10 day Golf trip in Ireland

[coolcucumber_1]

Hi All, me and my golfing buddies have managed to convince our better half's for a boys golfing trip to Ireland this summer.

Almost last minute decision and we were very lucky to secure the tee times at the courses that we did even when tour operators told us to maybe consider 2023  Now that we have booked the times was looking for general help and tips to do or not to do while in Ireland

What are must haves to travel with on the trip ...hand warmers ?

There is 6 of us and we have a big van with driver to take us around. Here is the itenary below :

 

Day 1 - Land in Dublin and drive to Letterkenny

Day 2 - 36 holes @ Rosapenna

Day 3 - 18 @ PortStewart

Day 4 - 36 @ Ballyliffin

Day 5 - 18 @ Enniscrone

Day 6 - 18 @ Lahinch

Day 7 - 18 @ Ballybunion & 18 @ Tralee

Day 8 - 18 @  Old Head

Day 9 - 18 @ Dooks & drive back to Dublin

Day 10 -18 @ Carton House/ K club 

 

I know this will be the most golf any of us have played and there will be lot of aching bodies so looking for tips on how to keep ourselves healthy plus some good places to grub along the way.

 

Any other tips appreciated as well. July cannot be here soon enough.....

 

 

[hammergolf]

Just make sure guys are prepared physically. You’ll be walking up and down hill around 10-12 miles a day on your 36 hole days. If guys aren’t ready for that amount and type of walking they are going to struggle. Make sure to have a couple pair of comfortable and waterproof shoes. Good rain suits will be needed at some point for sure. Let me know where you guys are staying and I can help you with pubs and food in some spots.

[ajgoodal.704]

36 on Day 2 is going to test you.  I recommend an afternoon tee time for 18 that day.  That way you can dust off the jetlag cobwebs and really hit it hard starting on Day 3.  18 on the St. Patrick's Links will be plenty to overload your senses for the day.  

[puttnforthe8]

Don't drink (enough to get sloshed) Day 4 or Day 6 - because the next day are tough walks and you don't want to be hurting.

[coolcucumber_1]

10 hours ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

36 on Day 2 is going to test you.  I recommend an afternoon tee time for 18 that day.  That way you can dust off the jetlag cobwebs and really hit it hard starting on Day 3.  18 on the St. Patrick's Links will be plenty to overload your senses for the day.  

Yes we plan to start easy and have emailed them for carts @ Rosapenna.

Hopefully we can ride for one of the 18s so that we are in full flow at Portstewart.

[coolcucumber_1]

1 hour ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Don't drink (enough to get sloshed) Day 4 or Day 6 - because the next day are tough walks and you don't want to be hurting.

Well well well .... Easier said than done. Hopefully we don't overdo it and are settled by Day 3-4.

[coolcucumber_1]

18 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Just make sure guys are prepared physically. You’ll be walking up and down hill around 10-12 miles a day on your 36 hole days. If guys aren’t ready for that amount and type of walking they are going to struggle. Make sure to have a couple pair of comfortable and waterproof shoes. Good rain suits will be needed at some point for sure. Let me know where you guys are staying and I can help you with pubs and food in some spots.

Thanks for the heads up , will definitely pack rain gear and a couple pair of shoes. We are staying typically near by all courses except for Portstewart when we are in Letterkenny.

 

So city wide this is our order - 

Letterkenny - Ballyliffin - Enniscrone - Galway - Tralee - Kinsale - Cork - Dublin

 

I think Letterkenny, Dublin and Cork have tons of options the others not sure so much.

 

-Z

[hammergolf]

12 hours ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

Thanks for the heads up , will definitely pack rain gear and a couple pair of shoes. We are staying typically near by all courses except for Portstewart when we are in Letterkenny.

 

So city wide this is our order - 

Letterkenny - Ballyliffin - Enniscrone - Galway - Tralee - Kinsale - Cork - Dublin

 

I think Letterkenny, Dublin and Cork have tons of options the others not sure so much.

