Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
The Links Thread
Options
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
Played Bettystown today after putting it off for a long time.
Don't have much to compare it to links wise ( Portmarnock Hotel/Greenore/Seapoint/Corballis) but I was plesantly surprised.
Great condition and loved the bunkers with straight forward enough greens.
The only issue I'd have is directions on the course and some of the blind shots. No real clear directions on which green your hitting to or where the next tee box is. I know I did find them and its not the end of the world but as a first time visitor I didn't find it as easy as it should have been. Not a fan of the 18th either, no guide for where the green is on approach like some holes have so alot of running back and forth for lines.
0 -
Long time since I hit a hard cold winter windy day on the coast and had an option of St Anne's or Corballis today.
I haven't got to play too much this winter and missing the trips further afield, like The European or Baltray or Portmarnock Links or even Laytown.
If you get the right day , the right place on the course - you can have the place all to your crazy self this time of year. There is nothing like it (if you like it) - when you have the clothing , the crisp air, the hot flask. A few have been know to have something stronger.
But getting out of the car in St Anne's, it was a day, that you genuinely go - not sure about this , too cold and crazy and wild and the range is only 20 minutes away. The flag post is rattling with the wind - the birds are flying low and below the cover of the dunes. It is grey and bleak.
But , you just have to go for it - underarmour , lined trouser , 2nd layer, 3rd layer , wind breaker - two hats
, yes two hats.
And if you have cream - wind burn cream. Seriously needed.
And if you just go for it, it may not be only for the golf - it can be a justification for the voucher and the winter socks the wife gets you for Christmas.
So before you go snowflake with 3/4 layers - give it a go. It is golf by name - but you are aiming a driver 150 yards + off target , it then sling shots with ferocious top spin back into play or into the rough.
The gps is out the window - the bag is blowing over and head covers are kites.
Picking a club is visual and experience and at times luck. Telling yourself to aim 100 yards off line , holding club face open or closing it with aggressive release is the tricks of a type of golf that is loved by some, but hated by most.
It is more about a physical and personal challenge. A mental one too.
In a non golfer's view and perhaps a golfer's view - it is a form of madness to play golf in winter and in 10m/s wind speed - today was 8 deg.C - I've been in worse.
Again is it golf at all - it is, but of limited value to you for the majority of your golfing life.
You'd often see this type of golf in top amateur events in Ireland and it is amazing to see lads who can get the ball around near par and also see + handicap players reduced to tears of pain and irritation.
It isn't for everyone and add the winter cold - it is a extreme form of our game.
Started, Par - treble, bogey, bogey.
Not great - but a bogey was a genuine good score.
I genuinely was out of practice and at the 5th started to forget about flags and aimed at targets in the horizon - you were getting a feel for it , set up for a closed face - pick a target 60 yards left , 90 yards right.
Went Par, bogey, Par, bogey, Par, Par - and that was about as good as I can play.
When the ball was going well and the pars were being made - the wind and conditions and cold were gone. There was pleasure in being out, away from work and money and traffic and city life and Trump and housing and real life.
You hit 17 and are embracing the cross wind, your pin high - par, you hit a big drive on 18, par. The flag pole is rattling again. You start thinking , I loved that and I'm sorry it is over.
I miss winter golf.
I always look out and go - who on earth would play in that.0 -
-
a post punk wrote: »Playing Corballis next Saturday for the first time!! What’s the trek like and what holes should I look out for ??
Here is a post from Golfgraffix and he knows the place backwards.
I wouldn't go expecting the best course in the world - but it is seaside all year long fun golf with some cracking holes.
It is very short and get the idea out of your head - that it is a normal big round of golf - it is a short round involving 80% iron play.
I'll post under each to see If I'd go along with it - but a links course provides options - feedback from J or myslef are based on the fact when you make a mistake there - you are talking a 7/8/9.Golfgraffx wrote: »Wonder if will be on the same page
1/ don't be long, you can get up and from most spots but the hill at the back
In winter you are better off not short - the back should act as a backstop and short is not that nice on the hole - be pin high, but remember the green is high up if you are lower down - normally a 9 iron
2/ chicken out and don't be tempted, depending on wind a 7 iron and wedge is enough. Long right or left off the tee is as dead as disco
Sounds good - more club if into wind less if behind.
3/ decision time, is it early enough in the round to be aggressive, it's all about the drive. you just gotta keep it between the dunes, I wouldnt be worried about distance off the tee, 3 hits to the green and two putts is a great score
I think J is being far more sensible here than he normally is, it is sensible to play to open part of fairway - but I love a drive on this hole
4/ time for soft hands and a smooth tempo, I normally hit my 56 about 80%. Don't miss left
Spot on - but can be up to a 52/pw if wind in face from sea -
left is death , right is death , long is death - short is safe
5/ what ever you hit 190/200 and straight. Tricky green, watch out for the pin position, two tiered and 3 putt very possible
Spot on
6/ one more than 4
Very very hard to get club right - very large drop to green ,
wind pin - class hole.
