The Links Thread

mike12

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Played The European Club on Friday last week and watched one of my partners sink the longest putt I have ever witnessed (in person or on TV) - on the famous 12th green. We measured it at 65 yards (195 feet).

For someone who constantly has a camera in his hand nowadays, sadly I didn't get it on video. But we did go for a repeat, so if you want to watch a 2nd attempt, it's up on my blog. It's at the bottom of the blog. At the very least you'll get an idea of the size of the green.

That hole annoys me a bit, it maybe because range finders are not allowed so standing at the 100 yard marker u could be hitting anything from lob wedge to 3 iron.

Kevinmarkham

mike12 wrote: »

That hole annoys me a bit, it maybe because range finders are not allowed so standing at the 100 yard marker u could be hitting anything from lob wedge to 3 iron.

It certainly confuses those who haven't visited before. Slightly ironic - we were talking about the hole/green long before we got there and I made the comment that I had never seen the pin anywhere but the very front... and then it ends up being in the middle. (For anyone who hasn't played it, that means moving the flag about 60 yards.)

mike12

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

It certainly confuses those who haven't visited before. Slightly ironic - we were talking about the hole/green long before we got there and I made the comment that I had never seen the pin anywhere but the very front... and then it ends up being in the middle. (For anyone who hasn't played it, that means moving the flag about 60 yards.)

Never seen it anywhere but around the middle, standing there going do u think that is 50 or 90 yards on the green isn't helpful when commiting to a shot.
What's your opinion on the sleepers in the bunkers.

Kevinmarkham

mike12 wrote: »

What's your opinion on the sleepers in the bunkers.

Ah yes... that question. Actually, I love them. I know some people complain but it just puts an even higher premium on avoiding them. Yes, they can be unfair (Ian Kerr losing a ball in the PGA, for example), but that's what Ruddy chose.

And yourself?

benny79

Have to agree with Kevin like them myself! something different and I find you concentrate more to avoid them if that makes sense!

Hey Kev, Is it Ian Kerr working out of Carlow? What happened to him (I'm currently getting lessons of him & find him great!)

Norfolk Enchants_

Sleepers have no place on a links course, parkland maybe, links defintely not, unusual for Ruddy to get it so wrong.

mike12

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Ah yes... that question. Actually, I love them. I know some people complain but it just puts an even higher premium on avoiding them. Yes, they can be unfair (Ian Kerr losing a ball in the PGA, for example), but that's what Ruddy chose.

And yourself?

Don't mind them really, they are a bit dangerous and not really fair having no shot because u are up against one.
It is in my top 5 courses in the country and I think it is probably the hardest, no need to make it harder with them.

Kevinmarkham

benny79 wrote: »

Have to agree with Kevin like them myself! something different and I find you concentrate more to avoid them if that makes sense!

Hey Kev, Is it Ian Kerr working out of Carlow? What happened to him (I'm currently getting lessons of him & find him great!)

Story goes that he was doing very well in the tournament and then he hit a shot that ricocheted off the sleepers, never to be seen again. I think that's the unfairest thing about the sleepers - it makes every bunker a double hazard.

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

Sleepers have no place on a links course, parkland maybe, links defintely not, unusual for Ruddy to get it so wrong.

Um, why would they be more acceptable on a parkland course?

Norfolk Enchants_

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Story goes that he was doing very well in the tournament and then he hit a shot that ricocheted off the sleepers, never to be seen again. I think that's the unfairest thing about the sleepers - it makes every bunker a double hazard.



Um, why would they be more acceptable on a parkland course?

They are used to good effect in Sawgrass for example and don't look out of place, unlike a links course where they stand out like a sore thumb.
Edit to say, I think most are agreed that they are unfair in bunkers, but for some reason aesthetically they are just wrong on a links course but seem to work on some parkland courses, I'm not sure why that is but it seems to be the case alot of the time.

slave1

We have them on our course, a single bunker, par 3 16th in New Forest. Thankfully they are angled away from the bunker in every direction so if you do make contact with them the ball will not Rick O'Shea towards you but you will end up with a huge run off after the ball makes contact with the sleeper.
In other words, don't mind them if they are setup to limit dangerous rebounds...

Ally McIntosh

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

They are used to good effect in Sawgrass for example and don't look out of place, unlike a links course where they stand out like a sore thumb.
Edit to say, I think most are agreed that they are unfair in bunkers, but for some reason aesthetically they are just wrong on a links course but seem to work on some parkland courses, I'm not sure why that is but it seems to be the case alot of the time.

I played with Kevin on Friday and I thought the sleepers had aged well (in other words they looked more worn and therefore fit in) since the last time I played the course.

