I have a N Ireland Golf Course Dilemma…

[Chilidog]

I will be in N Ireland in 3 weeks and have scheduled Royal County Down to play. I first emailed Portrush about getting a tee time but they told me it was Remembrance Day that day and the course was closed. I then tried emailing Portstewart and heard nothing back. I emailed again about a week later and still nothing. So, I figured they were the same and moved on to booking Castlerock last week. Today, I got an email from Portstewart with a tee time and apologizing for the delay. So, for those that live there or have played both, should I cancel Castlerock and go with Portstewart or keep Castlerock and tell Portstewart no thanks. Thanks for the help guys!

Edited October 19, 2021 by Chilidog

[Chanceman]

Castlerock is very enjoyable but they say the first nine at Portstewart is awesome ( I have not played it). So maybe do both as they are close by, play CR then trip over to PS and play the front.

[hammergolf]

That’s a very nice problem to have…. When in doubt, do both.

[Serenity Now]

I played Portstewart in August and the first 4 holes are unreal. Enjoyed the entire day there!

[JRSc]

On 10/18/2021 at 9:46 AM, Chilidog said:

I will be in N Ireland in 3 weeks and have scheduled Royal County Down to play. I first emailed Portrush about getting a tee time but they told me it was Remembrance Day that day and the course was closed. I then tried emailing Portstewart and heard nothing back. I emailed again about a week later and still nothing. So, I figured they were the same and moved on to booking Castlerock last week. Today, I got an email from Portstewart with a tee time and apologizing for the delay. So, for those that live there or have played both, should I cancel Castlerock and go with Portstewart or keep Castlerock and tell Portstewart no thanks. Thanks for the help guys!

Played Portstewart and it is stunning. Front 9 through the dunes and back 9 along the River. 
Check out The Mermaid bar and restaurant in Portrush. Some of the best seafood in N. Ireland.. 

[Chilidog]

1 hour ago, JRSc said:

Played Portstewart and it is stunning. Front 9 through the dunes and back 9 along the River. 
Check out The Mermaid bar and restaurant in Portrush. Some of the best seafood in N. Ireland.. 

Thanks! I decided to cancel Castlerock and keep Portstewart. I’m looking forward to it. 

[Chilidog]

On 10/19/2021 at 3:58 PM, JRSc said:

Played Portstewart and it is stunning. Front 9 through the dunes and back 9 along the River. 
Check out The Mermaid bar and restaurant in Portrush. Some of the best seafood in N. Ireland.. 

I was told to go to Harry’s Shack right below Portstewart #1 on the beach for the best seafood in Ireland. 

[JRSc]

3 hours ago, Chilidog said:

I was told to go to Harry’s Shack right below Portstewart #1 on the beach for the best seafood in Ireland. 

Have not been there but sounds good to me. Can’t wait to hear about it. I love Ireland. The food is very underrated. It’s not all pork and potatoes. We stayed at the Bushmills Inn and the food was excellent. 

[Chilidog]

5 hours ago, JRSc said:

Have not been there but sounds good to me. Can’t wait to hear about it. I love Ireland. The food is very underrated. It’s not all pork and potatoes. We stayed at the Bushmills Inn and the food was excellent. 

Just watched this and it had a piece on that place below #1 Portstewart. Definitely going to visit after seeing this. Looks delicious. 
 

Oh and this series by Matt Ginella is excellent. 
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQcl57T-MHE

[JRSc]

2 hours ago, Chilidog said:

Just watched this and it had a piece on that place below #1 Portstewart. Definitely going to visit after seeing this. Looks delicious. 
 

Oh and this series by Matt Ginella is excellent. 
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQcl57T-MHE

Wow. I have stood on that tee box and never knew Harry’s was there. You are going to have a great trip.

[Chilidog]

11 hours ago, JRSc said:

Wow. I have stood on that tee box and never knew Harry’s was there. You are going to have a great trip.

Thanks! I’m really looking forward to it. Now, I’m sure TSA and American Airlines pilots will strike so I can’t make it. 😊

[AP76]

On 10/18/2021 at 2:46 PM, Chilidog said:

I will be in N Ireland in 3 weeks and have scheduled Royal County Down to play. I first emailed Portrush about getting a tee time but they told me it was Remembrance Day that day and the course was closed. I then tried emailing Portstewart and heard nothing back. I emailed again about a week later and still nothing. So, I figured they were the same and moved on to booking Castlerock last week. Today, I got an email from Portstewart with a tee time and apologizing for the delay. So, for those that live there or have played both, should I cancel Castlerock and go with Portstewart or keep Castlerock and tell Portstewart no thanks. Thanks for the help guys!

Have you been and if so how did it go? I live less than 30 miles from Portstewart. The first few holes are stunning especially the view from the first tee. Only played it 3 times as the top courses over here are crazy money but I'm sure it's the same everywhere.

[Chilidog]

5 hours ago, AP76 said:

Have you been and if so how did it go? I live less than 30 miles from Portstewart. The first few holes are stunning especially the view from the first tee. Only played it 3 times as the top courses over here are crazy money but I'm sure it's the same everywhere.

I was at Portstewart on Sunday. The course was in good shape but the greens were slow. I left everything short and I was banging them to get them there. The front 9 is stunning and the back 9 is very so so after coming out of the dunes. It’s like 2 different courses. I plan to do a full trip write up when I get back. 

[AP76]

2 hours ago, Chilidog said:

I was at Portstewart on Sunday. The course was in good shape but the greens were slow. I left everything short and I was banging them to get them there. The front 9 is stunning and the back 9 is very so so after coming out of the dunes. It’s like 2 different courses. I plan to do a full trip write up when I get back. 

I would totally agree with your verdict of the course. The first 7 holes are as nice as it gets, 8 to 15 are o.k then 16 to 18 kind of lets it down. Disappointed to hear the greens were slow, you would always expect links greens to be running reasonably quick. Look forward to reading your write up⛳🏌️👍🏼

 

[Chilidog]

36 minutes ago, AP76 said:

I would totally agree with your verdict of the course. The first 7 holes are as nice as it gets, 8 to 15 are o.k then 16 to 18 kind of lets it down. Disappointed to hear the greens were slow, you would always expect links greens to be running reasonably quick. Look forward to reading your write up⛳🏌️👍🏼

 

Thanks and I’ll give you a preview, it wasn’t nearly as disappointing as Royal County Down. I was expecting to bounce everything on to the green via true links golf and I backed up a 6 iron from 190 about 6 feet at RCD. 

[AP76]

On 11/18/2021 at 8:37 PM, Chilidog said:

Thanks and I’ll give you a preview, it wasn’t nearly as disappointing as Royal County Down. I was expecting to bounce everything on to the green via true links golf and I backed up a 6 iron from 190 about 6 feet at RCD. 

Sad to say I've never played RCD but attended the Irish Open there a few years back and it certainly showed it's teeth that week! Will maybe get around to it at some stage. Did you find it fairly playable then? I've always been under the impression that it was a bit of a beast.

[Chanceman]

On 11/20/2021 at 9:37 AM, AP76 said:

Sad to say I've never played RCD but attended the Irish Open there a few years back and it certainly showed it's teeth that week! Will maybe get around to it at some stage. Did you find it fairly playable then? I've always been under the impression that it was a bit of a beast.

Oh yes RCD is a beast but a friendly kind of beast which licks your hand before biting it. Fabulous views and a terrific layout. Personally I recall the round I played there as the best in Ireland but not MY best! It kicked my $&@** good and proper. Love to go back one day.