Need 1 more course in Ireland (Portmarnock?)

[dpdm03]

I am planning a weekend trip to Ireland for 12 guys for this May.

 

I currently have the following itinerary booked:

 

Saturday afternoon

18 at Portmarnock

 

Sunday

36 Royal Portrush

 

Monday

36 Royal County Down

 

After reading very mixed reviews of Portmarnock I'm starting to wondering if we should replace Portmarnock with something else. Ideally it would be near Dublin, near Portrush, or between the two.

 

We are flying in early Saturday morning and have a coach that will drive us around. We vary in handicap from 2-13. We don't necessarily need the highest ranked course, but one that will be the most fun.

 

How is the experience at Portmarnock? Restaurant, locker rooms, service etc?

 

Would The Island be a better choice than Portmarnock?

 

Any other good options?

[dpdm03]

And yea I know The trip will be a whirlwind and not the best way to enjoy Ireland, but we all have young families so it was this or nothing!

[az2au]

I like The Island and Baltry (County Louth) both a lot more than Portmarnock. They both fit your requirements.

[C. Spackler]

Portmarnock is a nice track with some great history but I agree with ^^^^^^ I really enjoyed Baltry.

[jimwgt26]

I've never played in Northern Ireland, but I've heard Ardglass is great.

[DavePelz4]

You might want to take a look at Druid's Glen...

[FairwayFred]

As a golf course I'd definitely recommend The Island over Portmarnock. Portmarnock has nicer amenities but The Island is a special golf course. The most under rated in Ireland imo.

[dpdm03]

Thanks everyone. Nornally I'm pretty decisive but I'm having a hard time with with this one.

 

The Island looks like a really fun course with a unique layout.

 

Portmarnock has got the history and prestige. Looks like the course plays firm and fast, which i love.

[Trapperchamonix]

Thanks everyone. Nornally I'm pretty decisive but I'm having a hard time with with this one.

 

The Island looks like a really fun course with a unique layout.

 

Portmarnock has got the history and prestige. Looks like the course plays firm and fast, which i love.

 

As a member of the Island, I'm biased but I've yet to see anyone disappointed by The Island. This video gives a good sense of the course

 

 

The Island (1890) is 4 years older than Portmarnock and is the venue for the Irish Qualifiers of the British Open. The Island is probably more similar to some of the West Coast courses (Ballybunnion, Lahinch, Enniscrone) with very high dunes, while Portmornock is more typical of the East Coast flatter gerography. Undoubtably Portmarnock is a more storied course haveing been venue for Walker Cup and Irish Opens but I would argue that the Island is a more friendly club.

I wouldn't worry too much as either choice you make will be a good one.

 

p.s. regarding firm and fast, I'd be disappointed if any links course you play in Ireland was not firm and fast.

[dpdm03]

Thanks for the response!

 

Quick follow up question - we arrive in Dublin at 9:00AM and don't really want to just sit around until 4:00pm when we can tee off at the Island. Would you recommend a quick round at Corballis?

[Trapperchamonix]

Thanks for the response!

 

Quick follow up question - we arrive in Dublin at 9:00AM and don't really want to just sit around until 4:00pm when we can tee off at the Island. Would you recommend a quick round at Corballis?

 

I'd say it depends where you are flying in from. If you are overnighting from the US, it could make for a very long day. Not sure how used you are to walking courses or not.

Having said that, Corbalis is a very interesting course. It is a municiple course with Green Fees that are very cheap. There is not really a club house. It is a Par 66 course which backs onto The Island GC. As such for 10 or 12 holes it shares similar terrain. Greens are usually pretty good. It is very short, 4,600 mtrs (about 5000 yds). Some of the holes are short (a number of par 4's under 350 yds), some holes (par 3 6th hole) are good enough to be on any top level course. But a very difficult course to score on. Its tricky and you need to pay attention to how to play the holes. Some holes you need to play a 7iron from the tee on a par 4. Its a course you would need to play again to understand it.

But as long as you guys aren't going to be too tired and as long as you approach it with the right attitude it would be a great idea. It would certainly get you used to the "bump & run" nature of links golf.

 

I'll try and dig out a blog where a very experienced Corballis player has outlined the best strategy of playing Corballis and also I'll find a different link for a blogger how has photos of every course in Ireland.

[Trapperchamonix]

Kevin Markham has played every course in Ireland and written a wonderful book called "Hooked". He also has a blog a called http://www.theirishgolfblog.com/ and below are links to photos he's taken of the 2 courses you are talking about

 

Photos of The Island

Photos of Corbalis

[Trapperchamonix]

I can only find the following that gives a very abreviated guide. I'm pretty sure he has posted a much better one. Joing athe forum and ask him (fixdepitchmark)

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057153609&page=16

[dpdm03]

Thanks for the info!

 

We decided to play Corballis (maybe just front 9) and then The Island.

[Trapperchamonix]

Thanks for the info!

 

We decided to play Corballis (maybe just front 9) and then The Island.

 

I heard there was a group playing on Sat, who had spent the morning in Corballis. Was that you? You certainly got a nice day for it.

[dpdm03]

Thanks for the info!

 

We decided to play Corballis (maybe just front 9) and then The Island.

 

I heard there was a group playing on Sat, who had spent the morning in Corballis. Was that you? You certainly got a nice day for it.

 

Nope. We actually leave a week from tomorrow, so we will be playing Corballis and The Island May 28. Can't wait.

[Trapperchamonix]

Thanks for the info!

 

We decided to play Corballis (maybe just front 9) and then The Island.

 

I heard there was a group playing on Sat, who had spent the morning in Corballis. Was that you? You certainly got a nice day for it.

 

Nope. We actually leave a week from tomorrow, so we will be playing Corballis and The Island May 28. Can't wait.

 

Should be a good day to play. The forecast (always unreliable this far out) looks reasonable, with temp in the 60's and no rain. If you want a local forecast, use this link closer to the day.

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/5day-ireland.asp

I'm playing in members competition at 10:00. I'll keep an eye out for you when I get it.

[dpdm03]

Thanks for the think. I'll keep an eye on it!

 

We have the first tee times after the member competition and are planning on grabbing lunch in the clubhouse before our round.

 

We couldn't be more excited.

[Trapperchamonix]

I hope you enjoyed the trip.

Make sure you tell everyone that the weather in Ireland is always like this............. :taunt: