Golf in Ireland

[snkstaff]

I am looking for a good book or even a website for here to stay, where to eat, where to play. Need some help.

[shortstop20]

Hooked by Kevin Markham and "A course called Ireland"

[parpar41]

As above, if you read only one book, the best is "A course called Ireland" by Tom Coyne (2009).

Also good is, "Links of Heaven: a complete guide to golf journeys in Ireland" by Phinney and Whitley (2007).

The [i]locus classicus [/i]is "Emerald Fairways and foam-flecked seas" by James W. Finnegan (1996).

[snkstaff]

Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys

[shortstop20]

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398131417' post='9140687']
Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys
[/quote]

He did indeed. [size=4] [/size]

[size=4]I am headed to Ireland in a little less than a month. Playing Ballybunion, Lahinch, The Island and the Dooks. [/size]

[snkstaff]

Has anyone read secret of the Irish links?

[johnnylongball]

I went over a few years ago. I second the motion to read A Course Called Ireland.

I booked our trip using this website: [url="http://swinggolfireland.com/"]http://swinggolfireland.com/[/url]

Any google search will yield lots of people that will book the trip for you. This is the only site I found that did not add a hefty surcharge to do so. Highly recommended.

[MikeMcM]

James finegan wrote a great book on I

[MikeMcM]

Ireland golf, can't remember the name off hand, but coynes book is good as well. With the roads there you really have to group a trip by region, Southwest, Northwest, belfast or Dublin. I've used Swing Golf before but it's just as easy to do yourself and cheaper. Happy to assist if you have any questions, reading these books on all the courses, it's tough to sort it all out

[Tipsy McHooker]

Check out Tailor-Made Golf Tours website. They set up an awesome trip for my father and I and the website is very informative. Peter O'Sullivan was the guy we dealt with.

[thechief16]

[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1398132589' post='9140865']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398131417' post='9140687']
Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys
[/quote]

He did indeed.

[size=4]I am headed to Ireland in a little less than a month. Playing Ballybunion, Lahinch, The Island and the Dooks. [/size]
[/quote]
Nice. Played Lahinch and BallyB 10 years ago. Lahinch is the most incredible piece of land I have ever seen.

Headed back in early June to play the NW coast -- Narin& Portnoo, Donegal GC, Cruit Island, Rosapenna Sandy Hill and a couple others.

I will "third" the recommendation for "A course Called Ireland."

[hgb]

[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1398132589' post='9140865']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398131417' post='9140687']
Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys
[/quote]

He did indeed.

[size=4]I am headed to Ireland in a little less than a month. Playing Ballybunion, Lahinch, The Island and the Dooks. [/size]
[/quote]


On my trip in 2012 I too played these with the exception of The Island. You will love them.

[snkstaff]

Will probably get coyne's book and the book called hooked.

[shortstop20]

[quote name='thechief16' timestamp='1398204139' post='9146555']
[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1398132589' post='9140865']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398131417' post='9140687']
Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys
[/quote]

He did indeed.

[size=4]I am headed to Ireland in a little less than a month. Playing Ballybunion, Lahinch, The Island and the Dooks. [/size]
[/quote]
Nice. Played Lahinch and BallyB 10 years ago. Lahinch is the most incredible piece of land I have ever seen.

Headed back in early June to play the NW coast -- Narin& Portnoo, Donegal GC, Cruit Island, Rosapenna Sandy Hill and a couple others.

I will "third" the recommendation for "A course Called Ireland."
[/quote]

Nice. A trip to NW Ireland/Northern Ireland or to Scotland is in my sites for 2015.

[BrianL99]

[quote name='thechief16' timestamp='1398204139' post='9146555']

Lahinch is the most incredible piece of land I have ever seen.

[/quote]

You must not have played Old Head? I think Lahinch is 20 times better than Old Head as a golf course, but Old Head is situated on an amazing piece of land.

Of course, I played Lahinch in a driving rainstorm, with 40 mph winds, so I didn't see much of the land

[gussie]

Lahinch town is marketed as an Irish St. Andrews
It's a great town with some good pubs etc and plenty of accommodation
Easy access from Shannon airport (connections from all major us airports)
Course is ranked in top ten British isles
Doonbegg is 25 mins
Ballubimion 90 mins
In my opinion lahinch is a fab test of links golf
If you research the mid west of ireland
You will find a holiday of some of the finest links courses in ireland
Tralee dooks Waterville balybunion doonbegg lahinch
PleAse don't fall into the trap of thinking ireland is small country and try and fit it all in
The road network is a challenge at the best of times
Stop and smell the roses
Trust me you will appreciate it even more

[Cfd74]

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398116610' post='9139071']
I am looking for a good book or even a website for here to stay, where to eat, where to play. Need some help.
[/quote]

My wife and I go over to Ireland and/or Scotland every year. Attached is a link for the blog I did for our last Ireland trip. The courses you're playing are covered with some great pictures and insights. Hope it helps.

http://anythingandeverythinggolf.blogspot.com/2011/07/to-emerald-isle-we-go.html

[tmoney47]

Played three near Dublin (Portmarnock Old, European Club and The Island).

The Island was the one that I remember with the most fondness. The course was interesting and challenging, but the staff and hospitality was awesome.

Booked them all directly with no issues.

Stay in the fairway - the tall grasses are just like a water hazard: hard to find and impossible to play from.

[Shemp]

I've been to Scotland twice and N Ireland once. In July we're hitting SW Ireland, playing Tralee, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Dooks, Ballybunion, Old Head and Waterville. Our group always books through an agent. We round up 8 guys for the trip and get a driver with a large MB van for the week. I don't like driving in the UK and I want to have a beer or three after a round. We're staying in KIllarney and Ennis this trip, flying from Boston to Shannon. I can't wait!

[snkstaff]

If you had to pichk a region which region would ou choose for a first time trip?

[BrianL99]

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398733425' post='9191377']
If you had to pichk a region which region would ou choose for a first time trip?
[/quote]

Southwest

[TerpFangolfer]

[quote name='shortstop20' timestamp='1398132589' post='9140865']
[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398131417' post='9140687']
Tom coyne wrote paper tiger if I remember correctly. Loved that book. Thanks or the info guys
[/quote]

He did indeed.

I am headed to Ireland in a little less than a month. Playing Ballybunion, Lahinch, The Island and the Dooks.
[/quote]

I'm also heading over in just 5 weeks...Playing Bally, Dooks, Waterville, RCD & Portmarnock. Want to try for Lahinch also, but so far not fitting in the schedule.

I asked this in another Ireland thread...but no response yet - for those who have been, what's a normal tip for Sr. caddies? Thinking about 5e + (for going beyond) or should it be more?? Thanks...

[snkstaff]

If you do southwest should you just choose one base and travel to courses?

[BrianL99]

[quote name='snkstaff' timestamp='1398736934' post='9191971']
If you do southwest should you just choose one base and travel to courses?
[/quote]

I think there are more great courses within a reasonable driving distance, if you stay in Kerry or Killarney.

There are great courses everywhere, but as a lot of people will point out, commuting all over the countryside in Ireland, can be a chore.

[snkstaff]

I think what is said about picking a region sounds right. It would probably not be my only trip. Thanks for all the info

[MatthewNoelSmith]

Check out HiddenLinks.com

They have a decent outline of golf in Ireland. I like how they divide it up into territories so you know where the golf courses are relative to others.

I'm actually at the gate getting ready to board my flight to Ireland. Mostly to see family but I'm playing The K Club, The Island, Ballyliffin, and the local Cavan Golf Club that most of my family plays out of.

[snkstaff]

Awesome thanks