Pete Dye, the man who designed Sawgrass, became well known in the 80's for using sleepers in his courses. He started to do this after he had a Eureka moment after visiting the links courses of Scotland and started to mimic their styles. The sleepers idea came from Prestwick in particular.

They were originally used by the sea for functional purposes, as a retaining face that would allow deep enough bunkers to stop erosion and sand blow. Sod walls are used in the same way.

Ally

Norfolk Enchants_

Ally McIntosh wrote: »

I played with Kevin on Friday and I thought the sleepers had aged well (in other words they looked more worn and therefore fit in) since the last time I played the course.

Pete Dye, the man who designed Sawgrass, became well known in the 80's for using sleepers in his courses. He started to do this after he had a Eureka moment after visiting the links courses of Scotland and started to mimic their styles. The sleepers idea came from Prestwick in particular.

They were originally used by the sea for functional purposes, as a retaining face that would allow deep enough bunkers to stop erosion and sand blow. Sod walls are used in the same way.

Ally

Ally, they probably aged well IYO because with the passing of time they look less harsh, that's only natural, plus you just get used to the look of them, still that's beside the point the problems they pose with playability still exist even with the passing of time.
I understand sleeper use as retaining walls and their functionality, also before rock amour sleepers were probably the onlu avaailable option.
I had a quick look at the pictures of Prestwick GC and couldn't see any sleepers in bunkers.

FixdePitchmark

I've a feeling this may have been posted - but it is still a bit of fun for The Links Thread.

I like Crossfield videos and what he has done - but not sure I could handle his "banter" on my day on a links. Maybe I'm as bad

But - you still end up watching all his on course stuff.

But it is a great way to get a look at a course from a players perspective - The conditions are horrible , but I'd say most Links lads on here would fancy their chances against him on the front nine here.

Anyway , class course could be the best nine in Links golf out there ? - But early for me to say that.

PARlance

Got a nice Links fix to fuel the addiction this weekend. We were playing in the Pat Mulcair Am Am in Ballybunion and Tralee (Sat and Sun respectively for us).

Great event over two great courses. Think it was my 6th time to play Ballybunion Old so it was all about sampling Tralee for the first time for me.
There has been some serious money spent on BallyB of late and it shows, course in great shape but I believe they are doing a massive job on the greens next year and it's needed to bring them up to standard imo.

The forecast for Tralee the next morning was supposed to be brutal (and that lead to a few extra pints the night before) but we ended up getting one little drizzle mid round and again as we finished on 18.
Thought the course itself was just stunning, some of the views on the back 9 are the best I've seen. It's nearly a shame that you've to come back to the clubhouse to finish.
Thought the new massive dune & bunker that they've dropped onto the 9th just looks all wrong in that it doesn't suit that part of the course at all. But that's just being picky, there are about 10 holes where you stand on the tee and Wow is the only word.

Looking forward to many more rounds out there. Think it goes into a joint second with The European just behind the new 18 in Carne.

FixdePitchmark

Great stuff PARlance, to my current resolvable shame - I haven't played in Donegal or Kerry (yet, yet, yet)

It is interesting that you have played Ballybunion 8 times , In my opinion a links takes many many rounds to get to know a course fully.
When you go away to a new links - this is a feature, maybe with more experience of links golf it gets easier (i'm beginning to think I'm improving at going to a new course) - to be honest, as it was all new to me playing some of the big ones - I built it up too much.

I look at it a little simpler now and go . It is a golf courses , there are members here who have to play it every weekend , it is just a course. The majority of holes on a links have a sensible landing area and a middle of a green.

Found The Island and Royal County Down , Portmarnock Links, European - very very hard when I went there first. But a little bit more experienced now.

Found Carne - Baltray - Portstewart - Co Sligo for example much easier.

But I guess there are many variables - and you only get to play them a few times , is what I'm getting around to.

I think the ones that slaughter me - call me back more.

But much to be said for an easier links now and again. Likes of Arklow , Rosslare.


Maybe the skill to see a hole and work it out, first time - is a skill in itself. Haven't considered that a skill of golf before.

slave1

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

...to my current resolvable shame - I haven't played in Donegal ...

Shame indeed, something I put right last week and well worth the effort

PARlance

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Great stuff PARlance, to my current resolvable shame - I haven't played in Donegal or Kerry (yet, yet, yet)

It is interesting that you have played Ballybunion 8 times , In my opinion a links takes many many rounds to get to know a course fully.
When you go away to a new links - this is a feature, maybe with more experience of links golf it gets easier (i'm beginning to think I'm improving at going to a new course) - to be honest, as it was all new to me playing some of the big ones - I built it up too much.

