Ireland - Handicap and letter of rec requirements

[rouges1922]

Hey  All!

In the beginning stages of planning a trip to Ireland and I notice that a lot of courses require proof of handicap and a couple we’re looking at playing (Royal Portrush and The European Club) also request that a letter of introduction be sent from the player’s home club. 
 

We’re traveling from the United States where neither are really required to play anywhere and where most golfers, unlike those in GB&I, (including us) are not members of clubs. 
 

Having an official handicap will not be an issue as we can get verification of that through a number of different organizations. 
 

The trip is a couple years away, so theoretically we could all join a club prior to traveling if needed to get a letter of recommendation, but we would prefer not having to take this step.

 

My question is, how strict are courses with these requirements and if anybody knows of ant courses that are particularly stringent when it comes to either or both. Again, handicap verification won’t be an issue, more so wondering about the letter of recommendation.

 

Any insight would be immensely helpful to our planning.

[I3erto]

I haven't been over, but know people who have.  I think it will depend on what courses you are playing.  My friends said to get tee times some places required proof of handicap, but they were never asked for letters of recommendation. 

 

However, if joining a club isn't something you really want to do you could start one under your local (State)GCA.  The organization will hold your handicap, but you will be recognized as a club under their umbrella.  It is about the same cost as just having a handicap in California and it's a virtual club that you could populate with your friends/travel partners.  We have one in San Diego and we host club tournaments at different local courses.  It's really quite fun.  Club Merch and logo gear too, but I digress.

 

Many clubs in Scotland share the same course.  I think there are about 10 different clubs that share the Old Course and the same goes for many of the bigger courses over there.  

 

 

[ND2005]

On 7/24/2021 at 11:09 AM, rouges1922 said:

Hey  All!

In the beginning stages of planning a trip to Ireland and I notice that a lot of courses require proof of handicap and a couple we’re looking at playing (Royal Portrush and The European Club) also request that a letter of introduction be sent from the player’s home club. 
 

We’re traveling from the United States where neither are really required to play anywhere and where most golfers, unlike those in GB&I, (including us) are not members of clubs. 
 

Having an official handicap will not be an issue as we can get verification of that through a number of different organizations. 
 

The trip is a couple years away, so theoretically we could all join a club prior to traveling if needed to get a letter of recommendation, but we would prefer not having to take this step.

 

My question is, how strict are courses with these requirements and if anybody knows of ant courses that are particularly stringent when it comes to either or both. Again, handicap verification won’t be an issue, more so wondering about the letter of recommendation.

 

Any insight would be immensely helpful to our planning.

 

Played 7 courses in Ireland and almost double that in Scotland. 

 

About 5 or 6 actually followed up on the handicap verification. Never heard of having to have a letter of introduction from a club. 

[puttnforthe8]

On 7/24/2021 at 9:09 AM, rouges1922 said:

Hey  All!

In the beginning stages of planning a trip to Ireland and I notice that a lot of courses require proof of handicap and a couple we’re looking at playing (Royal Portrush and The European Club) also request that a letter of introduction be sent from the player’s home club. 
 

We’re traveling from the United States where neither are really required to play anywhere and where most golfers, unlike those in GB&I, (including us) are not members of clubs. 
 

Having an official handicap will not be an issue as we can get verification of that through a number of different organizations. 
 

The trip is a couple years away, so theoretically we could all join a club prior to traveling if needed to get a letter of recommendation, but we would prefer not having to take this step.

 

My question is, how strict are courses with these requirements and if anybody knows of ant courses that are particularly stringent when it comes to either or both. Again, handicap verification won’t be an issue, more so wondering about the letter of recommendation.

 

Any insight would be immensely helpful to our planning.

 

Played both ~100 times and a letter of rec or club are absolutely not needed.  HC document - usually is not needed and comes down to whether you happen to get a 'stickler' (to put it nice) of a starter or person in the shop.  The majority of the time they do verbally ask you for the players HC, because they then ask you to play the correct tees for that HC. (no 20hc playing the tips).  But just have your GHIN or other App available.

[rouges1922]

Thanks for the feedback @puttnforthe8 @ND2005and @I3erto . That was what I figured, but I just wanted to check. I did read into the different types of clubs, and had thought of just starting a non-course affiliated one with a group of people I know and golf with as an option if necessary. Thanks again.