I'm going to Ireland!!

thanks! This is going to be the longest year of my life lol. Which course did you like better?

So just being in Ireland was like wow ... I honestly enjoyed every minute of every day ... Lahinch was maybe #1but only by a very small small margin ... A caddie is a must there ... you have actually hit over some hills/mounds, etc ...

Ballybunion old and Cashen course was a blast ... I always wanted to play a links course on the coast ...

again it was just a trip of life time for me, I soaked in every minute of it ... did not worry about the score, but payed well for me ...those were then best rounds of golf bar none for me personally/

Congrats again to you.

And as I said before the people of Ireland were the nicest people to us.

I did get talk into a Blarney stone trip ... supposed to bring you good luck if you kiss it ... I think ... well I went to the castle, walked my butt up to the top, got up there, and it was the footer to the outside wall at the top of castle ... I was like WTF??? This is it???   Research side trips ... but going castles was a cool experience

I plated Ballybunion, Waterville and Tralee on an AerLingus weekend package in the late 80's. All three courses were great - you cannot get an accurate perspective of how these courses look through photos or videos - you have to be there to see what I mean! A whole different golf world, with some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I especially liked Tralee, since it winds around the seaside and has several forced carries that Pebble Beach would envy. Waterville was a nice inland layout, and Ballybunion (the Old Course) was legendary. Walk, take a caddy (that will tell you where to aim), and expect tons of roll. No trees to speak of, but if you miss the fairway and end up in the tall grass, your ball is gone forever.

[quote name="Archie Bunker" url="/t/75393/im-going-to-ireland#post_1010334"]I plated Ballybunion, Waterville and Tralee on an AerLingus weekend package in the late 80's. All three courses were great - you cannot get an accurate perspective of how these courses look through photos or videos - you have to be there to see what I mean! A whole different golf world, with some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I especially liked Tralee, since it winds around the seaside and has several forced carries that Pebble Beach would envy. Waterville was a nice inland layout, and Ballybunion (the Old Course) was legendary. Walk, take a caddy (that will tell you where to aim), and expect tons of roll. No trees to speak of, but if you miss the fairway and end up in the tall grass, your ball is gone forever. [/quote] Lol, thanks for the tips. No matter where I decide to play, I'm springing for the caddie. I'd have to say as of right now, I'm leaning toward either Tralee or Ballybunion but I have waaaay too much time to think about it and my wife is already tired of hearing me talk about it :-D

Keep in mind that if you go in late May or June (I went over the Memorial day weekend), days in Ireland are really long. 36 holes per day? No problem. I remember playing the 18th hole at Ballybunion at 10pm.

That's great to hear. We're going the second week of July, I'm guessing it'll be similar.

I played Ballybunion and Lahinch a month ago.

Playing Ballybunion with a Senior Caddy was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had on a golf course. Pure bliss. My caddie was very professional and helpful. The condition of the Old Course at Ballybunion was also top notch. I didn't get a bad roll on the greens all day. I am planning to go back to Ireland next summer and to play all of the courses you listed. Ireland is a golfer's paradise for sure. Lahinch was also very good. It is tougher and longer but the greens were quite slow(which I didn't like).

I posted some pictures here.

http://thesandtrap.com/t/35450/what-is-the-best-links-course-in-the-world/36#post_1010572

Who was your playing partner Mac? Someone you know?

That's awesome! What a great day thst must've been for you as a dad.

Nice pics ... a few of mine ... Lahinch .. I think the fourth hole ... maybe ... but you have to hit over the mound ... wait for the guy to give you the clear, and aim for the white rock ...

Ballybunion first hole old course ... what out for the graveyard on the right!

You just can not beat the views on the links courses ...

Well no wonder the swng looks good! :)

Don't worry, there are plenty of people who play there with handicaps like that and have caddies. You don't have to be a Pro to have a caddy, it just makes the experience all the more enjoyable. All you have to do is hit the ball and look at the scenery and that's what it's all about! :)

Not sure how much fun it'll be for him, having to scour the rough all day looking for yet another lost Nike.;-)