I look at it a little simpler now and go . It is a golf courses , there are members here who have to play it every weekend , it is just a course. The majority of holes on a links have a sensible landing area and a middle of a green.

Found The Island and Royal County Down , Portmarnock Links, European - very very hard when I went there first. But a little bit more experienced now.

Found Carne - Baltray - Portstewart - Co Sligo for example much easier.

But I guess there are many variables - and you only get to play them a few times , is what I'm getting around to.

I think the ones that slaughter me - call me back more.

But much to be said for an easier links now and again. Likes of Arklow , Rosslare.


Maybe the skill to see a hole and work it out, first time - is a skill in itself. Haven't considered that a skill of golf before.

Know a member down there so when you get offers to play it at €35, it's too good to turn down.

Re the first time, it's probably different for everyone but I tend to score better on first attempts. One of my weaknesses is a lack of concentration or focus when out on a course. I wouldn't suffer from that when playing a course that I've heard is tough.

Had 38 points yesterday and I'd say that was in with a shout for an individual prize(if there was one). Probably one of best rounds to date.

Norfolk Enchants_

PARlance wrote: »

Got a nice Links fix to fuel the addiction this weekend. We were playing in the Pat Mulcair Am Am in Ballybunion and Tralee (Sat and Sun respectively for us).

Great event over two great courses. Think it was my 6th time to play Ballybunion Old so it was all about sampling Tralee for the first time for me.
There has been some serious money spent on BallyB of late and it shows, course in great shape but I believe they are doing a massive job on the greens next year and it's needed to bring them up to standard imo.

The forecast for Tralee the next morning was supposed to be brutal (and that lead to a few extra pints the night before) but we ended up getting one little drizzle mid round and again as we finished on 18.
Thought the course itself was just stunning, some of the views on the back 9 are the best I've seen. It's nearly a shame that you've to come back to the clubhouse to finish.
Thought the new massive dune & bunker that they've dropped onto the 9th just looks all wrong in that it doesn't suit that part of the course at all. But that's just being picky, there are about 10 holes where you stand on the tee and Wow is the only word.

Looking forward to many more rounds out there. Think it goes into a joint second with The European just behind the new 18 in Carne.

The 9th isn't just a few new bunkers and mounding, it's a brand new hole.
It has no doubt divided opinion, and to be fair that is to be expected with any change but no doubt the €800k pricetag has a big say in it, but a course like Tralee has to keep evolving and improving otherwise it stagnats and runs the risk of becoming repetitive and dull for the locals and the golfers who frequent it regularly, fortunately for Tralee they have the resources financially and the land close by to make the necessary improvements.
The old 9th was incredibly dull and lacking in definition, and while the new 9th certainly stands out and is the main talking point at the moment, that is actually a good thing IMO, it would appear the the objective was to make it more dramatic aesthetically and in turn dramatic to play, afaicc that has been achieved and if/when the talked about changes on the 4th and 5th are implemented in a similiar style it will bring the front nine drama levels closer to that of the back nine, unlike the very differing nines that are there now.

slave1

Well I've added Lahinch Old and Castle last week and playing Dooks tomorrow and Rosses on Saturday and that will be the end of my links trips this year.
At this stage I'm probably Lahinch Old, Island/Carne, Glashedy/Ballybunion Old/Baltray and then the others

Ally McIntosh

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

The 9th isn't just a few new bunkers and mounding, it's a brand new hole.
It has no doubt divided opinion, and to be fair that is to be expected with any change but no doubt the €800k pricetag has a big say in it, but a course like Tralee has to keep evolving and improving otherwise it stagnats and runs the risk of becoming repetitive and dull for the locals and the golfers who frequent it regularly, fortunately for Tralee they have the resources financially and the land close by to make the necessary improvements.
The old 9th was incredibly dull and lacking in definition, and while the new 9th certainly stands out and is the main talking point at the moment, that is actually a good thing IMO, it would appear the the objective was to make it more dramatic aesthetically and in turn dramatic to play, afaicc that has been achieved and if/when the talked about changes on the 4th and 5th are implemented in a similiar style it will bring the front nine drama levels closer to that of the back nine, unlike the very differing nines that are there now.

I'd be very interested to see the breakdown of that €800k.

ThunderCat

Played St.Annes yesterday in conditions as calm as you are likely to see on a links. The course was in good nick and it was a course that I never scored well on in any of my 3 previous visits. But yesterday, dosed with a cold, jetlagged and not having played golf in months, I shot 80 which is my third best round anywhere. It's a funny old game.

FixdePitchmark

Was in Corballis today, was stunning out there. Greens a bit hard - but a great escape from it all. Even from other golfers is needed sometimes.



