Finegan's All Courses Great and Small

[mike_malone]

 I recall hitting an incredible five wood with the ball well below my feet. I don't recall any bads shots!

[Ally Mcintosh]

I love the Irish and Scottish books... Never invested in this one - must put that to rights.

I have a question though - Can anyone put me me in touch with him? I just want to ask him about a source for one of his comments on Portmarnock...

Thanks,
Ally

[Bill_McBride]

I recall hitting an incredible five wood with the ball well below my feet. I don't recall any bads shots!

Hmmm, let me count the ways.

The wild pull hook down into the deep crevasse to the left of the hogback fairway.  I think you found a bunker, wasn't going down there to see for myself!   

The "recovery" all the way across the fairway down into deep gunch on the right side.    I guess after that was your incredible five wood.

Anyway, an all around adventure.

Best though was our halve of #13 in what, 7s?, when Bob Jenkins almost killed us with his shot over the dune ridge.  I guess he didn't know about the bell.   

That was a very fun day in spite of the downpour on the front.

[mike_malone]

 I thought your birdie on the next hole was the highlight. I heard about the McBride legend and had to wait 14 holes to see it.

[Bill_McBride]

I thought your birdie on the next hole was the highlight. I heard about the McBride legend and had to wait 14 holes to see it.

The actual McBride legend that you saw at Rye was repeated at the Dixie Cup - the legendary ability to lead a match 3 up after 10 holes and lose 1 down.  It's a gift.   

[Sean_A]

I recall hitting an incredible five wood with the ball well below my feet. I don't recall any bads shots!

Best though was our halve of #13 in what, 7s?, when Bob Jenkins almost killed us with his shot over the dune ridge.  I guess he didn't know about the bell.   

Bill

Hmmm, I seem to recall getting the evil eye when I popped round the corner of #13. 

Well, it wasn't as evil as the eye the two members gave us when watching you two slashers play army golf!  You gave quite an exhibition!  I had to look the other way because it was painfully funny when the one chap remarked how one of the fellas in the group ahead of you lot wasn't walking with any purpose.  Even while typing that I had to fight back a belly laugh. 

What a fine course Rye is!

Just to settle the ForkaB debate, the ladies walked over to the 6th fairway from the 5th.  They didn't catch Finegan at all.  Just the same, I read that introduction to Rye as rather apologetic.  That in a nutshell is what separates Finegan from the other golf writers.  You just never know how he will start nor end his writeup.   

Ciao

[Greg Ohlendorf]

I have read them all, each before my first trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England. I learned a great deal about the best way to route my trip, of courses that weren't in the rota, and about fun little tidbits he a posted about a destination. Having not played there until after my first read, I couldn't argue with his critiques. After I played each course, I reread his comments, and while I didn't agree with all of his perspectives, I found the reviews still interesting and informative. His style was so personal and not as stuffy as many golf books that describe each hole in agonizing detail (I find those hard to read). All in all, three must reads for anyone interested in GB&I.

Greg

[Bill_McBride]

I recall hitting an incredible five wood with the ball well below my feet. I don't recall any bads shots!

Best though was our halve of #13 in what, 7s?, when Bob Jenkins almost killed us with his shot over the dune ridge.  I guess he didn't know about the bell.   

Bill

Hmmm, I seem to recall getting the evil eye when I popped round the corner of #13. 

Well, it wasn't as evil as the eye the two members gave us when watching you two slashers play army golf!  You gave quite an exhibition!  I had to look the other way because it was painfully funny when the one chap remarked how one of the fellas in the group ahead of you lot wasn't walking with any purpose.  Even while typing that I had to fight back a belly laugh. 

Ciao

Couldn't have been me, I had an excellent local caddy.  It must have been Mayday! 

[mike_malone]

 I always walk with purpose.

[Bob Jenkins]

Bill,

I took an extra club to make certain I would fly it over your head. I was, however, worried about where Mayday was postioned, but so far, he has not complained. Bell???

Bob J

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,

I took an extra club to make certain I would fly it over your head. I was, however, worried about where Mayday was postioned, but so far, he has not complained. Bell???

Bob J

Sean should really have told you about that bell, he's played there before! 

[Sean_A]

Bill,

I took an extra club to make certain I would fly it over your head. I was, however, worried about where Mayday was postioned, but so far, he has not complained. Bell???

Bob J

Sean should really have told you about that bell, he's played there before! 

Ace

I was doing my thing baby!  Why do you spose I popped round the corner?  Here is a hint, I hit a less than stellar drive. 

The walking with purpose comment was for one of the guys ahead of your group. 

Re-reading the blurbs of the several courses I know well, I must conclude that Finegan indeed wants his golf to be over the obviously dramatic bits of land.  Almost without fail, if there is subtlety involved Finegan either skips it or is critical.  That said, he usually gets the gist of the course on paper in a meaningful and entertaining manner.

Ciao