10 day Golf trip in Ireland

[El Gringo]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

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. 

 

[El Gringo]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

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. 

True, its all a matter of opinion. Which is why I am usually more interested in people's favourite courses. Discussing favourites is a much more likely way to discover different courses rather than rehash the same places over and again. It's nowhere near the best, but to date my favourite course in Ireland is the Bann at Castlerock. Brilliant use of that land to get so many compelling holes on a 9 hole course. 

[tiger-vs-me]

On 5/14/2022 at 1:55 AM, 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! 

sorry, yes, my bad. Yes, Ballybunion is great. But, a day later we played Doonbeg and we all decided that that was the better course. It was not only the price Ballybunion 275£ Doonbeg 90£, as i mentioned earlier, nearly 30% of the course are not 275£ish. Is it „one of the best“ Linkscourses…? Yeah it should be in the Top 15-20, but for my group and me, we decided not to come back.

[El Gringo]

21 hours ago, tiger-vs-me said:

sorry, yes, my bad. Yes, Ballybunion is great. But, a day later we played Doonbeg and we all decided that that was the better course. It was not only the price Ballybunion 275£ Doonbeg 90£, as i mentioned earlier, nearly 30% of the course are not 275£ish. Is it „one of the best“ Linkscourses…? Yeah it should be in the Top 15-20, but for my group and me, we decided not to come back.

I can fully appreciate the value for money argument. I wouldn't pay 275 Euro for Ballyb. What bothered me most was the visitor section for drinking. Its not a deal breaker for sure, but the idea of a separate bar for visitors isn't very welcoming and strikes me as unIrish. I recall Co Down had a separate visitor bar as well. Not good. 

[hammergolf]

14 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

I can fully appreciate the value for money argument. I wouldn't pay 275 Euro for Ballyb. What bothered me most was the visitor section for drinking. Its not a deal breaker for sure, but the idea of a separate bar for visitors isn't very welcoming and strikes me as unIrish. I recall Co Down had a separate visitor bar as well. Not good. 

Ballyb was definitely the coldest greeting we got last year…

[sabram]

Most of the Irish courses I've played are very welcoming to visitors. Ballyliffin was the best. Great pub, great welcome, great members, great craic. Felt like we were long time members as we hung out until closing. Royal Dublin is a lot more formal than Ballyliffin, but also some very friendly members.

[njlam]

Sharing the OP's enthusiasm, I am going with a group of 8 guys to Ireland in late July 2022. This was a trip that was cancelled postponed from 2020.

 

Day 1: Ballybunion

Day 2: Waterville
Day 3. Lahinch
Day 4: County Sligo

Day 5: Port Stewart
Day 6: Day off
Day 7: Royal Portrush
Day 8: Royal County Down

As our group ranges in age from 45-65, we are only playing one round a day (with caddies) and we expect as a group to go thru a whole bottle of Tylenol.

 

So excited I am starting to pack now. Any suggestions/recommendation on what to expect weatherwise in late July?

 

I have an annual Bandon trip in November and bringing too much rain gear usually results in great weather. Getting to Ireland from Oregon will not allow this kind of preparation. 

 

Experienced advice appreciated.

Edited June 9, 2022 by njlam

[puttnforthe8]

37 minutes ago, njlam said:

Sharing the OP's enthusiasm, I am going with a group of 8 guys to Ireland in late July 2022. This was a trip that was cancelled postponed from 2020.

 

Day 1: Ballybunion

Day 2: Waterville
Day 3. Lahinch
Day 4: County Sligo

Day 5: Port Stewart
Day 6: Day off
Day 7: Royal Portrush
Day 8: Royal County Down

As our group ranges in age from 45-65, we are only playing one round a day (with caddies) and we expect as a group to go thru a whole bottle of Tylenol.

 

So excited I am starting to pack now. Any suggestions/recommendation on what to expect weatherwise in late July?

 

I have an annual Bandon trip in November and bringing too much rain gear usually results in great weather. Getting to Ireland from Oregon will not allow this kind of preparation. 

