Boards Society Outing - Portmarnock Links

Golfgraffix

Time for a thread of its own.

Saturday the 20th at 11am in Portmarnock Links. We have 11 slots so we can cater for 44 players.

Teamer invites have gone out, so please accept or decline so i can let the club have back any unused slots.

Played the course yesterday and it is in good shape, some brown spots left from the heavey rains but all in all you wont find to many in better shape this time of year.

Green Fee is €45 for society members and €55 for guests.

Flybys of the course here - http://www.portmarnock.com/3d-map.html

J

Seve OB

Can't come quick enough

FixdePitchmark

Fair play J - was thinking Seve was captain again this year

J just to clear up - Seve is a bomber and always wanted to have us off the Bethpage Black Tees - give us a sense of your general feel about that ?

What tees we playing at yours ?

Also - any changes to rules, society specific rules ?


Just a note - was very good to issue pace of play ideas last year - I know it is a day out etc, but I don't mind, as generally know it is a 4.5 to 5 hour round.

Golfgraffix

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Fair play J - was thinking Seve was captain again this year

J just to clear up - Seve is a bomber and always wanted to have us off the Bethpage Black Tees - give us a sense of your general feel about that ?

What tees we playing at yours ?

Also - any changes to rules, society specific rules ?


Just a note - was very good to issue pace of play ideas last year - I know it is a day out etc, but I don't mind, as generally know it is a 4.5 to 5 hour round.

We have a winter course and summer course now. So we will be off the whites but they are shorter than the summer whites.

No new rules that I can think of. But do lets try and keep the rounds moving.

J

Dublin Spur

Looking forward to playing in my first outing and putting some faces to names.

Break80

Never played a links course so I am really looking forward to it.
I am expecting a disaster but you never know.
I am traveling from Cork City in a small van but I have room for 1 if anyone wants to slum it.

Seve OB

I reckon Fix will get his maiden victory on the Boards Tour this year and I have a feeling this might be the event

FixdePitchmark

Seve OB wrote: »

I reckon Fix will get his maiden victory on the Boards Tour this year and I have a feeling this might be the event

I've given up on that. I haven't got it. "Its too hard to win".

Just going for the laugh this year.

spacecoyote

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Fair play J - was thinking Seve was captain again this year

J just to clear up - I'm a bomber and a links specialist so always wanted to have us off the Bethpage Black Tees - give us a sense of your general feel about that (please play off the back sticks & pray for wind so that I can take these soft parkland lads to the cleaners )?

What tees we playing at yours ?

Also - any changes to rules, society specific rules ?


Just a note - was very good to issue pace of play ideas last year - I know it is a day out etc, but I don't mind, as generally know it is a 4.5 to 5 hour round.

Fixed your post there Fix

doublecross

More rain forecast for this weekend! Can't wait for the crisp links fairways and a small bit of run.

Late tee time if possible please Capt.

bobster453

Lateish please Captain, give me a chance to travel

Hibrasil

Any reasonably early time is fine for me ...gives those travelling longer distances more suitable times.

FixdePitchmark

Lads,

I think I seen our winner of this outing today - Walk into driving range and this bloke bombing them with high draw out to 260 + , there are queues of lads waiting to tell him how great a swing he has , then he gave me 2 lessons - short game and width with driver.

He told me I'm hitting too many balls - that he prefers to come in and hit 50 great shots as opposed to 100 blasts.

He walked off in a blaze of admiration as the pros fawned over him in salutations

---

That was "Our captain, Our Captain".

Macker1

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lads,

I think I seen our winner of this outing today - Walk into driving range and this bloke bombing them with high draw out to 260 + , there are queues of lads waiting to tell him how great a swing he has , then he gave me 2 lessons - short game and width with driver.

He told me I'm hitting too many balls - that he prefers to come in and hit 50 great shots as opposed to 100 blasts.

He walked off in a blaze of admiration as the pros fawned over him in salutations

---

That was "Our captain, Our Captain".

What a crawler......lol

Golfgraffix

Ha ha Fix, you're a mad man. Was good practise though. Have been working hard with Karl Herbert and it is paying dividends, at least on the range.

