18 crackers in Donegal

[jeffwarne]

https://greengolftravel.com/best-18/

https://greengolftravel.com/best-18
Interesting the link above has seven of the holes I chose and a few others named/nominated


Even one from Otway(very cool tee)-but hard to beat 9 at Narin and Portnoo
Clearly I need to get back to Gweedore-that new routing looks crazy-used to be 9 but now it's 18-sort've-a few repeats

I also gotta play Bundoran-driven by several times years ago but haven't been south of Donegal town for the last few trips

[Garland Bayley]

https://greengolftravel.com/best-18

...

[Thomas Dai]

https://greengolftravel.com/best-18
...

Unconvinced how seriously to take an article that includes the 7th on the Glashedy.
atb

[Sean_A]

Hmmm, I question the selection of Portsalon 17 over N&P.  What is so special about Portsalon?  I think the hole is very mediocre and not even the best long hole on the course. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3hlP5kOFS0?autoplay=1

Ciao

[jeffwarne]

Hmmm, I question the selection of Portsalon 17 over N&P.  What is so special about Portsalon?  I think the hole is very mediocre and not even the best long hole on the course. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3hlP5kOFS0?autoplay=1

Ciao

edit:
Sean I just clicked your link-ended up going right to Orbitz to check airfares..


Mediocre? wow.Where can I find 18 holes of mediocrity like that?
Disregard what I typed below and judge for yourself from Sean's link.
Golf porn. (note on the right is the 2nd hole-I hit it in the creek on 17 from 2 tee (about 150 yards offline)last time I was there in a 45mph crosswind-the same day Garland played)
There's a better par 5 at Portsalon? 8? I like the green and approach yes--#11 is dull, and I've heard you criticize the opening beach stretch as too tight where #4 lies.


Note: I've posted pics of Greencastles 12th on my initial post page 1-(that don't do it justice)


I initially took 17 Portsalon because Portnoo already had 2 on the list (and at the time we were following the rules
17 Portsalon is a hole with a split fairway where if you are going for it in two you have to hug the left side protected by a creek, or you can sling it along where the fairway splits for clever speed shot propulsion. Playing down the higher, larger right side is way safer-with ultimate width, but if you go too far right you are blind from down in 2 fairway. but for those that do go high right or 2 fairway you are greeted with a spectacular view over the second fairway and bay overlooking the crescent shaped beach, especially when the sun is setting, which its bound to be if you been smart and played 36.
As one approaches the green set high at the top of the rise,with a subtle fall off on the left, the same view is revealed.


But given that produces a 5-5 finish, I'd rather go with 17 at Dunfanaghy-a doozy of an angled safe area/green with spectacular proximity and view down to Dunfanaghy Bay and beach-played into a strong prevailing wind


If a max of 2 courses allowed, I'll go with 17 at Portnoo-although it was much more charming when it split by a gate to keep the livestock in/out.

[Thomas Dai]

I’m with Jeff in thinking the 17th at Portsalon is a really, really good hole. A better hole than the 17th at N&P I would suggest and the 17th at Dunfanaghy is a cracker. And the 12th at Greencastle, jeez, I want to play this hole!


By all means let’s change the two holes per course rules. So,........

What are the 4 best par-3’s in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-5’s in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-4’s under 350 yds in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-4’s in Donegal 350 yds and above in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

Atb

[jeffwarne]

Par 3? Best? How about variety?

