The 148th Open at Royal Portrush

Blud

Chopper83 wrote: »

You'd be better getting the short bus into Portstewart

Is Portstewart just a better town for a pint?

Would I be better getting the shuttle to Portrush altogether and taking in the atmosphere over there for the day?

Hoboo

LizT wrote: »

It’s in the open zone down at the practice range.

Excellent, thank you.

ThunderCat

Seve OB wrote: »

i think it was this one.

https://robogolfpro.com/

So it is programmed with a swing, as i say they had Deshambles swing loaded. you just hold the club, keep your head down and let the robot take over. i think they should leave it with Deshambles swing as it is sooooooo unusual. he has a very high swing, doesnt seem to swing round the back at all, and on the downward plane you will be amazed at the wrist action and how late he cocks them

the robot moves very slowly and methodically. the idea is that you would use it a lot rather than hitting balls it is training your muscles along a very particular swing plane. you are making the exact same and correct movement every single time. so that when you do hit balls, your muscle memory will learn the swing you are trying to build.

don't do what i seen a few lads do and while holding the club, they seem to stand up and look at the robot moving. you are trying learn a swing and if you don't assume the correct position you are not going to feel it. well ok, you aren't going to learn a swing in one go, but you are trying to feel the swing they have loaded.

Cheers Seve. This and your lessons advice are much appreciated.

harpsman

Deleted User wrote: »

McIlroy is regarded as the favourite, I honestly don't fathom the hype in Portrush. His high ball flight is an uneasy fit for links golf, particularly if the wind kicks up. Mind you, I would be delighted to eat these words on Sunday evening.

Not to mention he hasn't come near winning a major on any course in 5 years.

Dont understand why anyone would back McIlroy at 10/1. Stick an e/w bet on fowler or dustin if you want a value bet

Chopper83

Blud wrote: »

Is Portstewart just a better town for a pint?

Would I be better getting the shuttle to Portrush altogether and taking in the atmosphere over there for the day?

Absolutely much much better. It's on the coast too. Please don't stay in Coleraine and head into Portstewart instead. Harbour bar and a few others on the promenade would be worth a shot.

DuckSlice

Going on Friday, cant wait, going to be there early but will probably just concentrate on the golf. If I'm there on the Saturday will try get a lesson in.

Adiaga 2

Interested in people's experience tomorrow of the park and ride. I’m doing the round trip from Dublin on friday with 2 kids in tow. Just hope the park n ride and feeder buses both ways run smoothly. Apart from that can’t wait for it!! Great reading people’s experiences so far. Any bargains to be had on the merchandise front? On the website the prices are very steep to put it mildly.

Joe_ Public

Quote:
Originally Posted by Berties_Horse View Post
McIlroy is regarded as the favourite, I honestly don't fathom the hype in Portrush. His high ball flight is an uneasy fit for links golf, particularly if the wind kicks up. Mind you, I would be delighted to eat these words on Sunday evening.

harpsman wrote: »

Not to mention he hasn't come near winning a major on any course in 5 years.

Dont understand why anyone would back McIlroy at 10/1. Stick an e/w bet on fowler or dustin if you want a value bet

The ball flight thing is interesting. Like most probably, i've always assumed high ball flight would not be an obvious asset when it came to playing links golf. Not so apparently, at least according to Padraig Harrington at least. Harrington was on the coach clinic thing on sky yesterday, showing how to play various shots using the wind and made the comment that, actually, having a high ball flight was an advantage in launching a ball into the wind and claimed that was the reason why the Americans tended to do well in the Open. I was a bit stunned hearing him and wonder would other pros actually agree with him, but thought it was quite significant and thought provoking coming from him.

Johnny_Fontane

On the lookout for a ticket for Friday if anyone has one spare. I'm already up here but know a bunch of lads leaving tomorrow

Henry Ford III

Rahm must have a decent chance surely?

Beaulieu

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

Interested in people's experience tomorrow of the park and ride. I’m doing the round trip from Dublin on friday with 2 kids in tow. Just hope the park n ride and feeder buses both ways run smoothly. Apart from that can’t wait for it!! Great reading people’s experiences so far. Any bargains to be had on the merchandise front? On the website the prices are very steep to put it mildly.

I travelled up from Belfast on Tuesday - just follow the Park & Ride signs and the facility is in Colraine. Bus journey is about 20mins to the course. Your parking area will be marked -so no worry about forgetting where the car is as long as you remember your spot! Directions exiting the course could have been better but it all worked fine in the end.

