Can't Miss Courses?

I think im going for the hour walk today! Im young and it's early so I think I'll get there alive and kicking. 40 euro for European Club seemed a good deal.

But if anyone just happens to be driving by me on my way from Jack Whites Crossing to the European Club and is feeling generous you let me know!

ForeRight wrote: »

Did the course ear you up? It's savagely tough yet I love the place like no other.

It was a test, that's for sure. I lost two balls that I would have sworn I could have placed down to the foot in the deep grass. I shot an 86 on the regular 18. Probably 6 of those strokes were lost on the greens though...they were true and receptive, but just a bit slow for my typical game. I just couldn't get putts to the hole and I put myself in a few situations where I had an 8-10 footer left for par rather than a tap in that I should have had. The course is tough, but I thought it was fair. I may not have told you that if you'd asked when my ball was in one of the bunkers...but I'll say it now! .

The waterfront holes, and the way the routing shows you the next waterfront hole as you walk off of the green, but pulls away for a hole or two and brings you back was thrilling to me. I also felt like it was a thought provoking layout, mostly due to bunker placement. Those things are beasts, and I found myself checking the course guide on every shot and playing to spots a lot more than attempting to "power over trouble," as it usually wasn't worth it to go that route.

Listen hrigsby - when I said I want you to be Hunter S Thompson like , I was sort of joking, but you keep this up , and you will have a book at 22.

This is almost Forest Gump like now.

Joking - but your positivity is a reminder to all - that this life, is literally what you make of it

Not , sure if you have played The Island ?

But that is one we could play our 4 ball ?

Haha, I'd like to think I have a bit more going on between the ears than 'ole Forrest. . But it is true...and I think that's what keeps this game so close to my heart. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all that goes on in our everyday lives and forget how lucky we are and how incredible it is that we are given the opportunity at life that we have. I'm sure those thoughts can manifest themselves in different ways for different people, but I think it's important that we all find what makes us appreciate the little things!

I haven't played The Island yet. When I was walking to Corballis from the nearest Dublin Bus stop I got a ride from a nice lady who gave me her name and said to call up to The Island and she'd get me set up there, but I'm up for anything!

Tentative contact to say the least, but I'll see if it pans out. I'd say either there or Baltray would be my two picks (from my limited knowledge). And The Island is much closer for Kevin. If that works for everyone then I'm in. Hell, I'm in regardless! Guess we need to see what dates are best for everyone and then go from there.

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

How long are you around for?
I would leave playing The Island for a while as it is currently playing off mats and you won't get the right appreciation of the course from them. I think mats finish some time in March but can't remember when. I'll try and find out this weekend.

May. And yeah, that's why I haven't called up there yet. I've been trying to avoid mats if at all possible (which is pretty simple with so many great courses that I've never played in the area).

That should work for me as well!

So, if anyone was interested in an update on the courses I've made it to thus far, here you have it:

Ireland/Northern Ireland:

- Portmarnock
- Royal County Down
- Royal Portrush
- Headfort
- Corballis
- Portmarnock Links
- The European Club

I've got a round scheduled with some folks for Island, and I'm planning on making a big swing out to the west coast to play Waterville, Tralee, Lahinch, Ballybunion, Doonbeg, and maybe Old Head if I can fit that distance in (not in that order). I really want to get up to Carne, Enniscrone, and Rosses Point. I'd also like to get up to Rosapenna, Portsalon, and Ballyliffin but those two trips are more of a stretch since I don't have a car.

Oh, I'm also planning another trip up to Portrush to play and do some sightseeing, and I might get over to Portstewart on that trip. And I'm going to try to get up to Drogheda to play Baltray, Seapoint, and Laytown & Bettystown. I actually might head up to Baltray tomorrow. Gotta psyche myself up for the 8 km walk from the train station to the course...haha.

Scotland:

- St. Andrews Old Course
- St. Andrews New Course
- St. Andrews Eden
- Muirfield
- Turnberry (Ailsa)

I really want to make it to Royal Dornoch and Carnoustie. Carnoustie is a possibility at this point but Dornoch is a definite stretch. I wanted to play a few other courses over there that I was in range for (Kingsbarns, Royal Troon, Prestwick) but the prices they were asking just weren't jiving with my college budget, so maybe one day!

So, anything I'm leaving off? Obviously I can't hit them all without a car and without a lot of money, but if there's a notable omission I'll look into it! Thanks for all the help along the way thus far to everyone here! There are a few thank yous that I'll send out personally, but this forum in general has been so accommodating and helpful that I can't thank you all enough. Definitely more than I ever expected from my original post here!