[Matt_Ward]

Tommy W:

Help me out with something -- OK, how is Doonbeg "overhyped" when you have not played it yourself. Since you have beent over backwards to plug what Pat Ruddy has done -- don't you think it might be a bit fairer to do likewise with Doonbeg and delay set commentary until you have?

In regards to The European Club -- I found it to be a fine layout but not at the same level as the old time greats such as Ballybunion / Old and Lahinch, to name just two. The course has its moments of dullness with a few of the holes and the land itself -- while glorious in spots -- is not so captivating to raise your blood pressure with excitement.

I understand what you say about Old Head but there's more first rate holes at that layout than what you find at European Club. I don't doubt the consistency of holes at European Club likely has the edge but when you throw in the scenery I'd rather opt for a return engagement with the layout there.

No doubt, all of this is nothing more than opinion and tastes.

[John Goodman]

USA - Pebble Beach, Pac Dunes or Pinehurst #2 (app 150)
Scotland - Royal Dornoch (25)
Ireland - Ballybunion (Old) (13)
Northern Ireland - Royal Co. Down (4)
England - Royal St. George's (11)
Puerto Rico - Punta Boringuen (1)
Laos - Youth Garden (1)

Matt - I thought Doonbeg awkward at spots in the routing, fairly severe (though not so much so as the Cashen Course), and perhaps a bit wanting in acceptance of the ground game in places, but also possessed of some really first rate and fun holes.  The course does not possess the knockout scenery of Old Head (what course does?), but I think the quality of golf top to bottom is better.  Overall Doonbeg does not measure up to Lahinch up the road, or Ballybunion across the Shannon, but it is certainly worth playing if you are in the west of Ireland.   

[Sean Leary]

Tommy W:

Help me out with something -- OK, how is Doonbeg "overhyped" when you have not played it yourself. Since you have beent over backwards to plug what Pat Ruddy has done -- don't you think it might be a bit fairer to do likewise with Doonbeg and delay set commentary until you have?

In regards to The European Club -- I found it to be a fine layout but not at the same level as the old time greats such as Ballybunion / Old and Lahinch, to name just two. The course has its moments of dullness with a few of the holes and the land itself -- while glorious in spots -- is not so captivating to raise your blood pressure with excitement.

I understand what you say about Old Head but there's more first rate holes at that layout than what you find at European Club. I don't doubt the consistency of holes at European Club likely has the edge but when you throw in the scenery I'd rather opt for a return engagement with the layout there.

No doubt, all of this is nothing more than opinion and tastes.

Good God. I actually agree with everything Matt says here.

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