I have my annual golf trip to Spain next week so need to be sharp, hence the practise.

Not sure I could hit they many balls in one session, doubt my dodgy back would hold up.

Looks like you're not too far away yourself, watched a few of your wedges and they looked dialled in.

That drive of yours is something else, I swear I heard the ball shout "ouch"

J

Ben1977

Get a room you 2 😂

bobster453

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lads,

I think I seen our winner of this outing today - Walk into driving range and this bloke bombing them with high draw out to 260 + , there are queues of lads waiting to tell him how great a swing he has , then he gave me 2 lessons - short game and width with driver.

He told me I'm hitting too many balls - that he prefers to come in and hit 50 great shots as opposed to 100 blasts.

He walked off in a blaze of admiration as the pros fawned over him in salutations

---

That was "Our captain, Our Captain".

Guess thats one of the captains picks sorted this year then

FixdePitchmark

Lol,

We have hardly been on speaking terms since the Jug.

I don't think the 2 of us in a room would work well just yet.


Anyway - Question J.


From the first tee - what is distance to drain - and how do people in the know play that hole ?
I always get off to a bad start there.

FixdePitchmark

bobster453 wrote: »

Guess thats one of the captains picks sorted this year then

Bob - you don't need a pick if you play well.

Golfgraffix

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

From the first tee - what is distance to drain - and how do people in the know play that hole ?
I always get off to a bad start there.

At the nearest point down the left it is about 235m, down the middle it's about 260m.

Hitting driver is fine if you are down the middle but its a risky strategy, Very tight left, two bunkers, water, deep rough and gorse. more room on the right but its quite difficult getting to the green from there.

For me its a 4 iron or rescue at the tree in the centre of the fairway, 180m puts me with a 7 iron (ish).

Most of the good guys hit 3 wood just inside the grave yard with a draw and have a wedge in.

Its a tough opening hole, looks easy but requires a good tee shot to a well protected green. Index has recently dropped from 10 to 8

FixdePitchmark

Golfgraffix wrote: »

At the nearest point down the left it is about 235m, down the middle it's about 260m.

Hitting driver is fine if you are down the middle but its a risky strategy, Very tight left, two bunkers, water, deep rough and gorse. more room on the right but its quite difficult getting to the green from there.

For me its a 4 iron or rescue at the tree in the centre of the fairway, 180m puts me with a 7 iron (ish).

Most of the good guys hit 3 wood just inside the grave yard with a draw and have a wedge in.

Its a tough opening hole, looks easy but requires a good tee shot to a well protected green. Index has recently dropped from 10 to 8

Thanks j.

I think that sums up my problems.

How many golfers do we honestly know . Who can stand up hit a great 3 wood . Then a very good 7/8 on hole 1 on what is an index 10.

Sums up why it is such a great course .

Not to mention , demands like that are ahead for many holes.

What index is 2.

You have a rough start and face the drive at 2.

If you stand at the links with 5 points at 4th tee . You've done very well.

Seve OB

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

How many golfers do we honestly know . Who can stand up hit a great 3 wood . Then a very good 7/8 on hole 1 on what is an index 10.

Really I should probably ditch my driver cause I hit my 3 wood so well. I always get greedy though and look for the extra distance

Gonna try this and see what happens.

spacecoyote

Had a look at my gamegolf from last year's round there.

I hit a hybrid off tee, 8 iron on to the green...then 3 putted for bogey

bobster453

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Bob - you don't need a pick if you play well.

True for ya Fix but good to see you are hedging your bets either way

Mantis Toboggan

Late tee time for me please as I'll most likely be nursing a hangover

Seve OB

Thinking on going for scoops after the golf on 20th if anyone fancies it?

Maybe a quiet few in Coppers, or we could go mad and go to the Palace on Fleet street

RoadRunner

Just saw this special offer in my inbox which might be useful for someone wanting to stay at Portmarnock?
http://www.luxurybreaks.ie/special-offers/200590?utm_source=DailyAlert&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=20160212

Rikand

How are we looking for space ? I may have a guest with me if that's okay ?

