The Links Thread

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 1:59am #1

So - how about a thread about Links Golf.

I know many will say - but it fits into other threads.

But (IMO) - it doesn't in many ways.
Be it , the best deals to play the classics,
the 8 iron from 90 yards.

I think we need our own thread (A Links Golf Thread) - (This is not an Epic Thread)

There is a small bunch of golfers here, that are in this links space. I hope we can build it into a group that play the big ones in Ireland and UK.

Let's face it, running around under pine trees and taking your ball out of a pitch mark is not every-bodies cup of tea.

So , be it, The Hillary Society ,links grass types, or whatever ?

this is The Links thread.

Kevinmarkham · 21-02-2014 9:09am

I'll start with my contribution - new blog up today on the Number 1 Links 'Fairways Less Travelled'

Free four ball up for grabs, too.

Seems like the perfect place to stick up this blog - nice one, Fix!

Moreso than parkland, playing on a links always gives you the option to play different types of shot. The run on the fairway makes that 8 iron from 90 yards a delicate but beautifully rewarding shot to play. If the wind isn't up (big 'if'), a three iron off the tee is usually plenty sufficient, and putting around bunkers to find the surface of the green is entertaining - if only because you end up in the sand more often than not.

I do miss the flop shot though

Milkers · 21-02-2014 10:04am

In before some heated row over "inland links" :pac:

Loire · 21-02-2014 10:25am

What I love most about links golf is when I'm playing particularly bad I can blame the quirks of the course!

Seriously though, there's no better golf when you're playing well and the weather's good. I remember playing so well in Rosses Point one day I had the opportunity to break 80 for the first time by parring the last only to sh*nk

my chip from off the green into the cabbage

. Still, it was a great day with the sun on my back coming in.

Loire.

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 10:56am

Milkers wrote: »

In before some heated row over "inland links" :pac:

I'm not the mod. and people can say what they want.

But can we just make this about loving Links - not the "it is not true golf lark" thread.

The thing I also love about links courses are the views - with a few exceptions - you always have a view of the sea. If things are not going that well (golf or life in general) - you can look out at the sea - and think, it is not that bad really.

TrapperChamonix · 21-02-2014 11:02am

Played parkland growing up and as an adult in Ireland, UK, US, Spain and Portugal and can list many exciting and wonderful courses that I have played.

Joined a links club in 2001 and it opened up a whole new universe of golf. Took me a long time to stop trying to overpower the course and instead adapt to it and its conditions.

We are privileged in Ireland to have so many links courses (I think 30% of the worlds links are here).

As a nipper when we were on holidays, my father would drop us off at the nearest beach and go play golf on the closest links.

mike12 · 21-02-2014 11:24am

First Links I played was the Island in good weather i walked off the 18th going why would anyone want to do that every week. I have been converted since then. I aim to play all the links courses in the coutry and am up to 28 at the moment i reckon there are 54/55 to play. The only one's i would rate at less than 7 out of 10 would be Bundoran i hope it is the worst Links in the country, i would have Corballis at just under 7 and Kirkstown Castle at around the same but i played it in a gale so we will see the next time we go back.

Mike

TrapperChamonix · 21-02-2014 11:27am

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'm not the mod. and people can say what they want.

But can we just make this about loving Links - not the "it is not true golf lark" thread.

The thing I also love about links courses are the views - with a few exceptions - you always have a view of the sea. If things are not going that well (golf or life in general) - you can look out at the sea - and think, it is not that bad really.

You've not played in Waterville in the driving rain which I did in August 2012. When you round the corner on the 16th and play the last 3 holes into the rain, man that's tough and definitely can't see the sea!!!! Infact the drive on the coast road from Killorglin to Waterville was scary as hell.

By contrast, I spent the 1st week of last June in Cliften. The weather was terrific and me and junior played Ballyconnelly 5 days in a row. We'd start at 7:00 and be finished at 10:30. Back to Cliften by 11, by which time my other half had finished breakfast and was beginning to plan the day.
It was such a perfect week, I'm afraid to go back and ruin the memory.

m r c · 21-02-2014 11:31am

Took me a long time to stop trying to overpower the course and instead adapt to it and its conditions.

