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PCCraig

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Ireland in late January?
« on: August 02, 2016, 12:15:01 PM »
My wife is planning on being in Dublin for a week in late January for work and I am considering tagging along for part of it.

Would I be crazy to bring my clubs in the middle of winter? From my quick research, there only seems to be ~9 hours of daylight and the average high temp is 40*.

The cold temps wont bother me as I'll be in the middle of another Minnesota winter, but will the courses be in decent condition? Or will they be soggy and requiring me to hit off mats in the fairways?

Would I be even crazier to consider doing a day trip to County Down that time of year?

Or should I just leave the clubs at home and enjoy Dublin?
« Last Edit: August 02, 2016, 12:16:49 PM by P C r a i g »
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Charles Lund

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Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2016, 12:22:10 PM »
If you are on a flight where you can bring clubs at low cost, there is little downside.

There are links courses which have the potential to be quite playable due to natural drainage.  I'd avoid the parkland courses due to drainage issues.

Charles Lund
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PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2016, 12:27:00 PM »
Quote from: Charles Lund on August 02, 2016, 12:22:10 PM
If you are on a flight where you can bring clubs at low cost, there is little downside.

There are links courses which have the potential to be quite playable due to natural drainage.  I'd avoid the parkland courses due to drainage issues.

Charles Lund


Yeah, I wouldn't lug my clubs over there to play a parkland. If anything I would just try to play a round or two on one of the links courses east of Dublin.
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Thomas Dai

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Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2016, 12:57:16 PM »
Plan on playing and do some web research of likely courses before you go.

If you go and don't try to play there's a pretty good chance you'll come home annoyed and wishing you had taken the opportunity.......


..........and links courses often play best outwith the usual main season.

Atb
« Last Edit: August 02, 2016, 01:55:12 PM by Thomas Dai »
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Ally Mcintosh

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Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2016, 01:25:53 PM »
Links golf is better on a clear winter day than it is in the summer. I often play more at that time of year.
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Hunter Rigsby

Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2016, 01:52:56 PM »
I agree with Ally.  Some of my best days out were in the winter months.  Stick to links and you'll be grand. 


A day trip up to RCD is certainly doable.  I made it an overnight in mid-February but that was because I was working around public transportation schedules. 


Personal favorites within an hour (loosely) of Dublin would be European, RCD, Portmarnock, and The Island.  I think most would have those as their top 4, but I'm sure the order would vary greatly.
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Mark Pearce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2016, 02:47:45 PM »
A sunny, cold day in January on a links can be about as good as golf can be.  Bring the clubs and see what the weather's like.
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Sam Krume

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2016, 04:47:13 PM »
I would definitely bring your bats. As people have mentioned there is nothing like a round on a links in mid winter. You take it as you get it. The craziest weather I ever experienced was at the Island mid February. Started with blue skies, got to the 8th and got hit by a blizzard, followed the locals in, 15 minutes later, back out with all clear with blue skies again.....I would also chuck in a round at portmarnock hotel & links(a good cheaper filler).
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Jeff Bergeron

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Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2016, 07:10:32 PM »
I remember playing the Island Club in January when I went over for the Five Countries Rugby tournament. Wonderful! I would highly recommend it.
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hhuffines

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2016, 07:31:26 PM »
It rarely gets a mention here, but Corbalis is very close to the Island and I really enjoyed front 9 there.
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John Cowden

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2016, 11:34:26 PM »
This thread is tremendously inspiring.  I can't wait until January!
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Jeff Johnston

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2016, 04:23:25 AM »
With a week of daylight (even in late Jan) to yourself, you'd be crazy not to bring the sticks (provided you stick to links).

On the carpe diem principle I'd suggest you do try and squeeze in a trip to RCD. Journey up the night before, stay in the Slieve Donard, out early in the morning then see if you fancy another 18 pm or a swing round the sporty Annesley Course. The big course is GBP 70 for 18 at that time so it would be rude not to really. You could also take in Baltray on the trip up or back.

And as others have said, with Portmarnock / Portmarnock Hotel/ The Island / Royal Dublin / St Annes etc all close by, you'd have no shortage of options in / around Dublin itself.
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Tommy Williamsen

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Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2016, 08:00:22 AM »
The Dublin side of Ireland is the warmer and sunnier side of the island. I have played in at the European Club and stayed warm and dry.
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PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ireland in late January?
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2016, 01:18:25 PM »
Thanks, guys. It's still pretty early in the process, but it sounds like a decent idea to bring my clubs with.


Are there any GCAers living in the Dublin area?
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