The Links Thread

slave1 · 14-05-2025 03:40PM

Gone up to £160 now I heard, that's steep across the last few years

IAmTitleist · 14-05-2025 03:47PM

In what way is it steep? In comparison to previous years yes of course.

But you're getting to play a top 5/10 course in the world.

Gandalph · 14-05-2025 04:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123447753#Comment_123447753

Email I have from them a few months back says GUI Special rates on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays only from mid-May to August from 16.30 in the afternoon is £225 pp.

Played Portmarnock on Sunday (Red/Blue), really nice track. Rough was fairly forgiving but I imagine when it's up it plays much more difficult as I felt fairways were quite narrow. There were so many daunting approach shots that can get very messy if you miss your target. Greens were so pure!

FixdePitchmark · 14-05-2025 05:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123447778#Comment_123447778

Played in that event yesterday, was an amazing day. What a golf course, what a place. Seems to have lost the leading lure with Portrush stealing the show over the last few years. But something special about the first tee, the clubhouse, conditions of the grounds and the general atmosphere of the first tee.

What a run of golf holes to start , so demanding off the tee , every shot needs your golf brain on and respect for the course. To play well there you need to be a special player off the tee. I had a good day with the driver, and rather unusually for around here...I love a blind golf shot..So RCD like my perfect crazy place..

The one slight criticism was the greens were slow. I'd imagine this weather has green keeping staff understandably cautious with the cut. But perhaps someone else can comment on that .

The lack of pace of the greens removes the real terrifying edge of the seat golf of RCD , but it was probably welcome for pace of play and playability.

Had a par on 9 , a par that is nearly enough to make the trip worthwhile alone. Drive and 7 iron.

Played well enough , just never was right on greens all day.

I get the criticism of the last part of the course , but you are really talking about 14 and 17.. whilst 14 looks out of place , is a great par 3 from a pure golf perspective. A great mid or low iron and 2 fantastic putts for a par..

There are great golf holes all over the back 9.

I would love to say an annual trip to RCD will always be part of my golfing life , it has been over the last 10 years.

But as we have spoken a bit of lately, the chances to play these places is becoming less and less or for the rich and famous..

patsat · 14-05-2025 06:41PM

Played RCD on Monday in the singles, there's off in the morning and never caught sight of the group Infront of us nor the group behind us. It was lovely to play in a big open like this and not be waiting around on tees.

As above, condition was outstanding, the course is special. As for the greens being slow, a worker there was explaining beforehand that he had some issue with disease over the last while so the greens were only coming back to their best hence the slower pace.

On the debate of RCD Vs Portrush, I think Portrush edges it for me for the following reason:

Portrush is an immense and intimidating course, it gives you the sense that your playing on a course made for the Tour players. So many shots, whether it's off the tee, or approach shots, there is so much to take into consideration. It really is a test of golf.

RCD also has all of this in abundance but the blind tee shots take from it. Take the 18th, so much danger in play off the tee, very easy get caught up in a bunker or gorse. If that tee shot was blind, you'd blame it on the blind tee shot but in reality it's just a very hard tee shot.

Price wise, it cost me £160 for the current no.3 course in the world with food afterwards. I won't complain about that. I'll be trying to secure a spot again next year. And those at Mourne Golf club are very friendly and welcoming.

slave1 · 15-05-2025 08:40AM

Re the conditioning on RCD, yes it is class but you got to remember the course was closed to visitors up to end of April so bound to be peaking in early May, along with the outstanding weather we're getting of course.

I still feel for those a few years back when there were downpours and no refunds on a totally unplayable course

IAmTitleist · 15-05-2025 11:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448048#Comment_123448048

I agree that that corner of the course down by 14/15 is the only thing to let it down. It's a bit unsightly down there.

That's probably why Royal Portrush still edges it for me.

FixdePitchmark · 15-05-2025 11:34AM

I get what your saying ,, but very few visitors are on any course up to April

Particularly the championship ones and anyway , the courses that have leading conditions have significant winter playing rules protecting the course..up to mats..

Look no matter what the reasons..The reality is it is probably one of the best conditions course in the world. Last course I played that blew me away like that ,was Ballybunion.

I've never played Portrush in peak conditions. Time of year , course work. I will have to try play it in peak conditions...Don't know how , but will somehow..

slave1 · 15-05-2025 04:19PM

Portrush is also very playable, look… we have 2/3 of the top courses in the world so damn happy about all of them

Also, very strong rumours The Open in Portmarnock 2030

patsat · 15-05-2025 04:29PM

On another note, of the top end links courses in Ireland, which ones would people consider to be the most playable?

