Doonbeg on a Fresh Morning

[Padraig Dooley]

I was in Doonbeg at the weekend. They have some great deals at the moment.
We got some great golfing weather as well, a club breeze on saturday and avoided the rain,
a two to three club wind on sunday and only one small shower.
Fairways are in great condition, no need for preferred lies. Greens were let grow for the winter for a bit of protection,
they lost a few greens last winter, so were very slow, but I enjoyed giving the putts a wack!!!

1st





4th



5th from fairway, note the waves!



5th approach




Clubhouse view from the 6th tee



6th



6th green from behind



7th



9th



12th with the bunker in the green, my least favourite feature on the course



14th out of play at the moment, there's a nice short par 3 beyond the 17th green that's in play instead





15th



16th



18th

[Bill_McBride]

i give up, why don't we hear more about Doonbeg?  That is absolutely spectacular.  I love the greens under the big dunes (#1 and #15, #16) and the seaside greens......WOW.   

Thanks for the photos, Padraig, now I need to persuade the Buda committee to consider a match in Ireland!

[Joe Hancock]

Wow, thanks for a much needed uplift.

Watch this thread fall down the page as we Americans continue to piss and moan about out poor circumstances and "woe is me" attitudes......

Not if I can help it! 

Joe

[Tim_Weiman]

Bill,

My recollection is that we did discuss Doonbeg a fair amount around the time the course opened. Personally, I never believed all the hype, especially the suggestion that the British army would have preferred Doonbeg to Lahinch. Having seen Doonbeg before anything was moved, I just never felt the property was that great, certainly not the class of Lahinch.

Then, too, I was never thrilled when the course first opened. It seemed to me Norman & Co were trying to build certain features/holes, etc., like something that would challenge Norman himself, rather than a more Mackenzie like philosophy of the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of players.

My Irish friends tell me I'm too critical of Doonbeg, but I'd still prefer Lahinch nine times out of ten.

[jeffwarne]

Bill,

My recollection is that we did discuss Doonbeg a fair amount around the time the course opened. Personally, I never believed all the hype, especially the suggestion that the British army would have preferred Doonbeg to Lahinch. Having seen Doonbeg before anything was moved, I just never felt the property was that great, certainly not the class of Lahinch.

Then, too, I was never thrilled when the course first opened. It seemed to me Norman & Co were trying to build certain features/holes, etc., like something that would challenge Norman himself, rather than a more Mackenzie like philosophy of the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of players.

My Irish friends tell me I'm too critical of Doonbeg, but I'd still prefer Lahinch nine times out of ten.

Bump for Joe

Therein lies the criticisms of Doonbeg.
It's proximity to Lahinch and the inevitable comparisons.
It's architect whose done some mediocre work elsewhere.(not so at Doonbeg)
It's price tag to play.(no doubt a result of its' price tag to build
the hype

I think it's a really good course, but you don't feel like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem.
I much prefer a more local/laid back feel and will travel out of my way to see it .(Lahinch 15 years ago)

[Sean Leary]

Bill,

My recollection is that we did discuss Doonbeg a fair amount around the time the course opened. Personally, I never believed all the hype, especially the suggestion that the British army would have preferred Doonbeg to Lahinch. Having seen Doonbeg before anything was moved, I just never felt the property was that great, certainly not the class of Lahinch.

Then, too, I was never thrilled when the course first opened. It seemed to me Norman & Co were trying to build certain features/holes, etc., like something that would challenge Norman himself, rather than a more Mackenzie like philosophy of the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of players.

My Irish friends tell me I'm too critical of Doonbeg, but I'd still prefer Lahinch nine times out of ten.

Tim,

I believe it has been softened a bit in terms of difficulty.

I would like to know how it compares to Tralee, since it seems like that would be a more natural comparison...

[Craig Van Egmond]

Did Norman and Company do the softening? Or did they bring in somebody else?  Any ideas on how many holes where changed?

The pictures look great. I'd rather be there now.