7/ don't be tempted. 7 iron to the marker and 9/pw in, if in doubt go long on the second, hard up and down if you miss short
Spot on have found out over the years that more club like a 6 or 5 is rewarded more often than not (wind into face). But 7 risk free
8/ Driver at the little bunker with a little draw is good, tiger line is the waters edge with a fade. Often a blind second shot so walk up and have a look. Big green so you can be aggressive.
Not sure about a draw here with Red stakes left. straight at the house on hill
9/ only one way to play it, aim right to go left. 5 iron normal for me. Little drain at the back so don't be long
Spot on , but wind key - being very right is never that bad as green rolls out to pin and all towards left
10/ 5 iron and no trouble.
Spot on - wind but
11/ more decisions but play safe. 6 iron dead straight, maybe even 7. Easy big green, you cannot miss it long
Spot on - I know people go for this green - but a form of prov1 madness , it is a hard lay up , but is a decent ball striker 6 iron at post -
5 iron if cold or wind
12/ driver at the hut is good but a good drive a little right can be easily on. Safe route 4 iron//5iron/wedge and a chance at birdie
Sensible from J - but again I love driving on this hole as you are only going to get maybe 4/5 drives all day
13/ close your eyes and hope your karma is good. Lap of the gods stuff. Extra underwear needed if you have a downhill putt.
Well said - but over the years you see most golfers making the error of being short , I'd say pick your club for back of green - note how green above you , so this is why people under club, again very very hard to get club right
14/ great hole, normally rescue and an 8 here for me. Tonnes of room on the left none on the right
If your a great ball stricker you can hit a 4 or 5, but it should be a 3 wood for most players at the walkway
15/ open your shoulders right or left of the bunker is good
spot on
16/ same as 15 but backwards, a little longer though. Tough green big slope
spot on
17/ designed by Helen Keller I believe. Not sure what to say ???
spot on, don't be short , long, left, right or be on green
18/ 3 wood or rescue?? Just don't be right. Just left of centre is a great line in. Balls often come up short so give it enough club on the second shot, tough up and down if you miss right.
so much room on left - aim at bunker on left hill . good ball striker could use a 3 wood or 4 iron as drive will reach bunker.
J
It is not much of a golf course - but it just has you thinking all the way round.0 -
Cheers fixed, handy notes for the day.........might see you at an outing during the year:)FixdePitchmark wrote: »a post punk wrote: »Playing Corballis next Saturday for the first time!! What’s the trek like and what holes should I look out for ??
Here is a post from Golfgraffix and he knows the place backwards.
I wouldn't go expecting the best course in the world - but it is seaside all year long fun golf with some cracking holes.
It is very short and get the idea out of your head - that it is a normal big round of golf - it is a short round involving 80% iron play.
I'll post under each to see If I'd go along with it - but a links course provides options - feedback from J or myslef are based on the fact when you make a mistake there - you are talking a 7/8/9.Golfgraffx wrote: »Wonder if will be on the same page
1/ don't be long, you can get up and from most spots but the hill at the back
In winter you are better off not short - the back should act as a backstop and short is not that nice on the hole - be pin high, but remember the green is high up if you are lower down - normally a 9 iron
2/ chicken out and don't be tempted, depending on wind a 7 iron and wedge is enough. Long right or left off the tee is as dead as disco
Sounds good - more club if into wind less if behind.
3/ decision time, is it early enough in the round to be aggressive, it's all about the drive. you just gotta keep it between the dunes, I wouldnt be worried about distance off the tee, 3 hits to the green and two putts is a great score
I think J is being far more sensible here than he normally is, it is sensible to play to open part of fairway - but I love a drive on this hole
4/ time for soft hands and a smooth tempo, I normally hit my 56 about 80%. Don't miss left
Spot on - but can be up to a 52/pw if wind in face from sea -
left is death , right is death , long is death - short is safe
5/ what ever you hit 190/200 and straight. Tricky green, watch out for the pin position, two tiered and 3 putt very possible
Spot on
6/ one more than 4
Very very hard to get club right - very large drop to green ,
wind pin - class hole.
7/ don't be tempted. 7 iron to the marker and 9/pw in, if in doubt go long on the second, hard up and down if you miss short
Spot on have found out over the years that more club like a 6 or 5 is rewarded more often than not (wind into face). But 7 risk free
8/ Driver at the little bunker with a little draw is good, tiger line is the waters edge with a fade. Often a blind second shot so walk up and have a look. Big green so you can be aggressive.
Not sure about a draw here with Red stakes left. straight at the house on hill
9/ only one way to play it, aim right to go left. 5 iron normal for me. Little drain at the back so don't be long
Spot on , but wind key - being very right is never that bad as green rolls out to pin and all towards left
10/ 5 iron and no trouble.
Spot on - wind but
11/ more decisions but play safe. 6 iron dead straight, maybe even 7. Easy big green, you cannot miss it long
Spot on - I know people go for this green - but a form of prov1 madness , it is a hard lay up , but is a decent ball striker 6 iron at post -
5 iron if cold or wind
12/ driver at the hut is good but a good drive a little right can be easily on. Safe route 4 iron//5iron/wedge and a chance at birdie
Sensible from J - but again I love driving on this hole as you are only going to get maybe 4/5 drives all day
13/ close your eyes and hope your karma is good. Lap of the gods stuff. Extra underwear needed if you have a downhill putt.