 

-Z

I rented houses in Dublin, Kilmihil and Listowel for our trip last year, so can’t help much in those other areas. In Dublin we ate/drank at Brannigan’s and Parnell Heritage Pub. Both places had great food and cold Guinness and Smithwick’s. We were staying on the North side if the river in the Parnell St./O’Connell Street area. We did have lunch at Tralee after our round and the food was very good. If you have time after your round at Lahinch, I definitely recommend stopping by The 19th Bar. Paddy is the best! If you want sone great seafood I’d recommend Randdaddy’s. Can’t help you in the other places though. Have a GREAT trip! Look forward to reading about it.

[Hawkeye77]

When I was young enough and in shape enough to make that kind of a trip I wouldn't have done it, lol, but like George Bailey, I was born old. At least turning things over to a driver gives you a chance to sit back and hopefully take in the scenery and enjoy more of the experience, so good call on that.

 

I applaud the pioneering spirit but seems like a borderline test of endurance - I hope you have some lodging that allows you to settle in rather than a different place to stay every night or every other night.  But getting in as much golf as possible is a worthy goal for many, and good on them.

 

I don't know about hand warmers, but be prepared for playing in the rain and expect it and think about what you will do on a 36 day if you get poured on in the morning and can't go back to the room before playing the afternoon - you might want dry clothes.

 

I suggest walking more than you've ever walked and on a consistent basis and up and down, etc. before you go (start now) or you (or others) will simply not enjoy it very much, IMO, if your idea of enjoying the trip is to play to some resemblance of your usual game and not be exhausted (and you won't play your usual golf game!).  I see some of these popular golf vloggers on the drinking/no sleep/"what course are we even on today" type "shows" and none of that looks worth emulating for a once in a lifetime trip to Scotland or Ireland or England, IMO.

 

Again, all IMO.  I love the golf, we are taking our first trip to Ireland in June (been to Scotland twice) and all my trips are with my long time sweetie (daughters went once, will again when we go to England in a year or two), so we enjoy the tourist aspects as well and leave plenty of time for those kinds of things, so it's a little hard for me to relate.  All depends on the group dynamic you are dealing with, who can handle their pints and a little stress and how much the golf itself is worth to them.

 

I'm guessing it will be a lot of fun. 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2022 by Hawkeye77

[lazyjk]

On 4/14/2022 at 2:31 AM, coolcucumber_1 said:

Day 8 - 18 @  Old Head

Day 9 - 18 @ Dooks & drive back to Dublin

So are you guys going over to the east coast, back to the west coast and then back to the east (Dublin?) Doesn't seem like the ideal route but I can imagine just getting the rounds booked this late might play a part. At least you have a dedicated driver!

[coolcucumber_1]

3 hours ago, lazyjk said:

So are you guys going over to the east coast, back to the west coast and then back to the east (Dublin?) Doesn't seem like the ideal route but I can imagine just getting the rounds booked this late might play a part. At least you have a dedicated driver!

Yes that was the only snafu as Old head tee times were made available at the last minute and we didn't want to miss out on that. So with a little changes luckily we were able to add Dooks in before heading to Dublin. I figured we would be all out of golf zone once we arrive in Dublin so wanted to get that done. I highly doubt we will end up at K Club and might just spend the Sunday resting our backs.

[coolcucumber_1]

18 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

When I was young enough and in shape enough to make that kind of a trip I wouldn't have done it, lol, but like George Bailey, I was born old. At least turning things over to a driver gives you a chance to sit back and hopefully take in the scenery and enjoy more of the experience, so good call on that.

 

I applaud the pioneering spirit but seems like a borderline test of endurance - I hope you have some lodging that allows you to settle in rather than a different place to stay every night or every other night.  But getting in as much golf as possible is a worthy goal for many, and good on them.

 

I don't know about hand warmers, but be prepared for playing in the rain and expect it and think about what you will do on a 36 day if you get poured on in the morning and can't go back to the room before playing the afternoon - you might want dry clothes.

 

I suggest walking more than you've ever walked and on a consistent basis and up and down, etc. before you go (start now) or you (or others) will simply not enjoy it very much, IMO, if your idea of enjoying the trip is to play to some resemblance of your usual game and not be exhausted (and you won't play your usual golf game!).  I see some of these popular golf vloggers on the drinking/no sleep/"what course are we even on today" type "shows" and none of that looks worth emulating for a once in a lifetime trip to Scotland or Ireland or England, IMO.