[Padraig Dooley]

Did Norman and Company do the softening? Or did they bring in somebody else?  Any ideas on how many holes where changed?

The pictures look great. I'd rather be there now.

I don't believe Norman was involved with the changes,
when the head pro met him not so long ago he asked him were they still
f****** with his course back in Ireland.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Did Norman and Company do the softening? Or did they bring in somebody else?  Any ideas on how many holes where changed?

The pictures look great. I'd rather be there now.

I don't believe Norman was involved with the changes,
when the head pro met him not so long ago he asked him were they still
f****** with his course back in Ireland.

Yikes!!

[J_ Crisham]

Bill,

My recollection is that we did discuss Doonbeg a fair amount around the time the course opened. Personally, I never believed all the hype, especially the suggestion that the British army would have preferred Doonbeg to Lahinch. Having seen Doonbeg before anything was moved, I just never felt the property was that great, certainly not the class of Lahinch.

Then, too, I was never thrilled when the course first opened. It seemed to me Norman & Co were trying to build certain features/holes, etc., like something that would challenge Norman himself, rather than a more Mackenzie like philosophy of the greatest pleasure for the greatest number of players.

My Irish friends tell me I'm too critical of Doonbeg, but I'd still prefer Lahinch nine times out of ten.

Tim,

I believe it has been softened a bit in terms of difficulty.

I would like to know how it compares to Tralee, since it seems like that would be a more natural comparison...

Sean,  Tralee is a contrast of nines. The front nine is flattish and the backnine is veryundulating. The 11th at Tralee is as uphill a par 5 as there is anywhere. Tralee is an easier course than Doonbeg. If one were to play Doonbeg back with some wind ,high numbers are inevitable. Doonbeg is a hell of a course. Tralee is good but has some quirky holes such as 11,12, and 17.   Jack

[Rob Rigg]

Paddy,

Brilliant pics - the rough literally looks like it is growing hair - Norman's flowing locks of yester-year?

What are your thoughts on the bunkering? Seems like with the rustic environment they may have looked more aesthetically pleasing (and natural) if they had been softened and left a bit more rugged?

[Scott Warren]

I was tossing up if a drive to the west coast was worth the effort when I do my Ireland/Northern Ireland trip.

The answer appears to be yes!

[Sean_A]

Padraig

Thanks for the pix.  Doonbeg is one of those courses I don't give much thought to because its so expensive.  Also, like Jeff says its close to Lahinch and already know that is a winner if I can only splash for one course.  The big criticism I have heard is that the course is just too difficult with a breeze about - not enough space to cope with the dreaded double 20 (20mph and 20 handicap).  What say you?

Ciao

[Padraig Dooley]

Padraig

Thanks for the pix.  Doonbeg is one of those courses I don't give much thought to because its so expensive.  Also, like Jeff says its close to Lahinch and already know that is a winner if I can only splash for one course.  The big criticism I have heard is that the course is just too difficult with a breeze about - not enough space to cope with the dreaded double 20 (20mph and 20 handicap).  What say you?

Ciao

Sean, currently Doonbeg have an offer running until the end of march for groups of 8,
246 euro gets you two nights accommodation, breakfast, an evening meal and two rounds of golf.
It's not expensive all the time!

As for difficulty, it's not overly narrow. It's widened since it opened and rough has been cut back.

[Padraig Dooley]

Paddy,

Brilliant pics - the rough literally looks like it is growing hair - Norman's flowing locks of yester-year?

What are your thoughts on the bunkering? Seems like with the rustic environment they may have looked more aesthetically pleasing (and natural) if they had been softened and left a bit more rugged?

Rob the bunkers are mainly of the pot variety and fit my eye very well. They have one or two more rugged ones, particularly the one in the middle of the 8th fairway.
I didn't take a picture of it, which was a pity because it's positoned exceptionally well.

[Mike Sweeney]

Never played it but other than one or two tight/awkward shots, it looks great. Would this course not be an easy Top 5 course on Long Island?

[Alister Matheson]

The course looks superb from the pictures you have put on here Padraig . 

