Random Golf Thoughts

You can play in the comps as a member. You just won't get a golf ireland handicap until you have 3 cards in qualifying conditions.

You have your membership, don't be afraid to play in members tee times, competition or not. No harm chatting to the pro shop either to clarify.

I typically only carry 13 clubs. Feel I've all the longer distances covered, and have a 50 and 54 degree wedge at the short end. Could possibly carry a 58 or 60, but find I tend towards the 50 for most chips and approach shots anyways.

There's been phenomenal rain recently. Unless there's an extended dry period, don't be surprised to see winter rules run well into April.

I assume you mean 14th. It depends is the honest answer. Everyone's situation is unique. How long the course is, type of bunkers, is the course hard or soft, is the course super windy, what your short game technique and confidence is. How far you hit it, do you have any obvious gaps between clubs. Are there specific tee shots where you have a narrow target and shouldn't risk a driver.

At the top of the bag many will not use a 3w as it's too hard to hit or they don't have the power to get proper launch. Others may stick in a hybrid beside the longest iron or say 5w. Great from bad lies and rough plus easier to hit. 7w is a popular choice for the same reason. You'll then have people who put in a driving iron for precise tee shots and to keep the ball under the prevailing winds.

At the bottom end of the bag it's more about what balance you need. Eg your 50/54 bounce and grind are the key info here. If they're both high bounce or say mid/high then you might consider a low bounce 58. This may help specifically with hard turf and packed in bunkers. There would be some added versatility with making open face shots using the low bounce lob wedge. However it's harder to use and less forgiving as a trade off.

Alternatively if say your wedges were mid/mid bounce you could prefer a high bounce wide sole 58. This helps with deep fluffy bunkers and softer turf while being more forgiving.

It's not a binary answer to say buy a lob wedge. Many people don't play with more loft than a sand wedge. I have two extra options at home. A driving iron (3i) and a low bounce 60. Depends on conditions but typically they get swapped in for links courses or during a dry warm stretch where the course is baked dry.

Irish Golfer just published its 2026 top 100, no real movers or shakers. Portmarnock dropping 1 place to 3rd with RCD taking 2nd is probably the most interesting change. The Valley Course in Portrush coming in as a new entry at 33, not played it yet so that's peaked my curiosity.

Also SM10 model vokeys are on reduction similarly priced