The Links Thread

4 Putt · 14-04-2022 10:24pm

Has anyone else managed to get through or received a call/email back... I provisionally booked a four ball for the Friday 2 weeks ago(was told payment won't be taken till the 11th April but bookings were being taken, emailed all the details(CDH numbers) for the the 4 players going... We have all organised time of work.. Have tried ringing/left voice messages and 2 emails but still nothing back...

14-04-2022 11:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118928789#Comment_118928789

Same. Multiple emails and calls later and nothing. They can keep it at this stage.

redhill · 15-04-2022 7:50am

It's all a bit amateurish alright, I was told you couldn't book till the 11th, I phoned at 9.00 and got the dreaded answerphone, left a message and then sent an email, full details etc like yourself, haven't heard a dickybird since.

fungie · 15-04-2022 8:55am

It's disgraceful carry on really and no way to run an event.

slave1 · 15-04-2022 12:07pm

I'd imagine they are bombarded and as most likely a group of volunteers simply overwhelmed with voicemails/emails etc. Will take time to wade through

fungie · 15-04-2022 12:45pm

If only they heard of something called the internet and online booking systems.....

thewobbler · 15-04-2022 3:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118930607#Comment_118930607

are you going to post a variation of this message in every single day, just in case we didn’t understand first time?

fungie · 15-04-2022 4:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118931193#Comment_118931193

Yes

Rikand · 15-04-2022 4:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118882918#Comment_118882918

Narin&Portnoo is a savage golf course. Was on holidays last year, stayed in Ardara and played the course. First 4 or 5 holes are a little bland scenery wise, but from the 6th onwards its a stunning golf course. All the holes down around the coast are class. Couple of the greens are nuts though.... thinking the 12th...ish.... hole has a mental green on it. But there are some really breathtaking holes on it. Well worth a game :D

4 Putt · 15-04-2022 5:05pm

In fairness to them, I got a call back today and I'm booked in(Confirmation email sent too) .. She said the amount of calls(messages) and emails is unreal(most of them probably from me😂😂)..

Beaulieu · 18-04-2022 8:34pm

Ballybunion Intermediate Scratch Cup -slots available Sunday 8th May 2022. €50 Old Course.

See https://members.ballybuniongolfclub.ie/visitoropen.php?compid=38596&stage=teetime

fungie · 20-04-2022 10:46am

I finally got through, just called randomly and got an answer. I was shocked.

Can confirm that the call took about 15-20 mins. Efficiency isn't their strong point.

Hoboo · 21-04-2022 2:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118919514#Comment_118919514

They have a booking system all year. They're taking bookings for a completely different club. After one courteous email I received a 4 minute call and booked 3 lines without issue. Seems they use their emails and answering machine as a filtering system, did you get booked in the end?

IAmTitleist · 10-05-2022 10:23am

Did anyone happen to play Royal County Down yesterday afternoon?

Some of the worst weather you will ever see. Golf was impossible. Huge puddles forming on greens yet course remained open.

Thankfully I only travelled about 30 mins to get there and waste £70. We managed to last 9 holes before walking in but was speaking to various fellas who had came from all over the country saying they had walked in after 3 and 5 holes.

We angled for a refund after our 9 holes explaining that balls were oscillating on green and there were huge puddles in particular on the first green. But we were pied off saying that it is Royal County Down who make the decision about the course and not Mourne Golf club who's open competition it was.

This mixed with the absolutely farcical booking arrangements which involved 200+ phone calls means i am unlikely ever to give RCD another penny of my money. Played it 5/6 times now and this might well be my last.

SEORG · 10-05-2022 11:12am

That's bad luck. I've had a similar experience on a course in Kerry for a Junior Scratch Cup.

Golfers travel from all over the country to play at a discounted price so they will never postpone or cancel unless there is a weather warning in place. The course was virtually unplayable but remained open.

Playing on RCD on Friday and looks like we are getting the best of the weather.

4 Putt · 10-05-2022 11:57am

That's disappointing and especially at this time of the year, you would think you be safe from that amount of rain but unfortunately it's Ireland.. I'm out myself Friday and really looking forward to it, 1st time playing it...And thankfully at the moment it looks like it is going to be dry but going to be windy..