I was wondering if they have hosted any top Irish Amateur events and if so what was the scoring  like ?

[Padraig Dooley]

Ally

It had The Palmer Cup, US universities v European universities back in 02 but no big events since.

[Michael Whitaker]

Padraig

Thanks for the pix.  Doonbeg is one of those courses I don't give much thought to because its so expensive.  Also, like Jeff says its close to Lahinch and already know that is a winner if I can only splash for one course.  The big criticism I have heard is that the course is just too difficult with a breeze about - not enough space to cope with the dreaded double 20 (20mph and 20 handicap).  What say you?

Ciao

Sean, currently Doonbeg have an offer running until the end of march for groups of 8,
246 euro gets you two nights accommodation, breakfast, an evening meal and two rounds of golf.
It's not expensive all the time!

As for difficulty, it's not overly narrow. It's widened since it opened and rough has been cut back.

Unless I am misreading their website you can book a party of four for two nights accommodations, two rounds of golf, breakfast and one dinner for 222 euros each through 30 April. This is an outstanding package!

[Sean_A]

Padraig

Thanks for the pix.  Doonbeg is one of those courses I don't give much thought to because its so expensive.  Also, like Jeff says its close to Lahinch and already know that is a winner if I can only splash for one course.  The big criticism I have heard is that the course is just too difficult with a breeze about - not enough space to cope with the dreaded double 20 (20mph and 20 handicap).  What say you?

Ciao

Sean, currently Doonbeg have an offer running until the end of march for groups of 8,
246 euro gets you two nights accommodation, breakfast, an evening meal and two rounds of golf.
It's not expensive all the time!

As for difficulty, it's not overly narrow. It's widened since it opened and rough has been cut back.

Cheers Padraig.  I don't normally get on planes to Ireland (or elsewhere in the UK) for winter golf because I'm a girlie boy when it comes to cold rain - or just rain.  I am glad to hear the course has been widened somewhat.  What do folks in Ireland generally think of the course?  It doesn't seem to get talked up in the UK much at all.

Ciao

[Andrew Mitchell]

Great photos Padraig.  Thanks for sharing.

I've heard mixed reports regarding Doonbeg, mainly on difficulty and cost, but it certainly looks worth a visit based on your photo tour.

[Shane Wright]

Padraig - yes, thanks for sharing.

I have heard from several that the conditioning of the course has been really inconsistent.  Sometimes it can be great and sometimes it has had some disease problems.  It is tough to take the risk on the green fees not knowing if you are going to be playing off dirt and not able to putt.  It is quite a bit more expensive, normally, than the close ones - Lahinch, BB, Tralee, Waterville, Dooks, etc.   But the course pictures look fantastic.  I'm pretty sure it isn't any harder than RCD or Portrush. 

[Jason Topp]

It has been five years since I played it but I recall being disappointed with the course.

I'm not sure I can defend that impression.  I thought the course looked terrific before I got there.  When there, the course seemed like it had great design ideas in a terrific setting.  Nonetheless, I found the course to be awkward but not in a good way.  If others had that same reaction I would love to hear their explanations because I do not have one. 

[Jason McNamara]

It has been five years since I played it but I recall being disappointed with the course.

I'm not sure I can defend that impression.  I thought the course looked terrific before I got there.  When there, the course seemed like it had great design ideas in a terrific setting.  Nonetheless, I found the course to be awkward but not in a good way.  If others had that same reaction I would love to hear their explanations because I do not have one. 

Just to get an idea, was that before or after the touch-ups?

[Jason Topp]

It has been five years since I played it but I recall being disappointed with the course.

I'm not sure I can defend that impression.  I thought the course looked terrific before I got there.  When there, the course seemed like it had great design ideas in a terrific setting.  Nonetheless, I found the course to be awkward but not in a good way.  If others had that same reaction I would love to hear their explanations because I do not have one. 

Just to get an idea, was that before or after the touch-ups?

I know the course had been changed some.  I do not know how much.