smange
Journeyman Pro
Myself, Brendy and Bob (palindromicbob) played RCD on Friday evening for the first time and I have to say that it lives up to every single thing that I've ever read about it.
Absolutely stunning example of links golf presented in immaculate condition from start to finish.
I have heard many complaints about the blind tee shots but buying a strokesaver and by committing to the line advised in it we found our balls in the middle of the fairways, well on the occasions we hit the shots we wanted to😉. I think I can speak for the other guys when I say we found it toughest hitting our approach shots into the greens as not knowing what the entrances to the greens were like caused a lot of running through greens or coming up short due to slopes that were unseen from the fairways, not a complaint though just a lack of knowledge being our first time round.
We got probably as benign conditions as you will ever get there and all played reasonably well for our scores with the odd disaster hole but at no time did I ever think the course was too tough or unfair, definitely playable for all levels as long as your honest with yourself and play off a suitable tee. We were advised to play off the yellows by the starter as Bob plays off 18 and at still over 6600 yards it by no means lessened the experience.
Having sat down and thought about it I still can't think of a weak hole on the course and every one of them is different from the other. Really tough call to pick a favourite hole as I loved every minute of the round but the 13th probably edges it and for toughness probably the 202 yard (from the yellows😳) par 3 mostly carry over gorse and whin bushes 4th hole.
Special mention must go to the "bearded" bunkers and especially the one to the right of the 11th green that I had to take an unplayable ball drop from under an over hanging lip which literally left me with no shot in any direction😳 Unfair? Maybe some will say yes but didn't feel that way to me, more of an "ah well I'm not supposed to be there anyway" attitude
All in all a fantastic days golf played on a course that truly does live up to its hype and I strongly advise everyone to play it someday.
We didn't pay full green fees as we got a deal being GUI Ulster members but is it worth £185? Comparing it to other places I've played that charge top prices? Absolutely yes!!!
So much so that we are already talking about organising another trip there before the end of this year and planning on making it an annual event.
Absolutely stunning example of links golf presented in immaculate condition from start to finish.
I have heard many complaints about the blind tee shots but buying a strokesaver and by committing to the line advised in it we found our balls in the middle of the fairways, well on the occasions we hit the shots we wanted to😉. I think I can speak for the other guys when I say we found it toughest hitting our approach shots into the greens as not knowing what the entrances to the greens were like caused a lot of running through greens or coming up short due to slopes that were unseen from the fairways, not a complaint though just a lack of knowledge being our first time round.
We got probably as benign conditions as you will ever get there and all played reasonably well for our scores with the odd disaster hole but at no time did I ever think the course was too tough or unfair, definitely playable for all levels as long as your honest with yourself and play off a suitable tee. We were advised to play off the yellows by the starter as Bob plays off 18 and at still over 6600 yards it by no means lessened the experience.
Having sat down and thought about it I still can't think of a weak hole on the course and every one of them is different from the other. Really tough call to pick a favourite hole as I loved every minute of the round but the 13th probably edges it and for toughness probably the 202 yard (from the yellows😳) par 3 mostly carry over gorse and whin bushes 4th hole.
Special mention must go to the "bearded" bunkers and especially the one to the right of the 11th green that I had to take an unplayable ball drop from under an over hanging lip which literally left me with no shot in any direction😳 Unfair? Maybe some will say yes but didn't feel that way to me, more of an "ah well I'm not supposed to be there anyway" attitude
All in all a fantastic days golf played on a course that truly does live up to its hype and I strongly advise everyone to play it someday.
We didn't pay full green fees as we got a deal being GUI Ulster members but is it worth £185? Comparing it to other places I've played that charge top prices? Absolutely yes!!!
So much so that we are already talking about organising another trip there before the end of this year and planning on making it an annual event.