DuckSlice · 11-05-2022 12:08pm

Played RCD last year on a GUI evening rate. 90 euro. Couple of mates played it yesterday and said they couldn't get in to the main clubhouse which was a bit of a pain. Said the RCD members were very ignorant towards them. We didnt get any of that last year i guess as we were paying RCD. We did come across an ignorant member on course though.

Played Rosapenna last Thursday and Friday, its is a great set up there and the course are fantastic. Although enjoyable i wouldnt be in a rush back to play Sandy Hills or Old Tom, but i would play St Patrick's Links in the morning.

There was 2 temporary greens on the 5th and 14th, and i had heard the 14th was a gorgeous hole so was disappointing we couldn't play it as intended. Fairways are still a bit soft in places so probably needs another year of good growth to become in top condition. Greens were fantastic, some crazy slopes on them that if you short side yourself forget about getting close to the pin.

195 for the 3 course. I wonder do they have plans for a dedicated clubhouse for St Patrick's or what is the plan there? I presume their long term goal is to host an Irish Open, which it would be a fantastic course for.

callaway92 · 11-05-2022 1:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119045569#Comment_119045569

Funnily enough, I was playing Doonbeg recently (at a rate of €75 which if I played the week after would've been €200)

Greens were some of the best I've ever played, but bunkers mostly weren't in play (awaiting for a sand delivery allegedly)

However, on the Member thing that you encountered, I THINK it was a member anyway, but the 2nd of the short par 4s (I think it was the 6th), my ball ran about 25 yards onto the green from my tee shot, and I mean now it trickled onto the Green (2 lads on green were up at back of it at flag)

They gave the eyes to the tee box just standing there staring back at us. Was awaiting the inevitable words which we got on the next tee of 'don't tee off when we are on the green'. I said I didn't think the ball was reaching anywhere near the green nor did I call fore because there was no danger whatsoever. He repeated his line with a 'DON'T. TEE. OFF. WHEN. WE. ARE. ON. THE. GREEN' and they slowly (on purpose) made their way down the 7th. It was the Father of the duo that was speaking out. The son (presumably) in his 30s didn't say a word.

We got to overtake them when they sat for food at the hut thing luckily, but it was absolutely painful and could've ruined our round if he kept at it.

Funnily enough if I was in their situation I'd have been saying 'jaysis that was some drive' to the person behind me!

Things like that though can put a soft-skinned person off the game when being berated.

fungie · 12-05-2022 8:59pm

Played RCD today off their medal tees (white). Pretty windy but playable, really enjoyed it and thought everybody at club was very nice. I'll be back next year and hopefully they sort the booking system.

The Aul Switcharoo · 12-05-2022 10:11pm

Played it today too. Was windy but playable. Lost 4 balls with a very shaky driver.

What a course though. Really makes you see how good the pros really are. Although it's not far off the blue tees, it was still very long off the whites and especially into the howling winds

Did get a nice 2 on 14 though for the 2s competition😎

FixdePitchmark · 13-05-2022 9:16pm

Played St Patrick's during the week and was the best Links course I have played in years. Amazing to build a Links at all in this day and age- and then to add the fact Tom Doak has done it, adds to the intrigue of it all.

You can certainly recognize a sort of Carne and a Scottish / Irish style - but the broken waste edges are fairly usual and you see them more in desert type courses.

I will add - that perhaps with Irish wind speeds this course may have difficulty bedding in - but I guess these guys know what they are doing.

The course is definitely still too young - and will take many years to settle in. The views are like nothing I have seen in Ireland.

If I was to make a single criticism - some of the green complexes are far too extreme. makes some pins a bit pointless. But I guess all that will take time to work out.