9 at Dunfanaghy 131 yards-hit 3 iron there last time played-and I hit it low (pro I played with hit driver -just over)
16 at Northwest -93 yards
7 Narin and Portnoo -150 yards
17 Dunfanaghy-200 yardsish usually into howling wind
6 at Cruit 160 yardish-alternate tees-one high -one low


HM mention:
 3 at Buncran 240 yards to awesome green angled between dunes-not sure if par 4 or 3
15 Portsalon uphill to semipunchbowlish green
7 at Northwest 136 yards to tiny elevated knob shedding green-(had an ace there so somehat biased)

[Thomas Dai]

Fair enough point, and I was thinking sub-divisions to slice up the par-4’s, so I suggest simply specify the tee. Let’s face it, you could be naughty and on a 9-hole course include the same hole twice in 18-holes!
Atb

[Charles Lund]

Quote


"Unconvinced how seriously to take an article that includes the 7th on the Glashedy."
atb

The tee box  on number 7 at Glashedy is a good place to take a photo.  I think of the other two par threes on the course as better par threes.  The CG referred to the hole as "a total turn" off but described the hole as having a pond on the left, rather than the right.


Charles Lund

[Garland Bayley]

Hmmm, I question the selection of Portsalon 17 over N&P.  What is so special about Portsalon?  I think the hole is very mediocre and not even the best long hole on the course. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3hlP5kOFS0?autoplay=1

Ciao

The list was created from the original limit of two per course nominations. Portsalon had more nominations than N&P. Undoubtedly this is in part to people being limited after choosing 5, 8, or 9 at N&P.

That being said, I personally prefer Portsalon to N&P. I think Jeff explained it well.

[Garland Bayley]

https://greengolftravel.com/best-18
...

Unconvinced how seriously to take an article that includes the 7th on the Glashedy.
atb

What was interesting was how the magazine hacks managed to get 6 reasonably right.

[jeffwarne]

Quote


"Unconvinced how seriously to take an article that includes the 7th on the Glashedy."
atb

The tee box  on number 7 at Glashedy is a good place to take a photo.  I think of the other two par threes on the course as better par threes.  The CG referred to the hole as "a total turn" off but described the hole as having a pond on the left, rather than the right.


Charles Lund

Charles,
I thought that hole was a nice change of pace.certainly memorable and you're coming from a green at that level (not climbing up to the tee)
I'm always amazed when people have a precoceived notion of what a links course can and can't have-and have rules that ultimately lead to homogoniazation.
That said there aren't may to match 7 at Portnoo


I like Ballyliffin a lot-many very good or even great holes. It just suffers in my memory because of the way the nines all return and the courses cross a bit making it hard for me to remember even though I've been there three times.

[Charles Lund]

Actually, people write positively about #16 at Carne, a par three with severe elevation changes.  If it weren't for the pond on #7 at Glashedy, I wonder if it might be viewed differently.  Neverthless, it is a transition hole that quickly gets players from high in the dunelands back down on the flat.  I personally like the other par threes better.  All three of the par threes are downhill.  The back nine of Glashedy is fairly brutal and there are no real breaks between number 11 and 17, other than the short downhill par three, number 14.


The Old Links has two par threes which I like (#5 and #17).  The 7th and 12th don't do much for me.


Never thought of this before but probably the par threes are a shortcoming of the complex at Ballyliffin.


Charles Lund

[Thomas Dai]

The 7th tee on the Glashedy is indeed a splendid place to take a photo, which is probably why it’s the hole it is and one reason for the routing in that area of the property. Courses need publicity. There are a couple of holes on the Sandy Hills course at Rosapenna that also come to mind in this respect.
As to the 7th at N&P, that’s a fine hole. A hole a player could easily rack up a big score on. Great views to the right side and rear of the green as well.
Carne, in County Mayo, is somewhere l’m a big fan of, all 27-holes of it. The par-3 16th on the original Carne course is however, one of only two holes on the course I’m not keen on (the 7th being the other). But like the 7th on the Glashedy, it’s the hole in most of the photos. I guess drop-shot par-3’s photograph well.
Atb

[Garland Bayley]

I’m with Jeff in thinking the 17th at Portsalon is a really, really good hole. A better hole than the 17th at N&P I would suggest and the 17th at Dunfanaghy is a cracker. And the 12th at Greencastle, jeez, I want to play this hole!


By all means let’s change the two holes per course rules. So,........

