Royal County Down - my new favourite course...

[Snelly]

Hi,

I played at Royal County Down yesterday at the Pat Jennings Golf Classic. Quite simply, this is the best golf course I have ever played (and I've played a few good ones....).

It is just stunning. Absolutely stunning.

 

[brendy]

And you had to play it to realise this?

 

[Dodger]

My number 1 too....an unbelievable front 9 and a great back 9....simply stunning.

 

[Snelly]

Hi Brendy,

Yes! Many links courses don't look as good as they are until you see them at ground level when you play them.

Amazing golf course though. Tough too. Very strong winds yesterday. On the 18th I hit a good driver, a good three wood then middled a three iron and was 10 yards short of the green! A retired pro hit 3 drivers on the same hole and was short! Two teams in the event had ladies in them and they had to walk in as they couldn't swing a club!


By the way, I drove past Bangor today - I had a couple of meetings at Shorts.

I was all done by 11am and my flight was at 5pm. I had my clubs and a hire car - I should've given you a ring and we could have possibly had a few holes!

 

[brendy]

The weather yesterday was changeable, was nice and sunny til the afternoon then bucketed down, typical autumnal weather!
Perhaps we should maybe think about a forum do over here??

 

[Snelly]

I have customers in Belfast and am there at least once every three months and could co-ordinate around a golf game of course.

 

[brendy]

Sounds like a plan.

 

[Ethan]

RCD is one of the finest courses in the world, and if it was moved to the Lancashire or Fife coasts, would be a certain Open venue. Some links courses have a flat featureless appearance, like a lunar landscape. RCD is not one of those. It has plenty of changes in elevation and plenty of things to carry. First time round these can seem a little unfair, but they get more familiar, if not any easier to negotiate, on later visits. For me, the best holes are spread nicely though the 18. The 3rd is a very strong par 4, followed by a tough par 3 4th, and the run of holes at the end of the first 9 are also great, the 9th being one of the most pictured holes in golf. The 13th and 15th are magnificent par 4s. Anybody who loves great golf courses is missing a tick on their list if they have not played RCD.

 

[Smiffy]

Looks an absolutely superb track but at £160.00 a pop during the Summer not a course I'm ever likely to get the chance of playing unfortunately.
Glad you had a great time

 

[Snelly]

Front 9 was just awesome with the 4th standing out as a classic par 3.

Back 9 - loved the 13th and 14th.

All good holes though.

Before playing, I had read a number of reviews saying the finishing holes were the weak link. Can't agreee with that.

A fantastic, fabulous golf course. My absolute favourite I've ever played....

Wish I was there this morning!

 

[chris661]

Looks an absolutely superb track but at £160.00 a pop during the Summer not a course I'm ever likely to get the chance of playing unfortunately.
Glad you had a great time

All I need to do is get into one of the Ulster teams then pray the draw works out.......... this year one of our teams got to play both Royal Count Down and Donegal GC in the fourballs? Lucky beggars!!!!!!

 

[JT77]

I would be up for a round or get together over here!

I also have 3 free guest passes for Galgorm!


The Ulster teams are good craic, I got play a few places I never would have, Mahee Island and gracehill were among them, its just nice to get round a few other courses, didnt enjoy Lurgen though!! (lost there)

cheers

JT

 

[chris661]

I would be up for a round or get together over here!

I also have 3 free guest passes for Galgorm!


The Ulster teams are good craic, I got play a few places I never would have, Mahee Island and gracehill were among them, its just nice to get round a few other courses, didnt enjoy Lurgen though!! (lost there)

cheers

JT

**THREAD CREEP ALERT**

Played at Gracehills in an open nice track but the monsoon spoiled it for me. Played Galgorm at newtonstewart in the pierce purcell nice bunch of lads. Would defo be up for a meet if it gets organised!

 

[brendy]

I love galgorm and Lurgan, not such a big fan of gracehill, the last hole is daft in my opinion, first hole is a good one though where you can hit it too far and be playing more than 3 to the green.
Galgorm wouldnt be a bad idea to be honest.

 

[JT77]

Well, as a member i got a free fourball voucher, that I still have, the course is in decent nik, but they are hollowtining the greens as of monday, but if anyone wants to play here, I would enjoy the game. also would be canny to get organised for meet for maybe next season, but that is possibly to far off!

jt

 

[USER1999]

RCD, beautiful golf course, but too difficult for me. Quite simply, I am not a good enough golfer to enjoy playing round there, especially at £160 a pop. Have played it twice, and it is nice to have done so, but I would have to get on for a lot less if I was to play it again.

Also, expect a 5 1/2 hour round, as it is flooded with foreign golfers who haven't got a flippin clue. Mainly Japs. The Yanks are ok.

 

[ADB]

Stunning course Snelly

What tees did you play from and how did you score?

I see to play the blues you need a carry of 250yds

 

[Snelly]

We played from the yellows (Stableford Tees) and I didn't play all that well to be honest. The conditions were tough but I wasn't feeling too clever. This was partly down to Guinness and Jamesons the night before but in the main, down to the fact that unbeknown to me at the time, I was coming down with a nasty virus. Had 3 days in bed last week as a result!

Excuses aside, I got 28 points. If I play there again I think I will do better as it is one of those courses that you need to know where to go and experience will count. I played some nice chip and runs though which saved me a couple of times - love that on a links!

40mph gusting wind though so not too bad an effort I guess. Birdied the first. Straight downwind par 5 and I was 15 foot from the pin with a drive and a wedge!!! Honest!

Hoping for better weather on Wednesday - playing St Georges Hill which is one of my favourite courses.

Cheers,


Snelly.