The Official Golf Thread

[Minder]

Didn't think the field looked particularly strong at the Irish Open

[Gabriel_Hurl]

you wouldn't get too many of the big names at it based on it's placement in the schedule.

Lots of the US players will head over for the Scottish and British Opens - wouldn't want to be away for 3 week. 

[trailer]

Tickets released this morning for next year's Open in Portrush, if anyone's interested.

Sorted thanks for reminding me Rois the email would have sat in my promotions inbox without being looked at for days had I not been on here.

It's a bit steeper than the Irish Open but then it was always going to be I guess. Really looking forward to it now.

Does anyone else think that the Irish Open in Lahinch will start to struggle now without Rory's name being attached to it?

No, not when he calls Derry by the L word.

The Irish Open has enough momentum and critical mass to survive without him, thank you very much.

It was a dwindling mess despite the successes of Harrington, Clarke and McDowell.  Rory is box office, whether you want to admit it or not.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Will be interesting to see if it can stand on it's own two feet. I hope it can. There are some of the best courses in the world in Ireland but scheduling etc makes it difficult to attract the real star players on the PGA tour. Perhaps if the two tours did merge, as has been mooted, it might become a key fixture. I'm sure that's just wishful thinking and any potential merger is years away in any case.
McGinley taking over next year but how many favours does he have to call in?

[LooseCannon]

Tickets released this morning for next year's Open in Portrush, if anyone's interested.

Sorted thanks for reminding me Rois the email would have sat in my promotions inbox without being looked at for days had I not been on here.

It's a bit steeper than the Irish Open but then it was always going to be I guess. Really looking forward to it now.

Does anyone else think that the Irish Open in Lahinch will start to struggle now without Rory's name being attached to it?

No, not when he calls Derry by the L word.

The Irish Open has enough momentum and critical mass to survive without him, thank you very much.

It was a dwindling mess despite the successes of Harrington, Clarke and McDowell.  Rory is box office, whether you want to admit it or not.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Will be interesting to see if it can stand on it's own two feet. I hope it can. There are some of the best courses in the world in Ireland but scheduling etc makes it difficult to attract the real star players on the PGA tour. Perhaps if the two tours did merge, as has been mooted, it might become a key fixture. I'm sure that's just wishful thinking and any potential merger is years away in any case.
McGinley taking over next year but how many favours does he have to call in?

Ah shur, with the people of Ireland behind him, he knows he'll be ok.😉

[Milltown Row2]

I'm sure whatever Irish legend takes it on next year will continue to grow the competition and attract the big names

[Rois]

I'm sure whatever Irish legend takes it on next year will continue to grow the competition and attract the big names

That'll be Paul McGinley. 

you wouldn't get too many of the big names at it based on it's placement in the schedule.

Lots of the US players will head over for the Scottish and British Opens - wouldn't want to be away for 3 week. 

We were at the Scottish Open two years ago - it didn't have too many big names.  It was horribly attended when you compare it to the Irish Open's recent attendances.  It was up in Aberdeen though, and it was cold and wet. 

[Gabriel_Hurl]

May well have better attendance but the Scottish Open has a stronger field.

7 of the world's top 50 teed it up at Ballyliffin. There will be 17 at Gullane this week.

[Milltown Row2]

May well have better attendance but the Scottish Open has a stronger field.

7 of the world's top 50 teed it up at Ballyliffin. There will be 17 at Gullane this week.

Good few major winners at Ballyliffin

[Gabriel_Hurl]

and there'll be a good few in Scotland as well

[Applesisapples]

A lot of these so called great courses are out of reach to ordinary golfers at €120 plus and more for RCD to play.

[ONeill]

Was in Portrush on Sunday. Surely they are going to give the place a lick of paint over the next 12 months. 

[trailer]

A lot of these so called great courses are out of reach to ordinary golfers at €120 plus and more for RCD to play.

Usually if you are a GUI member they are cheaper. I think a lot of them (not all) bump the prices as tourist golfers (mainly American) associate high prices with quality and if the course was €50 to play they simply wouldn't play it. However they then have a different price for GUI members.

[Rois]

A lot of these so called great courses are out of reach to ordinary golfers at €120 plus and more for RCD to play.

Usually if you are a GUI member they are cheaper. I think a lot of them (not all) bump the prices as tourist golfers (mainly American) associate high prices with quality and if the course was €50 to play they simply wouldn't play it. However they then have a different price for GUI members.

I heard a story that Ardglass was pitching itself too low and not getting any overspill from the Americans at Slieve Donard, and when they hiked the price up, they came!

We're off to Druid's Glen on Thurs for a couple of nights but it looks to cost a fortune to play and I'm only a beginner.  Is it worth rocking up and asking for a last minute rate?  Do golf courses do that kind of thing?  I know there are quite a few tee times available while we're there. 

[trailer]

A lot of these so called great courses are out of reach to ordinary golfers at €120 plus and more for RCD to play.

Usually if you are a GUI member they are cheaper. I think a lot of them (not all) bump the prices as tourist golfers (mainly American) associate high prices with quality and if the course was €50 to play they simply wouldn't play it. However they then have a different price for GUI members.

I heard a story that Ardglass was pitching itself too low and not getting any overspill from the Americans at Slieve Donard, and when they hiked the price up, they came!

We're off to Druid's Glen on Thurs for a couple of nights but it looks to cost a fortune to play and I'm only a beginner.  Is it worth rocking up and asking for a last minute rate?  Do golf courses do that kind of thing?  I know there are quite a few tee times available while we're there.

Try Teetimes.ie or golfnow. Ring them as well. I've managed to do that a few times but I would play very early and some pros let you out for a discounted rate, others don't, just depends. Make sure you play the Druids Glen course and not Druids Heath. It's one of the best courses around and would be a shame to be down there and not play it.

[Rois]

TBH I could be playing Greenacres in Ballyclare and think it was good - but the OH wants to play it. Tried golfnow but we'd have to play with 2 unknowns. Might send him out on his own.