What are the 4 best par-3’s in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-5’s in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-4’s under 350 yds in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

What are the 4 best par-4’s in Donegal 350 yds and above in Donegal?
1
2
3
4

Atb

How about 3 best par 3s, 3 best par 3.5s, 3 best short par 4s, 3 best long par 4s, 3 best par 4.5s, and 3 best par 5s.

[Sean_A]

Hmmm, I question the selection of Portsalon 17 over N&P.  What is so special about Portsalon?  I think the hole is very mediocre and not even the best long hole on the course. 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3hlP5kOFS0?autoplay=1

Ciao

edit:
Sean I just clicked your link-ended up going right to Orbitz to check airfares..


Mediocre? wow.Where can I find 18 holes of mediocrity like that?
Disregard what I typed below and judge for yourself from Sean's link.
Golf porn. (note on the right is the 2nd hole-I hit it in the creek on 17 from 2 tee (about 150 yards offline)last time I was there in a 45mph crosswind-the same day Garland played)
There's a better par 5 at Portsalon? 8? I like the green and approach yes--#11 is dull, and I've heard you criticize the opening beach stretch as too tight where #4 lies.


Note: I've posted pics of Greencastles 12th on my initial post page 1-(that don't do it justice)


I initially took 17 Portsalon because Portnoo already had 2 on the list (and at the time we were following the rules
17 Portsalon is a hole with a split fairway where if you are going for it in two you have to hug the left side protected by a creek, or you can sling it along where the fairway splits for clever speed shot propulsion. Playing down the higher, larger right side is way safer-with ultimate width, but if you go too far right you are blind from down in 2 fairway. but for those that do go high right or 2 fairway you are greeted with a spectacular view over the second fairway and bay overlooking the crescent shaped beach, especially when the sun is setting, which its bound to be if you been smart and played 36.
As one approaches the green set high at the top of the rise,with a subtle fall off on the left, the same view is revealed.


But given that produces a 5-5 finish, I'd rather go with 17 at Dunfanaghy-a doozy of an angled safe area/green with spectacular proximity and view down to Dunfanaghy Bay and beach-played into a strong prevailing wind


If a max of 2 courses allowed, I'll go with 17 at Portnoo-although it was much more charming when it split by a gate to keep the livestock in/out.

Jeff

Yes, no...I am taking N&P 17 over Portsalon's all day long everyday, no matter the restictions.  The all-star terrain and fall-away green is a great combo which makes it one N&P's best holes.  I found P'salon's finish tedious...though not as tedious as OTM's 18th.  That is another par 5 which does nada for me.  You are mostly on about golf porn...P'salon is one huge golf porn site so picking one hole for this citation isn't going to do it for me.   

Par 3...I like

P'salon 10 & 15

OTM 2, 7, 14, 17...really good set of 3s! 

N&P 7

Ciao

[jeffwarne]

Jeff

  You are mostly on about golf porn...P'salon is one huge golf porn site so picking one hole for this citation isn't going to do it for me.   


Par 3...I like


P'salon 10 & 15


OTM 2, 7, 14, 17...really good set of 3s! 


N&P 7


Ciao



I do have a weakness for Portsalon. It kills me that they may have changed #1 green -so unique-part of why I love Portsalon is the incredible variety between holes and terrain.
Golf porn is right.
17 has fantastic terrain Love the sligshot draw off the hillly right side.
I don;t love 18 but it does get one back to the nearby house nice and enjoys a great view.
In fact many of the holes i like are hated by many-I like the 13th the way it's on the edge of the links bordering on being parkland.


hard to quibble with 17 at N&P-great hole-great terrain


I do like 15 at Portsalon and 10 is quite good too as I think of it. 5's pretty good too but would be better wth a ground option when downwind-oprn but terrain tends to carom ball offline when I tried running up.