^^^ this is links in a nutshell really.

Can I do it?
Can I f**k!!!!!!!!

My best golf is played when I'm at this but I can't keep that attitude going long enough.

HB2002 · 21-02-2014 11:32am

I'm an avid golfer.... have sleepless nights the night before playing somewhere good.... replay shots in my head after games constantly....and while I'm lying awake in the bed the night before I pre play the courses!
Sad I know but true...

There is something special about playing Links courses....
Standing on the first tee in the club formerly known as Doonbeg!... unreal
the anticipation of the back 9 in Tralee.... the excitment of waiting for The Atlantic Coast challenge this year....
The hope of one day getting to play Ballybunion!

There is just something special about links courses....

Have been lucky enough to have played some nice ones for decent prices
but have a lot more on the bucket list

Have played
Rosses Point
Enniscrone
Tralee
Lahinch
Waterville
European
Rosslare
Doonbeg
Dooks
Old Head

can't wait to play more of them further up the country....

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 11:36am

The first links I played was Corballis - even the name seemed bizarre. There was just something about looking over a hill and seeing a flag , then having to almost sense the direction , pick a line or even a cloud and trust it.

The 2nd one I played was Enniscrone and after that Strandhill. When I seen Enniscrone - I couldn't understand how anybody could build a course on that land , even think of it. Then I seen 13 and , went - this is it. This is "the hole".

So the introduction I got to links, was just top of the range. Thanks Mam and Dad.

I loved the imagination you have to use to bump into a bank - or go along a ridge in a green. Then hitting a 6 iron into a head wind from 130 yards out - is just unique to these lands.

I don't think I'm a particularly good links players yet - I also love that it is something that takes a long , long time to master. And if the truth be known , it changes so much - I don't think you can ever master it.

Loving the posts - seems I'm an oddball - but not in this sense.:p

Wichita Lineman · 21-02-2014 12:47pm

At the risk of being excommunicated from the thread on my first post I prefer parkland golf.

BUT

I'm gaining a love and respect for links courses after I really enjoyed The European Club last year and I played some lovely golf on the back 9 which quite surprised me to be honest.

A number of years ago I had a nasty experience at Seapoint on a corporate day out where I racked up a horrendous score when I hadnt been playing golf long and I think it left scars for longer than I imagined it would!

As a result I havent played much links golf over the years - The Island, Portmarnock Links, Corballis and the aforementioned European being the only others I've ventured onto. My best performance was the 24pts in The European last year with 17 (iirc) on the back 9 with 5 pars after being totally useless on the front 9.

There will be more!

mike12 · 21-02-2014 1:06pm

Andy Dunne11 wrote: »

At the risk of being excommunicated from the thread on my first post I prefer parkland golf.

BUT

I'm gaining a love and respect for links courses after I really enjoyed The European Club last year and I played some lovely golf on the back 9 which quite surprised me to be honest.

A number of years ago I had a nasty experience at Seapoint on a corporate day out where I racked up a horrendous score when I hadnt been playing golf long and I think it left scars for longer than I imagined it would!

As a result I havent played much links golf over the years - The Island, Portmarnock Links, Corballis and the aforementioned European being the only others I've ventured onto. My best performance was the 24pts in The European last year with 17 (iirc) on the back 9 with 5 pars after being totally useless on the front 9.

There will be more!

