The Links Thread

TrapperChamonix · 26-03-2014 11:29am

geeksauce wrote: »

Yes and your point.

That is my opinion, I feel that links is a true test, and yes I prefer it to walking around a parklands course (or glorified field) again my opinion.

If you are a parkland course you might be upset by me saying that but someone who plays a parkland course shouldn't be. This is a thread about links golf, so chances are the posters here would have an affinity for it and would prefer it to Parklands Golf, if that upsets you maybe this isn't the thread for you.

Perhaps I should have left it to Benny Cake to answer your question, but on reading your post I would have agreed with all but the 2 quotes I highlighted. I didn't think it was necessary to put down parkland courses in order to sing the praises of links golf. That is why I thought it was a bit condescending. Maybe I'm wrong but hey that's just my opinion.
I take your point that it is a thread called Links, but I don't think that excludes anyone else from becoming involved in the discussion. In particular I would hope that people would read this thread and be encouraged to try more links golf as it is so unique.
Anyway that's my 2 cents

p.s. I play all ( 95%+) of my golf on a links.

alxmorgan · 26-03-2014 11:39am

geeksauce wrote: »

Yes and your point.

That is my opinion, I feel that links is a true test, and yes I prefer it to walking around a parklands course (or glorified field) again my opinion.

If you are a parkland course you might be upset by me saying that but someone who plays a parkland course shouldn't be. This is a thread about links golf, so chances are the posters here would have an affinity for it and would prefer it to Parklands Golf, if that upsets you maybe this isn't the thread for you.

The use of the term glorified field does not help your case. Adare, Mount Juliet = glorified fields ? I don't think so

It's the equivalent of someone calling a links a glorified beach

geeksauce · 26-03-2014 11:41am

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

Perhaps I should have left it to Benny Cake to answer your question, but on reading your post I would have agreed with all but the 2 quotes I highlighted. I didn't think it was necessary to put down parkland courses in order to sing the praises of links golf. That is why I thought it was a bit condescending. Maybe I'm wrong but hey that's just my opinion.
I take your point that it is a thread called Links, but I don't think that excludes anyone else from becoming involved in the discussion. In particular I would hope that people would read this thread and be encouraged to try more links golf as it is so unique.
Anyway that's my 2 cents

p.s. I play all ( 95%+) of my golf on a links.

Maybe I am a bit too biased when it comes to Links courses and therefore was a bit OTT in my assessment of Parklands courses. It's not that I don't like them I just much prefer the links courses.

I also don't think anyone should be excluded from the thread I simply meant that given the nature of thread chances are there will be the odd post declaring links courses to be far superior than parkland courses and if this is likely to cause offence then reading the thread on the greatness of links courses may not be the best idea.

geeksauce · 26-03-2014 11:43am

alxmorgan wrote: »

The use of the term glorified field does not help your case. Adare, Mount Juliet = glorified fields ? I don't think so

It's the equivalent of someone calling a links a glorified beach

Well if someone decides to call a links a glorified beach then that's fine by me I don't find it to be condescending in any way shape or form, I accept that this is simply their opinion of links courses.

Loire · 26-03-2014 4:22pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

That last stretch - invariably into the wind - is to remind you that at 1 and towards 10 you felt this course is easy.

But a very hard finish.

Never a truer word spoken! I remember playing a driver, some-sort-of-wood and a 4 iron to a par 5...was a little short but got up&down for Battle of the Somme-like par.

A rake of balls with my mark on them still out there I'd imagine

PARlance · 26-03-2014 5:25pm

Should I set up a Glorified Field Thread?

I actually though Geeks post was a good one but I hadn't noticed the glorified field bit. The bit about the parkland guy struggling is a bit harsh too.
(Some links guys say they struggle to hit off soggy fairways, or that they struggle to get pin high as they are so used to getting a bit of bounce)

But apart from those two things that might cause offence, I thought it was a good post :P

I always loved links and preferred it over parkland, but I have played mostly links since Jan and I have to say the divide is getting greater.
Completely enjoyed Portunma the last day but there's just something special about links, there always has been, and it's getting better every time I play them.

Comparing a links to a parkland at this time of year is a bit unfair, I'll be playing a lot more fields in the summer hopefully

FixdePitchmark · 26-03-2014 8:07pm

Ahh lads - we said that this is not the Links versus Parkland Thread

Love Glorified Beach.

:D

Benny Cake · 26-03-2014 9:10pm

geeksauce wrote: »

What is condescending about it, or is that a question, I see the question mark but am confused whether you are making a statement or asking a question?

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

"Links is the true test, ........"
".............Beats walking round a glorified field any day."

Not to forget the following "gem"....

geeksauce wrote: »

. I can go to a parkland course and compete with members that play them week in week out, get the same members onto a links course and watch them try flop shots from 2 yards off the green, cracks me up every time.
.