Golfgraffix

Rikand wrote: »

How are we looking for space ? I may have a guest with me if that's okay ?

No problem

FixdePitchmark

J,

Did you place up a full course guide last year - any changes ?

FixdePitchmark

J,

Did you place up a full course guide last year - any changes / Tips ?

Golfgraffix

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

J,

Did you place up a full course guide last year - any changes / Tips ?

New bunker on 8, that's I think.

Ben1977

Myself, Bombedbiscuit and Brendan141 will be travelling together. If we could get out on early tee times close together it would be great.

Looking forward to my first full round next Saturday. I remember the course condition last year, even with loads of maintenance work it was is top shape. I'll look forward to not searching for balls that land in the middle of fairways 😱

RoadRunner

Can I get an early round please?
Cheers. Roadrunner.

spacecoyote

Only travelling from Dublin, so happy to take an earlier time if it gives those with a longer commute a bit more time to get there

Golfgraffix

Was away for most of last week, got back yesterday. I will sort the tee sheet out today.

J

Macker1

ThecHamp26 and myself will be traveling together so a tee time close or together would be appreciated.

Thanks

3putt

Golfgraffix's advice from last years outing. Thought Id put it here so everyone could have another read.

Would you change anything from last year John with the couple of changes that have gone on.

Hole 1, index 10 but should be 4 lower. Looks easy enough but it's all about the second shot. What ever you hit 200yds is the tee shot, left of the big tree is good, any longer and a good bounce can get you into trouble 3 bunkers and water. Two bunkers protect the frontside of the green don't be short.

Hole 2, index 14. Here you can open your shoulders and hit the big stick, some gorse left is the only real trouble, all the bunkers can be carried. Tricky green with two front side bunkers, big slope run offs back and right, miss the green and a up and down is tough.

Hole 3, index 12. Par 3 should be playing about 165, 8 green side bunkers with water right and long. It's a big green though.

Hole 4, index 6 par 5. Needs a good tee shot, gorse in play on the left and the water right is OB. A good line is inside the left bunker. This is a 3 shoter, long iron layup and maybe a 7/8 iron approach, feature of the course are pot bunkers protecting the front of the greens. No harm in being long a hill at the back will catch most balls. Fast green slopes from the back.

Hole 5 index 2, will change to 1 soon. Long par 4, anything right can easily catch the water, left the gorse. Again all the trouble is short side of the green.

Hole 6, par 5 index 18. The only real eagle chance on the course. Can be hit in two, best line is left side of the fairway, if not going for it in two make sure to layup down the left side, this will take the bunkers out of play. Green has some wicked breaks.

Hole 7, index 4. Another long par 4. Drives down the right side will catch the slope and move further down the fairway. There is water about 23 yards short of the green give yourself enough stick to carry, big green with a run off at the back. Big slope back to front.

Hole 8, index 8. Great fun hole, 80 degree dogleg left. It's about 200 to the turn. Watch out for the pot bunker right on the elbow. A good tee shot will leave a wedge into the toughest green on the course. If the pin is back you must be left to get to it, if it's short do not be long it's a wicked putt and I have seen many roll off the front leaving a 20 yard chip back.

Hole 9, index 16 I think. The only hole with no bunkers. Par 3 that should be about 130 yards, do not be long, short or right !!!! Middle of the green and 2 putt, this little hole can be a card wrecker.

Hole 10, index 7. My nemesis, it's a short par 4 all about hitting the green in two, driver can work but leaves a tough short pitch, rescue or long iron leaves you further back but more room for error on the approach. The green is elevated on all sides with a massive pot bunker short right. Par is a great score here.

Hole 11, index 15 I think. Short par 3 long or right will leave you a tough up and down. Massive bunker right of the green.

Hole 12, index 1. Off the green tees it should be handy enough. No real trouble off the tee this time of year. Big green well protected with bunkers.

Hole 13, index 13. Long and unfair par 5. Members tend to go down 12 or you can aim right. Trick off the tee is to avoid the big bunker right in the middle of the landing area. Layup as long as you dare, watch out for the gorse. If you can make the old green in two great. 3rd will be blind into a very bad surfaced green. When teeing off on 12 have a look at the 13th green as it is blind when you are playing it.