I was much the same as you i think the more links golf you play the more you will come to love it and if you are not playing well then you have the sound of the ocean and the views.
Mike

mike12 · 21-02-2014 1:09pm

These are the links i have played so far and how i rate them out of 10. I have included Ardglass and Greenore though both are not really Links they appear on a lot of Links Lists.
Course Rating
European Club 9
Royal County Down 9
Carne 8.8
Portrush 8.7
Portstewart 8.7
Enniscrone 8.3
Nairn and portnoo 8.3
The Island 8.3
Ardglass 8.2
Ballyliffin 8.2
Rosapenna Sandy hills 8.2
Donegal 8.1
Portmarnock old 8.1
Baltray 8
Galway Bay 8
Portmarnock hotel 8
Strandhill 8
Rosses Point 7.7
Laytown 7.5
Royal Dublin 7.5
Greeneore 7
Seapoint 7
Corballis 6
Kirkstown Castle 6
St Annes 5.3
Anesley RCD 5.2
Sutton 5
Bundoran 3

m r c · 21-02-2014 1:36pm

mike12 wrote: »

These are the links i have played so far and how i rate them out of 10. I have included Ardglass and Greenore though both are not really Links they appear on a lot of Links Lists.
Course Rating
European Club 9
Royal County Down 9
Carne 8.8
Portrush 8.7
Portstewart 8.7
Enniscrone 8.3
Nairn and portnoo 8.3
The Island 8.3
Ardglass 8.2
Ballyliffin 8.2
Rosapenna Sandy hills 8.2
Donegal 8.1
Portmarnock old 8.1
Baltray 8
Galway Bay 8
Portmarnock hotel 8
Strandhill 8
Rosses Point 7.7
Laytown 7.5
Royal Dublin 7.5
Greeneore 7
Seapoint 7
Corballis 6
Kirkstown Castle 6
St Annes 5.3
Anesley RCD 5.2
Sutton 5
Bundoran 3

It's a great list there and obviously subjective but I'm surprised to see rosses point so low, any particular reason?

BillyBoy · 21-02-2014 2:02pm

Great idea for a thread. It has been mentioned already but I think the thing I most enjoy about links golf is the variety of shots you have to play, whether it be because there is a strong wind blowing a certain direction or the layout of the land etc.

The shots that always stick in my mind after a round are not necessarily the ones where I hit a full shot the usual distance I do out of the middle of the club and it goes straight and works out (they are a good feeling alright, and quite rare!), but more the ones where you try to play the little knock down, cutty 6 iron aimed 20 yards right for it to come in on the wind and watching it do exactly as you imagined. The shots that are out of the ordinary where you have to use your imagination and vision rather than taking out x club because you are x yards away.

Of course you can get this on parkland courses too but you seem to encounter it on links more.

TrapperChamonix · 21-02-2014 2:19pm

m r c wrote: »

It's a great list there and obviously subjective but I'm surprised to see rosses point so low, any particular reason?

Ranking is always subjective and has many variables in coming to a decision A few examples
1. Your experience: I would also rank Rosses Point very low, because when I went to play there they treated me very shabbily. It effected my enjoyment and my view of the course. Fair? Absolutely not, but who said it had to be fair.
2. Difficulty or Enjoyment. In terms of difficulty I would rank Waterville (in the wet and wind) as the most difficult course I've every played. But if I was on holidays in Kerry and was given the choice, I play Dooks every time. Can't explain why, I just would.
3. Forget the course, how good are you? I would maintain that if you are a mid - high handicap golfer, The Island is a much harder golf Course than Portmarnock as an errant tee shot gives you little prospect of a 2nd shot while on Portmarnock you will get a 2nd shot back on the fairway and have a chance to get on in 3. However if you are a low handicap golfer who has control of his drives, Portmarnock is a better test of golf.

Loire · 21-02-2014 2:49pm

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

2. Difficulty or Enjoyment. In terms of difficulty I would rank Waterville (in the wet and wind) as the most difficult course I've every played. But if I was on holidays in Kerry and was given the choice, I play Dooks every time. Can't explain why, I just would.

Played both last year and would agree. I'd go back to Dooks (and their bar) in a heartbeat!

We're particularly starved of links golf in Cork (apart from the Old Head which I wouldn't personally rate). I go to Sligo a few times in the year and salivate at the thought of playing links when I get there.

I know the answer is supply & demand, but I'm always amazed at the prices of links golf....apart from cutting the greens is there any other work involved? The rough is left grow naturally - high in the summer, low in the winter...

mike12 · 21-02-2014 2:57pm

m r c wrote: »

It's a great list there and obviously subjective but I'm surprised to see rosses point so low, any particular reason?