 

Experienced advice appreciated.

 

It's July - technically the best weather month.  Not much more to say.  Doesn't mean it won't rain - tends to be bursts which pass relatively quickly.  

 

I almost never use rain gear in those months other than a short sleeve top or pack the brella if the forecast indicates.  

 

Edited June 9, 2022 by puttnforthe8

[njlam]

I guess the space I will save not bringing too much rain gear can be filled with extra golf balls....

[coolcucumber_1]

I am sure you will have a great time.

Almost at the point where these last 20 days cant get over soon at all.

Last minute shopping is also complete, rain gloves, new shoes , balls all stocked up on 🙂

 

-Z

[njlam]

As ours is a 10 day trip, many of the guys are wondering if there are laundry facilities at fancy golf hotels, or we need to bring as many pairs of underwear as golf balls.

I am still doing the last minute shopping...

 

Waiting on lightweight rain pants, just received the global internet hotspot, and will call Verizon for the international travel plan the night before we go.

[coolcucumber_1]

Good call on the global wifi bud. Since we have a car with driver we are going to be on the lookout for laundromats around while driving but just to be safe gonna carry a dozen 🙂

My order for the light rain paints got cancelled due to size issues so still hunting on deals, lets see how that goes.

 

Counting the days 

-Z

 

[sabram]

20 hours ago, njlam said:

As ours is a 10 day trip, many of the guys are wondering if there are laundry facilities at fancy golf hotels,

I don't stay at  fancy golf hotels, but I've always had good luck with B&B owners doing laundry for us. Leave them dirties in the evening and when you get back from golf the next day clean clothes await you. That assumes you're staying at the same place two nights. I assume someone at a high end hotel can make arrangements to have laundry done. I do that in the U.S. 

[coolcucumber_1]

Almost go time gents and it feels like the adrenaline is already kicked in.

Looking at the weather , it seems like we might not get a sunny day at all in the 2 weeks we are there ..... any locals can chimne in on current situation. We are set to start with Rosapenna on the Saturday.

[hammergolf]

9 minutes ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

Almost go time gents and it feels like the adrenaline is already kicked in.

Looking at the weather , it seems like we might not get a sunny day at all in the 2 weeks we are there ..... any locals can chimne in on current situation. We are set to start with Rosapenna on the Saturday.

Have a great trip!

[Chanceman]

I have only one last piece of advice. You must absolutely get to play Carne.  I played it yesterday in the wettest and windiest conditions imaginable and I would do it again anytime. 
it is brilliant. Better than Enniscrone and much better than Ballyliffin. Imho. It’s 2 hours from Sligo and at 130 euro great value for 27 holes.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Chanceman said:

I have only one last piece of advice. You must absolutely get to play Carne.  I played it yesterday in the wettest and windiest conditions imaginable and I would do it again anytime. 
it is brilliant. Better than Enniscrone and much better than Ballyliffin. Imho. It’s 2 hours from Sligo and at 130 euro great value for 27 holes.

Did u play all 27? Can’t wait till I play it. 87 days…..

[Chanceman]

7 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Did u play all 27? Can’t wait till I play it. 87 days…..

Sadly unable to complete the Kilmore 9 . The boat began to sink.

[hammergolf]

8 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Sadly unable to complete the Kilmore 9 . The boat began to sink.

The plan is to play all 27 when we go. 

[coolcucumber_1]

No Carne for us as they have a tournament on the day we were planning to play.

Really wanted to but alas with so many great courses there this was bound to happen, maybe another time.

pics coming soon and maybe a drone video if i can figure out how to edit the darn thing.

[njlam]

On 6/8/2022 at 6:54 PM, njlam said:

Sharing the OP's enthusiasm, I am going with a group of 8 guys to Ireland in late July 2022. This was a trip that was cancelled postponed from 2020.

 

Day 1: Ballybunion

Day 2: Waterville
Day 3. Lahinch
Day 4: County Sligo

Day 5: Port Stewart
Day 6: Day off
Day 7: Royal Portrush
Day 8: Royal County Down

As our group ranges in age from 45-65, we are only playing one round a day (with caddies) and we expect as a group to go thru a whole bottle of Tylenol.

 

So excited I am starting to pack now. Any suggestions/recommendation on what to expect weatherwise in late July?

 

I have an annual Bandon trip in November and bringing too much rain gear usually results in great weather. Getting to Ireland from Oregon will not allow this kind of preparation. 

 

Experienced advice appreciated.

Hi, me again.

With the trip less than 3 weeks away, I can hardly contain myself.

As we are a group of 8 guys, I think we should make dinner reservations to make sure we can all sit together.

Given our itinerary above, does anyone have any favorite places to recommend we try?

Nothing is too simple, or too fancy.... 

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, njlam said:

Hi, me again.

With the trip less than 3 weeks away, I can hardly contain myself.

As we are a group of 8 guys, I think we should make dinner reservations to make sure we can all sit together.

Given our itinerary above, does anyone have any favorite places to recommend we try?

Nothing is too simple, or too fancy.... 

Not much in Ballybunion but Stroller’s in the lodge across from the course is good, Randaddy’s was very good seafood in Lahinch, Dooley’s is good in Waterville. Can’t help you in the other areas

[stanford88]

Teach de Broc at Ballybunion (close to the course) is considered one of the best. Get the duck 2 ways. Our favorite place by far.

 

[coolcucumber_1]

So just got to London from Dublin, cannot even say in words what playing these courses meant.

To top it all off, while we were on the 9th green @ Ballybunion Tiger and Rory came down in a chopper for their practice round.....absolute unreal experience which i cannot still believe.

Tiger actually said Hey Guys.......and that was it ...nothing will ever top it off.

Will be posting some pics shortly once i am back stateside.

[njlam]

45 minutes ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

So just got to London from Dublin, cannot even say in words what playing these courses meant.

To top it all off, while we were on the 9th green @ Ballybunion Tiger and Rory came down in a chopper for their practice round.....absolute unreal experience which i cannot still believe.

Tiger actually said Hey Guys.......and that was it ...nothing will ever top it off.

Will be posting some pics shortly once i am back stateside.

I am leaving in 10 days for Ireland....tell me about the weather...I am struggling with the pants to shorts ratio...

[coolcucumber_1]

2 hours ago, njlam said:

I am leaving in 10 days for Ireland....tell me about the weather...I am struggling with the pants to shorts ratio...

The only time i got to wear shorts was in Dublin @ K club & Carton house. Could have gotten away with em at old head as well, but no where else would it work. I would just pack one and see if you get lucky

[njlam]

Thanks. I am assuming you are talking about weather permitting, not dress code?

[Chanceman]

I would take 2 pairs of both. They can be washed easily. The weather is fickle. You could get anything from hot to freezing. And 100% wind. 

[njlam]

Okay, leaving for Ireland in a week and the excitement is building...

 

I have moved my pants to shorts ratio from 1:1 to 3:1 given the advice here (and watching The Open where none of the spectators are wearing shorts).

 

I heard somewhere that when playing golf in Scotland/Ireland (coming from the US), that it is best to leave your highest lofted wedge at home.

Is this sound advice? I carry a 64 and it is one of the most reliable clubs in my bag...what would I replace it with?

Edited July 16, 2022 by njlam

[puttnforthe8]

4 hours ago, njlam said:

Okay, leaving for Ireland in a week and the excitement is building...

 

I have moved my pants to short ratio from 1:1 to 3:1 given the advice here (and watching The Open where none of the spectators are wearing shorts).

 

I heard somewhere that when playing golf in Scotland/Ireland (coming from the US), that it is best to leave your highest lofted wedge at home.

Is this sound advice? I carry a 64 and it is one of the most reliable clubs in my bag...what would I replace it with?

LOL....That is utterly ridiculous!  Play whatever clubs you prefer.  In 20 years, I have never once taken my 60 out the bag.