Will be back for years to come.

slave1 · 13-05-2022 10:10pm

It’s getting great reviews alright, it was originally 36 holes and the fairways were cut throughout the years it was closed so as long as the current 18 uses mostly “old” fairways the bedding in time should be short. Greens were also cut but not to playable level so I’d imagine they will take longer, just look how long new 9 in Carne and relaid Doonbeg took

Hoboo · 14-05-2022 8:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119045569#Comment_119045569

Which part of the clubhouse could they not enter, the guest section above the pro shop or the private members building next door to the pro shop? If it was the members section, yes, you’ll be given short thrift if you don’t sound like a a flautist. Americans however are guided to the guest area.

No problems using the guest section over the pro shop. Although one of the group walked into the members section and asked for the toilets, was told to go to Mourne golf club, and not directed next door.

I’ve been to Newcastle/RCD 5 times now and tbh I think I’ve had my fill of the mixed welcome, Mourne GC members were all lovely, chalk and cheese.

The members I’ve encountered in RCD say no, lovely course but the people are rude ****.

14-05-2022 4:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119059634#Comment_119059634

If you have a Southern accent then that might determine the reaction you get ;-)

slave1 · 14-05-2022 8:03pm

Mod comment

Take it easy here now Ted

DuckSlice · 16-05-2022 9:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119059634#Comment_119059634

They couldn't go in for food was their main issue I think.

I will be going back to play at some point but I wont be very polite myself to anyone after the member incident I experienced last year, and will be spending no money in the proshop. Its a shame there is a lot of mixed reviews about the members/welcome visitors get as its one of the finest courses in Ireland.

SEORG · 16-05-2022 12:27pm

We played on Friday and went into the pro-shop afterward.

Asked about the availability of food but were then asked if we were playing in the Mourne open week. When we confirmed we were we were told that food is available over in the Mourne GC clubhouse. We decided not to buy anything in the pro shop.

I'm not sure if they have an agreement with Mourne for the week that they send the golfer over there for food etc so they benefit from the revenue but I doubt that's the case.

Customer service is not a strong point there

thewobbler · 16-05-2022 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119070052#Comment_119070052

Surely it would be the case?

it’s Mourne’s open week. Their cash cow. They’re the club that, in response to demand, must upscale staffing and supplies for the week.

and similarly, with their course rented out for the week, it’s an opportunity for RCD to pare back and relax for a few days.

I’ve little doubt that this kind of thing could be handled with more courtesy, and a simple explanation for Mourne’s visitors. But TBH if Mourne didn’t explain this to you on check-in, then it’s more on Mourne than RCD imho.

Or if was explained to you, then it’s on neither!

willabur · 16-05-2022 12:47pm

sounds like what most people who are not into golf think what most of golf is like. I hate that crap, fair enough if there is a reserved space for members but its no excuse to treat visitors like that. Vast majority of clubs I have been too roll out the red carpet for visitors

DuckSlice · 16-05-2022 1:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119070135#Comment_119070135

Same as. Have played a lot of the top links in the country and this the only one we had a sour experience with, Portrush club members were so friendly compared to RCD. One of them got chatting to us and brought us out in Portstewart the following day.

SEORG · 16-05-2022 2:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119070108#Comment_119070108

I'm not sure the last part of your comment was necessary there. It wasn't explained, if it was the case then that's fine and I have no issue with that whatsoever. We had lunch in Mourne afterward.

The issue we had was with the change of attitude once we confirmed we played in the Mourne open event and the manner in which it was communicated to us. The not-so-subtle 'you're not welcome here' was unwarranted, a bit of courtesy goes a long way in my book. RCD had guests playing on the day, we spotted a few groups with caddies out there so the place wasn't closed.

We received a very pleasant welcome when checking in and had a great chat with one of the officers of the club while having our meal. He was our starter that morning. We told him the story, and he told us a few experiences of others that I won't repeat here but there was a pattern.

ArdLix11 · 16-05-2022 5:35pm

Played the old course in Ballybunion over the weekend and the greens were poor in my opinion. Very slow and patchy. A bit of pot luck for putts to hold their line. Played it about a dozen times since they've redone the greens and they're always not great. Nowhere near as good as Waterville or Tralee which is in the same bracket. The new course have far better greens even though they're smaller. A friend of mine is a member there and he gives out about them too. I wouldn't be too impressed if I was coming from overseas paying €250.

blue note · 16-05-2022 6:10pm

How much did you pay to play it? I thought that was a course where they don't differentiate between Irish and American.

