Entire summer in UK or Ireland?

[ChaosTheory]

This is the other side of the coin of the thread recently posted by an English guy looking to relocate in the US.

 

My wife and I are interested in spending summers in the British Isles. We have the means to do so in a normal lifestyle, but not the Ritz penthouse. Here are the thoughts.

 

We both love cool weather in the summer. I'd want to be able to play at a good every day private club. Not high end, but a nice fun course that I could join either for the season or with a reasonable annual cost. I'm sure there will be "golfing experience" courses nearby for that occasional big day, but please realize I'm more concerned with finding one fun club in one good small-medium size town that we both could enjoy spending time in. I don't want to mope around as a single trying to find someone to play with. I would want a club with a way to get involved in weekly games. Again, just a good everyday course, something interesting and varied to play but not a ball buster.

 

Normal tourism and sightseeing are not a priority, because those towns will probably be expensive and crowded. BUT, if you know of some touristy place more remote and not so crowded and expensive, let's hear it too. I mean, we are not wanting to be in some grimy industrial place either. Somewhere pleasant.

 

Suggestions for towns and clubs?

[North Butte]

Contact Royal St. Davids (in Harlech) and Aberdovey, located about 30 miles apart on the coast of the unfashionable middle portion of Wales. Both offer International memberships for around $600-ish per year (depending on exchange rates). Aberdovey's membership is slightly more upscale and may also be somewhat more receptive to welcoming a summer resident into the member's game (I am totally speculating on that part!).

 

I prefer the course at Harlech but most people I know who have played both find Aberdovey more fun. Each is a workd class links course.

[North Butte]

Contact Royal St. Davids (in Harlech) and Aberdovey, located about 30 miles apart on the coast of the unfashionable middle portion of Wales. Both offer International memberships for around $600-ish per year (depending on exchange rates). Aberdovey's membership is slightly more upscale and may also be somewhat more receptive to welcoming a summer resident into the member's game (I am totally speculating on that part!).

 

I prefer the course at Harlech but most people I know who have played both find Aberdovey more fun. Each is a workd class links course.

 

BTW after rereading your question I'll add that if you look up "ball buster" in the Golfer's Dictionary there just might be a photo of Royal St. Davids Golf Club ✅

 

The course at Aberdovey by constrast is a real sweetheart but far from a pushover unless you play on a totally calm summer day. ?

[duffer987]

Snow: Have you spent time there before?

Do you have a preference for a particular region?

Do you care whether you are along the coast or inland? (with few exceptions most coastal places are "touristy" in the summer months and with school hols)

Would you be looking to buy a place or do a long-term (2-3 months) let?

Would you buy a car or expect to have good public transport links?

Would you be OK with that single course and nothing else really of merit within a few hours drive?

What do you like to do away from the course? Hiking? Fishing? Galleries?

 

I posted this thread from my last time over, which features courses away from the typical tourist routes, to give you an idea of what's available in different parts of the country:

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1304076-england-wales-golf-trip-review/

[ChaosTheory]

Snow: Have you spent time there before?

Do you have a preference for a particular region?

Do you care whether you are along the coast or inland? (with few exceptions most coastal places are "touristy" in the summer months and with school hols)

Would you be looking to buy a place or do a long-term (2-3 months) let?

Would you buy a car or expect to have good public transport links?

Would you be OK with that single course and nothing else really of merit within a few hours drive?

What do you like to do away from the course? Hiking? Fishing? Galleries?

 

I posted this thread from my last time over, which features courses away from the typical tourist routes, to give you an idea of what's available in different parts of the country:

http://www.golfwrx.c...lf-trip-review/

 

I have not spent time there. I've been to London a few times for business, never for golf.

I don't have much preference for a region. I'm of Scottish descent and have a soft spot for the place, but it's not a big deal.

Coastal has its appeal, but I'd rather not deal with throngs of people overwhelming the golf course, restaurants, etc.

We would rent a residence and probably a small car. Train transport and walkable city center would be great too.

A single course is fine, but if it is the only option for two hours, I sure would hope it is an interesting course to play repeatedly.

We are homebodies, and are not looking to hike, fish, etc. We would get more out of meeting locals through ordinary living.

