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Tim Pitner

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Dublin Golf Question
« on: May 04, 2007, 12:52:27 PM »
What is the one course in the immediate Dublin area that you would recommend playing?  I'm assuming that the choice is between Portmarnock and the Island (for purposes of this question, I'm not including courses like County Louth/Baltray and Royal County Down/Newcastle).  

I'm interested in any thoughts regarding the relative merits of the courses and experiences for visitors at Portmarnock and the Island.  I know the basics of the courses--Portmarnock is flattish, more like an Open course; the Island is quirkier and has more dunes.  I'd appreciate any more detailed thoughts and observations and, to the extent comments can discuss specifically the architecture at each, that'd be all the better.  

Thanks in advance for your comments.

(P.S. I know there have been a lot of threads devoted to where to play in Ireland but I haven't seen this specific question addressed--Portmarnock or the Island?  Also, if it makes a difference, the contemplated trip is a quick-hitter, a 5-6 night visit, which will also include playing Baltray, RCD and Portrush).  

Daryl David

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2007, 01:49:25 PM »
Portmarnock's new clubhouse is very nice and coat and tie are no longer required in the club dining room.  Just no spikes.

Sean is right that the choices are definitely the Island and Portmarnock.  That is a really tough question.  Sure you can't do 36 on the day so you can play both?  They are close enough to each other to do it easily.  I personally prefer Portmarnock and do even more since my last visit when I played all 27 holes.  The third nine has some very interesting holes even though it is bit easier.  I also find the membership and staff to be much more accomodating to visitors than the Island Club.

The Island is great if you love huge dunes, but there are a few disappointing holes.  The par three ninth seems totally out of place with the rest of the course.  

« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 01:49:56 PM by Daryl David »

mike_malone

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2007, 02:01:23 PM »
 I have found The Island more enjoyable overall because there are more varied approaches . I prefer dunes lined fairways (Island) to vast expanses of rough. Although I enjoy the "wheat-like" Portmarnock rough one can more easily lose a ball there, in my experience.


   Both courses have par threes that are worth the trip. I just think there is more variety to the feel of The Island's other holes.


 I just read Daryl's take on #9 at The Island. That's what makes this a great site.! While it is not my favorite par three there, the "volcano" hole gets my vote for that , I just love the horseshoe around #9 and have seen some wild stances there.
   
« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 02:06:45 PM by michael_malone »
AKA Mayday

RT

Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2007, 02:03:24 PM »
Royal Dublin another choice among the 2 others mentioned.

Bob_Huntley

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2007, 02:09:28 PM »

Portmarnock's new clubhouse is very nice and coat and tie are no longer required in the club dining room.  

The Barbarians are at the Gate.

Bob

Gary Slatter

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2007, 02:18:38 PM »
Portmarnock    8
The Island       7
Royal Dublin     7
Like them all, based on 10 year old information!
Gary Slatter
gary.slatter@raffles.com

Tim Pitner

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2007, 02:26:54 PM »
RT,

I didn't mean to slight Royal Dublin.  I enjoyed the course and have read of the recent work done there, with which I believe you're quite familiar.  I probably won't get back to Royal Dublin this time, only because I've played it (admittedly, pre-changes) and I've yet to play either Portmarnock or the Island.  Sometime, I would very much like to see the work done at Royal Dublin.  
« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 02:30:37 PM by Tim Pitner »

Chris Cupit

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2007, 04:58:23 PM »
I enjoyed Royal Dublin.  Course was fine and the staff seemed very welcoming.  Some neat stuff on Christy O'Connor in the club if I remember correctly.

Tommy Williamsen

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2007, 05:19:19 PM »
I love the Island, think Royal Dublin is good, but Portmarnock is special.  It is one of those courses you need to play or your golf education is incomplete.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2007, 09:06:50 PM by Tommy Williamsen »
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Padraig Dooley

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2007, 05:30:37 PM »
I think there is work going on at the Island at the moment, even if there wasn't I would choose Portmarnock first.

There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.
  - Pablo Picasso

Aidan Bradley

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2007, 05:31:57 PM »
Here are a few images of Royal Dublin which were shot after the changes were implimented. Please forgive the sunshine and the "golf porn".............


















Tim Pitner

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2007, 05:45:23 PM »
Aidan,

Thanks for the photos.  Please don't let any talk of "golf porn" deter you from posting--you take the best golf photos I've seen and I can't view enough of them.