 

Again, all IMO.  I love the golf, we are taking our first trip to Ireland in June (been to Scotland twice) and all my trips are with my long time sweetie (daughters went once, will again when we go to England in a year or two), so we enjoy the tourist aspects as well and leave plenty of time for those kinds of things, so it's a little hard for me to relate.  All depends on the group dynamic you are dealing with, who can handle their pints and a little stress and how much the golf itself is worth to them.

 

I'm guessing it will be a lot of fun. 

 

 

All great points bud and yes the endurance aspect does seem something we need to be ready for before we get there. Our group has done smaller trips before and yes they have been super fun so i cant imagine what's in store for us come July.

The Van with driver should allow us to get some extra rest while we are travelling and check out the scenery. 

Most of us are serious golfers so the focus will be to try and get our best games out, again easier said than done. Usually we can keep the pints down to a minimum at least on the course so that shouldn't be a problem. 

Good call on the rain gear , going to start keeping an eye out from now.

Sry i didnt get the G Bailey reference unless you are talking abt the cricketer.

 

What courses are you playing on your trip ?

 

-Z

[coolcucumber_1]

On 4/15/2022 at 10:01 AM, hammergolf said:

I rented houses in Dublin, Kilmihil and Listowel for our trip last year, so can’t help much in those other areas. In Dublin we ate/drank at Brannigan’s and Parnell Heritage Pub. Both places had great food and cold Guinness and Smithwick’s. We were staying on the North side if the river in the Parnell St./O’Connell Street area. We did have lunch at Tralee after our round and the food was very good. If you have time after your round at Lahinch, I definitely recommend stopping by The 19th Bar. Paddy is the best! If you want sone great seafood I’d recommend Randdaddy’s. Can’t help you in the other places though. Have a GREAT trip! Look forward to reading about it.

Thanks for the details, ill keep an eye out for these spots.

Pictures and details will definitely be added.

 

Thx

-Z

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

All great points bud and yes the endurance aspect does seem something we need to be ready for before we get there. Our group has done smaller trips before and yes they have been super fun so i cant imagine what's in store for us come July.

The Van with driver should allow us to get some extra rest while we are travelling and check out the scenery. 

Most of us are serious golfers so the focus will be to try and get our best games out, again easier said than done. Usually we can keep the pints down to a minimum at least on the course so that shouldn't be a problem. 

Good call on the rain gear , going to start keeping an eye out from now.

Sry i didnt get the G Bailey reference unless you are talking abt the cricketer.

 

What courses are you playing on your trip ?

 

-Z

“It’s A Wonderful Life”!  
 

We are playing Connemara, Lahinch, Tralee (twice), Castlegregory, Ceann Sibeal, Dooks, Killarney Killeen and one more somewhere between Killarney and Dublin, maybe at Kilkenny, maybe the European Club - that is up in the air. 
 

Less than 60 days!

[ajgoodal.704]

36 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

“It’s A Wonderful Life”!  
 

We are playing Connemara, Lahinch, Tralee (twice), Castlegregory, Ceann Sibeal, Dooks, Killarney Killeen and one more somewhere between Killarney and Dublin, maybe at Kilkenny, maybe the European Club - that is up in the air. 
 

Less than 60 days!

If you are looking at courses near Kilkenny, Carlow might intrigue you.  It's on my list for when I'm in that area.  

[Hawkeye77]

On 4/19/2022 at 7:28 AM, ajgoodal.704 said:

If you are looking at courses near Kilkenny, Carlow might intrigue you.  It's on my list for when I'm in that area.  

 

This looks really interesting!

 

I sent an email to Mount Juliet - they are having a tournament starting less than two weeks after we would play it - and asked about general availability of the course, i.e., any areas that would be off limits, or mats, etc. like some of the links courses do before events and . . . . absolutely no answer at all, so there are two pretty hefty greens fees and lunch for two they probably won't miss and maybe there's a reason for the delay and I should have emailed sooner.  As a result our last 2 1/2 days before heading back to Dublin will not be in Kilkenny, but near Arklow and I see this course is pretty close.  