Corballis Season End

The winter on way - season end
Gold sand, blue flag, calm sea sound
Old and young, skilled and not
A par at the devil 3, is never forgot

Hidden in deep dunes, silence sounds
A bell on the hill - the blind green found
A silence is broken an unfriendly bark
The evening is closing - from summer to dark

Memories of shots, of friends all around
Bad bounces and spins, out of bounds
The horrible 13 - the unfriendly 17
A two putt from the top - is rarely seen

Rain will now fall, soft greens will be back
Ready for the year round golfer, back pin attack
2015, a full season not to forget
Tide retreats - we will return yet.

mjsc1970

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Was in Corballis today, was stunning out there. Greens a bit hard - but a great escape from it all. Even from other golfers is needed sometimes.



Corballis Season End

The winter on way - season end
Gold sand, blue flag, calm sea sound
Old and young, skilled and not
A par at the devil 3, is never forgot

Hidden in deep dunes, silence sounds
A bell on the hill - the blind green found
A silence is broken an unfriendly bark
The evening is closing - from summer to dark

Memories of shots, of friends all around
Bad bounces and spins, out of bounds
The horrible 13 - the unfriendly 17
A two putt from the top - is rarely seen

Rain will now fall, soft greens will be back
Ready for the year round golfer, back pin attack
2015, a full season not to forget
Tide retreats - we will return yet.

I'm a local and I don't play this place often enough, it is a gem though, and, when one is out there with no-one about it can be bliss

slave1

Dooks is a wonderful place, isolated and got soul, lovely compact clubhouse and great views across the course throughout the round..well worth the effort to get there if you ever close by

mjsc1970

Great day for it today in Corballis, hardly a sinner on it early this morning so easy under 3 hours game in a 2 ball.
Lads, 15e for a singles every Wednesday and Friday, well worth a visit, I only wish I could take more days off from work for this.

mike12

Off next week to play, ballyliffin portsrewart and portrush. Looking at the weather this week it looks like we may have missed out.

Danny dyers double

Experienced my first links course yesterday morning. Played corballis for 14 euro green fee.
Really enjoyed it and will definitely be back soon . Played with a mate and we both mark of 21 . I'd 30 points but happy enough as I heard so many horror stories about the course and people saying it was so hard . Yeah it was challenge alright but I was sensible enough of the tee only using driver on 5 holes . So for the most part i kept my ball in play and only managed to lose 2 balls all day and found 5 looking for them .

Highlight of the round was both of us got a birdie on the 18th . My ball was a foot from the hole when I got up to it . Great feeling.

Yesterday was such a calm day with not a hint of wind so I'm under no allusions it would be a different game on a windy day .

FixdePitchmark

Danny dyers double wrote: »

Experienced my first links course yesterday morning. Played corballis for 14 euro green fee.
Really enjoyed it and will definitely be back soon . Played with a mate and we both mark of 21 . I'd 30 points but happy enough as I heard so many horror stories about the course and people saying it was so hard . Yeah it was challenge alright but I was sensible enough of the tee only using driver on 5 holes . So for the most part i kept my ball in play and only managed to lose 2 balls all day and found 5 looking for them .

Highlight of the round was both of us got a birdie on the 18th . My ball was a foot from the hole when I got up to it . Great feeling.

Yesterday was such a calm day with not a hint of wind so I'm under no allusions it would be a different game on a windy day .

Great shooting.

Always a great day if you leave there with more balls than you went.

Also - two great Birds a very difficult green to hold.

Danny dyers double

Yeah the 18th was crazy . Two 21 handicap players with only 4 pars between us go and both get the birdie you couldn't write.

I'd like to think I'll score better next time around as we had no idea where we where hitting on some holes . 2nd hole in played 6 iron of tee straight the gap only to get up to find the ball in thick rough in a query.

But really enjoyed it and will be back soon

FixdePitchmark

Danny dyers double wrote: »

Yeah the 18th was crazy . Two 21 handicap players with only 4 pars between us go and both get the birdie you couldn't write.

I'd like to think I'll score better next time around as we had no idea where we where hitting on some holes . 2nd hole in played 6 iron of tee straight the gap only to get up to find the ball in thick rough in a query.

But really enjoyed it and will be back soon

In this weather an 8 iron.

loadwire

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Also - two great Birds a very difficult green to hold.

Yep I hit a little wedge in there on Saturday, thought if I wasn't on I'd be short but there I was over the green as per bloody usual. Good hole IMO.

FixdePitchmark

loadwire wrote: »

Yep I hit a little wedge in there on Saturday, thought if I wasn't on I'd be short but there I was over the green as per bloody usual. Good hole IMO.

Even being uphill - only way to hold green is a hard SW or 52 , there are times in golf the only option is a hard higher lofted club - that hole you just need spin - same with 17.

Well works for me.

loadwire

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Even being uphill - only way to hold green is a hard SW or 52 , there are times in golf the only option is a hard higher lofted club - that hole you just need spin - same with 17.

Well works for me.

I've an old PW from pitch and putt days that I fancy myself to manufacture a shot of most lengths with but you're right in what you say so I could probably do with a review of that policy - could be a bit of self-delusion involved. For some reason I've never really used a SW off the grass.

FixdePitchmark

Played Portmarnock Links again today - played it twice this year. You can see that certain courses in Dublin and hopefully the rest of the country are on an upward trend.

In fact, great to see some courses investing in the actual course after a few years of uncertainty - I know there is another debate about NAMA etc........

But it looks like Portmarnock Links is going to now target the upper level green fee. I think we forgot how lucky we were to have a few years of very very cheap golf for top level stuff - has been a strange few years.

I'll be honest - loved playing all the different course at great rates. I think most of us knew that , the top ones would go back up at some stage or close.

So is going to be a major adjustment for local Irish golfers, to start going up in green fees - substantially on some courses.

(not talking about Portmarnock Links here)
But, It is a bit of a Bee in my Bonnet that some of the top links are very hard to play at a decent rate - you are stuck into the winter - no opens etc.
You can play them , but very specific weeks and events, team events etc.

Another one - is opens for seniors only - Why , why and why again.
It is a handicapped sport - most guys over 50 have more money than younger guys and get unreal deals in events, that you are barred from

Anyway - more expensive golf on the way on some courses.

But - Portmarnock Links is a brilliant course. As flat links courses go, it is one of my favourites on East Coast.

Fantastic mix of holes and I have found it very very hard in the past.

The rough is cut back a good bit, I could see that in still conditions it is a bit easier , I guess I know course better and am a bit of a better player now.

Had a 78 and wasn't putting great. So the course is manageable if you are good off the tee.

Many greens are hard to hold - and never a harm hitting that extra lofted club on many of the holes.

The greens sometimes look a bit off colour there - but the ball roles beautifully.

The one criticism is maybe the par 5s are a little on the easy side. The new green on 13 will improve this.
The outward nine has many holes that are very straight and in a way similar - but the holes on the east side of course have great features , doglegs and deeper dunes.

So I seen it can be played today - in wind it would be another story .
I love going away and playing the championship courses now and again.

But every day, as your real golf course , no thanks.

You would need to be very very good - have plenty of time and plenty of money.

So - I'll be a tourist still.

dk1982

Does anyone know if the European Club will still have the Open Comps at the weekends this winter, and if so, what price and from what date does it start? Thanks.

dan_ep82

Said I'd really didn't like links but I keep wanting to go back to one. Played Corballis Friday and instead of putting me off for another year this time I want to play a bigger links ha.

I think I can go out now on an average day and play well enough to enjoy it.

Early this year I was a bit all over the place, didn't really have a miss just bad shots so I got into trouble real easy which I think was exaggerated on the tighter links. At the time it was just too punishing for me to enjoy it. Now I think I can play well enough ( or have good enough bad shots) to get some enjoyment out of it.

What link other than corballis doesn't cost the earth around dublin/louth etc could I play?

The brother will be coming so it can't be an open.

And on his first links he went around in 38pts in corballis off 17, likes his new sticks :pac:

FixdePitchmark

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Said I'd really didn't like links but I keep wanting to go back to one. Played Corballis Friday and instead of putting me off for another year this time I want to play a bigger links ha.

I think I can go out now on an average day and play well enough to enjoy it.

Early this year I was a bit all over the place, didn't really have a miss just bad shots so I got into trouble real easy which I think was exaggerated on the tighter links. At the time it was just too punishing for me to enjoy it. Now I think I can play well enough ( or have good enough bad shots) to get some enjoyment out of it.

What link other than corballis doesn't cost the earth around dublin/louth etc could I play?

The brother will be coming so it can't be an open.

And on his first links he went around in 38pts in corballis off 17, likes his new sticks :pac:

Was very enjoyable Dan - thanks to you and your brother - who is a fine golfer.
He will be a low golfer at some time. Fair play to you sticking it out , made of tough stuff.

We were blessed with great weather - everyone knows I love a round in Corballis , I know it is not a real golf course, but quick and the perfect introduction to links.

The views there are as good as anything.

The next step up in links are-

Two nice nine hole courses that are links are Rush and Sutton - these are on the easier side and short - but still real links in parts.

The next step ups are.

Arklow - About 25 , may get it a little cheaper
Laytown - will get out for 30 euro
St Annes - I'll get you out here cheap, but about 25 to 40.
Seapoint - about 35 euro.