Hole 14, index 17. Depending on the wind and tee location you can drive this green but I am not sure the risk is worth it. Off the tee be left, it's the best approach side. I expect many birdies here.

Hole 15, index 9. My favourite hole on the course. You don't need to be super long off the tee, a good hit down the left will release down the fairway. This is a mirror of hole 8, so a dogleg right. Avoid the spectacle bunkers on the drive and it's plain sailing from there, it's a pretty generous green.

Hole 16, index 5. Looks like we will be into the wind so it's gonna be tough and long. forget about trying to carry the two massive bunkers, it's left all day long. A mid iron into a really well protected green. Two bunkers short, one left and a massive run off at the back. Take your time reading the green, it's the 3rd toughest after 8 and 6.

Hole 17, index 11. Tough par 3 with a bunker you could get lost in. Will play around 170 and you need to be precise, massive bunker short right, big run off on the front and the back, heavy rough right.

Hole 18, index 3. Great finishing hole with big dunes all the way down the right. A big miss right is on the beach and OB. The racing line is over the bunker right, get that and the ball will roll for ages. If not so brave the safe line is just inside the left bunker but there is no release for the ball there. A fair big green with all the trouble in plain sight.

Rikand

fwiw, this guide did not help me at all last year

3putt wrote: »

Golfgraffix's advice from last years outing. Thought Id put it here so everyone could have another read.

Would you change anything from last year John with the couple of changes that have gone on.

Hole 1, index 10 but should be 4 lower. Looks easy enough but it's all about the second shot. What ever you hit 200yds is the tee shot, left of the big tree is good, any longer and a good bounce can get you into trouble 3 bunkers and water. Two bunkers protect the frontside of the green don't be short.

Hole 2, index 14. Here you can open your shoulders and hit the big stick, some gorse left is the only real trouble, all the bunkers can be carried. Tricky green with two front side bunkers, big slope run offs back and right, miss the green and a up and down is tough.

Hole 3, index 12. Par 3 should be playing about 165, 8 green side bunkers with water right and long. It's a big green though.

Hole 4, index 6 par 5. Needs a good tee shot, gorse in play on the left and the water right is OB. A good line is inside the left bunker. This is a 3 shoter, long iron layup and maybe a 7/8 iron approach, feature of the course are pot bunkers protecting the front of the greens. No harm in being long a hill at the back will catch most balls. Fast green slopes from the back.

Hole 5 index 2, will change to 1 soon. Long par 4, anything right can easily catch the water, left the gorse. Again all the trouble is short side of the green.

Hole 6, par 5 index 18. The only real eagle chance on the course. Can be hit in two, best line is left side of the fairway, if not going for it in two make sure to layup down the left side, this will take the bunkers out of play. Green has some wicked breaks.

Hole 7, index 4. Another long par 4. Drives down the right side will catch the slope and move further down the fairway. There is water about 23 yards short of the green give yourself enough stick to carry, big green with a run off at the back. Big slope back to front.

Hole 8, index 8. Great fun hole, 80 degree dogleg left. It's about 200 to the turn. Watch out for the pot bunker right on the elbow. A good tee shot will leave a wedge into the toughest green on the course. If the pin is back you must be left to get to it, if it's short do not be long it's a wicked putt and I have seen many roll off the front leaving a 20 yard chip back.

Hole 9, index 16 I think. The only hole with no bunkers. Par 3 that should be about 130 yards, do not be long, short or right !!!! Middle of the green and 2 putt, this little hole can be a card wrecker.

Hole 10, index 7. My nemesis, it's a short par 4 all about hitting the green in two, driver can work but leaves a tough short pitch, rescue or long iron leaves you further back but more room for error on the approach. The green is elevated on all sides with a massive pot bunker short right. Par is a great score here.

Hole 11, index 15 I think. Short par 3 long or right will leave you a tough up and down. Massive bunker right of the green.

Hole 12, index 1. Off the green tees it should be handy enough. No real trouble off the tee this time of year. Big green well protected with bunkers.