I'll check out your thread, thanks!

[ChaosTheory]

Contact Royal St. Davids (in Harlech) and Aberdovey, located about 30 miles apart on the coast of the unfashionable middle portion of Wales. Both offer International memberships for around $600-ish per year (depending on exchange rates). Aberdovey's membership is slightly more upscale and may also be somewhat more receptive to welcoming a summer resident into the member's game (I am totally speculating on that part!).

 

I prefer the course at Harlech but most people I know who have played both find Aberdovey more fun. Each is a workd class links course.

 

BTW after rereading your question I'll add that if you look up "ball buster" in the Golfer's Dictionary there just might be a photo of Royal St. Davids Golf Club ✅

 

The course at Aberdovey by constrast is a real sweetheart but far from a pushover unless you play on a totally calm summer day.

 

Thanks for the info. The unfashionable aspect is not necessarily bad.

[duffer987]

Snow: Have you spent time there before?

Do you have a preference for a particular region?

Do you care whether you are along the coast or inland? (with few exceptions most coastal places are "touristy" in the summer months and with school hols)

Would you be looking to buy a place or do a long-term (2-3 months) let?

Would you buy a car or expect to have good public transport links?

Would you be OK with that single course and nothing else really of merit within a few hours drive?

What do you like to do away from the course? Hiking? Fishing? Galleries?

 

I posted this thread from my last time over, which features courses away from the typical tourist routes, to give you an idea of what's available in different parts of the country:

http://www.golfwrx.c...lf-trip-review/

 

I have not spent time there. I've been to London a few times for business, never for golf.

I don't have much preference for a region. I'm of Scottish descent and have a soft spot for the place, but it's not a big deal.

Coastal has its appeal, but I'd rather not deal with throngs of people overwhelming the golf course, restaurants, etc.

We would rent a residence and probably a small car. Train transport and walkable city center would be great too.

A single course is fine, but if it is the only option for two hours, I sure would hope it is an interesting course to play repeatedly.

We are homebodies, and are not looking to hike, fish, etc. We would get more out of meeting locals through ordinary living.

I'll check out your thread, thanks!

 

Gotcha. In that case Inverness or some village in and around there might work a charm. Yes Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Brora, Nairn, have it on the golfer's itinerary, but even still it is well north and nothing like Fife or East Lothian, in terms of being super busy. I've actually golfed with a semi-retired fella that goes to Inverness each July, has a membership at Fortrose & Rosemarkie.

It's a modest course - I've not played it myself yet - but it is a proper links course on the water, with a James Braid pedigree. And their overseas membership is quite attractive, from their site:

 

New Country/Overseas Members (Male or Female) - New Members - THERE IS NO JOINING FEE.

Country/Overseas Membership (anyone living out-with 50 miles from the golf course).

The fee for 2016 is £245.00 and this includes the value of £25.00 being put onto a Members Loyalty Card* which can be spent in the bar. Members using their loyalty cards will also receive a 10% discount from purchases made in the bar, golf shop and for any catering.

For all playing memberships we have reciprocal agreements with TEN other golf clubs which will allow you to play up to 3 rounds of golf for half-price.

 

I used to live in the UK and still miss it, so I could go on about each part of the country, but one English option would be the market town of Cockermouth in the Lakes District. South of it is the very fun and friendly Seascale Golf Club and to the North of town is the proper test of Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club. The Lakes District is a big tourist area, but Cockermouth is skirting the boundaries of it and the courses are definitely outside of it. And I know you said you weren't too bothered either way about other things, but it is a truly beautiful part of the country. You've also got an easy-ish enough drive over to Ayr or down the Wirral to experience the Open Rota and highly rated courses there.

[Chanceman]

Late to this thread but wondering if the idea has been taken up ?

I have long thought about the same thing of going to the UK for 6 months and playing local golf with occasional forays to other courses etc.

The places I have identified are Buxton/Cavendish in the Peak District which is accessible to Liverpool and the Open courses around there, or a place like Newquay or Perranporth in Cornwall which have excellent courses and are close to all those other west country gems like St Enodoc and Trevose.

So much golf to play - so little time.

[Malvern]

The good part about doing a summer in the UK is that you will only be away from home for 2 weeks...……..sorry, too many years living in London, continue on.