Of all them I would recommend Laytown the most (for you as near) - a great course.

After that group of links , things get a bit crazy to be honest. In fact they get outrageous.

So get a fire deal on one of the websites Golf Now or Tee times. Open would also be a little cheaper about 20 to 25 - some will do a deal for your brother.

To be honest - you couldn't go wrong with any of the 4 above , some people say Seapoint is not links enough, but sure that may make it more enjoyable for you starting out. A course a bit too far that I rate very highly in the same league is Rosslare.

But the best value , best links going, are North and West - but that is for another day

By the way if anyone wants to go up to Laytown let us know, would love another game there.
.

Also be very careful in winter - Links are very different in protecting courses at winter.
Check if
a) Temporary greens
b) Are fairways in play
b) Temp holes
d) Shortened course

Get out soon I would say.

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Was very enjoyable Dan - thanks to you and your brother - who is a fine golfer.
He will be a low golfer at some time. Fair play to you sticking it out , made of tough stuff.

We ere blessed with great weather - everyone knows I love a round in Corballis , I know it is not a real golf course, but quick and the perfect introduction to links.

The views there are as good as anything.

The next step up in links are

two nice nine hole courses that are links are Rush and Sutton - these are on the easier side and short - but still real links in parts.

The next step ups are.

Arklow - About 25 , may get it a little cheaper
Laytown - will get out for 30 euro
St Annes - I'll get you out here cheap, but about 25 to 40.
Seapoint - about 35 euro.

Of all them I would recommend Laytown the most (for you as near) - a great course.

After that group of links , things get a bit crazy to be honest. In fact they get outrageous.

SO get a fire deal on one of the websites Golf Now or Tee times. Open would also be a little cheaper about 20 to 25 - some will do a deal for your brother.

To be honest - you couldn't go wrong with any of the 4 above , some people say Seapoint is not links enough, but sure that may make it more enjoyable for you starting out. A course a bit too far that I rate very highly in the same league is Rosslare.

But the best value , best links going, are North and West - but that is for another day

By the way if anyone wants to go up to Laytown let us know, would love another game there.

Thanks for putting up with me, made it a very long round at times and I was regretting it in work this morning

His putting is usually better but he was playing quite well, on a good day we're even enough but lately he's been keeping ahead of me. He's playing alot better with the new clubs aswell.

The problem with Rush and Sutton are the big drive to play nine holes, that and I always feel like I didn't play much golf even if I go around twice on 9's. Odd but I can't help it

Love the look of Arklow,seapoint and St. Anne's. Drive past Laytown often, looks quite cramped ?

I usually check teetimes to see if I can get a deal so ill keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the reply, the offer and the game

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Sorry Dan.

Also be very careful in winter - Links are very different in protecting courses at winter.
Check if
a) Temporary greens
b) Are fairways in play
b) Temp holes
d) Shortened course

Get out soon I would say.

Something I didn't think of, dentist next week but I should be able to get out after that all things going well

FixdePitchmark

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Thanks for putting up with me, made it a very long round at times and I was regretting it in work this morning

His putting is usually better but he was playing quite well, on a good day we're even enough but lately he's been keeping ahead of me. He's playing alot better with the new clubs aswell.

The problem with Rush and Sutton are the big drive to play nine holes, that and I always feel like I didn't play much golf even if I go around twice on 9's. Odd but I can't help it

Love the look of Arklow,seapoint and St. Anne's. Drive past Laytown often, looks quite cramped ?

I usually check teetimes to see if I can get a deal so ill keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the reply, the offer and the game

To be honest dan - nothing is ever as cramped as Corballis , Laytown is a great intro to the next step.

The 4 - 18 hole courses above are very very similar- they are basically flat links courses - I would rather have been introduced to links on the flat links first - because if you play a big championship links and love Links golf, it can be hard to fall in love with flat links courses.

But with time , the flat courses have grown on me. I see a charm to them now, the wind is even more of a hazard and you can be clever with drains and many of them are very good with bunker protection.

Another practical reality of the flat links courses is the speed of play and they are easier - being easier for just going for your normal game of golf makes sense.

The championship links courses in Ireland with big dunes are a joy - but torture , a hard walk , and bloody hard courses. Even finding your ball is not pleasant if you are not hitting it very straight and know course well.

I've often considered joining a big links, but the more I play them , the more I see how they are not really places you run down play 6 and head home in an hour.

Anyway _ I digress - hit one of the 4 above. I'll pm you if something comes up.

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

To be honest dan - nothing is ever as cramped as Corballis , Laytown is a great intro to the next step.

The 4 - 18 hole courses above are very very similar- they are basically flat links courses - I would rather have been introduced to links on the flat links first - because if you play a big championship links and love Links golf, it can be hard to fall in love with flat links courses.

But with time , the flat courses have grown on me. I see a charm to them now, the wind is even more of a hazard and you can be clever with drains and many of them are very good with bunker protection.

Another practical reality of the flat links courses is the speed of play and they are easier - being easier for just going for your normal game of golf makes sense.

The championship links courses in Ireland with big dunes are a joy - but torture , a hard walk , and bloody hard courses. Even finding your ball is not pleasant if you are not hitting it very straight and know course well.

I've often considered joining a big links, but the more I play them , the more I see how they are not really places you run down play 6 and head home in an hour.

Anyway _ I digress - hit one of the 4 above. I'll pm you if something comes up.

Thats something I'll have to find out, so far I've only played Corballis and Portmarnock Links in the outing. Would Portmarnock be be considered flat?

Ah, we have plenty of hills in parkland :pac:

FixdePitchmark

Portmarnock Links is a brilliant course, in that it has a brilliant mix of Links golf holes.
It is on the flat side for 75 % of the course - but uses the Dunes on the east side (sea front side) , with Germanically (not VW) like efficiency.

So yes - It is flat - it doesn't have the dramatic holes over or in dunnes.

The 3rd hole in corballis would be typical of the big dune courses - also the 5th.



The only courses on the east coast with big dunes are

The Island




The European Club in parts



The courses with bigger dunes are few on the east coast - in fact you have to go all the way to Royal County Down and North to get them.



By big dunes I mean this in Enniscrone.



Or this is Carne





Look - as someone said on here before, no two links are the same, in theory they are randomly shaped by time.

So you sort of have to play them all many many times, I only get to know a links after, about 20 games on it. Maybe more.

So - hit Laytown dan , and forget all that other stuff (lol)

dan_ep82

I'll get round to it at some point, hopefully soon.

I liked portmarnock ( in retrospect at least ha) so thats good.

Right, i'll go play some more ha

PARlance

Pretty amazing footage of Carne

https://vimeo.com/141978165?outro=1

dan_ep82

PARlance wrote: »

Pretty amazing footage of Carne

https://vimeo.com/141978165?outro=1

Thats how you sell someone on the idea of links golf

FixdePitchmark

Will go back. If invited at some stag.

Jawgap

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Thats something I'll have to find out, so far I've only played Corballis and Portmarnock Links in the outing. Would Portmarnock be be considered flat?

Ah, we have plenty of hills in parkland :pac:

On links, I find, it's not the hills that make them special - it's the contours.

Portmarnock is flat, Laytown/Bettystown is flat relative to a lot of parkland courses but the fairways are contoured by nature (and feckin' rabbits:mad:) and that can make all the difference. Wind, rain (and water runoff) often dictate why a particular fairway is shaped the way it is.



Put it this way, if I slap a good drive down the middle of any decent parkland course fairway I'm pretty much guaranteed a decent lie when I get to the ball - on a links the same drive could end up on a slight up or down slope; on top of a low rise; in the bottom of low hollow; slightly above your feet or slightly below your feet; or it could end up just right. It can be a bit of a lottery and some people think that's a bit unfair, but it's one of the reasons I like links golf.

Just as an aside, I once asked in a links club I was visiting "Who designed the course?" the reply came back "God. We just polished it a bit."

FixdePitchmark

Played the 9 hole in Rush today - was on my mind from talking about it on here and realised that it was about 10 years since I was there and only in society golf at time, was rubbish at golf too.

When you get there , everything is tiny , the clubhouse , the holes, the car park, the course.

Interesting to see something on such a small scale , when you think how big everything was designed in last 20 years.

First tee you have fantastic views across the beach - I spent many years out in Rush as a child - but hardly knew there was a golf club there at all.

It is very hidden away from everything down tiny roads and squeezed between glasshouses and the beach. Glasshouses are a very uncomfortable neighbour for a golf course.

The course has reminders in it, of Sutton - Arklow and Rosslare - the place is incredibly green for November and amazing (too much) growth everywhere, geens too.

It looks like the course has problems with the greens - there are many repairs and they are very long and perhaps this is for winter reasons. So I won't be too harsh consider time of year - but they were way too slow. They were also more like parkland greens than Links.

The first and second are nice holes - First a nice elevated tee box - where you have a nice landing area below - that with conditions right, you could go for green - seems a strange start to have a reachable par 4 at 1st.

2nd would be a hard hole to judge club to an elevated green with a head wind. Hard hole.

3rd is an uncomfortable dog leg squeezed into a corner with OB left. It would be reachable with 2 good hits.

