Random Golf Thoughts

blue note · 03-04-2026 04:11PM

Have golf demographics changed at all in the last decade or two? I feel like they have. When I was in my early 20s it just seemed like everyone was far older than me. But now that I'm 40 it feels like everyone plays and the people in clubs are far younger.

I know there's another explanation, but is my gut feeling right?

blackwhite · 03-04-2026 06:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124360945#Comment_124360945

I assume you need a better explanation than - you got old?

e.r · 03-04-2026 07:46PM

Anyone’s parkland club in NCD qualifying yet?

VW 1 · 03-04-2026 08:05PM

Clontarf is, as of today

billy3sheets · 03-04-2026 08:40PM

Not quite NCD but Black Bush was qualifying on Wednesday. Placing on fairways. Lift, clean and replace in same spot in the rough.

copacetic · 03-04-2026 10:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361478#Comment_124361478

Don’t believe that should be qualifying, whenever I’ve seen it used you know half the people in the comp aren’t replacing in the rough. Placing on fairways only is the only reasonable qualifying rule for me. I’ve seen a few places go that way in the last week, but it’s too early. Lies in the rough that hasn’t been able to the be cut combined with muck covered balls is still horrendous.

finglashoop · 04-04-2026 12:47PM

Qualifiying in elm green

Placing fairway only

coillcam · 04-04-2026 04:51PM

Mullingar is still non counting. Big bunker renovation project over the winter season. All bunkers still closed. Still incredibly wet regardless of bunker work.

Deep Thought · 04-04-2026 04:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123347896#Comment_123347896

exactly.. I think it’s the same if both on the green, if ball a is in ball b line, then ball b asks to mark ball a, if ball b doesn’t ask and ball b hits ball a, it’s a penalty for ball b

bobster453 · 04-04-2026 05:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361738#Comment_124361738

Theres no way that could be qualifying surely.

I always knew the rule as placing in fairway only as its a closely mown area.

Once placing in the rough comes in its non qualifying as not closely mown area.

spacecoyote · 04-04-2026 05:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124363387#Comment_124363387

You can play with lift clean and REPLACE in the rough. So literally clean the ball and put it back in exact same spot.

People argue that its very difficult to police, which it is to be fair. Will always be a percent that will improve on a stinker of a lie you'd imagine.

bobster453 · 04-04-2026 05:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124363393#Comment_124363393

Of course, replace as opposed to place which means within 6 inches.Thanks for clarification.

billy3sheets · 05-04-2026 07:22AM

I did state Replace in the same spot in the rough. I agree that it's prone to misuse. Quite often the ball has landed in a hollow in the rough and it's difficult to place it back in the hollow when an inch or two would give a much nicer lie. However, rules are rules in golf and you're either going to play by them all or you're cheating. You don't get to pick which rules you play and which you break.

awec · 05-04-2026 01:18PM

We’ve been qualifying for a few weeks now.

we’re in that awkward period where you still aren’t getting any run on the ball and the rough is still a bit heavy so very punishing due to no placing.

Ive played 3 counting rounds and the PCC has been either 2 or 3 in all of them.

coillcam · 05-04-2026 01:49PM

I guess courses will vary massively in how wet they are. This time of year rough can be anything from quite patchy and sloppy to just a slight bit of surface mud catching on the ball.

Not a fan of counting golf if it's replace in the rough but it's 100% allowed if a course decides to run with it.

We experimented with mats this year. Not too many took up the offer. The lads that had mats were hugely positive in their feedback. Even if they were initially skeptical. I know it gives perfect lies everywhere but it saves course. You don't really gain or learn anything by hitting out of pure slop. Didn't get to try them due to injury but will next winter.

Have many other parklands brought mats in or used them during winter?

Break80 · 06-04-2026 07:39PM

We're qualifying for the past fortnight.

Placing on the fairway only. I got out most weekends since Christmas when weather allowed.

I don't enter comps in the winter and place the ball everywhere. Dropping in the rough is a headwrecker. Ball sitting down, sometimes on bare mud and you trying a finesse little chip, nuts. You would never have lies like that in summer, so why punish yourself when you should be happy just to get out in winter.

charlieIRL · 06-04-2026 08:00PM

Fingers crossed counting is back this weekend in Tullamore. Strokes Competition though. 😢

thewobbler · 06-04-2026 08:43PM

With mats now omnipresent from Halloween to Easter, even on tier 3 and tier 4 courses, I’ve developed a theory on why.

