The 15 Inch Cup - Give it a try at Rathcore

Where do you stand on the 15 inch cup debate?

I suspect if it wasn't being supported by Taylormade then it wouldn't be as high profile as it is, but it has definitely caused heated discussions. It may not be to everyone's taste, but it will certainly speed up golf. They estimate 9 holes takes just over an hour.

Rathcore Golf Club - one of my favourite courses - in Co. Meath, is running a 9-hole competition this Friday, using the 15 inch cup, so why not try it out  before you make a qualified decision. 

The 6the green at Rathcore.

As you can see from the photo below, the cup might be 15 inches in diameter but it's also very shallow, so you can't charge the ball at it.

Golf Open Weeks Ireland: Batch 4

Approach to the par four 1st at Faithlegg.

July's almost upon us and so is a heatwave... apparently. 

Here are 17 links and parkland courses - north and south - with Open Weeks/Events over the coming weeks (with a link to several more at the bottom).

Enjoy.

Tom Coyne's Scottish Golfing Odyssey

Tom Coyne on the 9th tee at Cruden Bay

“I brought five balls with me,” I said to Tom, as we stood on the 4th tee at Cruden Bay, just north of Aberdeen. “You’re welcome to have whatever I’ve got left at the end.”

Tom Coyne is doing one of the fastest tours of Scottish links golf in history. 107 courses in 57 days. The day I met him and played Cruden Bay, he had already played 18 that morning – at Newburgh-on-Ythan.

Tom is in the process of writing a book. It’s

UNLIMITED GOLF AT LOUGH ERNE RESORT

It's the longest day this weekend, so why not take up a challenge being set down by Lough Erne... and play 54 holes on either Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st June.

It costs just £50 per day, for as many holes as you can play. Simply call the resort and book yourself in. You don't have to play 54 - you can play

The Vagliano Trophy at Malone Golf Club

Views to Malone's 15th

The focus may be on the US Open and the British Amateur this week, but there's a significant Ladies event coming to one of Ireland's top parklands, and you'll have a chance to see some future stars.

The Vagliano Trophy will take place at Malone Golf Club​, on June 26th and 27th.

Golf Open Weeks Ireland: Batch 3

Views over the 1st green on Ballyliffin Glashedy... to the
rock of the same name.

We’re at the peak time for Golf Open Weeks, here in Ireland. And it is rich pickings over the next month or two. The most difficult aspect of all that choice is deciding where to go, and when. Links and parkland… they’re both there, so get the calendar out and see what takes your fancy… because there is some serious value out there.

Here’s a list of 12 clubs from around the country to get you started:

Ballyliffin, Baltinglass, Beech Park, Co. Sligo, Enniscrone, Farnham Estate, The Heritage, Kirkistown Castle, Malone, Portumna, Whitehead, Wicklow.

Posters and details are shown below, in date order.

Ireland's Top 100 Golf Courses - Golf World 2015

Strolling down the 18th at North West (new entry at 94).

So, Golf World (UK) has produced its biennial Irish Top 100 golf courses. What perfect timing for the summer - be it for Irish golfers who can mull over which new courses to visit (or gems to be revisited), or British golfers planning where to spend a few days.

The great thing about rankings is not the top 20 courses or so - everyone knows which they are and we simply quibble over the order - but the courses below that. It's the courses we haven't heard of or haven't

Shannon Golf Club - Moriarty powers to victory

The 1st hole at Shannon GC.

Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) carded a four under par round of 68 to win the Dr William Flynn Memorial Pro-Am at Shannon GC, yesterday.

Moriarty, winner of last year's PGA Ulster Championship, produced a bogey free round of golf to beat David Ryan, Damien McGrane and Liam Bowler by two shots.

The 35-year-old went to the turn in three under 35 with birdies at the third, fifth

Open Weeks Ireland: Batch 2

The 13th green (from 15) at Macreddin.

OK, so 'Batch' 2 is a misnomer as there's only one going up here today... but it's one of the big Irish golfing adventures and one of my favourites...

Macreddin Golf Club in Co. Wicklow. Designed by Paul McGinley, the course is in excellent shape - the greens particularly. I played last Friday, so you have my word on that. Here are the details of the Open Week, with entry fees ranging from €20-€25.

Royal County Down, The Irish Open & The Magnificent Seven

Views over the 1st green to the 8th green

The Irish Open has been and gone for another year… and another box is ticked on the European Tour’s long list of events. But for Irish golf fans and, most probably, a much wider audience, this particular event was rather special.

Here are seven things we learned this week: