[Tommy Williamsen]

I have made a dozen or more trips to the GB&I. The first few were made just to get notches in my belt with the top ranked courses. After that why go? After looking at the thread on Millport GC on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Clyde and viewing the course on their website, I knew. It is to experience a different type of golf. Most of the golf on the right side of the pond is different. The grass is different. The bunkering is different. Conditioning is different. Par varies from 68-73. Many courses are under 6000 yards. Sean Arble provides us glimpses into some of the lesser known and played courses. Now when I go I seek out the second or even third tier courses. It is less expensive and just as fun.

[RJ_Daley]

While I have only gone to play for the last two years in a row, during Sept-Oct (great golf weather months IMO) I completely agree, Tommy.  I figure I have played 30 rounds on 20 courses in Ireland and Scotland, and of course that only scratches the surface.  Yet, I like the variety of my course selections from the ideal Irish town community project course like Connamera/Dingle/Carne, to TOC/Portmarnoch/Island, and also great town clubs of friends like Martin's Leven Links.  With that said, the variety of courses and their different maintenance melds  and customs and traditions of members, along with guest policies, gives an American golfer a great perspective on a different way of going about enjoying the game.

[Phil Lipper]

I love going and playing the non household name (at least for most Americans) golf courses.

[Rich Goodale]

The average course in GBI is better than 80% of the courses in the USA, and they are all cheaper, and 80% of the natives are goofier and more fun than your average American golfer.  It's a no brainer.

[James Brown]

The average course in GBI is better than 80% of the courses in the USA, and they are all cheaper, and 80% of the natives are goofier and more fun than your average American golfer.  It's a no brainer.

+1

[Mike Sweeney]

I have made a dozen or more trips to the GB&I. The first few were made just to get notches in my belt with the top ranked courses. After that why go? After looking at the thread on Millport GC on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Clyde and viewing the course on their website, I knew. It is to experience a different type of golf. Most of the golf on the right side of the pond is different. The grass is different. The bunkering is different. Conditioning is different. Par varies from 68-73. Many courses are under 6000 yards. Sean Arble provides us glimpses into some of the lesser known and played courses. Now when I go I seek out the second or even third tier courses. It is less expensive and just as fun.

There is an argument that you can avoid planes, car rentals and international customs, and have better lobster in Maine. I am a huge fan of overseas travel, but family logistics make it complicated.


I will also add that I played with the Secretary of Enniscrone GC (Ireland) at EGC and his favorite place to play was ..... Myrtle Beach. It offers everything that he could not find at home!

[Carl Johnson]

I've been four times from the USA but likely never again (to play golf).  For me, the golf was reason for going, but not the only experience I enjoyed.  Just going out to eat, or to a pub, in a smallish GBI town, is so different and enjoyable.  Speaking with local people, e.g., a totally soused caddie in a bar in Troon, some oil rig workers on their time off in Nairn (I think that was the place), accidentally getting into a theological discussion with a farmer in a pub in Portrush, and so on.  Picking up some local history and sightseeing is key.  If you and your buddies don't go beyond the golf, you're missing the point, I think.  Take advantage of the things you can't find at home (per the Irishman on going to Myrtle Beach, Reply # 5 above).

[David Davis]

A picture is worth a 1000 words, in some cases maybe even 10,000. Taken yesterday:

[Duncan Cheslett]

A picture is worth a 1000 words, in some cases maybe even 10,000. Taken yesterday:

This almost looks like a painting rather than a photograph, Have you used some electronic wizardry on it?

[Ronald Montesano]

Trim away 75% of the sky and that photo is stunning. Nice work, David. Which course?

[Duncan Cheslett]

18th hole at Alwoodley

[Sean_A]

Thee must be something about this spot for taking pix!


Easily my favourite hole at Alwoodley...the 8th.


Ciao

[Charles Lund]

Have two trips lined up this late spring and summer.

First is about four weeks, mostly in the Donegal area.  Might play an upper tier course or two. Will be my 11th trip.  i will also be spending time on side trip to Sweden and Iceland on way home.

Going to Devon/Cornwall coast later in summer.  Hope to expand over next couple of years to include Wales.  Have figured out a doable route to include Wales and Ireland in same trip.

Like the different playing environments and golf culture.

Charles Lund

[Steve Lang]

   Why?


Because while one can ACTUALLY play many a classic course, its much more interesting to get to know the folks who play them like Duncan C.



and share a drink, watch play at the 18th, and discuss the world afterwards as it unfolds before you

[Steve Lang]

  Also, playing with borrowed or rented clubs is fun, even if you're missing one or two!   

[David_Tepper]

If you go to the Scottish Highlands, you can join Brora, Golspie or Tain as a non-resident member for under $500 a year and play all the golf you want at the club you join. In addition, you get 3 reciprocal rounds per year at the other 2 clubs at 10 pounds per round. And,in addition to that, you get 3 reciprocal rounds per year at Dornoch for 20 pounds per round!

I can't think of a better value in golf than that.

[Christian Newton]

Very well observed. All of the above are reasons Ireland is an annual trip for me. Another thing I've noticed: pace of play tends to be better—more people playing matches and Stableford formats or just playing without fuss and delay. Finally I've generally preferred the people I've met at the clubs I've played: usually true cross-sections (by profession and gender) of the towns to which they're attached.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Stuff doesn't bother me as much in GB&I. I realize that conditioning is part of the experience. I actually enjoy playing it down in conditions I would complain about at home. I have made half of my trips alone. I will join another group and get a bite to eat with them afterward.


One day I just wandered into Pennard. I walked in and asked about playing. They pro said there was a competition that day. I was invited to play. Afterwards prizes were handed out. I think the winner got ten pounds. The guy in charge introduced me from USA and was roundly and good naturedly booed. He concluded by saying, "I would have won but I played too poorly." Great memory.

[Joe_Tucholski]

Sitting in the Boston airport waiting on the connection home after a 10 day trip in Ireland.  I only played one round of golf (compared to my previous trips where I played 1-2 rounds a day).


The trip was still really enjoyable.


I do things because I think the price is worth the experience.


The things about the experience I enjoy:
They have links courses and in the US we really don't.  This is the big one.
The service standards are more in line with what I'm looking for.  Unless the course is catering to Americans there aren't guys in carts looking to take your clubs from the car to your cart, starters, marshals, cart girls, or folks looking to wash your clubs at the end of the round.
The clubs are community based.
The golf is good value.
The scenery is beautiful.
I don't really drink (like having an occasional cider over there) but eating at the pubs with live music is still an experience I don't often get back in the US.

[Thomas Dai]

The clubs are community based.

Community based......not commercially based.


Very important in the development and history of the game in GB&I and other parts of the world. Declining these days (unfortunately).


Atb

[Tommy Williamsen]

Community based not commercially based.
That's interesting. I hadn't thought of that and it's true. That does make a difference. It grows up like a church in that regard where folks are warmly welcomed into the community for a day.

[Charles Lund]

What underscores the aspect of being community based is  the cost of developing coursess in remote areas, the result of donated labor in many cases. 

I enjoy reading about the history of many Irish clubs.   

Charles Lund

[Peter Pallotta]

There's a kind of humility and humbleness in community based projects and activities (golf clubs or voting in elections or supporting a place of worship) - a recognition and acceptance of the fact that we *need* each-other and that we *owe* each-other. It strikes me that this humbleness manifests itself also in the courses themselves, in the functional, practical, low-to-the-ground designs. Conversely, commercialism is premised on the notion of self determination and subsequent (and fully merited) personal gain - a celebration of the individual ego. I think you see that reflected in golf course design as well. Is it a coincidence that two of Tom D's courses that most bring to mind GB&I are the public "Common Ground" and the Loop, an affordably priced homage to the Old Course?

[Mark_Rowlinson]

What I particularly appreciate about meeting you Americans when you come over is all the other stuff beyond golf. You're interested in history (golf and non-golf), natural history (again golf and non-golf), you love tradition and quirk and altogether have a real love for things GB and I. You are very valued.

[George Pazin]

One day I just wandered into Pennard. I walked in and asked about playing. They pro said there was a competition that day. I was invited to play. Afterwards prizes were handed out. I think the winner got ten pounds. The guy in charge introduced me from USA and was roundly and good naturedly booed. He concluded by saying, "I would have won but I played too poorly." Great memory.

Reason enough.


Good stuff, Tommy, thanks.

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