Quick trip to Ireland in July

[klebs01]

Planning a quick trip to Ireland in July. Have ballybunion booked and will play Carne the day before. Trying to decide on Sligo or Enniscrone on my arrival day, not going to play both. Seems like Enniscrone is wilder but Sligo is sneaky good on less dramatic terrain. Thoughts on which is a better opening course?  Also, Lahinch and some others that I’m looking at for my final round appear full online. Has anyone had luck calling the club as a single to get in a group?

[st1800e]

Having been there, done that, I’d recommend Sligo over Enniscrone.  By an order of magnitude.   

[Chanceman]

You are aware its at least a 4 hour drive from Carne to BB?

[sabram]

I like them both and you'll have a memorable round whichever of the two you play. But, if I could only play one, I'd play County Sligo GC (a/k/a/ Rosses Point).  Rosses Point doesn't traverse the dunes to the extent that Enniscrone does, but Rosses Point is a great ride with some significant elevation changes. Following a steep trek up to the fourth green at RP, you'll feel like your in heaven on the fifth tee surveying the view across the course to the sea. Here are links to photos of the courses. (Click on the photo below)

 

County Sligo GC (Rosses Point)

 

Enniscrone GC

[klebs01]

8 hours ago, Chanceman said:

You are aware it’s at least a 4 hour drive from Carne to BB?

Yes, I’m Merican don’t mind driving 4 hours to grab lunch. 
 

My other passion is motorcycle travel. The long drive is more of a plus in my mind than a negative even though I’ll be in a car instead of on a bike. 

Edited February 11 by klebs01

[klebs01]

10 hours ago, st1800e said:

Having been there, done that, I’d recommend Sligo over Enniscrone.  By an order of magnitude.   

 

3 hours ago, sabram said:

I like them both and you'll have a memorable round whichever of the two you play. But, if I could only play one, I'd play County Sligo GC (a/k/a/ Rosses Point).  Rosses Point doesn't traverse the dunes to the extent that Enniscrone does, but Rosses Point is a great ride with some significant elevation changes. Following a steep trek up to the fourth green at RP, you'll feel like your in heaven on the fifth tee surveying the view across the course to the sea. Here are links to photos of the courses. (Click on the photo below)

 

County Sligo GC (Rosses Point)

 

Enniscrone GC

interesting that it seems so strongly tilted toward Sligo. Thanks for the feedback and the pictures. 

[hammergolf]

14 hours ago, klebs01 said:

Planning a quick trip to Ireland in July. Have ballybunion booked and will play Carne the day before. Trying to decide on Sligo or Enniscrone on my arrival day, not going to play both. Seems like Enniscrone is wilder but Sligo is sneaky good on less dramatic terrain. Thoughts on which is a better opening course?  Also, Lahinch and some others that I’m looking at for my final round appear full online. Has anyone had luck calling the club as a single to get in a group?

I mean you really can’t go wrong with either. If you’re a fan of dunescape then Enniscrone would be the pick. If you’re a fan of classic links and want a stern test of your game it’s Rosses Point. In my opinion, Rosses has the toughest finishing holes in links golf anywhere in the world expect maybe Carnoustie. #17 at Rosses Point might one of toughest holes in the world… Logistically Sligo would be a little shorter/easier drive assuming you’re arriving in Dublin. 
You can contact the club and ask to be added to a waitlist or worst case just show up early morning and see if they have any last minute cancellations. Not sure if you’ve looked at Tralee but I would highly recommend it. It’s a great course, and the back nine there is exceptional.
 

[hammergolf]

23 hours ago, Chanceman said:

You are aware its at least a 4 hour drive from Carne to BB?

I do always find it interesting how the two cultures view driving. My good friend lives just outside Limerick and until our trip to NW of Ireland in October of 2022 had never played those courses even though it’s only a 3hr drive. Over here most won’t think twice about driving 3-4 hours to play golf.

Edited February 12 by hammergolf

[act0fgod]

Do you know where you are staying?  2 consecutive days at Carne gets you a round on both wild atlantic and hackett.  If you play 36 at carne and the second 18 is late in the day you can probably go whichever way you want when you get to the split.

 

As far as singles joining up on full courses, I've had both success and failures.  A bunch of places will block tees for visitors during member play but members will go out as groups of 2 or 3.  First time I experienced this was North Berwick.  When checking in the guy taking payment told me there wasn't anything for 3-4 hours.  Luckily the guy behind me heard and said I could join their group of 3.

 

 

[Shilgy]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I do always find it interesting how the two cultures view driving. My good friend lives just outside Limerick and until our trip to NW of Ireland in October of 2022 had never played those courses even though it’s only a 3hr drive. Over here most wint think twice about driving 3-4 hours to play golf.

As the wonderful author wrote…applies to the Scots and Irish as well.🤣

 

Diana Gabaldon Quote: “An Englishman thinks a hundred miles is a long way; and American thinks a hundred years is a long time.”

[Chanceman]

The roads are just a little different to say the least. Patience and good humour are needed as the occasional herd of goats or slow moving tractor joins the parade.

[klebs01]

15 hours ago, Chanceman said:

The roads are just a little different to say the least. Patience and good humour are needed as the occasional herd of goats or slow moving tractor joins the parade.

I’ve ridden/driven on 4 continents. Familiar with the drill outside the US. Doing the research on google maps, Ireland reminds me a bit of Peru. The road looks great on the map and then look at the street view and it’s a single lane gravel road. 🤣

 

got the itinerary set:

Sligo on Saturday evening

carne Sunday afternoon 

ballybunion Monday morning, Dooks Monday afternoon 

Waterville Tuesday morning. 
 

It’s interesting trying to book tee times and dodge the clubs events. Glad I was able to get these. 

[Chanceman]

You will be knackered but hey it’s a golfing holiday in the Emerald Isle. Enjoy yourself.

[klebs01]

Another quick question… what is the pace of play like these tourists courses? It it closer to member course or UK expectations of 3-3.5h or is it US resort pace of 4.4-5.5h?

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, klebs01 said:

Another quick question… what is the pace of play like these tourists courses? It it closer to member course or UK expectations of 3-3.5h or is it US resort pace of 4.4-5.5h?

 

All of my rounds in Ireland have been in the 3:30 to 4:00 range.

[klebs01]

4 minutes ago, jvincent said:

 

All of my rounds in Ireland have been in the 3:30 to 4:00 range.

good to hear the pace is decent. 

[Denny100]

On 2/16/2024 at 7:05 PM, klebs01 said:

good to hear the pace is decent. 

only you could fly to one of the most scenic golfing locations in the world on vacation and STILL want it to be over as quickly as possible

[klebs01]

2 hours ago, Denny100 said:

only you could fly to one of the most scenic golfing locations in the world on vacation and STILL want it to be over as quickly as possible

exactly what I’m looking for.  Just want to check the box, get my bag tag, and fly home as soon as possible. 🙄

[carrera]

On 2/10/2024 at 9:30 PM, Chanceman said:

You are aware its at least a 4 hour drive from Carne to BB?

When I was at Old Head last year, there was a group taking a helicopter down from Lahinch.  Maybe OP has that at his disposal?  😃