Irish Golf Overview

Now we've arrived at the first content section of our Irish Greens golf and gardens course. The photo to the right is of the 9th hole at Royal County Down in the town of Newcastle in Northern Ireland, about three hours north by car up along the coast from Dublin and about 45 minutes south of Belfast. By a show of hands, how many in the class are alumni members who have an interest in golf? Wait, that's right, this is a "virtual class" and we can't see one another. Suffice it to say though that for the golfers in the class the photo will create a stirring sensation, a recognition of the beauty of this setting, along with a desire to tee a ball up and play some golf.

Royal County Down is generally regarded as one of the top 10 courses in the entire world. It was designed by the famous Old Tom Morris (1821-1908), keeper of the links at the Old Course in St. Andrews Scotland for 40 years. Old Tom was a four-time winner of the British Open Championship and designed many courses throughout Scotland and England. In addition to County Down, Morris created Lahinch on the central west coast of Ireland. Only six original holes from Old Tom Morris remain at Royal County Down. Finishing touches were made to the course by the famous English architect H.S. Colt in the 1920's.

Let's look at this photo, and begin our education on Irish golf. The setting of the course is magnificent. Town spires and steeples are in the background, the sea visible, the mountain peak of Slieve Donard looms on the horizon. The little corridor of hillocks framing the fairway are adorned with heather and gorse. Heather is beautiful and smells intoxicating when in bloom in summer. Gorse is a spreading thicket plant with dangerous vicious thorns. If you hit a golf ball in the gorse, there is usually no way to retrieve it. Even if you can see it, the ball is lost. Royal County Down is a difficult course with narrow fairways that run hard and fast. There are also many blind shots where the golfer cannot see the target. Blind shots can increase the difficulty of a golf hole, especially the first time around.

Royal County Down - 9th Hole

photo courtesy of Lynn Shackelford

A picture tells a thousand words!

Royal County Down is a linksland course. Linksland is defined as sandy land near a sea. The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf and the oldest golf course in the world, is a links course. We will cover linksland more in a coming section.

When golfers describe their experiences in Ireland quick to be mentioned is the ambiance of playing there. As an Ireland Golf Update puts it:

"In Ireland golf is different. There is a sort of quirkiness about the way the game is played there. With characters only too eager to enmesh you in their style of fun and diversion, the ambiance of enjoyment breaks through with little provocation. Played by 20% of the adult population, golf is everyone's game in the Emerald Isle and it shows. Various outward signs are apparent. Most intriguing is the casual salute waved to players on adjoining fairways: the nod, and some might say strangely, the wink, are used with gay abandon by both men and ladies as a precursor the 'how'r ye' and if that goes well, the 'what are ye having' in the 19th. In Ireland the ambiance is difference and the golf, in a word, superb."

American golf architect Tom Doak describes Irish golf this way:

"I think the Irish are big on ambiance -- many of their new courses are built with tourism in mind, and the sites are selected for an excitement factor. The good players I've joined up with while there are certainly not the Scott Simpson type -- they all enjoy going for a difficult shot. The Scots take the game much more seriously, more reverently. A barren links is still a good game for them."

[note: Scott Simpson mentioned above is an American professional golfer and former US Open Champion. Simpson is known for his conservative and careful style of play.]

The famous British golf writer and commentator Henry Longhurst had this to say about the Irish golf experience:

"Some of the Irish links, I was about to write, stand comparison with the greatest courses in the world. They don't. They are the greatest courses in the world, not only in layout bet in scenery and "atmosphere" and that indefinable something which makes you relive again and again the day you played there. (as quoted in Phinney and Whitley, Links of Heaven)"

Rick Nowosad, a Canadian amateur golfer who has taken many trips to Ireland to play golf, writes about why he has so greatly enjoyed his golf trips there, and prefers Ireland over Scotland:

"To me, Ireland is the place to play in the British Isles. I have also played many other famous courses in England, Wales and Scotland. Of course one can't generalize entirely, but the visiting golfer feels more welcome in Ireland and the golfing experience is more enjoyable as result. Certainly, playing the tees suitable to one's skill level is a contributing factor. In Ireland, if you are capable and keep up to the pace, the tips are available. In British areas, regrettably including N. Ireland, you are confined to the member tees and in some instances and even worse, the "green tees" used by junior members. Imagine playing a gem like Royal Portrush at 5800 yards when your skill level is only truly challenged at 6500 or more! As such, golfing in Ireland is much more challenging and not because the courses are more so, but because you have the opportunity to play at the tees that meet your level of difficulty. Lastly, the clubhouses are more welcoming and it seems easier to meet members in Ireland than elsewhere in Britain. It may have something to do with Irish blarney!!!

I think Irish courses are still considered second fiddle to those of Scotland. I'd surmise Scotland's reputation as the cradle of golf accounts for this. It has been my observation that the keener and more astute the golfer is, the more apt they are to opt for an Irish golf trip over a Scottish one. In my opinion, the courses are even-Steven. I like Ireland more because of the people, their attitude to golf and life, the pubs and because I think that a golf vacation might be a little cheaper and less hassled there."

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
- Irish Saying -

Famous 4th Hole at Royal County Down - Northern Ireland.

A most demanding par-3 golf hole, 215 yards all carry over gorse, green guarded by 8 bunkers.

Photo by Dr. Johnny Browne.

The popularity of golf in Ireland among the Irish people and the growing legion of tourist visitors is soaring. Over 300,000 Irish people play golf, double the number of only a few years ago. However, golf has existed in the country for over a century and thus has a long tradition there. The Golfing Union of Ireland was established in 1891 and is the oldest national governing body in the world. It is interesting that the Golfing Union has always governed the game in all 33 counties within both the north and south without regard to the distinctions that have made things at times very politically troubled. In the mid-1960's, Ireland became a more popular tourist destination, and a new wave of course construction began that continues to the present. "Big-name" golf architects have constructed course in Ireland. Famous recent new courses in Ireland have been designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, and Greg Norman. There are now over 400 golf courses in Ireland.