I think i gave it that ranking after the first time i played it whic was the first Atlantic Coast Challange and compared to Carne and Enniscrone I just found it a bit flat in places. If i worked down the list I don't think I could move it up compared to the courses ahead of it. Think we are really spoiled with the quality of Links courses we have.

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 3:03pm

Nice list Mike.

I've only played 13 of them . So need to get out more.

It is a sad thing to say, but if your from the east coast . You seem to be too far from the best courses on the West and North. Again that is subjective.

It takes a real effort to get to them, take time out and do it.
playing Atlantic coast this year taking annual leave to play golf for golf reasons alone . A first.

Realistically , I'll probably join a top links when kids are older.
Maybe The Island. Was just a bit too far (time wise) with kids school etc.

I think I'll play a few more of these challenges in different locations over next few years.

TrapperChamonix · 21-02-2014 3:22pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Nice list Mike.

I've only played 13 of them . So need to get out more.

It is a sad thing to say, but if your from the east coast . You seem to be too far from the best courses on the West and North. Again that is subjective.

It takes a real effort to get to them, take time out and do it.
playing Atlantic coast this year taking annual leave to play golf for golf reasons alone . A first.

Realistically , I'll probably join a top links when kids are older.
Maybe The Island. Was just a bit too far (time wise) with kids school etc.

I think I'll play a few more of these challenges in different locations over next few years.

No Excuses FD, There is no greater concentration of links courses than in and around Dublin. There are 8 Links Courses (Royal Dublin, St Annes, Sutton, Portmarnock, Portmarnock Links, The Island, Corballis, Rush) within 30 mins of each other. Further north Laytown, Baltray, Seapoint and Greenore, further south, European and Arklow. These cover a wide variety of terrain, high dunes (Baltray, The Island) moorland (Portmarnock), tight (Rush Sutton), flat (Royal Dublin) etc.. Portmarnock, Baltray & The European would routinely be in the top 10 ranked in the country and there is a wide variety of prices to match.
You just don't know when you have it so good.

Personally I've loved playing Ballyconnelly, Murvagh, Waterville, Dooks, Portsalon, Portrush, Rosapenna but don't underestimate the resource you have on your doorstep.

mike12 · 21-02-2014 4:05pm

I think I'll play a few more of these challenges in different locations over next few years.[/QUOTE]

Think they are a Super way of playing the courses at a reasonable rate, we played Portrush, Portstewart and Ballyliffin for around €150. In fact all the courses think i have only paid the full rate for Nairn and Murvagh all the rest have been reduced or opens or played with a member. I want to tick off 3/4 more at least this year. Think i will go to Lachinch for one of there opens.

burnhardlanger · 21-02-2014 4:48pm

I've never played on a links course. And I'm playing on and off since 1995.

Booked Waterville on the last weekend of March (winter rate).
Round on the Saturday and again on the Sunday. Can't wait.

Hopefully we get the weather.

It's also on my bucket list to play as many courses on the Open Championship rota as possible.

m r c · 21-02-2014 6:25pm

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

Ranking is always subjective and has many variables in coming to a decision A few examples
1. Your experience: I would also rank Rosses Point very low, because when I went to play there they treated me very shabbily. It effected my enjoyment and my view of the course. Fair? Absolutely not, but who said it had to be fair.
2. Difficulty or Enjoyment. In terms of difficulty I would rank Waterville (in the wet and wind) as the most difficult course I've every played. But if I was on holidays in Kerry and was given the choice, I play Dooks every time. Can't explain why, I just would.
3. Forget the course, how good are you? I would maintain that if you are a mid - high handicap golfer, The Island is a much harder golf Course than Portmarnock as an errant tee shot gives you little prospect of a 2nd shot while on Portmarnock you will get a 2nd shot back on the fairway and have a chance to get on in 3. However if you are a low handicap golfer who has control of his drives, Portmarnock is a better test of golf.