[Chanceman]

The good part about doing a summer in the UK is that you will only be away from home for 2 weeks...……..sorry, too many years living in London, continue on.

Tres droll, monsieur

[duffer987]

Late to this thread but wondering if the idea has been taken up ?

I have long thought about the same thing of going to the UK for 6 months and playing local golf with occasional forays to other courses etc.

The places I have identified are Buxton/Cavendish in the Peak District which is accessible to Liverpool and the Open courses around there, or a place like Newquay or Perranporth in Cornwall which have excellent courses and are close to all those other west country gems like St Enodoc and Trevose.

So much golf to play - so little time.

North East is a decent shout: Goswick, Bamburgh, and Dunstanburgh. Memberships are very nicely priced.

Hour or less to all the East Lothian courses, bit longer to Edi.

Be less caravans to be stuck behind than Peak District or Southwest.. of course that's just my preference. You can pick any almost any part of the UK and you're onto a winner for 3-6 months of golf.

[mpm1960]

This is the other side of the coin of the thread recently posted by an English guy looking to relocate in the US.

 

My wife and I are interested in spending summers in the British Isles. We have the means to do so in a normal lifestyle, but not the Ritz penthouse. Here are the thoughts.

 

We both love cool weather in the summer. I'd want to be able to play at a good every day private club. Not high end, but a nice fun course that I could join either for the season or with a reasonable annual cost. I'm sure there will be "golfing experience" courses nearby for that occasional big day, but please realize I'm more concerned with finding one fun club in one good small-medium size town that we both could enjoy spending time in. I don't want to mope around as a single trying to find someone to play with. I would want a club with a way to get involved in weekly games. Again, just a good everyday course, something interesting and varied to play but not a ball buster.

 

Normal tourism and sightseeing are not a priority, because those towns will probably be expensive and crowded. BUT, if you know of some touristy place more remote and not so crowded and expensive, let's hear it too. I mean, we are not wanting to be in some grimy industrial place either. Somewhere pleasant.

 

Suggestions for towns and clubs?

 

 

Snowman9000, I saw "Ireland" in the title of your post and immediately tuned-in to your thread. I've been to the Emerald Isle on two occasions for golf, and absolutely love the place.

 

I've also thought about spending my summer months in Ireland playing golf, and thought that living in the greater Westport area would be a good place to choose for my home base. It can be popular with tourists, but it's a great location for both golf and other outside pursuits. I've heard that Westport Golf Club is a very nice parkland course, and it's only a few kilometers from their town area. Within 2 hours of Westport is Carne, Enniscrone, County Sligo and Connemara. There are also other courses in the area worth exploring, like Ballinrobe and the nine-hole gem named Mulranny.

 

Another area I'd consider for my summer months is in the northwest Ireland area, possibly somewhere around the Letterkenny area. This area can summarized as the "road less traveled." I've heard Letterkenny Golf Club is a nice place, and the town has a lot of restaurant options. From there, I could access the two Ballyliffin courses, Portsalon, the two Rosapenna courses, Narin & Portnoo and some of the Northern Ireland gems such as Royal Portrush and Portstewart.

 

I haven't been to the southwest of Ireland but have heard wonderful things about the golf course options in that area, as well as the large number of tourists who visit there every summer. The south of Dublin (Glendalough) is a truly wonderful place, as well, but outside of Druid's Glen Golf Club I don't know much about golf in that area.

 

Good luck with your search!

 

Mike

MPM1960

[Chanceman]

The south of Dublin (Glendalough) is a truly wonderful place, as well, but outside of Druid's Glen Golf Club I don't know much about golf in that area.

 

Macreddin is a fabulous course tucked away in the Wicklow mountains. Designed by Paul Macginley it is a beautiful, undulating and interesting parkland kind of course. Very nice village too. It is similar to the nearby Druids Glen but has more open topography. The European Club is close by about 30 mins away. Plenty of good golf in the area such as Woodenbridge, Arklow, Powerscourt etc and the motorways can get you elsewhere quite fast.

[davep043]

I don't know that this would be your choice, but you might enjoy reading "A Season in Dornoch"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC0TWC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1