OTM has 4 nice varied par 3's-I just get lost with all the reroutings/nine changes over the years. I assume you mean Ruddy/Doak nine to what's left of old OTM front nine.(1/2 of #2 converted to a dogleg left-#10)

[Sean_A]

Jeff

I agree about #1 P'salon, though I don't know what they did to the hole.  For my money it was the best hole on the course because it was the most natural on a course which badly suffers from the obvious hand of man in such a grand setting. The course just looks too tinkered with for my liking.

Ciao

[Ally Mcintosh]

Jeff

I agree about #1 P'salon, though I don't know what they did to the hole.  For my money it was the best hole on the course because it was the most natural on a course which badly suffers from the obvious hand of man in such a grand setting. The course just looks too tinkered with for my liking.

Ciao

I don't think they've done anything yet.


I'm trying to recall who told me about the planned works so as soon as I know, I'll let you know if this is reality or just speculation.

[Tony_Muldoon]

I’ve posted before about how Sean was in a bad mood the week of his Donegal trip. Any hope of objectivity is out the window. Despite the sun shining for 7 days straight, from The Lothians across to Donegal, he just couldn’t be cheered up.  It came down to two things
Firstly, those who haven’t met him assume that with his bright inquisitive mind, he’s a mere whippersnapper. Nothing could be further from the truth. Think about the (normal) sagacity of his views. In fact he’s as old as the Pentlands and was just plain knackered!
Secondly.  He was clearly insane with jealously for my blue shorts. It’s all he would talk about!

[jeffwarne]

Jeff

I agree about #1 P'salon, though I don't know what they did to the hole.  For my money it was the best hole on the course because it was the most natural on a course which badly suffers from the obvious hand of man in such a grand setting. The course just looks too tinkered with for my liking.

Ciao

I don't think they've done anything yet.


I'm trying to recall who told me about the planned works so as soon as I know, I'll let you know if this is reality or just speculation.

Time to send them an email!
edit-email sent

[Garland Bayley]

How about 3 best par 3s, 3 best par 3.5s, 3 best short par 4s, 3 best long par 4s, 3 best par 4.5s, and 3 best par 5s.

EDIT My selections are from courses I have played. TIDE

I found it difficult to find the half par holes, so I won't have all of them in my selection.

The yardages given are for the next to back tees. Distance designations for my game, which is also why the next to back tees are chosen.

Par 3s

16 North West 93 yards
9 Dunfanaghy 131 yards
11 Narin and Portnoo 175 yards

Par 3.5s 241-330 yards
10 Dunfanaghy 300 yards
8 Narin and Portnoo 329 yards

Short Par 4s 331-380 yards
1 Portsalon 350 yards
13 Rossapenna OTM 352 yards
7 Donegal 378 yards
16 Portsalon 380 yards

Long par 4s 381-430 yards
12 Rossapenna OTM 383 yards
9 Narin and Portnoo 388 yards
5 Narin and Portnoo 390 yards
17 Narin and Portnoo 401 yards
14 Portsalon 417 yards

Par 4.5s 431-480 yards
2 Portsalon 425 yards (doesn't make 431 minimum, but fronting stream qualifies it)

Par 5s
17 Portsalon 517 yards
10 Narin and Portnoo 519 yards
8 Donegal 545 yards

[jeffwarne]

Garland -I forgot to include 9 at Dunfanaghy on my best 3's-even thoughit made my all 18!
17 and 7 are pretty good too!
2 and 13 are bit pedestrain, but to me that's part of the allure of Dunfanaghy

[Garland Bayley]

Par 3? Best? How about variety?
...
7 at Northwest 136 yards to tiny elevated knob shedding green-(had an ace there so somehat biased)

Perhaps you had the ace at 8. An ace at 7 would have had gale force tail wind at a minimum. 😉

[Thomas Dai]

Only 3 x par-3's Garland?
Go on, add the 17th at Dunfanaghy! And what happened to the par-3 6th at Cruit, the par-3 14th at R'p/OTM the par-5 16th at Dunf' (the 6th and 8th are pretty good too) plus the wonderful looking par-4 12th at Greencastle that Jeff posted photos of.
atb