Two Unfair Travel Questions

[Ira Fishman]

We will have time next year to play only two out of the three in Ireland;


Baltray
Rosses Point
Carne


And two out of the four in Scotland:


Cruden Bay
Royal Aberdeen
Gleneagles Kings or Queens


Thanks as always.

[Stewart Abramson]

There's not a bad course on either list. I'd choose two based on proximity/ travel convenience. Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen are both really good and  close to the one another, so  that makes a very good pair. If you do end up at Gleneagles, I'd play the Kings rather than Queens.


I'm a big fan of Baltray but if you are going to be visiting the western part of Ireland, Roses Point and Carne are where I'd play.

[Steve Salmen]

Can't speak to Ireland.


Having played each of the courses in Scotland once, I'd return to Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen.  For me, Scotland's gift is links golf.


Then again, if I ever play Brandon Trails again, it's because I can't get closer to the ocean.

[Daryl David]

Baltray and Cruden as long as the travel works.

[Tommy Williamsen]

You can't fail this test. There are three best to choose from in each country, although I'd pick links over inland.

[Adam Lawrence]

I understand why people are saying links over inland but Gleneagles is a very, very special place, something I haven't experienced anywhere else. Even the much-maligned Centenary, though not fit to polish the King's and Queen's thrones, isn't anything like as bad as it has been painted. How could it be, in such a glorious spot?

[Niall C]

Ira


From memory you are a seasoned traveller to these shores and therefore will have played a fair amount of links golf. If that's the case then I'm with Adam in recommending Gleneagles. In the last couple of years its had a bit of a makeover to take the courses back to what they were. I should say it has been a few years since I played at Gleneagles but in my numerous visits in the past I recall actually preferring the Queen's course over the King's. Haven't played the Monarch's/Centenary or whatever they are calling it now.


Niall

[Sean_A]

There's not a bad course on either list. I'd choose two based on proximity/ travel convenience. Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen are both really good and  close to the one another, so  that makes a very good pair. If you do end up at Gleneagles, I'd play the Kings rather than Queens.


I'm a big fan of Baltray but if you are going to be visiting the western part of Ireland, Roses Point and Carne are where I'd play.

I agree. Given the choices, go with ease of travel. The only thing I might suggest is consider playing King's and Queen's as an option.

Ciao

[Tim Gallant]

Even the much-maligned Centenary, though not fit to polish the King's and Queen's thrones, isn't anything like as bad as it has been painted. How could it be, in such a glorious spot?

It's the worst golf course I've played in Scotland [no hyperbole, I would rather play Carrick Knowe in Edinburgh]. What are its redeeming qualities? Note: I walked it, and didn't realise I would need a compass and walking sticks to get between holes.


In agreement with Adam though that the Kings and Queens courses are lovely, and I would take Cruden and the Kings from the courses listed in Scotland

[Tom_Doak]

In agreement with Adam though that the Kings and Queens courses are lovely, and I would take Cruden and the Kings from the courses listed in Scotland

I will second Adam and Tim here.  I had planned to stop in at Gleneagles with Brian Zager this fall to show him the King's course, but it was pouring rain when we passed the exit so we went on to Prestwick instead.  If you're traveling with a bunch of low handicappers, then maybe you'd skip it, but on a nice day there are few nicer places to be.


As to the Irish question, Rosses Point is prettier, Baltray the better golf course, but don't skip Carne.

[Ira Fishman]

Tom,


I am traveling with my wife as always so no low handicappers in the group.


All who recommended Gleneagles, very helpful—not my initial instinct because of our love of links. But we are ending up with return plays at Elie and Crail Balcomie (fingers crossed on TOC).


The Ireland choice remains a trilemma.


Thanks to all.

[Pete Lavallee]

I played the Kings course at Gleneagles twice in my honeymoon in 1986. Watching the telecast of the British Senior Open there this year I could vividly remember each and every hole. That kind of memorability is hard to come by.

[Doug Wright]

Ira, I played each of the three Irish courses in the past few weeks. Picking two of three I'd go with Carne and Rosses Point. Depending on which of the 27 holes you play, Carne can be a bit of a thrill ride (in a good way) through and around some cool dunes; Rosses Point is a really fine links course. I don't know your travel itinerary but they are reasonably close (I played Enniscrone in between Carne and Rosses Point), while Baltray is a long way away near Dublin. i like Baltray but it seems like a pretty straightforward, less linksy course than what I want to experience on a trip to Ireland.   

[Jim Sherma]

I can vouch for both Rosses Point and Carne as well worthy destinations. Rosses Point is my favorite course in Ireland and there is a level of sophistication in the architecture that you don't see there often. Carne is wonderful as much for the sense of adventure as the golf, which is quite good if a bit rougher around the edges (when I was there the third nine was not open for play, looked wonderful from what I could see of it though).


The travel between the two is not bad, Enniscrone and Strandhill are en route. Looping down to Westport is worthy for the wonderful town and playing Mulranney. Westport GC is fine parkland golf in a lovely setting if needed.   

[Ian Andrew]

We will have time next year to play only two out of the three in Ireland;


Baltray
Carne


Although, I prefer Enniscrone if your going to Carne
Stay at the Ice House in between if it fits your budget

And two out of the four in Scotland:

Cruden Bay
Gleneagles Kings

[Paul Jones]

Cruden Bay is one of my favorites, please do not skip that one.

[Jerry Kluger]

You said you are traveling with your wife - it is worth every penny to stay overnight at Gleneagles.