Rikand · 26-03-2014 9:27pm

That was the line that really got me Benny!

Thanks for that.

(goes back to staying out of the thread)

bustercherry · 26-03-2014 9:56pm

Benny Cake wrote: »

Not to forget the following "gem"....

Agreed, certainly ludicrous coming from an 18 handicapper

NorfolkEnchants · 27-03-2014 1:38am

That picture from Kevin of Enniscrone is just epic, love that course.

Will be home soon to play Carne, Strandhill, Enniscrone and The European, all in the space of a week, with another round in Mt Juliet thrown in for good measure. That Enniscrone picture has me excited, I seriously can't wait.

FixdePitchmark · 27-03-2014 1:49am

Lads played Portmarnock Links today.

A great course.

It starts uncertain - not sure if it is a links at all. But once you hit 7-8-9 , you hit a true links.
The holes have great variety and club demand.

The greens are often raised and a club less can hit before green and roll on. An argument could be madef that is is too reliant on chance.

At 18 you hear the sea , but never see it.

A great course - a Royal Dublin - with more to it.

geeksauce · 27-03-2014 10:07am

Benny Cake wrote: »

Not to forget the following "gem"....

And what is wrong with saying that, I have a friend who I play with on a Parkland course and we are usually pretty close score wise, when he comes to the links he tries the shots he uses on the parkland around the greens which have no chance of working and we laugh about it. He laughs about it too, like I said cracks me up.

I am glad you thought it was a gem nice to be appreciated, cheers Benny.:pac:

geeksauce · 27-03-2014 10:10am

bustercherry wrote: »

Agreed, certainly ludicrous coming from an 18 handicapper

Who is an 18 handicapper now?

Oh and to quote Benny "condescending much"!!

mike12 · 27-03-2014 10:57am

NorfolkEnchants wrote: »

That picture from Kevin of Enniscrone is just epic, love that course.

Will be home soon to play Carne, Strandhill, Enniscrone and The European, all in the space of a week, with another round in Mt Juliet thrown in for good measure. That Enniscrone picture has me excited, I seriously can't wait.

It is a roller coaster of Fun, lots of Dunes at the start 5 flat holes in the middle before the par 3 then the 2 short par 4's play to where you can see for both, actually that goes for almost all of the course you will do fine around it playing to where you can see.

the lawman · 27-03-2014 10:56pm

Played The Island today and man that's some test of golf. Long and true.

Need to really plan your shots. No flops or you're toast. Course is in great shape and love to play it on a warm sunny day. One of the finest courses you'll play in Dublin I'd say.

87% FIR and finished with same ball started with so that was pleasing.

FixdePitchmark · 27-03-2014 11:06pm

the lawman wrote: »

Played The Island today and man that's some test of golf. Long and true.

Need to really plan your shots. No flops or you're toast. Course is in great shape and love to play it on a warm sunny day. One of the finest courses you'll play in Dublin I'd say.

87% FIR and finished with same ball started with so that was pleasing.

The is fantastic going for your first time there - well done. Was wild enough early this morning. Was next door practising looking in - with envy.

TrapperChamonix · 27-03-2014 11:52pm

the lawman wrote: »

87% FIR and finished with same ball started with so that was pleasing.

Anytime you finish with the same ball you started is a good day

dwd · 28-03-2014 12:30am

Was down in the European Club myself this morning for the first time. It's a fantastic track, definitely the best links course I've yet to play and probably the best course I've played full stop. I really have to get down there during the summer to see it at it's best, it was in really good nick today but there was a few bits of casual water from the heavy rain over the last couple of days. There are just so many good holes on it, loved the stretch along the coast and the 2 extra holes are a nice touch as well, the second extra par 3 being my favorite. Also, I really have to mention the guy in the pro shop, I didn't get his name but he was a true gent and really looked after me.

Loire · 28-03-2014 1:31pm

the lawman wrote: »

87% FIR

Fair play:cool: Don't think I'd manage that with a 7 iron off every tee

Norfolk Enchants_ · 28-03-2014 2:30pm

Loire wrote: »

Fair play:cool: Don't think I'd manage that with a 7 iron off every tee

FIR on it's own is a pointless stat, GIR is a much better indicator of how you have actually played tee to green (which is the object of the game), e.g you could have 0% FIR and still have 100% GIR, but if you are hitting 87% FIR and not getting a return of better than 72% GIR then you need to look at your game because something is wrong.

the lawman · 28-03-2014 2:52pm

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

FIR on it's own is a pointless stat, GIR is a much better indicator of how you have actually played tee to green (which is the object of the game), e.g you could have 0% FIR and still have 100% GIR, but if you are hitting 87% FIR and not getting a return of better than 72% GIR then you need to look at your game because something is wrong.

Haha. Can you be my coach?