A good viewing area is by the 6th green/ 7th tee -you see a number of holes from there.

Ive been to loads of Opens / Golf events- bring a good pair of runners/golf shoes & a rucksack is very handy for water, fruit , raingear etc. The tented village has a lot of stuff for kids too btw.

The place will be heaving so allow for that.

One final tip -leave the course a little before the throng departs and you will take all the worry/hassle out of your day. The terrain is tiring especially for kids so bear that in mind too. If they are youngish they'll be cranky & knackered (& probably wet given the forecast) -so bring a change of clothes & leave in the car boot.
Enjoy the day!

HighLine

I'm probably just used to being able to park (for free) right at the course for Irish Opens but busing people 20min to the course for the park and ride seems a bit far. Especially considering we have paid for the privilege and that no mention of it was made back when we were purchasing the car parking.

Anyway.. hopefully the only negative of the week.

dr.kenneth noisewater

Is park and ride free? Picked up Friday tickets recently but no parking permit or anything

Adiaga 2

HighLine wrote: »

I'm probably just used to being able to park (for free) right at the course for Irish Opens but busing people 20min to the course for the park and ride seems a bit far. Especially considering we have paid for the privilege and that no mention of it was made back when we were purchasing the car parking.

Anyway.. hopefully the only negative of the week.

Yeah tbh when I booked the parking last year, I assumed it would be around Portrush and walking distance to the course. But as long as it’s well run I will forgive them.

Big thanks Beaulieu for the tips!

Beaulieu

dr.kenneth noisewater wrote: »

Is park and ride free? Picked up Friday tickets recently but no parking permit or anything

No -you could have bought parking in advance -I think they were taking cash on the day Stg£10.

Beaulieu

HighLine wrote: »

I'm probably just used to being able to park (for free) right at the course for Irish Opens but busing people 20min to the course for the park and ride seems a bit far. Especially considering we have paid for the privilege and that no mention of it was made back when we were purchasing the car parking.

Anyway.. hopefully the only negative of the week.

Trust me -it's not a negative! Ive memories from Irish Opens of being stuck in fields with one exit and it taking literally an hour + to get out.

You'll be gone from Colraine in a jiff -much better way to do it.

GreeBo

On the train back to Belfast...weather was shocking all day other than 2 hours of glorious sunshine after lunch.

Guys we’re having serious difficulty getting to greens into the wind..especially 16. Reed hit a couple of balls with different clubs and DJ and Koepka did the same

Course looks fantastic but was washed out of it at the end...only poor tiger on the range

His swing was very solid up to the driver which he was hitting shorter than his 3w before

Mantis Toboggan

Heading up on Friday and haven't been to a golf tournament for a few years and I'm trying to put together a survival list. Driving up and down.

Phone charger
Normal golf clothes with wet gear
Change of clothes just incase left in the car
Golf shoes
Two pairs of socks
Back pack.
Couple of caps
Water
Snacks
Binoculars
Map

Anything I'm missing?

Odyssey 2005

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Heading up on Friday and haven't been to a golf tournament for a few years and I'm trying to put together a survival list. Driving up and down.

Phone charger
Normal golf clothes with wet gear
Change of clothes just incase left in the car
Golf shoes
Two pairs of socks
Back pack.
Couple of caps
Water
Snacks
Binoculars
Map

Anything I'm missing?

Money.lots of it.

Happy4all

more talk about transport etc and very little about the golf....

Mushy

Happy4all wrote: »

more talk about transport etc and very little about the golf....

Expect that to change tomorrow

Scott Tenorman

Going up on Friday. Cannot wait!!

eamondunphy

Just in the posts about parking, am a bit confused.

Am staying in the provided tents, Friday and sateuday night and bought parking, are people saying that cars can't be left overnight? Surely that can't be right??

redhill

harpsman wrote: »

Not to mention he hasn't come near winning a major on any course in 5 years.

Dont understand why anyone would back McIlroy at 10/1. Stick an e/w bet on fowler or dustin if you want a value bet

They probably back him because in his last 4 Open championships backing McIlroy has won you money, similarly backing the other 2 has brought a grand return of zero....
There’s many reasons Rory is favourite this week, being a home open, his course record, consistent season form etc, we are about to find out if it’s accurate, but he has been a much better bet than the other pair to date

redhill

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

Interested in people's experience tomorrow of the park and ride. I’m doing the round trip from Dublin on friday with 2 kids in tow. Just hope the park n ride and feeder buses both ways run smoothly. Apart from that can’t wait for it!! Great reading people’s experiences so far. Any bargains to be had on the merchandise front? On the website the prices are very steep to put it mildly.