Hole 13, index 13. Long and unfair par 5. Members tend to go down 12 or you can aim right. Trick off the tee is to avoid the big bunker right in the middle of the landing area. Layup as long as you dare, watch out for the gorse. If you can make the old green in two great. 3rd will be blind into a very bad surfaced green. When teeing off on 12 have a look at the 13th green as it is blind when you are playing it.

Hole 14, index 17. Depending on the wind and tee location you can drive this green but I am not sure the risk is worth it. Off the tee be left, it's the best approach side. I expect many birdies here.

Hole 15, index 9. My favourite hole on the course. You don't need to be super long off the tee, a good hit down the left will release down the fairway. This is a mirror of hole 8, so a dogleg right. Avoid the spectacle bunkers on the drive and it's plain sailing from there, it's a pretty generous green.

Hole 16, index 5. Looks like we will be into the wind so it's gonna be tough and long. forget about trying to carry the two massive bunkers, it's left all day long. A mid iron into a really well protected green. Two bunkers short, one left and a massive run off at the back. Take your time reading the green, it's the 3rd toughest after 8 and 6.

Hole 17, index 11. Tough par 3 with a bunker you could get lost in. Will play around 170 and you need to be precise, massive bunker short right, big run off on the front and the back, heavy rough right.

Hole 18, index 3. Great finishing hole with big dunes all the way down the right. A big miss right is on the beach and OB. The racing line is over the bunker right, get that and the ball will roll for ages. If not so brave the safe line is just inside the left bunker but there is no release for the ball there. A fair big green with all the trouble in plain sight.

Golfgraffix

You can view it in link the below. We have 27 members accepted and 2 guests (of Rikand and Shauna)

If you need a time moved, or are missing please let me know

Time Sheet

See you all there on Saturday. Please dont forget that as we missed the 1st event at Rathcore we need to collect this years subs.

J

Golfgraffix

Just edited the time sheet, the gaps are 9 minutes, i had them in at 5, so please double check your time slot.

J

athlone99

Hi J,

I had accepted on teamer when I got the text but im not on the timesheet?

cheers,
dave

Golfgraffix

athlone99 wrote: »

Hi J,

I had accepted on teamer when I got the text but im not on the timesheet?

cheers,
dave

Sorry about that, you are in at the 12:12 time. Plus a few little move arounds.

Golfgraffix

Nearest the pin will be on the 11th and the long drive will be on the 7th.

J

OffalyMedic

Whats the weather like for Saturday lads?

Golfgraffix

shaunac93 wrote: »

Whats the weather like for Saturday lads?

These guys have a weather station on the course so it is usualy quite active.

https://www.meteoblue.com/en/customer/headland/index?id=25291

J

RoadRunner

playing the whites or the greens? (my shot tracker wants to know)

___________

just noticed this was answered previously, whites (winter whites)

Macker1

Golfgraffix wrote: »

You can view it in link the below. We have 27 members accepted and 2 guests (of Rikand and Shauna)

If you need a time moved, or are missing please let me know

Time Sheet

See you all there on Saturday. Please dont forget that as we missed the 1st event at Rathcore we need to collect this years subs.

J

Just curious but from looking at the link is it the case that most events this year will be €45 ??

Golfgraffix

Macker1 wrote: »

Just curious but from looking at the link is it the case that most events this year will be €45 ??

With the last event being cancelled the committee have not a chance to get together yet this year, once we do this weekend then I can confirm the prices.

J

benny79

Any one good with directions as Im a south sider I dont venture across the liffely much

FixdePitchmark

benny79 wrote: »

Any one good with directions as Im a south sider I dont venture across the liffely much

Are you using M50 ?

If so go to end of M50
Then keep going after on r139
you are not far off signs for malahide / portmarnock there and you hit a major crossroads on the malahide road.

I'd say gps it from there you are going to towards malahide for a hort duration - but you do not go to malahide - it is the first sign for Portmarnock you see at a pub called campions pub / a right here at traffic lights and keep towards any signs to Portmarnock (r123)

The back roads around Portmarnock are dangerous (r123).

At end of r123 turn left and follow coast into portmarnock - it is past the end of village.