I don't know when you played but there's no excuse for no 1 in any golf club period.
Especially one where the green fees are €90 afaik.

Norfolk Enchants_ · 21-02-2014 6:44pm

burnhardlanger wrote: »

I've never played on a links course. And I'm playing on and off since 1995.

Booked Waterville on the last weekend of March (winter rate).
Round on the Saturday and again on the Sunday. Can't wait.

Hopefully we get the weather.

It's also on my bucket list to play as many courses on the Open Championship rota as possible.

http://watervillegolfclub.net/mens-major-competitions.php
Open Comps in Waterville in early June, usually €50 to play and more details will be up soon.

thewobbler · 21-02-2014 8:22pm

I became a links convert about 4 years ago as a result of playing in the most appalling conditions at Kirkistown.

Unlike parkland golf, when all I want is sunshine and flowers, I actually prefer links golf when the weather is wreaking havoc. It's so much more fun.

And having played Kirkistown, Tom Morris and Baltray in benign conditions this year, and not come away with any special memories, I really do think links golf needs either big dunes or mad weather to really make it better than the parkland version.

m r c · 21-02-2014 8:30pm

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

http://watervillegolfclub.net/mens-major-competitions.php
Open Comps in Waterville in early June, usually €50 to play and more details will be up soon.

Thanks for that, I might actually play this. They call it an invitational, without meaning to sound thick, is that still an open comp? ie all welcome

The_Kew_Tour · 21-02-2014 8:44pm

Played Ballybunion(Old Course) for first time last summer on a sunny day. Very hard to beat it.

I dont mind bit of wind, but would not be fan of 40mph+ winds.

Golf is meant to be a challenge and fun, not a struggle.

Ronney · 21-02-2014 8:47pm

HB2002 wrote: »

I'm an avid golfer.... have sleepless nights the night before playing somewhere good.... replay shots in my head after games constantly....and while I'm lying awake in the bed the night before I pre play the courses!
Sad I know but true...

There is something special about playing Links courses....
Standing on the first tee in the club formerly known as Doonbeg!... unreal
the anticipation of the back 9 in Tralee.... the excitment of waiting for The Atlantic Coast challenge this year....
The hope of one day getting to play Ballybunion!

There is just something special about links courses....

Have been lucky enough to have played some nice ones for decent prices
but have a lot more on the bucket list

Have played
Rosses Point
Enniscrone
Tralee
Lahinch
Waterville
European
Rosslare
Doonbeg
Dooks
Old Head

can't wait to play more of them further up the country....

This is a Links Thread Please Refrain from going off topic!

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 9:32pm

m r c wrote: »

Thanks for that, I might actually play this. They call it an invitational, without meaning to sound thick, is that still an open comp? ie all welcome

That is the sort of stuff we should stick in thread - ways to get out on the big ones on the cheap.

Maybe a group of us will go to a few things.

Norfolk Enchants_ · 21-02-2014 9:55pm

m r c wrote: »

Thanks for that, I might actually play this. They call it an invitational, without meaning to sound thick, is that still an open comp? ie all welcome

Yes sorry I should have said, it is an open comp and you have to book well in advance, usually about 2 months, keep an eye on that website.

FixdePitchmark · 21-02-2014 9:56pm

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

No Excuses FD, There is no greater concentration of links courses than in and around Dublin. There are 8 Links Courses (Royal Dublin, St Annes, Sutton, Portmarnock, Portmarnock Links, The Island, Corballis, Rush) within 30 mins of each other. Further north Laytown, Baltray, Seapoint and Greenore, further south, European and Arklow. These cover a wide variety of terrain, high dunes (Baltray, The Island) moorland (Portmarnock), tight (Rush Sutton), flat (Royal Dublin) etc.. Portmarnock, Baltray & The European would routinely be in the top 10 ranked in the country and there is a wide variety of prices to match.
You just don't know when you have it so good.

Personally I've loved playing Ballyconnelly, Murvagh, Waterville, Dooks, Portsalon, Portrush, Rosapenna but don't underestimate the resource you have on your doorstep.

