Some pics of Royal County Down

[Andy_79]

- host of Walker Cup, 2007. One of those "must-play" courses.

The Royal County Down Golf Club

Keep a look-out for Rory McIllroy from right here in Northern Ireland. He is 17 years old, off plus-4 and has just returned to no. 2 ameteur in the world from off the no. 1 spot. He will be featuring in this.

(Btw, my mate beat him 3 weeks ago in the West of Ireland Championship - just thought I would throw that in )

 

[Eracer]

Yikes!! I don't mind playing blind shots, as long as there is someone to watch the ball land. That was was of the most frustrating things on some of the courses I played in Scotland. I thought I hit a good shot over a dune, then had to play a lost ball penalty because I really had no idea where my ball had ended up.

Anyway - RCD looks like an awesome place. I would love to play it.

 

[Bravo]

RCD is stunningly beautiful. I currently have an 8.2 index and would have a hard time breaking 90 there. I would probably see 100....

 

[Andy_79]

My mate had a '2' at the famous 9th when he was 16 or 17. Two drivers into the hole. Something else, is that.

Bravo: It isn't really *that* difficult, tbh. Take a local caddy with you and you'd be grand.

The turf there is the finest you're ever likely to play off. Quality

 

[fore142]

i played it with one of the sons of the RCD pros. It was quite a treat. Truly amazing. i shot 80 from all the way back and was extremly happy.

 

[Adam Pettman]

Yikes!! I don't mind playing blind shots, as long as there is someone to watch the ball land. That was was of the most frustrating things on some of the courses I played in Scotland. I thought I hit a good shot over a dune, then had to play a lost ball penalty because I really had no idea where my ball had ended up.

Anyway - RCD looks like an awesome place. I would love to play it.

Pretty much every course in Scotland has plenty of blind shots its part of the game over here, makes club selection all important and you really have to trust your swing or risk losing a Pro V1

 

[Bravo]

My mate had a '2' at the famous 9th when he was 16 or 17. Two drivers into the hole. Something else, is that.

Bravo: It isn't really *that* difficult, tbh. Take a local caddy with you and you'd be grand.

The turf there is the finest you're ever likely to play off. Quality

The turf looks like a carpet.

I think I would be OK with most of the course...and I don't hit it off the fairway too terribly often. But judging by that gourse I see, I think I would lose several balls and go straight to double bogey...

BTW - over the weekend when we played at the beach...the "Ireland vs Scotland" discussion came up among my friends who have traveled across the pond to play.

All who had played in Ireland and Northern Ireland raved about the courses and the incredible Irish hospitality....I got a verbal golf tour on the Isle from a couple of fellows over drinks as we gazed over the ocean...

One guy told me that it was only a six hour flight from JFK Airport in New York to Shannon. That's not too bad...almost the same as flying from here to the US Pacific Northwest (Seattle. Portland etc).

One fellow played Ballybunion, and especially loved Lahinch - which he raved on and on about (he was half snockered on wine at that point)...

 

[Andy_79]

Yeah bud, 6 hrs ain't that long at all, tbh. You guys are used to long drives in cars, so no reason ya can't pop over for a few games of golf. We'd love to have you.

IF (note the "big" "if" ) the weather was reasonable, I would guarantee that you'd have the time of your lives. You should think about it. Myself and IG could get you on Portstewart (awesome) & Castlerock for nowt, Royal Portrush (also awesome) for 15 quid, Ballyliffin for relatively inexpensive, etc. Couldn't beat it with a big stick, as they say round these parts

Lahinch and round that area are some wonderful tracks, too - but they know how to charge down there, that's the only thing.

You only live once, so get on it, buddy...

 

[Bravo]

Yeah bud, 6 hrs ain't that long at all, tbh. You guys are used to long drives in cars, so no reason ya can't pop over for a few games of golf. We'd love to have you.

IF (note the "big" "if" ) the weather was reasonable, I would guarantee that you'd have the time of your lives. You should think about it. Myself and IG could get you on Portstewart (awesome) & Castlerock for nowt, Royal Portrush (also awesome) for 15 quid, Ballyliffin for relatively inexpensive, etc. Couldn't beat it with a big stick, as they say round these parts

Lahinch and round that area are some wonderful tracks, too - but they know how to charge down there, that's the only thing.

You only live once, so get on it, buddy...

My goal is to do this in 2008...I will find the best time for the two of you in the summer and buy a ticket far in advance...plan on staying a full week. This would be a great trip for me.

I've cancelled two trips to Scotland and am not going to let this happen to me again. This is a solemn vow.

Before I die, I play in both Ireland and Scotland....

 

[The master]

- host of Walker Cup, 2007. One of those "must-play" courses.

The Royal County Down Golf Club

Keep a look-out for Rory McIllroy from right here in Northern Ireland. He is 17 years old, off plus-4 and has just returned to no. 2 ameteur in the world from off the no. 1 spot. He will be featuring in this.

(Btw, my mate beat him 3 weeks ago in the West of Ireland Championship - just thought I would throw that in )

Stunning course. Rory is of +5.3 now. The pro at my club (rorys coach) walked the walker cup practice round with him on Tuesday, he said the course was in awesome shape and the greens where slick.

You man cutler was unlucky to be beaten in the final was a close one, he must be playing some seriously good golf.

 

[Andy_79]

Yeah, he really stepped up a notch down there. Deserved to win the thing as yer man Lyons hit 4/5 really bad shots, whereas Cutler played solidly the whole way round. Yer man just had a day out on the greens, though

Back in 31 blows in the semi-final was the most amazing series of holes I am ever likely to see. That was on the notoriously difficult back nine of Rosses Point, too !

Heard that Rory was off +5 at a time, but has since returned to +4. It is unbelievable whatever it is...!

 

[Eracer]

My goal is to do this in 2008...I will find the best time for the two of you in the summer and buy a ticket far in advance...plan on staying a full week. This would be a great trip for me.

I've cancelled two trips to Scotland and am not going to let this happen to me again. This is a solemn vow.

Before I die, I play in both Ireland and Scotland....

Definitely do it. I had a great time, and I can only imagine how much better it would be in the company of your Shottalk friends. The plane trip is nothing. You depart Philly or NY at 8:30pm, do your best to sleep on the plane, and arrive at 8:30am ready for a full day.

 

[IrishGolfer]

You depart Philly or NY at 8:30am??????, do your best to sleep on the plane, and arrive at 8:30am ready for a full day.

You mean 8.30pm, right?

Not if you are flying Continental, you must add on the obligitory 2 hour delay!!! :laugh:

You can fly direct from Newark to Belfast and be on the tee of Portstewart 90 mins after landing.

 

[Eracer]

Edited - thanks IG

And don't be surprised if I don't show up there in 2008 myself.