Of the limited ones I've played, Doonbeg is probably the least challenging. Fairways have quite large landing areas to give a reasonable approach to the green.

FixdePitchmark · 15-05-2025 07:48PM

Good Question..most playable..

But off top of head

Arklow

Rosslare

Seapoint

Laytown

Baltray

St Annes

Portrush

Portsallon

Rosapenna Old Tom

Very little on west coast is playable ..Donegal very hard in general.

Baltray and Portrush a stretch above ..but as top level go..are manageable..

REFLINE1 · 16-05-2025 10:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448360#Comment_123448360

interesting, i believe a lot of courses are struggling with conditioning the greens as there has been a ban on certain pesticides etc they commonly used and the alternatives while more environmentally friendly aren't as effective.

Appletart Upsetter · 16-05-2025 10:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123453817#Comment_123453817

This is largely true, the range of plant protection products continues to diminish and those that remain are less effective.

Environmental conditions last Autumn/Winter were also very favourable for disease.

We have relatively a new disease appearing on courses, and it's effects can be devastating. It's called Dollar Spot. You'll all be hearing more and more about this in the coming years!

slave1 · 16-05-2025 12:29PM

Clubs need to invest in both proper post round cleaning and a shallow disinfectant path prior to round to stop spreading anything bad

fungie · 16-05-2025 03:14PM

Played RCD yesterday and greens were quick enough. Maybe they cut them just before.

CSWS101 · 28-05-2025 05:14PM

Anyone played doonbeg recently and know what the GUI rate is?

GolfPar · 28-05-2025 11:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123494067#Comment_123494067

Make sure you check the tariff as well

Leslie Purkiss · 02-06-2025 05:47PM

recently walked some holes in Rosslare. Appears to be in excellent condition. Great turnaround as it was opposite until recent years. Underrated track.

Sorbet · 02-06-2025 07:12PM

Got the chance to play Royal Dublin last week (thankfully didn’t have to pay for it). While I enjoyed it didn’t think it would have been worth the green fee. Am I missing something?

thewobbler · 02-06-2025 07:21PM

It’s a good question.

Most people prefer links golf. But I daresay most of us same people just don’t get enough out of it, to justify hundreds of euros for 4 and a bit hours’ worth.

blackwhite · 02-06-2025 08:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123509100#Comment_123509100

It’s flat - so doesn’t have the wow factor of some other links courses. A big part of the challenge there is the wind - if it’s calm it loses its teeth

mjsc1970 · 02-06-2025 11:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123509100#Comment_123509100

Nope. It's grand but no where close to worth the green fee

slave1 · 03-06-2025 08:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123509249#Comment_123509249

Same as neighbour Portmarnock which is highly thought of, and a lot of other links Waterville etc

slave1 · 03-06-2025 08:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123508904#Comment_123508904

Is tight and repetitive after the par 3 on the back 9 where it turns bland, I like it though it can be tough into prevailing wind for the first 6 holes

FixdePitchmark · 03-06-2025 09:43PM

All the Links courses on the East coast are flat - one exception might be The Island - European has some interesting changes also. But the East coast golf is very different to the west .

When I first started playing the Links course - I loved the dramatic ones, real edge of seat golf. The stuff out west Like Enniscrone - but the more you play or maybe the older you get , an appreciation grows for a different style of Links golf and how a subtle design can test you in a different way. You can have excellent bunkering , green run offs , raised greens , wind as a natural protection. Some of these courses can look very easy , but as you play them a while you get to know them more and how hard some of them can be. For even a very accomplished single figure player - go out and try break 80 in Royal Dublin - and you might 1 hate it, or realise - ok this is very difficult, you need to be in control of your ball for a good 4 hours. You very often have to be on the right side of the fairway and never wrong side yourself. But even worse you need to know the course well to know all that and where to go.

So I would say - don't go out on the east coast looking for wow - go to learn and you might find these ones are "workers" there is more to the course than drama.

One sad reality - the chances of getting to play these that 4 or 5 times to get to know them - is becoming harder or out of reach for most.

Sorbet · 03-06-2025 11:43PM

That’s gas @FixdePitchmark thats exactly it. I played Enniscrone about a month ago and loved the drama of it. Early in my links education! Both courses beat me up though 😀