[Criss Titschinger]

Richard, good to hear from you again. I have not played overseas yet, but I have been spending the last few months working on itineraries for Ireland trips. I think I've come up with no less than five so far (Dublin, N.I., SW, West, Northwest). Based on what I've researched, I would say Island or County Louth would be the best options in Dublin for what you're not already playing. Island is going to be closer to Dublin.

As for the other stuff, you're more optimistic than I. My group is planning for at best 2022; possibly 2023, depending on what can be arranged, and keeping our eye on various travel policies. We ended up settling on SW. Hope your trip goes well!

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

What’s the position regarding travelling by car etc from the RoI into the North and vice versa?
Atb

Thomas,


I have family members criss-crossing the border regularly with no issues. I think the Irish police (the Guards / Gardaí) don't bother doing checks anymore and I haven't heard anything about checks by PSNI.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Donal,


No checks because no restrictions. As long as the journey originated on the island.


Ally

[Bill Brightly]

Another vote for County Louth over The Island. I liked The Island but the dunes are pretty severe. I have not played Ardglass but intend to play it the next time I go over to play RCD.


You might also consider adding a second round at RCD because I guarantee you'll be aching to play it again as you walk off the 18th hole.


I strongly recommend saving time for a political tour in Belfast. (I got this advice on GCA 12 years ago!) Any black cab can do this for you, or you can arrange for a company to do it. I've dragged two different groups to do this on golf trips. After much initial moaning, they always thank me afterwards because it is pretty amazing. Oh, and you should read Leon Uris' Trinity before you go, my favorite historical novel.

[Tony_Muldoon]

All good suggestions so far. Personally I'd drop TEC as it's a hike and both The Island and Co Louth have more to offer.


BUT have a look at Corballis Links. Ideal to combine with either of the above two, perhaps with a half set. [size=78%]Close to the airport and'cheap as chips'.  Your agent will never have heard of it and if your mates have no sense of adventure, avoid[/size]

[size=78%]Vies with peranporth and the cashen course for the nuttiest Links. Hugely enjoyable.[/size]

Reading the post above I'd also mention The Annesley(so?) The second course at Co Down and The Valley at Portrush. Unless your party are all accomplished links golfers the famous courses in the right wind can be like 18 holes against a heavyweight. If you want to hurt less try a round against a slippery lightweight- you will land less punches than you think but you'll still remember a classy test of skill.

[Garland Bayley]

...BUT have a look at Corballis Links. Ideal to combine with either of the above two, perhaps with a half set. [size=78%]Close to the airport and'cheap as chips'.  Your agent will never have heard of it and if your mates have no sense of adventure, avoid[/size]
...

I'm surprised Sean didn't chime in with this. Having not played it, I didn't feel it was my place to recommend it.

[Thomas Dai]

Another vote for the Annesley at RCD. To use the catchphrase of a golfing Irish comedian ..  “It’s a cracker.”
Atb

[Ally Mcintosh]

Look, sometimes we can get lost up our own etcs....


Corballis has a lot of interesting stuff going on but if you’re making a once / twice / thrice trip to play great golf courses, then in the Dublin area, you play Portmarnock, then choose between European, County Louth and The Island, before looking at Royal Dublin and Portmarnock Links as your 5 & 6... After that, take Laytown & Bettystown as your 7... then consider Corballis, St. Anne’s or Seapoint depending on your preferred poison. And that is before considering inland choices.

[Craig Sweet]

Ally, after a half dozen trips to Ireland, and never playing golf, I am ready to experience some of the golf around Dublin. Your suggestions pretty much match my plans.  I have visited several of the courses you mentioned and they all looked to be a blast to play!


BTW...this is just my thoughts, but if you have never been to Ireland, take more time to see the country, meet it's people, soak up the vibe, than you make time for golf.

[Sean_A]

...BUT have a look at Corballis Links. Ideal to combine with either of the above two, perhaps with a half set. [size=78%]Close to the airport and'cheap as chips'.  Your agent will never have heard of it and if your mates have no sense of adventure, avoid[/size]
...

I'm surprised Sean didn't chime in with this. Having not played it, I didn't feel it was my place to recommend it.

Well, Corballis is my favourite of the courses mentioned thus far and it is the one I would seek to play more than the others.  But this sounds like a first trip and I don't know the people....Corballis is a bit out there. If folks are looking for the best course, for me its hands down The Island, but it can be a trying day among the hairy dunes if there is any wind about. Baltray is certainly a more playable option, but dramatics are sacrificed. Portmarnock is for me the second best of the bunch. To be honest, you can't go much wrong with any of the three...it comes down to what best fits the schedule. I would skip TEC, its miles out of the way and not nearly as good as rankings suggest.

Ciao

[Ally Mcintosh]

Portmarnock is clearly the best course. If you choose not to see it, so be it.


County Louth - for me - deserves to be considered alongside the Ireland “Big 5” of Portmarnock, Portrush, RCD, Ballybunion & Lahinch. Strategically, it beats all but the first one. Dramatically, the latter four win.


The Island is a west coast course situated on the east coast. Big dunes, lots of variety, some magnificent individual holes, quite penal.


The European is unlike any other links course, a modern take through perhaps the most beautiful dunescape of them all. Tends not to appeal to GCA types as it doesn’t follow the “naturalist” mantra.


These 4 are the best near Dublin. But you will have a great time at any.


(P.S. The reason I reiterate the above is that I’ve played all these courses far more than a Sean Arble or a Tom Doak. How good a course is remains a matter of opinion but I’ve  spent a lot of time studying links courses and I know what makes for good repeat plays: It’s not always the way visiting raters see it).

[Garland Bayley]

Look, sometimes we can get lost up our own etcs....


Corballis has a lot of interesting stuff going on but if you’re making a once / twice / thrice trip to play great golf courses, then in the Dublin area, you play Portmarnock, then choose between European, County Louth and The Island, before looking at Royal Dublin and Portmarnock Links as your 5 & 6... After that, take Laytown & Bettystown as your 7... then consider Corballis, St. Anne’s or Seapoint depending on your preferred poison. And that is before considering inland choices.

Some people like to mix in a little Perraporth with their St. Enodoc. A little Carne with their Ballybunion, a little Pennard with their Porthcawl, etc.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Laytown & Bettystown is a really enjoyable course, although a level or two below Portmarnock, Baltray and The Island. Royal Dublin is not so well regarded by many, but it is close to the city, but perhaps the green fee is a bit much, considering it's not a good as some of the other courses mentioned here.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Look, sometimes we can get lost up our own etcs....


Corballis has a lot of interesting stuff going on but if you’re making a once / twice / thrice trip to play great golf courses, then in the Dublin area, you play Portmarnock, then choose between European, County Louth and The Island, before looking at Royal Dublin and Portmarnock Links as your 5 & 6... After that, take Laytown & Bettystown as your 7... then consider Corballis, St. Anne’s or Seapoint depending on your preferred poison. And that is before considering inland choices.

Some people like to mix in a little Perraporth with their St. Enodoc. A little Carne with their Ballybunion, a little Pennard with their Porthcawl, etc.

Oh definitely, Garland. But Carne and - I assume - Pennard are in a whole different ball park to Corballis, 4,800 yards off the tips, incredibly busy (often with very part-time golfers) and somewhat dangerous.


Richard is on his first trip to Ireland and has the four biggest courses in the East / North-East as his itinerary. He may well want a Corballis as his 5th and final course. But he needs to know what he is getting.

[Richard Choi]

Thank you so much everyone for great recommendation. I really appreciate it. I am a bit nervous with all the covid-related protocols, but I am praying for the best that this trip will happen as planned. I will hold off till July in making flight plans and whether or not to try to include a London stop.


I think I will try to play The Island for my extra day. They do have a very nice website for visitors and dunes look incredible.


Hopefully when I make it over there in Sept, I will get to have a round of beer with some of you. Really looking forward to it.

[Tommy Williamsen]

When you get to 14 (I think) at the Island don't get claustrophobia. It is one of the narrowest fairways in golf. Have a great trip. Say hi to Pat Ruddy for me.

[Stewart Abramson]

...BUT have a look at Corballis Links. Ideal to combine with either of the above two, perhaps with a half set. [size=78%]Close to the airport and'cheap as chips'.  Your agent will never have heard of it and if your mates have no sense of adventure, avoid[/size]
...

I'm surprised Sean didn't chime in with this. Having not played it, I didn't feel it was my place to recommend it.

Well, Corballis is my favourite of the courses mentioned thus far and it is the one I would seek to play more than the others.  But this sounds like a first trip and I don't know the people....Corballis is a bit out there. If folks are looking for the best course, for me its hands down The Island, but it can be a trying day among the hairy dunes if there is any wind about. Baltray is certainly a more playable option, but dramatics are sacrificed. Portmarnock is for me the second best of the bunch. To be honest, you can't go much wrong with any of the three...it comes down to what best fits the schedule.

... and perhaps also the budget. Corballis is a small fraction of the cost of the others.


Richard C - If you have any interest, here are links to photo albums of the aforementioned courses


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157709067494176/  Corballis


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157670762176802/  County Louth (Baltray)


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157670762176802/  The Island


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157709078418351/ Royal Dublin


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157670278903655/  Portmarnock

[Richard Choi]

A little update...


The trip is full-go at this point as UK has removed the quarantine restrictions (at least for now!) and I have booked airline tix to fly to London before Dublin (arriving on 9/18 and going to Dublin on 9/21).


I have a round at Sunningdale already worked out for 9/20 and now I am looking to book a place to play for Sunday (9/19) and Tuesday (9/21).


It seems like most clubs only allow guest plays on Mon thru Friday. What course would you recommend that I play on Sunday?


And for Tuesday. I am going to send a request to Swinley Forest and St George's Hill. I have never done this before. What is the protocol? Is email okay? Is there anything specific that I should mention?


I really appreciate your help. This is my first time heading there for golf and I am really really pumped.

[David_Tepper]

Richard -

Good luck with your trip. I am flying SFO/LHR/INV this Thursday evening. Keeping my fingers crossed all goes well.

I highly recommend playing both courses at Sunningdale. The New is every bit as good as the Old. I can't help you with a hotel recommendation, but you could email the club secretary at Sunningdale and ask them for one.

Emails to Swinley and St. George's should be fine. Just tell them just tell them you are visiting the area and hope to play there if there is a time available. You might want to mention you have booked a time at Sunningdale on Sept 20.

Safe travels.

DT

[Stewart Abramson]

... now I am looking to book a place to play for Sunday (9/19) and Tuesday (9/21).

It seems like most clubs only allow guest plays on Mon thru Friday. What course would you recommend that I play on Sunday?

And for Tuesday. I am going to send a request to Swinley Forest and St George's Hill. I have never done this before. What is the protocol? Is email okay? Is there anything specific that I should mention?

Richard, I think St Georges Hill only allows visitor play Wed-through Friday.


If you can't get on St Georges Hill, Woking, Worplesdon and New Zealand are good options each approximately 20 minutes from Swinley Forest.


Walton Heath has two courses and is approximately 40 minutes from Swinley Forest


The Berkshire is another good option with two courses and is only 10 minutes from Swinley Forest, but as best I recall they don't allow singles to make tee times.


The websites for each course will have e-mail addresses and phone numbers for booking inquiries. Some will have on line booking systems.


I don't know if any of the above clubs allow visitors on Sundays except as a guest of a member

[Daryl David]

I would second New Zealand Club. Wonderful.

[Richard Fisher]

And Huntercombe is only 45 minutes or so from Heathrow, albeit in a slightly different direction - pretty sure that you can play there on a Sunday afternoon when the ambience is (even by Huntercombe standards) distinctly relaxed and low-key.

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