My park n ride has been seamless so far, tomorrow is the acid test though, Portstewart is by far the best Park n ride if anyone is travelling up, u can park in a nearby street (Millbank Ave) if you haven’t Pre-booked Parking
Bus is 6-7 mins, leaves u 200 yds from course entrance.

redhill

Chopper83 wrote: »

Absolutely much much better. It's on the coast too. Please don't stay in Coleraine and head into Portstewart instead. Harbour bar and a few others on the promenade would be worth a shot.

Yep, Portstewart is the much better place to go, the Anchor bar complex will have it on, its just top of the promenade

redhill

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

On the lookout for a ticket for Friday if anyone has one spare. I'm already up here but know a bunch of lads leaving tomorrow

U still looking, my brother may have one

LuckyGent88

If anyone has tips/ideas on best way to watch the golf online while I’m in Germany that would be much appreciated!!!!!

Hoboo

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Heading up on Friday and haven't been to a golf tournament for a few years and I'm trying to put together a survival list. Driving up and down.

Phone charger
Normal golf clothes with wet gear
Change of clothes just incase left in the car
Golf shoes
Two pairs of socks
Back pack.
Couple of caps
Water
Snacks
Binoculars
Map

Anything I'm missing?

Umbrella.....unless that's part of wet gear.

Glove if you're getting a lesson

Bellerstring

Darren Clarke 3 under after 5 holes

DuckSlice

Bellerstring wrote: »

Darren Clarke 3 under after 5 holes

Sugrue going steady too. Early days though.

slave1

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

If anyone has tips/ideas on best way to watch the golf online while I’m in Germany that would be much appreciated!!!!!

Live legit feed on the official Open website, looking at it now with dual screen setup in work, can't say whether it will work in Germany though

Dirkziggler

slave1 wrote: »

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

If anyone has tips/ideas on best way to watch the golf online while I’m in Germany that would be much appreciated!!!!!

Live legit feed on the official Open website, looking at it now with dual screen setup in work, can't say whether it will work in Germany though

Yeah it's really good feed.

qwabercd

harpsman wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

McIlroy is regarded as the favourite, I honestly don't fathom the hype in Portrush. His high ball flight is an uneasy fit for links golf, particularly if the wind kicks up. Mind you, I would be delighted to eat these words on Sunday evening.

Not to mention he hasn't come near winning a major on any course in 5 years.

Dont understand why anyone would back McIlroy at 10/1. Stick an e/w bet on fowler or dustin if you want a value bet

He's had 10 top 10s in the 18 majors since he last won one. You'd have a nice profit if you backed him at 10/1 ew 10 places across all those majors. His last 3 opens since he won have all been top 5s - again all would have returned a solid ew profit.

Added benefit of playing on a course he's familiar with, it's not that bad a bet.

Edit - sorry for derailing with betting talk, actually assumed this was the tips/betting thread.

Mantis Toboggan

Shocking start from McIllroy.

FixdePitchmark

great start by the irish . greens look slow.

sitting here wondering why on earth im not there.

MillField

Great to see Sugrue playing solid golf this morning. Can't be easy when it's your first round at a major.

Dirkziggler

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

great start by the irish . greens look slow.

sitting here wondering why on earth im not there.

Up ya get people practically giving tickets away hah

IAMAMORON

What a howler from McElroy. Out of Bounds with his first drive, with what looked like a 3 iron....

SharpshooterTom

Made absolute dogs dinner of this hole.

In further rough just avoiding the bunker.

topnotch

When you see Branden Grace , Bottler is not far behind.

FixdePitchmark

he looked so nervous.

strange for a guy like that

LuckyGent88

Could have just messed up his whole week on just the first hole. Classic Rory!!!

PARlance

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Shocking start from McIllroy.

IAMAMORON wrote: »

What a howler from McElroy.

Rory probably easier lads.

FixdePitchmark

at least rory can have his not care rounds early this week

blackcard

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Could have just messed up his whole week on just the first hole. Classic Rory!!!

When was the last time he messed up the whole week on the first hole?

me89

He will do well to get an 8 here

liamoreilly

...He could be looking at an 8 on the first...

SharpshooterTom

Go Shane!

topnotch

Has there been a bigger meltdown since Chernobyl. :eek: