Golfing in Ireland

[Ian Fota Golf]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to this but thought I could add some interesting discussion. I have caddied at the famous Waterville Golf Links in South Ireland all through my summer holidays in school and college and have been lucky enough to do rounds with a few pros, namely Tiger, Mark O Meara and Stewart Appleby. I am now working at marketing in Fota Island Golf Club, Cork, Ireland. I have an idea of why we get so much American golfers here. I want to know why do American golfers think Americans have such a draw to the Emeralde Isle when it comes to golf. What do you guys expect from your experience here and if you have already been, has it been what you had predicted or something completely different??

[Ian Fota Golf]

Also what do ye guys expect weather wise???

[Lefty-Golfer]

Originally Posted by Ian Fota Golf

Hey Guys,

I'm new to this but thought I could add some interesting discussion. I have caddied at the famous Waterville Golf Links in South Ireland all through my summer holidays in school and college and have been lucky enough to do rounds with a few pros, namely Tiger, Mark O Meara and Stewart Appleby. I am now working at marketing in Fota Island Golf Club, Cork, Ireland. I have an idea of why we get so much American golfers here. I want to know why do American golfers think Americans have such a draw to the Emeralde Isle when it comes to golf. What do you guys expect from your experience here and if you have already been, has it been what you had predicted or something completely different??

it is an entirely different form of golf... plus the history. i know several guys who have made the trip and all are planning to return, i am told i will love it but i will wait for my kids to get to college before i make this journey.

Originally Posted by Ian Fota Golf

Also what do ye guys expect weather wise???

cold, windy and rainy obviously...i watch the open every year!! LOL

[Ian Fota Golf]

Lol. Yes it can be wet. I wouldn't go as far to say cold though. The wind and rain really depends on where and when you go! The east of the country gets far less rain fall than the west coast. The way the seasons are working out it seems the summers are getting wetter while the rest of the year seems to be some what drier. Most of the Golfers that come to play from my experience are usually from the east coast of the States. NY, MA, TX, PA, etc.

One thing that is very obvious is people finding it very hard to deal with the conditions that come with links golf, i.e. the wind!

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Ian Fota Golf

Lol. Yes it can be wet. I wouldn't go as far to say cold though. The wind and rain really depends on where and when you go! The east of the country gets far less rain fall than the west coast. The way the seasons are working out it seems the summers are getting wetter while the rest of the year seems to be some what drier. Most of the Golfers that come to play from my experience are usually from the east coast of the States. NY, MA, TX, PA, etc.

One thing that is very obvious is people finding it very hard to deal with the conditions that come with links golf, i.e. the wind!

All things being equal, adding wind and rain to any ambient temperature tends to add coldness. I live in Canada, so I know cold. Unless people in the UK tend to dress like they're about to embark on an Antarctic expidition when it's not cold, the images shown during a typical "Open Championship" are quite telling. Travellers should prepare for cold weather. I'd recommend the same thing to people visiting western Canada in the summer. Dress for somewhere between +35 and -10 Celcius.

[ChuckS]

I haven't played in Ireland yet, but took my boys to Scotland in May to play the Old Course among others.  In August I visited Ireland with my wife - her first trip abroad - so I didn't think I should play while I was there despite her encouragement.  The weather in last August was gorgeous (not so much Scotland in May but we expected that and were prepared).  We did visit several courses including Waterville and Old Head.  Loved Waterville.  Old Head was unique in its setting, but the course itself looked more like resort courses in the U.S. except for the stunning vistas.  I will definitely plan to go back and play golf in Ireland, as well as go back to Scotland.  The history, the style of golf required and the culture are all things that draw me to the UK for golf.  Would be interested in people's favorite courses that tourists / golfers can play for planning purposes.

[uttexas]

The biggest draw to Ireland/Scotland/UK etc, would be the history. The romantic notion of playing golf in a vista unspoiled by modern architecture. Having a pint and meat pie in a building older than 1800. Playing a golf course our father or grandfather's father might have caddied or played. In the US, buildings of the past are sacrificed for "progress" to construct superhighways, shopping centers, and Starbucks. Here in Dallas, Texas, the oldest, still standing building was built in 1887. Prior to air conditioning, not many people lived here, and everywhere, you are surrounded by concrete, metal, and glass. It's a real pleasure visiting a place with miles of green as far as you can see. Weather--unless you are in far south England or get a sunny summer day, I'd expect wind, rain, clouds, cold.

[Ian Fota Golf]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

All things being equal, adding wind and rain to any ambient temperature tends to add coldness. I live in Canada, so I know cold. Unless people in the UK tend to dress like they're about to embark on an Antarctic expidition when it's not cold, the images shown during a typical "Open Championship" are quite telling. Travellers should prepare for cold weather. I'd recommend the same thing to people visiting western Canada in the summer. Dress for somewhere between +35 and -10 Celcius.

It would get a lot colder in Canada yes! Average summer temperature is about 19 °C and winter is about 2.5 °C. The last few winters have been some of the coldest on record but that is neither here nor there when it comes to golf talk as all the courses close if there is a hint of frost on the ground. Yes the one piece of advice would be to pack your water proofs. I wear my rain pants but shorts underneath as I find one can heat up very quickly with all the walking and a good few courses would not have golf buggies so you have no option but to walk. This is to encourage the use of a caddy. The rain tends to be in showers and there is no point in bringing an umbrella to any course on the cost as it becomes a burden trying to hold on to it with the wind.

[Ian Fota Golf]

Yes it sure would be cold in comparison to TX. I am heading to Austin in October so looking forward to the weather there, should be a big change from what I am used to. I think the main thing is to prepare for all types of weather conditions in the one day. On the coast with a strong wind you can very easily experience the four seasons in one round of golf.

Yes the history is great. That's a shame. Every where you go here there are historic buildings and land marks.

[Lefty-Golfer]

i honestly look forward to going there one day in the future, i hope for at least 10 days to settle in and enjoy. one thing to consider, when the pilgrams landed in New England they stayed there...WTF when the weather in New England is sounding good enough to call home that tells you all you need to know!!

[Ian Fota Golf]

Ha.

Yes I bet you are. I would advise to play 5 days golf and 5 days to actually check the place out. I see to many groups off there feet from golf. Tired from all the golf and the travelling they tend to be too rushed to truly enjoy Ireland in its entirety. There is a lot more to the place than just the golf, and I honestly think a bit of sight seeing and craic in the local pub only adds to the golf, rather than the trip comprising of all your time spent in the hotel-tour bus/car- golf course.

[act0fgod]

Aside from the things mentioned I'll add two more potential reasons.  People like the ocean and the cliff side golf offered at many courses in Ireland.

Also a visitor is able to play nearly all the courses in the country.  So playing the best courses is only a matter of paying for it...very different from the US where many of the nicest courses are not accesible for visitor play.

[Ian Fota Golf]

I also think it is interesting the way a good percentage of golfers increase there handicap when the come and play here. Any views??

[uttexas]

October is the best month to visit Texas. Best weather of the year--usually mid 80s to mid 70s with plenty of sunshine. Plenty of good golf courses in and around Austin--as far as best value public courses, I typically recommend the courses in Bastrop (just 30 miles east of Austin)-there was some fire damage to some of the courses a year ago, but the courses have recovered. Try to see a Texas Longhorn football game. Football in Texas is a religion. There are world famous BBQ restaurants in Austin, Taylor, Lockhart, Lexington, Luling, Gonzalez, and Driftwood. Another reason people travel to Ireland for golf is the intelligent, quick witted, warm, welcoming people. Handicaps--in general, golfers in the US play when the weather and course conditions are conducive to shooting low scores, so many would be ill prepared for rain/wind/damp lies.

[Ian Fota Golf]

Originally Posted by uttexas

October is the best month to visit Texas. Best weather of the year--usually mid 80s to mid 70s with plenty of sunshine. Plenty of good golf courses in and around Austin--as far as best value public courses, I typically recommend the courses in Bastrop (just 30 miles east of Austin)-there was some fire damage to some of the courses a year ago, but the courses have recovered. Try to see a Texas Longhorn football game. Football in Texas is a religion. There are world famous BBQ restaurants in Austin, Taylor, Lockhart, Lexington, Luling, Gonzalez, and Driftwood.

Another reason people travel to Ireland for golf is the intelligent, quick witted, warm, welcoming people.

Handicaps--in general, golfers in the US play when the weather and course conditions are conducive to shooting low scores, so many would be ill prepared for rain/wind/damp lies.

Thanks for the info!

Yes I am really looking forward to it, made a Pennstate game when I was visiting PA in 09. It was great fun but I hear that the school football games have atmosphere to match in TX. Also the live music is meant to be great.

Yes this is apparant, do you reckon that the Europeans hold true handicaps so if thats the case. LOL.

[parsnates]

I was lucky enough to get a round in at Ballybunion during a trip to Ireland. Weather started windy and wet but turned gorgeous during the round. Stunning golf course. There were eight of us and the scores were not very good - but nobody cared. Ireland is a wonderful place to visit even if golf is not part of the itinerary. The side trip to Ballybunion (we rented clubs) was a bonus add on to an already great trip.