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Dub_ONeill

  • Karma: +0/-0
Baltray
« on: July 13, 2005, 10:54:17 AM »
I have just returned from a trip to Ireland where our group had the chance to play Baltray for the first time.  It seemed to me that this course tends to be left out of the discussion when people talk about Irish golf.  Is this so, and if so why?  It would seem that after the the big four of Portrush, County Down, Portmarnock and Ballybunion it should come up pretty quickly on any list, but many of the Southwest courses seem to be much better known.   It would certainly seem like a better choice to drive less than an hour from Dublin to play Baltray than to play Island or Royal Dublin, if that were the choice.  If we go back, I don't think we will ever drive between Newcastle and Dublin without trying to play there. Why does it get relatively little attention?
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David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2005, 12:31:33 PM »
Dub -

That is a good question. I don't have a good (or bad answer) for you. I have had two golf trips to Ireland and have not played Baltray on either one, so I guess I am as guilty of overlooking Baltray as anyone.

They played the Irish Open at Baltray for a year or two a couple of years ago. It was broadcast on the Golf Channel. You would have thought that might have raised the profile of the course a bit, but it did not seem to make much of an impression.

Baltray is supposed to have a nice Dormie House. Did you stay there?

DT
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mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2005, 03:27:10 PM »
 Dub,
     Baltray may lack a little "sizzle" for some. While I really liked it , I can imagine many missing the subtlety. In fact, I may be one of those because I prefer The Island. I think it just has a little more variety and interest.
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AKA Mayday

Tommy_Naccarato

Re:Baltray
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2005, 03:28:41 PM »
The same sort of interest as Fox Chase CC?  ;D
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mike_malone

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2005, 03:30:48 PM »
 Yes, Tommy I prefer Fox Chase to Hidden Creek. When you play it, you will too.
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AKA Mayday

Stan Dodd

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2005, 04:18:52 PM »
David,
I played Baltray and stayed there a couple of years ago.  Comfortable but spartan rooms.  Golf is wonderful and the bar and restaurant were great. Met a member who invited me to join him.  It was also easy from Dublin after a long flight, on the way to County down.
Stan
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Tommy_Naccarato

Re:Baltray
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2005, 04:32:44 PM »
Quote from: mayday_malone on July 13, 2005, 03:30:48 PM
Yes, Tommy I prefer Fox Chase to Hidden Creek. When you play it, you will too.

There certainly was a lot more interesting stuff going on at Fox Chase. (A club president who probably had a NAMBLA membership card in his wallet; a cool snack shack hostess that liked to skinny dip in his pool; a drunken Charlie Logan as well as a caddymaster that looked redder then a tomato.)

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David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2005, 05:15:52 PM »
Stan D. -

Are your corresponding from Dornoch? How is the weather?

DT
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Robert Mercer Deruntz

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2005, 09:24:03 PM »
Baltray is a course that would get beyond rave reviews if it were located in the US.  A well noted course in NY that GCA's rave about does not near the quality of holes that Baltray offers.  The best bunkerless hole I've ever played is at Baltray!
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Neil Regan

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2005, 01:45:37 AM »
The 14th is a candidate for best short par 4. It has a green comparable to NGLA #1, a winding fairway through high dunes in the classic Irish way, a tee on top of a dune with the whole links before you and the wonderful prior green site below. The green has no sand traps.

  Larry Lambrecht has a great photo on a recent calendar. I'd put this hole in my starting 18. It's worth crossing the ocean to play.



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Grass speed  <>  Green Speed

Mark_F

Re:Baltray
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2005, 03:06:03 AM »
Is the rest of the course on land similar to that in the left and rear of the picture?

Or is it more like a couple of links (Harlech, Macrihanish) that have some teriffic dune country the course bypasses?
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Mark_F

Re:Baltray
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2005, 05:38:14 AM »
Sean,

Thanks, always tossing up whether to add it to my list next time round.  Looks like a goer, though.

Much as I love Macrihanish, there's a fleeting disappointment as you trundle along the front nine and see those magnificant dunes to the left of you that remain untouched.

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Sean Walsh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Baltray
« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2005, 06:43:24 AM »
Baltray possess one of if not the best golf holes in ireland.  The above pictured 14 is the archetypal short 4.  Looks easy from the tee, short with not a bunker in site.  

Added to its allure is that it sits within a wonderful stretch of holes the match of all but the best of ireland (11 - 16) all wonderful holes with variety and challenge.  

Baltray is not a one trick pony along with some largish dunal formation it has the wonderfully humpy 4th and the blind approach 3rd.  

A few weaker holes (yes I'm talking about you 17 & 18) but these can be forgiven.  

I must note some bias as it was a delightful day at the end of my trip.  Played on a whim (and at the thankful suggestion of Paul Daley) I had the 2nd best round of golf for my 2 month trip.

Will not disappoint.  I would place Baltray marginally better than The Island (I think the 14th just tilts it in the former's favour).

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