150 or whatever. And instead of ranking the courses from 1-100, you could have all the courses that get 130+ as 3 star, 120+ 2 star, 110+ as 1 star and maybe 100+ as in the guide or something.

But nothing would have to change as regards how you evaluate the curses.

Richmond Ultra wrote: »

I was surprised West Waterford doesn't make the top 100. I would have it as a better course than Curragh etc.

dont think it was ever in top 100. never will be either.
not as good as waterford castle or faithlegg or tramore.
Not looking good for it's long term future as I heard potential buyer has passed away.

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Kevin Markhams book Hooked is what I use, everything is scored out of 100.

Everything 70 and over is an enjoyable round of golf and yet to steer me wrong.

Thanks very much! Would love to do an entire revamp of the book. So much has changed since the book came out.

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Thanks very much! Would love to do an entire revamp of the book. So much has changed since the book came out.

Same here. Never sent me wrong. Actually from deep recall. West Waterford got good / decent marks and I played it as a result . Remember it as a great course. But I guess there literally are nearly a 100 irish parkland like it that are better than average. And just on edges of Top 100 in country.

Question for you Kevin.

You must have forgotten a good few at this stage ?

dan_ep82 wrote: »

No problem, it literally sits on my desk and every year I use it to book my week of golf. Any time I'm checking Opens or looking for a good course it's my go to. Should have got you to sign it in Lough Erne



In the last two years alone the amount of work updates I see on social media from different clubs I'd say its warranted at least a revision.

Used it as my gauge for course selection for Boards society outings last year too...until Covid came along and put paid to most of the rounds