 

The links at Arklow will now be played as the "must play" and seeing the national park vs. Kilkenny city, and seems like a good trade.  

 

Carlow looks amazing so between that and the European Club for now - it now looks like the possibility of playing the EC may work out, so that's now getting priority if it does, I was going to bag it but just don't feel like I can stay that close and not see what it's all about.

Edited April 27, 2022 by Hawkeye77

[puttnforthe8]

4 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

This looks really interesting!

 

I sent an email to Mount Juliet - they are having a tournament starting less than two weeks after we would play it - and asked about general availability of the course, i.e., any areas that would be off limits, or mats, etc. like some of the links courses do before events and . . . . absolutely no answer at all, so there are two pretty hefty greens fees and lunch for two they probably won't miss and maybe there's a reason for the delay and I should have emailed sooner.  As a result our last 2 1/2 days before heading back to Dublin will not be in Kilkenny, but near Arklow and I see this course is pretty close.  

 

The links at Arklow will now be played as the "must play" and seeing the national park vs. Kilkenny city, and seems like a good trade.  

 

Carlow looks amazing so between that and the European Club for now - it now looks like the possibility of playing the EC may work out, so that's now getting priority if it does, I was going to bag it but just don't feel like I can stay that close and not see what it's all about.

 

EC is special - over the years it's just climbed to excessive $$ imo.   

 

You may consider Macreddin - I think it is severely underrated.   I am a Druids Glen/Heath 'homer' as I used to do that 36 quite often.   

 

[hammergolf]

Has the remodel at Druids Glen started yet? When we played it in October the staff mentioned that the course was being remodeled soon.

[Chanceman]

On 4/27/2022 at 9:56 AM, puttnforthe8 said:

 

EC is special - over the years it's just climbed to excessive $$ imo.   

 

You may consider Macreddin - I think it is severely underrated.   I am a Druids Glen/Heath 'homer' as I used to do that 36 quite often.   

 

Totally agree on Macreddin. A little gem.

[puttnforthe8]

On 4/27/2022 at 10:52 AM, hammergolf said:

Has the remodel at Druids Glen started yet? When we played it in October the staff mentioned that the course was being remodeled soon.

 

It started in Jan and supposedly will take 12 or so months.

 

[tiger-vs-me]

just back from our IRL Trip. 
first, as all others wrote, forgot your 36 holes, because this is not an „experience“

2nd. don’t play Ballybunion. The last holes for sure a blast, but the first 6 are boring and really usual, 275€ not worth.

Play Doonbeg, far away beeing a Trumpist, but holymolly, what a piece of Land that is!

One of the best starting holes EVER and it doesn’t get boring!

Staying Lahinch and wow, what did we partying…so, no 36 😂😂

[ajgoodal.704]

On 4/27/2022 at 8:01 AM, Hawkeye77 said:

 

This looks really interesting!

 

I sent an email to Mount Juliet - they are having a tournament starting less than two weeks after we would play it - and asked about general availability of the course, i.e., any areas that would be off limits, or mats, etc. like some of the links courses do before events and . . . . absolutely no answer at all, so there are two pretty hefty greens fees and lunch for two they probably won't miss and maybe there's a reason for the delay and I should have emailed sooner.  As a result our last 2 1/2 days before heading back to Dublin will not be in Kilkenny, but near Arklow and I see this course is pretty close.  

 

The links at Arklow will now be played as the "must play" and seeing the national park vs. Kilkenny city, and seems like a good trade.  

 

Carlow looks amazing so between that and the European Club for now - it now looks like the possibility of playing the EC may work out, so that's now getting priority if it does, I was going to bag it but just don't feel like I can stay that close and not see what it's all about.

 I hope you make it to Carlow for the sure fact I want to read all about it when you get back.  There is some parkland golf in that part of the country that just looks really good.  Bunclody, Tramore, Macreddin, etc.  

