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| Statue of Payne Stewart by the practice green |
The result of that post was Golficity asking if I cared to write a piece for them naming Ireland's Top Ten Bucket List courses. It seemed only fair that I put myself in a position to be hauled over the coals, so I accepted willingly.
If you want to see my Top Ten, you'll need to click here to visit Golficity's site... but before you do, ask yourself some questions and consider a few things:
- This list is aimed at an American golfing audience... what will that do to the balance of links vs. parkland golf courses? Have a guess... how many links are on the list?
- American golfers like their trophy courses when they plan their Ireland golf vacations... in your head, can you name the obvious top ten? I guarantee one of them won't be on my list.
- I have, for the most part, gone with the old reliables, excluding possibly two that most people would include. In their place I have included a couple of my absolute favourites, but I have had to leave out others that would have made it had I been producing a list of Ireland's Best Ten Golf Courses...
... and that's the fascinating thing about rating/ranking courses and producing Top Ten lists. My Bucket List is a fair bit different to my 'Best' List. But that's for another day.
Take a look and come back to me if... sorry, when... you disagree.
Seems like a great bucket list! With so many ways to enjoy golf vacations, you could have the best time to play golf.
ReplyDeleteKevin and I rarely agree - and not on this list either. For me, Portrush is top of the list, the best golf course in Ireland, full stop. Then, in descending order, Ballybunion Old, Lahinch, Enniscrone, Portstewart, Rosses Point, Baltray, Ballyliffen Old, Adare and Portarlington
ReplyDeleteColm, Colm, Colm, what are we going to do! Definitely good to see 8 links on your list (and refreshing to see Ballyliffin Old ahead of Glashedy (me too)) and I can't fault you on any of your choices... except one: I love Portarlington, but as a Bucket List destination - I don't think so.
DeleteI have found that those who rate Royal Portrush so highly, feel the same way about Baltray. I like both courses immensely, but Baltray doesn't make my top ten, and Royal Portrush is in this list because it has that 'Bucket List' aura to it. I find it difficult to adore the course because, for me, it starts and ends poorly. Plenty of people disagree!
I was wracking what remains of my brain to see - is there a parkland, other than Adare, I would rather play than one of the great Irish links? 'Port' scores because of its seclusion, relative anonymity, great design, ridiculously good value for money AND, best of all, its magnificent old trees, thousands of them. Otherwise, maybe Carton (O'Meara) or Mount Juliet.
DeleteColm, I agree with you 100% on Portarlington. 14 to 17 are excellent holes, and I love the 7th, Index 1.
DeleteBy Saturday evening I will have played four of them, RCD on Thursday and The European on Saturday. I played Carne/Enniscrone about 6-7 years ago, desperate to go back.
ReplyDeleteBTW - Druids Glenn on Friday and Concra on Sunday as "fillers"!
I can see why it wouldn't be on the bucket list, but I have a huge soft spot for Rosslare.
Sean
I played RCD yesterday, Sean. Got beautiful weather - under the circumstances - you'll be playing from very forward tees, so if you're doing something for your blog, be sure to go to the back tees on 2,3, 4 and 5. You get a very different perspective.
DeleteYour road trip seems to be a bit yo-yo like: North South North South. Enjoy
No Narin&Portnoo.............A True Gem
ReplyDeleteWell now, Connor, as much as I love N&P it doesn't make the 'Bucket List' radar. It doesn't have the big brand value or fame game that comes from Royals and Ballybunions. The same applies to Portsalon - always worth a visit but slightly unheard of... which is a shame.
DeleteThank you for this list. I am really looking forward to golf trips but it is a bit impossible during the winter actually. I'm planning a trip next year during the spring.
ReplyDelete