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archie_struthers

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #25 on: March 26, 2007, 03:29:10 PM »
 :D 8) :)

Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are fabulous, must plays if able. While up in the north I'd try to play Portstewart, which is also very cool!


Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #26 on: March 26, 2007, 03:44:35 PM »
Paul, if this is to be your only trip to Ireland then go with what you have.  You could add this or that but your list is fine.  If it is not your only trip to the Emerald Isle, I would try to cut down on the driving time and pick one or two areas to stay.  Dingle is a nice place and has easy acess to a bunch of courses.  An important part of the trip is to meet people and it helps to stay in an area.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Doug Siebert

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #27 on: March 27, 2007, 12:44:08 AM »
I'll second what the other Old Head defenders have said.  It isn't perfect, a lot of the routing by dictated by the property but it is a good challenging test with some imaginative holes.  Yes, a few seem repetitive and there is room for improvement, though maybe less now if they've changed 10 holes in the past two years -- I saw it in the summer of 2004.

If you are moved at all by spectacular sites, it is worth the price of admission to just to see the place in person, and would be even if the golf course was complete crap.  Until they open a golf course at Yosemite National Park, I think Old Head will remain the leader in the clubhouse for most spectacular site (though I admit I haven't seen Doak's work over there on the bottom of the world, just pictures, and those obviously aren't the same as being there)  But don't let that fool you, the golf course is still first rate, it would be worth playing even if it was saddled with Carnoustie's setting.

I think Tralee is underrated as well.  There are a few holes you could miss on the front nine I suppose, but the back nine is world class.  Matt Ward's right about Old Ballybunion, other than the 2nd, until you pass its lackluster par 5 4th and 5th you might wonder what all the hubbub is about.  But the 6th through 18th comprise bar none the finest 13 hole stretch in the world.  Not letup, no weak holes, just one amazing hole after another.

One parting thought.  If you miss Old Head, you miss what is IMHO the most intimidating tee shot I've ever seen, on the 12th.  Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff several hundred feet above the sea, with howling wind, facing a tee shot that cuts over the chasm, aiming at a cliff face on the other side, at a blind angled fairway that sits above the level the tee is on.  PB's 18th is a wide open muni by comparison.  The only thing that would make it tougher would be to have seabirds dive bombing you while you take your stance.  I don't think they'd have the guts to design a hole with that tee shot if we still played with balata and persimmon.
My hovercraft is full of eels.

Jack_Marr

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #28 on: March 27, 2007, 02:43:13 AM »
I think even those who don't like the architecture in Old Head probably had a blast when they played there. It's an amazing place and well worth visiting.

It's a bit far away from the rest of the courses you've got on your list, but Enniscrone is, for me, in the top five courses in the country.
John Marr(inan)

Paul Stephenson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #29 on: March 27, 2007, 08:20:47 AM »
Great pictures!

I was thinking of a Scotland trip, but I may have just changed my mind.

PThomas

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #30 on: March 27, 2007, 09:53:19 AM »
you guys are awesome!!!!!!!!!

thanks for all your advice...and if you have any more pls share!

199 played, only Augusta National left to play!

Aidan Bradley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #31 on: March 27, 2007, 12:17:00 PM »
"i love the picture of the 4th at old head do you have any others of the course?"

Don, all told I have spent a week at the Old Head and have a 52 images from same which may be viewed at "golfcoursephotography.com".

Doug, below are my images of #12 which you spoke about.








David Jones

Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #32 on: March 27, 2007, 06:32:38 PM »
Most of the courses I would suggest have been mentioned, so I thought I could share a (true) story with you...

Up at County Sligo as a kid with my Dad and Bro on holiday, we left our camp site and headed to the course with about 1 1/4hrs of light left just to have a look. Sitting up by the first tee was this old man, looked about 70, taking a nap. We got to talking, and mentioned we were 5 h/c's from Carnoustie, etc, etc, and were duly challenged to a match over as many holes as we could play before dark (for free.... or so we thought!).

Incredibly, this old guy hobbled to the clubhouse and came back with 5 clubs in a flimsy bag, and proceeded to destroy my brother and I over 8 holes.

We parted over "No hard feelings," and a pint of guiness, having been well and truly hustled. Such experiences can really make a trip special.

Robert Thompson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Ireland's best
« Reply #33 on: March 27, 2007, 07:18:57 PM »
I actually found Baltray's architecture (and the course in general) to be a little pedestrian. For what it is worth, the European Club may be damned hard in spots, but it is majestic in others, has a great number of terrific holes, and is a testament to one man's vision, something we rarely find these days.
Terrorizing Toronto Since 1997

Read me at Canadiangolfer.com