4th another slight dogleg right, with a classical elevated links green , where it is all in the club

On the 5th I changed to the back tees (the back nine tees) . They have 2 sets of tees - for a front and back nine. I decided to add a bit of length as it is definitely too short from some of the front tees,

5th a longer par 4 with well place bunkers and all in the drive. Straightforward enough hole.

6th - A brilliant par 3 at 205 yards, everything you got with a low iron.

7th - nice par 4, a drop from an elevated tee to an elevated green - with a dangerous drop off left.

8th - Another excellent par 3 from a very elevated tee - where you have to hit your iron perfect distance.

9th - a very short and reachable par 4.

So had great weather and enjoyed it very much - but I know I mark links golf easy , but genuinely love any sort of links land with golf holes on it. I can't explain it.

The course would be too easy for a bigger hitter, for my approach shots I had a pitch , an 8 iron, a S/W a 9 iron a G/W a P/W a S/W.

So it would be brilliant for winter golf , for older golfers, younger golfers and a gentle introduction to Links golf.

Was thinking about the logistics of busy events there and trying to play 18 when the first group come around to the 10th - obviously they manage it somehow - but must be crazy at times.

Anyway - was an interesting little side step, just have to get Royal Dublin still on east - amazing , one of the nearest and haven't played it yet - but will, I think from walking it, I will like Royal Dublin - even if most people don't talk glowingly about it. - But I'm too easy when it comes to Links.

Dealerz

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Played the 9 hole in Rush today - was on my mind from talking about it on here and realised that it was about 10 years since I was there and only in society golf at time, was rubbish at golf too.

When you get there , everything is tiny , the clubhouse , the holes, the car park, the course.

Interesting to see something on such a small scale , when you think how big everything was designed in last 20 years.

First tee you have fantastic views across the beach - I spent many years out in Rush as a child - but hardly knew there was a golf club there at all.

It is very hidden away from everything down tiny roads and squeezed between glasshouses and the beach. Glasshouses are a very uncomfortable neighbour for a golf course.

The course has reminders in it, of Sutton - Arklow and Rosslare - the place is incredibly green for November and amazing (too much) growth everywhere, geens too.

It looks like the course has problems with the greens - there are many repairs and they are very long and perhaps this is for winter reasons. So I won't be too harsh consider time of year - but they were way too slow. They were also more like parkland greens than Links.

The first and second are nice holes - First a nice elevated tee box - where you have a nice landing area below - that with conditions right, you could go for green - seems a strange start to have a reachable par 4 at 1st.

2nd would be a hard hole to judge club to an elevated green with a head wind. Hard hole.

3rd is an uncomfortable dog leg squeezed into a corner with OB left. It would be reachable with 2 good hits.

4th another slight dogleg right, with a classical elevated links green , where it is all in the club

On the 5th I changed to the back tees (the back nine tees) . They have 2 sets of tees - for a front and back nine. I decided to add a bit of length as it is definitely too short from some of the front tees,

5th a longer par 4 with well place bunkers and all in the drive. Straightforward enough hole.

6th - A brilliant par 3 at 205 yards, everything you got with a low iron.

7th - nice par 4 to an elevated tee - with a dangerous drop off left.

8th - Another excellent par 3 from a very elevated tee - where you have to hit your iron perfect distance.

9th - a very short and reachable par 4.

So had great weather and enjoyed it very much - but I know I mark links golf easy , but genuinely love any sort of links land with golf holes on it. I can't explain it.

The course would be too easy for a bigger hitter, for my approach shots I had a pitch , an 8 iron, a S/W a 9 iron a G/W a P/W a S/W.

So it would be brilliant for winter golf , for older golfers, younger golfers and a gentle introduction to Links golf.

Was thinking about the logistics of busy events there and trying to play 18 when the first group come around to the 10th - obviously they manage it somehow - but must be crazy at times.

Anyway - was an interesting little side step, just have to get Royal Dublin still on east - amazing , one of the nearest and haven't played it yet - but will, I think from walking it, I will like Royal Dublin - even if most people don't talk glowingly about it. - But I'm too easy when it comes to Links.

Played an away inter club match there a few years back with e.r. (From here on boards)- we won on the 18th with a great putt from e.r. - if I remember correctly!
Loved the 9th/18th par 3- two different tee boxes for same green- a bit mad.

The 2nd is a bloody tough hole.

The members we were playing said yeah it can get mental for a strokes comp with a shared 9 holes- but it's theirs and they love the course/club/"family".

Had a meal after the match and you could really tell the club had a great spirit/atmosphere.

mike12

See st. Anne's are having opens thru the winter, they hope to have them as qualifying. Will be a nice change from placing.