The Links Thread

Rosapenna in Donegal is superb. You have three courses there and it's good value. They do good stay and play packages, although they have got a bit more expensive than they used to be. The courses are quite different so you're getting on the variety. If you play St Patrick's, your American friends will probably be playing the cheapest Tom Doak design they'll ever see, in utterly astounding scenery.

If you want a pure, old school links, Dunfanaghy, just down the road, ticks the box.

Nairn and Portnoo is another classic, also in Donegal, but it's not cheap. Heading to Sligo and Mayo, you have Rosses Point, Enniscrone, Strandhill and Carne. The latter two are better value, although Carne is a trek. That being said, it is unlike anything I've ever played and the Dunes course is my favourite ever. Well worth the journey in my opinion.

Played Waterville, Dooks and Ballybunnion Cashen at the weekend. Cashen I have played many times before but it was first time for Dooks and Waterville.

I loved dooks, really loved it. The scenery is unbelievable. The course conditioning was ace also. One or two odd holes, index 1 17th I think is a bit out of kilt with the rest of the course. The clubhouse is also a little odd. built in a hole that looks out into the car park. Feels like an achievement to put the building in a place that did not have an amazing view

Waterville, my god the club house and the practice facilities are incredible. Truly 5 star. The course is fantastic but I felt it is a bit of a let down. The conditioning of the fairways wasn't great. Felt like a parkland at times rather than a links. Felt a lot of par 4 holes really melt into each other. Strong start and a wonderful finish but it all felt like a bit of a let down in the middle. Style wise alot of it is like Portmarnock old but again, not to the same level. Very playable course, felt it was one of those that its hard to score really well but there are not too many disasters out there either

Yeah, it was a great trip. 10 people for the trip, just a bunch of friends.

I initially booked the courses for this time last year. The initial list was Waterville, Tralee, Dooks and BB Old. Due to covid we postponed first to April (Masters weekend) and then again to September (Ryder Cup). Each of the courses initially took a GUI booking 140, 110, 80 and 110. But Tralee and Ballybunnion decided not to honour the initial agreement, Tralee initially wouldn't give the deposit back... eventually they did

Ended up paying 140 for Waterville, 80 for Cashen, 80 for Dooks and 50 for O'Mahoneys point. All in including accomodation which was a big house close to dooks which slept everyone comfortably the trip cost less than 500 euro per head.

Super happy with the variety of the courses btw. Each one unique that challenged and delighted us in a different way

Can you share the information on the house you rented. We are planning on taking a trip down that way to play those courses at some stage next year.

Thanks

Actually thinking on it - if planning to do a non-links day and weren't worried about having it near the end, then Ballinrobe is an excellent course. Only an hour or so from Galway for your finishing spot

How much did you pay for Portrush if you don't mind me asking?

i was up with Fix. 12 of us. We had played old Ballyliffen last year and we all felt the Glashedy is far superior. However the back 9 weaker than the front 9, and the old is probably on par with that.

but Ballyliffen was probably the runt of the litter as someone put it over a pint. I guess it didn’t help that it was the worst weather of the 3 days and my game is in the gutter at the moment. Portrush definitely the easiest of the 3 but we got it on a near summers day in the middle of October.

class trip.

€300 for the lot

Travelled 90mins to play an Open Singles in Rosslare last Sunday. Summer rules, ball running like a shot from a road bowler! ( parkland member here full winter rules in the past three weeks.)

What a treat, in brilliant condition and the day was topped off with the weather, short sleeves in November! Great value at €40 too.

One gripe, when we were signing in before the round the Pro told us that it was a 16 hole competition but we could play 17th and 18th if we wanted to. Thought it was strange, we played 18 holes of course. Entered our cards into the computer afterwards. Nothing to show for it on the Golf Ireland App so no record of the round for handicap purposes. 29 points for the 16 holes, it wouldn't have counted as one of my best 8 but would have went in as my most recent to make up the 20 cards needed!! 😕

Keep an eye on their website for open competitions, highly recommended links!

Made my way to Ballyliffin over the weekend. Both courses were almost entirely open, though off the forward (6,300 yards or so) tees, while a number of the green side bunkers were GUR. Meanwhile we were quite blessed with the weather; a dull and calm Saturday on the Old, followed by an occasionally bright and occasionally swirly Sunday on Glashedy.

I was really quite taken by the Old. It’s not as manicured as the younger brother, but that’s not a complaint. It just feels 100% natural and just makes sense, crumpled fairways and all. A gentle opening on each 9 toughens up by half way, while the closing stretch of holes is sensational.

Glashedy’s first 9 is exceptionally pleasing on the eye. While waiting at the first, it reveals a colour and a shape that makes a clear promise of enjoyment ahead. It’s among the best openers I’ve played. And that’s the general theme when heading out. The two early par 3s are drop dead gorgeous (the second of which is a properly unique hole), and they’re the highlights of a fantastic routing, with reveals aplenty. The back 9 isn’t quite at the same level. It’s perfectly good golf, with some brilliant driving holes, but they all kind of melt into each other. Though I do remember shuddering at the thought of some of the blue tees. That’s for a different level of golfer. For some reason the amount of tarmac walkways in Glashedy began bothering me… until I remembered that this is the kind of complaint a spoiled child would make!

if both courses have one thing in common it’s the amazing bunkering. I’ve never played a course close to these pair for the sheer brilliance of bunker positions. The fairway bunkers, you never want to find again and you’ll find yourself changing your mind on every hole, while every green site enjoys enjoys 1-2 of these beautiful horrors, and the far side of the green has rarely been as attractive an approach shot!

Clubhouse outstanding. Facilities top drawer. And the Donegal welcome is always the best of welcomes.

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For a trip to Donegal, I’d still lean towards Rosapenna. It would have been close 6 months ago, but the new St Patrick’s is the best course in the county (I’ve now played them all bar Dunfanaghy) and Downings just has a better buzz about. But Ballyliffin still a genuine treat for any man, woman or child.

Not sure if this has already been listed in the thread but I couldn't find it.

Does anyone have a link to a map or list of the links courses in Ireland. I can't seem to find it through google searches so any help would be appreciated

I just checked, he doesn't.

100% recommend you get Kevins book, he has all of the 18 hole courses in the country in there. 100% a subjective exercise and all the better for it. Just checked a few sites there and it can be got for price of a few pints. https://www.kennys.ie/sport/hooked-an-amateur-s-guide-to-the-golf-courses-of-ireland from a reputable irish book store