| Playing on links (the land between the sea and | | | | disappointed with the golf. Best avoided during July |
| arable land being labeled links) courses is a | | | | and August if you like to have a quiet time! |
| challenge not only because of the wind but | | | | ROSSLARE LINKS GOLF CLUB |
| because you never know where your stance is | | | | Based in the family resort of Rosslare the golf |
| going to be. Undulating fairways, sandy bunkers | | | | club is over 100 years old. Nestling between the |
| and high rough are features of most links golf. | | | | sea and the road there are times you think that |
| Below we have a description of some links | | | | you are right out to sea and you would be |
| courses and all of them little gems! | | | | correct. |
| ROYAL COUNTY DOWN | | | | An easy test as long as the wind doesn't blow!! |
| A classic links course in the seaside resort of | | | | But this is Rosslare and the wind is never far |
| Newcastle this is one of the best courses in the | | | | away. Keep straight and the course is no problem |
| world. A bold statement? Not at all! It has played | | | | at all (but aren't they all like that??). Stray off the |
| host to some fine championships and this year, | | | | fairway and you very quickly find out why it is |
| 2007, it will play host to the amateur version of | | | | called rough! It's not that they feed it with |
| the Ryder Cup the Walker Cup. The fairways are | | | | fertiliser it's just that they don't cut it! |
| there to be hit but the rough!! Well it's just waiting | | | | A homely clubhouse with excellent cuisine and you |
| to grab your ball. You start off with the best of | | | | have a great mix for your golf. In case you find |
| intentions. No drivers off the tees. But by the fifth | | | | 18 holes too much they have another course |
| hole you have to use a driver just to clear the | | | | down the road which is only 12 holes in length and |
| rough in front of the tee! | | | | has been designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr. |
| Royal County Down is a great course. It will test | | | | ROYAL PORTRUSH |
| every shot that you can make. One word of | | | | The locals are full of advice up in Portrush. "If |
| advice - they have local caddies who they | | | | you're more than six feet off the fairway forget |
| recommend. To really enjoy the experience you | | | | it! You've lost your ball". Not what you want to |
| need to have local knowledge and they will help | | | | hear before you go out. But it's not all bad. The |
| you. For a visitor to Ireland it's a must. For those | | | | views are great and the holes - stunning. Any |
| fortunate enough to live in Ireland grab the | | | | course that has names like Himalayas, Calamity |
| opportunity to play when you can. Greenfees are | | | | and a bunker called 'Big Bertha' has to have some |
| lowest off season but the course doesn't know | | | | good points. |
| that!! | | | | The bunker, by the way, is not a bunker it's a |
| LAYTOWN & BETTYSTOWN | | | | sand dune!! The course is tough but fair. As with |
| Less than an hour North of Dublin this County | | | | any links course you have to be straight or you |
| Meath course is beside the sea. It runs parallel to | | | | will be punished! By the time you have reached |
| Bettystown strand and is a true links course. With | | | | the 14th Calamity you should know what to |
| a fine clubhouse and tennis courts it is a great | | | | expect. You have to stay right or you will find out |
| place to play. | | | | why this hole is so called. The next hole is similarly |
| Being a true links course means that they never | | | | named being called Purgatory. Can only imagine |
| have temporary greens and the land undulates as | | | | what it must be like to play this on a wet windy |
| you would expect. A course that depends on the | | | | day in winter. |
| wind and the rough for it's toughness it is a good | | | | The clubhouse is warm and inviting and there's |
| test. Coupled with the other courses around it like | | | | always a welcome smile even if it's only in |
| Baltray, Seapoint, Navan and Headfort it is a fine | | | | sympathy! A great links course and one to be |
| place to base your stay and you won't be | | | | marked onto any golf holiday. |