The green keepers have gone all in trying to convince us that it is about protecting the course. Which if you really think about it, may indeed hold a trace of substance, but not in the measures they make out. For grass grows so quickly in Ireland from Spring to Autumn, that the course they’re claiming to protect, grows back multiple, multiple times during the main golf season.

The real reason why we now have nazi style policing of mats?

I think it’s because green keepers have realised they can get a few months completed off fairway maintenance by behaving like this.

It’s just laziness.

Nothing more, nothing less.

benny79 · 07-04-2026 11:41AM

Are course was qualifying the weekend with lift clean and place on FW only. Still to early imo. Greens only pole forked a week ago be another 2/3 before they recover. Then add in no run, still soft in a lot of places too. I pushed my drive on the 12th out right onto 13th semi rough. A lump of mud on ball hit a great rescue for the weirdest ball flight, wasnt even a slice more like a boomerang ..lol.. and further right lol.. could only laugh but least got to clean it on the 15th FW and hit a great rescue 4I. Nearly robbed a par too lol..

blue note · 07-04-2026 02:48PM

I think it was this thread I mentioned putting my name forward for club teams. To my delight I got onto a whatsapp group at least for it. And I'll get a practice round in Royal Dublin and you never know I might even get to play a match. It was funny though, the moment I was added to a team whatsapp group, it reactivated a part of my brain that remembers being on hurling teams in the past. It even got me out to the range and thinking about how to play well for it. Sure feck it, maybe I'll finally get a medal for something!

benny79 · 08-04-2026 08:50AM

@blue note least you get a free round in Royal Dublin! lol.. What club you in now? Did you join Jameson?

Appletart Upsetter · 08-04-2026 09:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124368121#Comment_124368121

That's absolute nonsense.

Mats or no mats, you will need to maintain the fairways or else it becomes rough.

Some courses struggle to cut fairways in the winter due to how wet they become. The mower would just leave muddy wheel marks and mud smears everywhere so it's best to leave them alone.

Also, in my experience the decision to go on mats is not always driven by greenkeepers. I'm not convinced it's necessary on parkland golf courses to be honest. Links absolutely.

coillcam · 08-04-2026 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124369666#Comment_124369666

Interclubs is great except that it's immediately knockout. So you could win your match and the team still loses. That's it for the year, done.

If you do get on a run it's a great feeling and the team bond can be fantastic. While not the same grind and run of games like my own hurling days, each match is like a big championship game. Some feeling stepping up on the first tee.

ronjo · 08-04-2026 02:24PM

Heading to Scotland the week after next and playing the following

Mon : Elie

Tue : New Course and Jubilee

Wed : Carnoustie

Thurs : Fairmont 36 holes

Fri : Lundin.

Obviously I know Carnoustie but anyone enjoyed the others? Staying in St Andrews. I assume the nightlife should be quite good.

SmashFactor · 08-04-2026 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124372606#Comment_124372606

We played Elie and Lundin on our first trip to Scotland a few years ago. Both very enjoyable tracks. Played the New course last year also.

Elie is a very fun course to play. Has no par 5s if I remember correctly. I have yet to play a more enjoyable course in terms of manufacturing links type low running shots into greens. Putting with a hybrid from 70 yards would be a totally acceptable option. You will certainly enjoy it and it was very reasonable when I played it. The first two holes are bit out of place but once you reach the par 3 3rd down the hill it really improves.

Lundin also a fine course, particularly remember the closing holes being very nice. I think the 17th was a long par 5 and the 18th plays into a bowl like green next to the clubhouse. The greens were excellent when we played it as well.

The New course in St. Andrews is fantastic! A real traditional Scottish links with fairly flat land but plenty of well-placed bunkers to avoid. I play like shite on the day but you couldn’t help but enjoy the course. It is the case with most links but especially remember having to land the ball short of every green and run it up, really plays firm and fast.

St. Andrews town itself is like Disneyland for a golfer. Plenty of local pubs to have a pint and dissect your round. We always go for at least one in Rusacks Hotel, head upstairs and have a pint on the balcony and watch lads playing up the 18th on the Old course.

Anyway, sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!