The Links Thread

In fairness that Is good value.....versus the pure blind robberygoing on...

Rush 9 hole Course

Been out injured for a while - so was trying to pick a gentle course to kick off my first round in a while. I have been out to Rush a few times and got a great deal on Golf Now - deals like this are soon to be gone it would seem. Shorter Links courses have grown on me with age. Perhaps there is an unfortunate realty in that - that shorter courses are more enjoyable as you lose a bit of swing speed. But - it is a reminder that golf was a very different game , there was something far more sensible about it. You - fit the course in a small space - you park at the first - you eat at the first - you play a course on a tight piece of land and you can literally run around it in 90 mins for 9.

Don't get me wrong - I love the big ones - but if we are all honest , they are a long slog , unbelievably difficult , and you rarely score on them. If I think of say the 20 rounds I had on top links courses last year - I probably broke 80 - 3 or 4 times. And to do that - I would be playing out of my skin.

It is something we don't talk about here too much - but might be worth asking - do people find the top links courses way too hard ? Is that part of the joy ? does it take away from it for you ? To mention a few the European , Portrush , Tralee, Enniscrone , Rosses, Anything in Donegal - they are all very hard ? Add wind - and you can be at nothing.

Anyway - I found it very interesting to play a course , that makes senses in many ways. Yes, technology , the ball , has likely surpassed this type of course. But it makes the game an utterly more sensible game for amateurs. On the first and second I noticed a bit of course work - I was told the course is at serious risk of coastal erosion. It is kind of sad - as the damage is right up to the course now. But work is taking place to alter the holes a bit. First hole Driver - wedge and a putt - bird to kick back to golf, great start. I was playing off mats - a thing I never really do - and this partially explained the cheap price. I don't really know how to play off mats - but I was wondering does it make golf easier for a digger like me. It kinda controls your ball contact. And avoids a fat one.

The 1st and second holes are stunning little holes - that would not be out of place on any Links - imbedded in the sand dunes and a real chaotic topology. The 3rd is a funny hole - and it suffers from excessive OB posts - but they needed to fit a par 5 in somehow. The 4th is a great par 4 dog leg right - with a brilliant elevated green. The 5th an open you shoulders par 4 - and the 6th is superb challenging long par 3. The next notable hole is the par 3 - 8th - a wonderful elevated tee box looking down to a dangerous tired green - with bunker protecting. The 9 th would be a great hole - but it is a bit too tight and short sadly.

Even if it was on easy side - I was delighted to be back playing golf - was 2 over for the 9 - and could have been lower. If someone was looking for a course to hit level or lower, it would be a great place to do it.

Had a good chat with the pro Dearbhla Behan - she told me about the course, the work and the general club atmosphere. The greens were as good as I have seen this time of year. It was a great day , and it gave me an insight into what golf was - and to be honest , what golf could be if we didn't have such a macho attitude to course length and tee selection etc.

What a day for golf - and after being out for a while - a bit frustrated . I was so appreciative to be back , able to play to a good standard. Sometimes you need a little break - to see how good this game is and the feeling it can give you, when it gives to you.

Like meals out and accommodation - many Links course in Ireland , have lost all sight of reality.

Will be interesting how you get on.