I agree that we are spoilt on east coast too. Low terrain courses are growing on me with age - perhaps age is the factor. But, I love the crazy big dune courses. The ones you listed above - I love most of them as courses, but , (IMO) only The Island falls into that space of memorable deep dunes. I wouldn't put Baltray fully in that space.

Maybe it is a case with me that the grass is always greener or The Dunes are always deeper on the other side.

But, would be interested in others view on East versus West versus North. I've played in all 3 locations - but to my shame, I have never played in Donegal or Kerry.

m r c · 21-02-2014 10:40pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

That is the sort of stuff we should stick in thread - ways to get out on the big ones on the cheap.

Maybe a group of us will go to a few things.

I'd play it with ye, for sure.

In that spirit there is a competition that on in Rosses Point called the "Jackson Cup" it's an 18 hole qualifier for a top 64 matchplay.
€40 and if you qualify and continue to progress through the matchplay all games are covered in the initial fee.
It's played the week after the west of Ireland off the blue tees. Tough test.

yettie1701 · 22-02-2014 7:53am

Hi Folks. I'm a huge links fan too I must say. Maybe it's because I don't get to play week in week out. When the weather blows a bit I think the best way to play links is to ignore the score and play each hole as a new challenge. It can be cruel for sure and good shots can often trickle off the green of get sucked in to a bunker but the different shots like the punchy 7 irons from 100 yards are just brilliant.
Some of the lists are very impressive and I must admit I'm envious of some of them. Maybe when the recession is over ill get to expand my portfolio towards the Kerry region. Can't wait for Atlantic Coast Challange in July.
My list is:
Portsalon
Rossapenna both courses
Carne
Enniscrone
Rosses Point
Links Portmarnock
Baltray
Laytown and Bettystown
Arklow
Roslare
Trevose Cornwall
And some Ranch in Anglesea beside an RAF base for about 60 pounds sterling.
I would love some tips for some of the other courses around Dublin as I work there a good bit and could accidentally get lost up there some day with the sticks in the van.

Kevinmarkham · 22-02-2014 9:51am

burnhardlanger wrote: »

It's also on my bucket list to play as many courses on the Open Championship rota as possible.

Be sure to put Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and Royal Lytham towards the bottom of your list. Dull courses. I played Hoylake before Tiger won it, using a 1 iron off the tee - it'll be fascinating to watch how he takes it on this year. There's very little to excite.

m r c wrote: »

I don't know when you played but there's no excuse for no 1 in any golf club period.
Especially one where the green fees are €90 afaik.

I love the golf experience at Rosses Point, and I have never had a bad experience there, but I have heard a few negative comments. You're right - there's no excuse for it. But while I was writing the book I was talking to a General Manager at one of Ireland's "world-class" courses... and he turned his back on me and walked away mid-sentence. There are a few people (and only a few) working in the game who are known for being rude/arrogant/difficult. You've just got to hope you avoid them and hope that golfing tourists don't go away and gripe about their experiences.

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

That is the sort of stuff we should stick in thread - ways to get out on the big ones on the cheap.

Maybe a group of us will go to a few things.

The 'Challenges' have always been my preferred route for cheap green fees at links courses, but there are others. You/We could have played Royal County Down on the perfect Thursday that's just passed for £50. No mats, no temporaries. Irish Open coming... 50 quid is a steal. It's 75 in March.

And for those who think 50 stg is too expensive, Golf Digest (the US version) recently published its first Top 100 Courses in the world. Royal County Down came 4th - behind Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Augusta... three courses you will never get to play (unless you are unbelievably lucky). If you want to read the piece that Golf Digest's David Owen wrote about his visit to RCD last year, here's the article.

The_Architect · 22-02-2014 11:49am

The links is the soul of the game with regards to golf courses.

Regards ticking off the Open Championship courses, you have to realise that they are picked for the Open mainly because they are of a similar breed. So if the number of courses you play is limited, it serves better to pick some of the lesser known but great courses that offer something different along with some select Open courses.

The Open courses share a couple of things in common. Firstly, they are "big". Secondly, they tend to be less quirky and have less dunes style golf. They are traditional and subtle for the most part.

In Ireland, Portmarnock is clearly the closest style there is to an "Open" course, this despite the fact that Portrush has actually held the event.

There are nine courses on the Open rota.

For variety, I'd probably pick St Andrews, Muirfield and St Georges as the must sees - three golf courses that traverse the full variation of styles.

After that, you may pick Turnberry for the scenery (rather more than the golf course) and I think Hoylake is an excellent course. Birkdale may offer the biggest dunes but the golf is effectively all through flattish, valley bottoms.

If travelling to the UK, you are far better to sample a few of the following dozen mixed in with some Open courses:

Royal Dornoch
North Berwick
St Enedoc
Machrihanish
Cruden Bay
Royal Cinque Ports
Prestwick
Formby
Burnham and Berrow
Royal Porthcawl
Rye
Pennard

Kevinmarkham · 22-02-2014 12:42pm

The_Architect wrote: »

I think Hoylake is an excellent course.

Could you elaborate on this? Four of us played it in 2006 and none of us was impressed. There were four Americans behind us and they were non-plussed as well. I can remember two holes.

The same four guys played Carnoustie the following year and we all loved it. An absolute beast of a course where you have to work over every shot.

spacecoyote · 22-02-2014 12:55pm

m r c wrote: »

I'd play it with ye, for sure.

In that spirit there is a competition that on in Rosses Point called the "Jackson Cup" it's an 18 hole qualifier for a top 64 matchplay.
€40 and if you qualify and continue to progress through the matchplay all games are covered in the initial fee.
It's played the week after the west of Ireland off the blue tees. Tough test.

Think the European club do something similar. Its a matchplay & if you win your first round match you play on based on your initial entry fee.

Can't remember exact details

yettie1701 · 22-02-2014 2:07pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

Think the European club do something similar. Its a matchplay & if you win your first round match you play on based on your initial entry fee.

Can't remember exact details

The European club run a singles and fourball matchplay. For the singles you pay 60 euro to enter and the rest of the competition is free which is great value. For the fourball matchplay is 90 euro per pair to enter( not 100% on that figure but 85%) you organise your own first round match i.e you bring four. After that you are drawn against other first round winners and that's free too. I think they start around March.

m r c · 22-02-2014 10:34pm

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Be sure to put Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and Royal Lytham towards the bottom of your list. Dull courses. I played Hoylake before Tiger won it, using a 1 iron off the tee - it'll be fascinating to watch how he takes it on this year. There's very little to excite.

I love the golf experience at Rosses Point, and I have never had a bad experience there, but I have heard a few negative comments. You're right - there's no excuse for it. But while I was writing the book I was talking to a General Manager at one of Ireland's "world-class" courses... and he turned his back on me and walked away mid-sentence. There are a few people (and only a few) working in the game who are known for being rude/arrogant/difficult. You've just got to hope you avoid them and hope that golfing tourists don't go away and gripe about their experiences.

The 'Challenges' have always been my preferred route for cheap green fees at links courses, but there are others. You/We could have played Royal County Down on the perfect Thursday that's just passed for £50. No mats, no temporaries. Irish Open coming... 50 quid is a steal. It's 75 in March.

And for those who think 50 stg is too expensive, Golf Digest (the US version) recently published its first Top 100 Courses in the world. Royal County Down came 4th - behind Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Augusta... three courses you will never get to play (unless you are unbelievably lucky). If you want to read the piece that Golf Digest's David Owen wrote about his visit to RCD last year, here's the article.

That article is really good read Kevin, I subscribe to golf digest and David Owen is IMHO one of their best contributors.
Lucky bugger you to play with people like that, the coffee after and banter is probably better than the golf in some ways.

I want to send you a pm on something else too.