ArdLix11 · 16-05-2022 6:59pm

Friend is a member. Think they pay about €50 to bring out a guest.

Deporhostia · 16-05-2022 9:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119071578#Comment_119071578

I played Ballybunion Old in the Intermediate Scratch 8 days ago. The greens were slow but they rolled as true as any I’ve ever played. And I’ve played plenty of very good courses.

PARlance · 16-05-2022 9:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119071716#Comment_119071716

If someone is playing Ballybunion at the weekend then they're no yank iirc. I'm almost certain that weekends and public holidays are reserved for members / members guests, which is great for the members... And their occasional guests 😀

Beaulieu · 17-05-2022 10:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119072558#Comment_119072558

Ditto! Slow greens but pure as the driven snow. Love Ballybee so I does.

fungie · 18-05-2022 11:32am

I'm playing both Tralee and ballybunion this weekend. I preferred Tralee but it's like a choice between fine wines. I'm happy either way.

DuckSlice · 18-05-2022 11:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119079799#Comment_119079799

What is the green fee if you don't mind me asking?

I contacted Lahinch about a booking, they are fully booked out for the year, and had no interest in entertaining me in 2023 either once I mentioned if there was a Golf Ireland rate.

willabur · 18-05-2022 12:11pm

I think some people equate speed to quality. The greens in BB have always ran thru for me. A couple of years ago there was a day when they were not in good shape but for the most part they were a joy to putt on.

Last sept when I was looking to book into Tralee and BB they were looking for 240. I guess the price has gone up this year. I know they have doubled the green fee for the cashen to 140.

dan_ep82 · 18-05-2022 12:24pm

Always found links greens to be slower than a good parkland, I presume its so on a windy day the ball stays on the green.

Luckycharm · 18-05-2022 12:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119070640#Comment_119070640

I played RCD for first time about a week and half ago, We got the GUI rate £90 normal green fee £290. Have to say it was a great day we got there about 2 hours before tee time. Weather was awful, they were loads of Yanks there playing full whack plus having caddies. Had a bit of food and coffee up in the bar, alot of the yanks were coming into the bar after 9 drowned and still wearing their golf shoes for a drink. Was surprised they were allowed wear them in the bar,

Anyway weather luckily cleared up, they didn't make us take a fore caddie even though none of us had played there before. I have to say I loved the course, it is very long. Never hit so many woods long irons after good drives. Must be 5/6 blind drives. Didn't think there were any weak holes and now my favourite links. Newcastle itself I thought was a really nice town in comparison to Portrush which we stayed in the night before.

Played Portstewart the day before, again great experience, thought the front 9 was class with the high dunes. The back 9 was weaker but still a great course. Now I just need to get out on Portrush!!

slave1 · 18-05-2022 2:16pm

Playing Kilkee tomorrow, but am I playing a Links course? Looks that way to me

DuckSlice · 18-05-2022 3:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119080654#Comment_119080654

Didnt even know there was a course there, not sure its links as its built on top of rock, Links has to be sand based?

fungie · 18-05-2022 8:32pm

I think about 50 euro each, that might include lunch too.

redhill · 18-05-2022 8:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119081078#Comment_119081078

When I was a lot younger I read that the actual definition of a links course was that it was within a mile of the sea/coast

PARlance · 18-05-2022 11:30pm

linksland

/ˈlɪŋksland/

nounSCOTTISH

noun: linksland

level or undulating sandy ground covered by coarse grass and near the sea.

thewobbler · 19-05-2022 7:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119082532#Comment_119082532

it’s almost entirely about the turf.

which is hard to explain until you play seaside courses that aren’t links (Greenore, Ardglass).

rickis tache · 19-05-2022 8:32am

Galway bay is as close to the sea as you can get and most definitely is not links.

blue note · 19-05-2022 8:34am

Waterford has a couple of courses on the sea that are simply parklands. I've hit balls into the sea on Goldcoast, but you'd never confuse it with a links.

The Links Thread

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