Norfolk Enchants_ · 28-03-2014 7:31pm

the lawman wrote: »

Haha. Can you be my coach?

Haha, thanks but no thanks, there wouldn't be much point.
Quick question for you though which would you prefer to have, a 100% FIR and 0% GIR or vice versa?, I'll guess you'd prefer the former.

the lawman · 28-03-2014 7:48pm

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

Haha, thanks but no thanks, there wouldn't be much point.
Quick question for you though which would you prefer to have, a 100% FIR and 0% GIR or vice versa?, I'll guess you'd prefer the former.

As much as this conversation sounds really constructive and positive I think I might just leave it. Best of luck though fella.

yettie1701 · 28-03-2014 8:20pm

Played Arklow today. It was my first time playing here and was really looking forward to it. I have to say I was a little dissapointed. I was expecting more. The par 3s were great except one new looking hole over a lake on the back nine. Not really linksy at all. But the rest didn't do it for me. The quarry and industrial estate are not what you would expect around a links either. The overall condition of the place was poor enough I thought. Wouldn't be in a hurry to play it again. I must say the staff there in the office are some of the friendliest welcoming people I've come across and a huge thumbs up for that. Sorry if I offend anybody by my comments but its just my opinion

Dealerz · 28-03-2014 9:37pm

Arklow gc reminds me of rush gc for some reason.

ForeRight · 28-03-2014 9:39pm

What's laytown like lads?

Playing it in a couple of weeks

FixdePitchmark · 28-03-2014 9:46pm

ForeRight wrote: »

What's laytown like lads?

Playing it in a couple of weeks

I've only 2 to do on east coast This above and Royaler.

ForeRight · 28-03-2014 9:49pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I've only 2 to do on east coast This above and Royaler.

Royaler county down?

It's no European

FixdePitchmark · 28-03-2014 9:50pm

ForeRight wrote: »

Royaler county down?

It's no European

No Dublin.

I think - I'd put County Down ahead of European.

ForeRight · 28-03-2014 9:54pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

No Dublin.

I think - I'd put County Down ahead of European.

I've never played royal Dublin myself.

I'd prefer the European purely on the basis that there are so little blind shots in the European compared to RCD

FixdePitchmark · 28-03-2014 10:21pm

ForeRight wrote: »

I've never played royal Dublin myself.

I'd prefer the European purely on the basis that there are so little blind shots in the European compared to RCD

I like blind holes - a bit odd like that.

Also not a fan of the sleepers - but maybe another go needed.

ForeRight · 28-03-2014 10:27pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I like blind holes - a bit odd like that.

Also not a fan of the sleepers - but maybe another go needed.

The sleepers are a killer no doubt but just stay away from them and you're grand

FixdePitchmark · 28-03-2014 10:37pm

ForeRight wrote: »

The sleepers are a killer no doubt but just stay away from them and you're grand

but for me - if you look at most bunkers - they have a slope that makes the ball roll a fair bit - it makes it go to a reasonable position - that you may have to play a good bunker shot to get out. But on some of the bunkers in The European - you fall straight down along a piece of wood - you end up at the piece of wood. A bunker shot becomes unplayable - that to me is not golf.

Maybe I was unlucky and it happened to be the first bunker I went into. I was going well killed my momentum.

A piece of wood to me is not a natural piece of a golf course - ok if it is supporting a drain - but to me it goes against my idea of a bunker, a golf club can not swing into a sleeper.

It is a nice feature visually - but - there are too many of them and a bunker shot , should be a bunker shot.

Saying don't go into a bunker in a links - is not on. Bunkers are the defence system of a links - I can get out of most bunkers - would have been a good bunker player in the past - but I haven't the ability to swing at something designed to support rolling stock .

Will review after a few visits.

Loire · 28-03-2014 10:46pm

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

FIR on it's own is a pointless stat.

Tell that to Fred Funk..

ForeRight · 28-03-2014 10:51pm

I won't disagree, they are not ideal that's for sure.

I've never been unfortunate enough to be sitting against one although I have been close to them where by I haven't been able to complete a swing. The times I was close to them I just punched the ball against them at anagle that it wouldn't bounce back against me and the angie of the sleeper has taken the ball out no problem for me.
Obviously no chance of going at a green if in a fairway one.

FixdePitchmark · 28-03-2014 10:57pm

ForeRight wrote: »

I won't disagree, they are not ideal that's for sure.

I've never been unfortunate enough to be sitting against one although I have been close to them where by I haven't been able to complete a swing. The times I was close to them I just punched the ball against them at anagle that it wouldn't bounce back against me and the angie of the sleeper has taken the ball out no problem for me.
Obviously no chance of going at a green if in a fairway one.

I think I was maybe unlucky - but said to the lads - that the last time I had 4 shots in a bunker - I was about 8 on a pitch and putt course.