[Hawkeye77]

10 hours ago, tiger-vs-me said:

just back from our IRL Trip. 
first, as all others wrote, forgot your 36 holes, because this is not an „experience“

2nd. don’t play Ballybunion. The last holes for sure a blast, but the first 6 are boring and really usual, 275€ not worth.

Play Doonbeg, far away beeing a Trumpist, but holymolly, what a piece of Land that is!

One of the best starting holes EVER and it doesn’t get boring!

Staying Lahinch and wow, what did we partying…so, no 36 😂😂

 

I'm expecting a good story with goats involved!

[Chanceman]

13 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

I'm expecting a good story with goats involved!

And the ghosts in the cemetery don’t like being told they are boring. So watch your rear.

[lazyjk]

On 4/28/2022 at 10:49 PM, tiger-vs-me said:

2nd. don’t play Ballybunion

Now this is certainly a take. Everyone is entitled to their opinion -- even if it's a  terrible one.

[hammergolf]

On 5/10/2022 at 7:31 AM, lazyjk said:

Now this is certainly a take. Everyone is entitled to their opinion -- even if it's a  terrible one.

Yeah, not sure about his statement, while Ballybunion was rated 3rd on our courses played list by my group behind Tralee, and Lahinch, we definitely really enjoyed it. While I agree the first 5 1/2 holes are ho hum, the next 12 1/2 are GREAT! Really looking forward to our return trip in October to see how the courses in the NW  compare. (Carne, Enniscrone, Strandhill, Rosses Point, Donegal, and Narin & Portnoo) 

[El Gringo]

I want to know where you guys play. The first 6 holes at Ballybunion are boring or ho hum? I will give you 4 & 5, but the other four a good to great holes. I can understand eye candy being an influence on an opinion, but jeepers. 

[hammergolf]

6 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

I want to know where you guys play. The first 6 holes at Ballybunion are boring or ho hum? I will give you 4 & 5, but the other four a good to great holes. I can understand eye candy being an influence on an opinion, but jeepers. 

It very well could be that the comparison is the first 5 holes vs the rest of the course. Imho the first five holes are just ho hum. Not bad, not great. If those 5 holes at Ballybunion were the finishing holes it would I think the comparison would be even worse. Tralee suffers from the same issue. Because of how great the back nine is the front 9 gets a bad wrap. There are some great holes at Tralee on the front, (2,3,8) in fact much better than any of the first 5 holes on the front at Ballybunion yet many rank it higher than Tralee. 

[El Gringo]

6 hours ago, hammergolf said:

It very well could be that the comparison is the first 5 holes vs the rest of the course. Imho the first five holes are just ho hum. Not bad, not great. If those 5 holes at Ballybunion were the finishing holes it would I think the comparison would be even worse. Tralee suffers from the same issue. Because of how great the back nine is the front 9 gets a bad wrap. There are some great holes at Tralee on the front, (2,3,8) in fact much better than any of the first 5 holes on the front at Ballybunion yet many rank it higher than Tralee. 

The original discussion was the opening six holes. The diversity and high quality of Ballybunion's 2, 3 and 6 as the quiet part of the course is a measure of how good Ballybunion is. I am not a huge fan of the course, but it is clear as day Ballybunion is one of the best courses in GB&I. I am one who rates Ballybunion as superior in practically every way to Tralee...and Tralee is a good course! 

Edited May 13, 2022 by El Gringo

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

The original discussion was the opening six holes. The diversity and high quality of Ballybunion's 2, 3 and 6 as the quiet part of the course is a measure of how good Ballybunion is. I am not a huge fan of the course, but it is clear as day Ballybunion is one of the best courses in GB&I. I am one who rates Ballybunion as superior in practically every way to Tralee...and Tralee is a good course! 

I say 5 1/2 holes at Bally because the second shot into 6 is a great one. Bally is a great course, but I think Tralee has more holes that are better. However, I think comparing Ballybunion, Tralee, and Lahinch is like comparing a blonde, brunette, and redhead supermodel…. Everyone is right. I’m looking forward to playing Carne, Enniscrone, Strandhill, Rosses Point, Donegal, and Narin & Portnoo to compare.