Boards Golf Society 2022

OK guys - just when the forum is overloaded with Boards Golf Society stuff - I wanted to post about Carton House and Monty . This outing is not at the same week as normal outings - this is because of Paddy's day. So it will be a quick enough turn around to the next outing on 12th / March.

I picked Carton House Montgomerie , because I wanted to pick courses that are dry early in the year - the one concern I had about here is , it is too tough, too long and perhaps not suitable for a society.

So - having the day off today , I said I'd have a reconnaissance mission out there. It was all rather spontaneous (I can be like that).

I told the Pro, why I was playing - and they gave me a great rate - and there was no need to. They were very sound in the place. The one thing that you notice straight away , is the place is in stunning condition - the grounds, the pro shop. It has a real 5 star feel.

The only course in play for men is the green course and this will be the case on the 12th March. I'll be honest, you would be mad to play any further back in March anyway. (stone mad). The trip alone was worth working this out.

On the first tee the place seems very open - The wind was in my face and I hit an ok drive, but landed in a fairway bunker (thanks Monty!) - when you get to the bunker you go - welcome to Monty , you are basically just progressing / getting out and you are chasing a bogey - a quick 3 putt with a new putter - a Double , great start.

I was looking out for general course condition. The first thing I noticed was a poor effort by some golfers to replace divots - can be a thing on resort courses, but was disappointing to see. I didn't notice any divot bags on entry , but some lazy golfers around. As it turns out, the first and 2nd were a bit out of place - and the divots were few and far between the rest of the way. How dry the fairways were was extraordinary - and I was delight to feel that solid ground under my feet. Why we are going.

The bunkers (wow) - I actually haven't seen bunkers like it in Ireland - at times an 8 or 9 foot rise. I noticed there wasn't massive amounts of sand in the bunkers - but the more you get around, the more you realize, it actually would make the bunkers even harder to get out, if there was deep layers of sand. I'd still rather see a bit more sand.

By the 3rd - a tough uphill par 3 you feel, this course is going to kill you. But then you turn and the fun starts. It is a fantastic run of holes that provides a very different challenge. Avoid bunkers or die. The green complexes are stunning - and just like nothing else you see in Ireland. The green conditions are some of the best I have seen at this time of year.

To highlight how good the greens were - As I hit the 10th, I looked back towards Carton house and in the distance they were watering the greens - amazing. Not sure I ever seen that before at this time of year.

You eventually turn back for home at the corner after a very interesting drivable par 4 (13) . Whilst you are into the wind, from the greens the holes are now more managable and you have a feel for the place. The finish is stunning with 17 and 18 almost the best holes on the course.

I left after playing good golf (with a bad short game) - and was 9 over for the round - and that was good to great golf to get that.

In relation to our outing.

1) I'm delight we are going. There is nothing like it on the list of courses.

2) The bunkers are seriously hard and need lots of loft , and a quick action. You need to rise the ball quickly - no hero shots

3) It is a long long walk - have decent fitness if you can - good few walks coming into it (your talking 10km)

4) Pulling a rental trolley here would be mad - push or electric - even borrow an electric (I might after today)

5) Wind a big factor - don't be short or in bunkers.

Anyway - more for info and to warn of outing coming up - we will stick to Portmarnock Links for now.

Typical green complex - Par 3 7th , Don't be short. (Tee box been forked / seeded / sanded)

The 17th - what a golf hole.

I'm beginning to enjoy this too much ....I'll keep you in mind ...once you can go golfing with 1 hours notice..