Some people (e.g., Doug Wright), aren't high on Royal Dublin and I can see some negatives--flattish, somewhat industrial area, etc.  But, I had a great experience there the one time I played it.  I was in Dublin without a car and figured out a way I could get to Royal Dublin using public transportation.  There was something about hopping on a city bus with my clubs and arriving at an authentic links course that I found rather stirring.  

Tommy Williamsen

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2007, 09:05:57 PM »
Aidan,  looks like I may have to give RD another try.  Thanks for the pictures.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Ian Andrew

Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2007, 04:30:46 PM »
Portmarnock is rock solid all the way through with some great holes on the back nine in particular. Its worthy of it's reputation and it will not disappoint you.

The Island is quirky wonderful - some holes are truly amazing while others are just as confusing. It will never make a "list" but you will still be glad that you played it and will likely return again.

So it depends on which type of course appeals more. If you have one full day available, it would be easy to play both since they are so close (by Canadian standards) ;).

G Jones

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2007, 08:11:36 PM »
Wow... Royal Dublin is very different to how I remember it!
Portmarnock is a great course. The island is fun but not a great course... it has some great holes, and because of the huge dunes is very fun to play, but it's not a classic and doesn't feel like you're playing a great course. RoyDublin may look more mundane but it feels more classic and classy.

Jack_Marr

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2007, 07:44:01 AM »
I think Portmarnock is superb. There's no other course like it in Ireland. It combines subtlety and adventure and is one of the best tests of golf in the country. Actually, the closest thing to Portmarnock in terms of design is Co. Louth, I think.
John Marr(inan)

Paul_Turner

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2007, 11:45:18 AM »
Is there any Harry Colt left at Royal Dublin?  All the greens redone?
can't get to heaven with a three chord song

Mark Bourgeois

Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #17 on: May 17, 2007, 04:11:26 PM »
Is there any Harry Colt left at Royal Dublin?  All the greens redone?

Paul,

Any Colt left?

Architecturally:
1. 5 green
2. 8 green

11 is named "Colt's" but should be renamed "Hawtree's," in fairness.

Non-architecturally:

Plenty of toffs!

Mark

Matthew Hunt

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2007, 04:48:39 PM »
The European Club looks class.

On that note does anyone have Pat Ruddys E-Mail address.

Dan Moore

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2007, 06:59:07 PM »
The photographic case for Portmarnock.  I did not play Royal Dublin or The Island so cannot compare.  I can say however  that Portmarnock is world class and will not disappoint.  As you can see the 3 pars are all superb.

4


7


12


15


18
"Is there any other game which produces in the human mind such enviable insanity."  Bernard Darwin

Bob_Huntley

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2007, 07:21:12 PM »
Aiden,

Royal Dublin didn't look half as good as your photographs show on the day I played there. Raw weather, blowing and my caddie looked like John Mills when he played the half-wit in the movie "Ryan's Daughter."

Positively loved Portmarnock. A bunch of us were in the pro shop and a shapely Irish girl came in to buy a rain suit. She was given a sales pitch on this and that and said ' Fine, I'd like to try it out." The assistant agreed, she left went to the locker room and got in the shower, stood there for a couple of minutes came back and said," Done." Paid for it and went off.


Bob

Joe Perches

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2007, 07:56:59 PM »
15


Are those 6 or 7 spiny green plants on the right indigenous to Ireland?
They look very out of character.

Bob_Huntley

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #22 on: May 17, 2007, 08:24:49 PM »
Joe,

Didn't Waterville have something very similar along the edges of the fairways?

Bob

Joe Perches

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #23 on: May 17, 2007, 08:42:18 PM »
Didn't Waterville have something very similar along the edges of the fairways?

Not so far as I can tell.  I've not played it though.
Pictures shameless linked from http://www.watervillegolflinks.ie/

1 and 2:

3 and 4:

5 and 6:

7 and 8:

9 and 10:

11 and 12:

13 and 14:

15 and 16:

17 and 18:


Tom Dunne

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Re:Dublin Golf Question
« Reply #24 on: May 17, 2007, 10:11:10 PM »
Actually, I remember something at Waterville similar to what Bob Huntley's talking about...big spiny bushes near the 16th green. I know because I so ineptly lost a ball in one of them. They are probably erosion fighters.

But that's the only place I remember 'em at Waterville.

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