In saying that - my bunker shots were poor at the time - had totally forgotten how to play bunker shots - but that is sorted now - all in the bounce.

yettie1701 · 28-03-2014 11:40pm

ForeRight wrote: »

What's laytown like lads?

Playing it in a couple of weeks

I played it only once and thought it was average enough. Couple of fairways cross which I don't like some might think its quirky. For me it's well worth playing but wouldn't be in a mad rush back to it.

TrapperChamonix · 29-03-2014 8:52am

ForeRight wrote: »

What's laytown like lads?

Playing it in a couple of weeks

On the face of it, suffers in comparison to its near neighbour across the river. Not as long and a bit cramped. However it's always hard to score on it. Small greens and penal (summer) rough pose a tough challenge. It'll certainly test your up and down skills.
When Jean van der Veldt was asked about the penal rough in Carnoustie ( where there were accusations that the R&A had used fertiliser on it) he replied that he had spent the previous week practicing in Bettystown where it was even worse. Had he not blown it at the last he would have credited his win to his preparation to that week in Bettystown.

Norfolk Enchants_ · 29-03-2014 11:52am

the lawman wrote: »

As much as this conversation sounds really constructive and positive I think I might just leave it. Best of luck though fella.

That's grand so, glad you agree with me. All good hear fella.

Loire wrote: »

Tell that to Fred Funk..

Why? I'm sure he's already aware of the relevance of GIR over FIR.

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

but for me - if you look at most bunkers - they have a slope that makes the ball roll a fair bit - it makes it go to a reasonable position - that you may have to play a good bunker shot to get out. But on some of the bunkers in The European - you fall straight down along a piece of wood - you end up at the piece of wood. A bunker shot becomes unplayable - that to me is not golf.

Maybe I was unlucky and it happened to be the first bunker I went into. I was going well killed my momentum.

A piece of wood to me is not a natural piece of a golf course - ok if it is supporting a drain - but to me it goes against my idea of a bunker, a golf club can not swing into a sleeper.

It is a nice feature visually - but - there are too many of them and a bunker shot , should be a bunker shot.

Saying don't go into a bunker in a links - is not on. Bunkers are the defence system of a links - I can get out of most bunkers - would have been a good bunker player in the past - but I haven't the ability to swing at something designed to support rolling stock .

Will review after a few visits.

Spot on Fix have to agree with there, very unlike Ruddy to get it so wrong in relation to the sleepers in bunkers especially when he seems to have got everything else so right.

the lawman · 29-03-2014 12:18pm

It's actually 'here'.

dwd · 29-03-2014 3:44pm

Regarding the bunkers in the European Club, I actually though they looked good and even though I was in enough of them and had no problems, I really think I would preferred it if they were traditional sod walls, especially on the fairway bunkers, I was always half scared I would thin one and kill myself with the rebound

the lawman · 29-03-2014 3:56pm

Gonna try attach some pics of the Island because, why not.

the lawman · 29-03-2014 4:01pm

Another

ForeRight · 29-03-2014 4:02pm

I'd love to play that place. It looks fabulous

the lawman · 29-03-2014 4:02pm

Last one

mike12 · 07-04-2014 4:31pm

Played Corballis on Saturday they had a open on scored 30 points so one of my better rounds around there. Greens were in good condition but lots of divots in the areas where the ball gathers but overall in good condition.
If i never played a comp in Corballis i'd be 13 .1's better off handicap wise. Funny thing i have played the same amount of comps in Portmarnock and am -.5 for those.

Dealerz · 07-04-2014 4:38pm

What is it about Corballis? It's short, it has a heap of par 3s but people struggle to score (except fix!)?

Carpo86 · 07-04-2014 4:49pm

Dealerz wrote: »

What is it about Corballis? It's short, it has a heap of par 3s but people struggle to score (except fix!)?

Missing the fairway/green= never seeing your ball again.

FixdePitchmark · 07-04-2014 4:54pm

Yes divots a disaster. You will be in 3 on a round. (on average). It is to do with the bumps and landing zones.

It is just my home course (sort of) and know what club to hit off a tee. That is all - just requires experience there. But it is almost impossible to play the place without a blow up - examples are 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9. 11-12-13-14-17.
All the holes there can end up in 6-7-8-9.
How many course have that many holes that can do that , and some are only 100 yards.
I've never had a round without a treble or more. I will one day. Hope to par it one day.

It is just hard to convince people to hit a 9 iron on 2.
A 6 or 7 on 5
A 7 or 8 on 7

That 7 and 8 are disasters waiting to happen

That you do not go for any of the holes that you think you should.

It just takes incredible discipline - that I don't have , but I have been tortured into submission.

The only hole I make a mistake on now is 3. I go for it every time - make it 1 in 4.
Ends in par , birdie or 7 - 8.

The Links Thread

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