Well said - but over the years you see most golfers making the error of being short , I'd say pick your club for back of green - note how green above you , so this is why people under club, again very very hard to get club right
14/ great hole, normally rescue and an 8 here for me. Tonnes of room on the left none on the right
If your a great ball stricker you can hit a 4 or 5, but it should be a 3 wood for most players at the walkway
15/ open your shoulders right or left of the bunker is good
spot on
16/ same as 15 but backwards, a little longer though. Tough green big slope
spot on
17/ designed by Helen Keller I believe. Not sure what to say ???
spot on, don't be short , long, left, right or be on green
18/ 3 wood or rescue?? Just don't be right. Just left of centre is a great line in. Balls often come up short so give it enough club on the second shot, tough up and down if you miss right.
so much room on left - aim at bunker on left hill . good ball striker could use a 3 wood or 4 iron as drive will reach bunker.
J
It is not much of a golf course - but it just has you thinking all the way round.0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
FixdePitchmark wrote: »In kerry I guess ?
Only links a Cork man could ever get to play
Old Head is a links is it not?
Grabs popcorn.0 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
I've had a great run of links course the last few weeks.
Royal Dublin.
St Andrews (New, Old, Jubilee)
Royal County Down.
I played fairly good golf the last while - but yesterday my ass was handed to me on a plate - Without losing a ball I shot a 90. Was a miserable day golf wise) - taking 4 shots from under 100 yards on about 4 occasions. The bunkers were soft and when you went in, was a full ball plug and in RCD that is death.
Anyway - nothing like that place to put you back in your place.
The winter rate is still active , but it is still £100 - but it quickly rises from April on. The setting is truly outstanding. I've been up 3 times over the last 7 years and the clouds falling from Slieve Donard into the sea is a sight to see. It literally is like a moving painting of a backdrop and in the winter it is yours for the day. You can see why they travel the world to play it.
RCD has a fairly bad reputation as being unfriendly, a bit up-itself and unwelcoming. But to be honest, I couldn't complain , everyone from the pro , to the clubhouse staff, starter , to the restaurant staff, couldn't do enough for you. At the end of the day , it is ranked in the top 10 in the world and I'd imagine it would be fairly similar in the US , except more fake. Their is an honesty to their identity at least. We are a Royal course, we are deep in the history of the game, we have British heritage.
So lets get on with it - we are here for the golf. We are the same in that regard, we are from the same Golf Union.
The photos on the wall are outstanding - the history, all the names in the game have payed it (I mean all). Tiger, Jack, Arnold, Faldo, McIlroy.
That feeling on the first tee of a big course is something else. You remember looking at the photos as a kid , dreaming of playing these course all over the world and then it is your time on that first tee.
So lets get on with it - we are here for the golf.
The run from 1 to 12 has got to be one of the best runs of golf out there. Just a joy of links golf. Everything in there. The big dunes and hidden danger, the run offs , the best bunkers in the world , the blind drives , the raised tee boxes, the sea view. Just outstanding.
I was blessed with the weather and slieve Donard always threatened a bit of rain , but the sun came out at times , an honest wind kept it in true links conditions.
The bunkers there are completely unique - genius, natural and cruel. The idea of growing heather or just letting them be natural parts of the course is stunning. Impossibly difficult - but such an identity to the course. There are 100s of them. side hils , down hills, hidden , back the front , large, pot, deep, shallow and whilst painful. It Was a delight to see them all in play, versus our recent winter St Andrews trip.
Now to the truth about winter rates. The course is fully in play. But you are so forward it makes the holes comically different. You are basically at the women's tee box and some of these kill the holes. Not to mention place you in the wrong place for the stone markers and the true experience of the course. Then the normal walkways are roped off , entry to the greens are roped off. It didn't ruin the experience. But it made for a long walk, visual impact on your greenside shots and very disappointing tee boxes. It certainly didn't help scoring
What great golf holes. They are simply impossible to describe. You't try think of other courses like it. But it is a very unusual course. I started to hit the ball reasonble ok on the back nine - and the course becomes easier. Yes the quality of the course drops of as you approach the end and 17 and 18 are not up to the high standards. But the standards on the front nine are impossible high to maintain.
I had a fairly poor sleep the night before. Just off the 18th in 2 I ended up with a 6, that seemed to sum up my day. I left the course disappointed, exhilarated , exhausted, contemplative , angry, wanting revenge.
Great links course can sometimes take years to master. They find you out and tell you the truth about your game.
I hit the spa in the Slieve Donard hotel, battered and torn and realized I had to dream it all up again. I can't let that be my last outing in RCD. Great courses make you want to get your own back on them.
I looked out at the sea and the coastline of County Down , what a stunning and complex place. I'll be back, to try unravel it all a bit more again.0
Advertisement