Loire · 24-02-2014 12:23pm

The_Architect wrote: »

If travelling to the UK, you are far better to sample a few of the following dozen mixed in with some Open courses:

North Berwick

Played North Berwick a number of years ago and it was magical. A warm welcome with a big old club house and an 18th very similar to St Andrews.

mike12 · 24-02-2014 4:30pm

Played St. Andrews Old and New last year along with Dundonald on a trip to Scotland. The atmosphere around the place is super but if you stuck the course in Dublin it's no better than Royal Dublin. The New course is just as good. Think a lot of the open venues if you just compared the course against what we have here or courses that are not on the Open Rota in Scotland and England they wouldn't get into a lot of top 10's without the history.
Think it's great the Irish Open is goinf back to a links next year and think it should be played on one every year, golf tourists come here to play links golf so we should be showing it off rather than playing it on an american style course in bad weather.

BOB81 · 24-02-2014 4:49pm

yettie1701 wrote: »

The European club run a singles and fourball matchplay. For the singles you pay 60 euro to enter and the rest of the competition is free which is great value. For the fourball matchplay is 90 euro per pair to enter( not 100% on that figure but 85%) you organise your own first round match i.e you bring four. After that you are drawn against other first round winners and that's free too. I think they start around March.

Yup its €100 per pair to enter and you have to have the first round played by 15th March, most people just organise a fourball and play amongst themselves in the first round, after that its an open draw for your oponents. Great value as you say - best I've done is the 3rd round, 3 rounds in the European club for €50 can't be beat!

yettie1701 · 24-02-2014 5:41pm

BOB81 wrote: »

Yup its €100 per pair to enter and you have to have the first round played by 15th March, most people just organise a fourball and play amongst themselves in the first round, after that its an open draw for your oponents. Great value as you say - best I've done is the 3rd round, 3 rounds in the European club for €50 can't be beat!

Serious value alright. 3rd round not bad going. Are you playing in it this year and do you know when the closing date for entry is. Thanks

mike12 · 24-02-2014 5:51pm

yettie1701 wrote: »

Serious value alright. 3rd round not bad going. Are you playing in it this year and do you know when the closing date for entry is. Thanks

Think they will take entries up to the week before the 15th you can re enter after the first round for €40 each so best thing to do is 4 go play the first round 2 re enter. Put €70 quid in each so you get 2 rounds for that no matter what happens.
We played 2 guys we didn't know and won so thru to the second round have got to the 3rd round each year so good value. Beaten on the 19th twice and the 22nd the other round.

yettie1701 · 24-02-2014 10:00pm

mike12 wrote: »

Think they will take entries up to the week before the 15th you can re enter after the first round for €40 each so best thing to do is 4 go play the first round 2 re enter. Put €70 quid in each so you get 2 rounds for that no matter what happens.
We played 2 guys we didn't know and won so thru to the second round have got to the 3rd round each year so good value. Beaten on the 19th twice and the 22nd the other round.

Cheers thanks for that. Will try and round up two more guys so. You have it well sussed. God you've been unlucky to loose out in those matches. Hopefully you will get over the line this year. Thanks for that

mike12 · 24-02-2014 10:48pm

yettie1701 wrote: »

Cheers thanks for that. Will try and round up two more guys so. You have it well sussed. God you've been unlucky to loose out in those matches. Hopefully you will get over the line this year. Thanks for that

They also have a singles match play as well. It was the guys we beat in the first round for the second year in a row decided it would almost be as cheap to bring 2 mates down for the day.

FixdePitchmark · 24-02-2014 10:55pm

mike12 wrote: »

They also have a singles match play as well. It was the guys we beat in the first round for the second year in a row decided it would almost be as cheap to bring 2 mates down for the day.

When is the singles mike12 ?

mike12 · 24-02-2014 10:58pm

Think it may have started this year already.

FixdePitchmark · 28-02-2014 12:13am

Kevin and all.

Has anybody ever tried to define the general geographical locations for all the links in Ireland.

East Coast
West Coast
North Coast.

I was thinking I could try finish off east coast this year
West Coast next year
North Coast year 3.

Ambitious - but feck it.

Is it fair to say there is no South Coast links - if you say Wexford is east ?

the lawman · 28-02-2014 10:07am

Old Head is south coast surely FDP

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