The golf thread - 2019
Discussion
I’m not usually a Golfist, but was offered tickets for the final round at The Open yesterday evening and headed for Portrush first thing this morning. Incredibly well run event, wonderful atmosphere, they really love GMac in that part of the world, even the weather try as it may couldn’t put a dampener on things.
We were seated at the 13th green, but had great views over the 12th and 17th greens as well. Was an amazing experience to be able to follow the final pairing all the way up to the 18th.
Never in my life did I think I’d ever see an Irish tricolour flying over Portrush, huge congratulations to Shane Lowry.
Umbrellas should be banned at all sporting events.
We were seated at the 13th green, but had great views over the 12th and 17th greens as well. Was an amazing experience to be able to follow the final pairing all the way up to the 18th.
Never in my life did I think I’d ever see an Irish tricolour flying over Portrush, huge congratulations to Shane Lowry.
Umbrellas should be banned at all sporting events.
Andy 308GTB said:
TTmonkey said:
Tommy is refusing to step up a challenge. Could have been a four shot swing if he had taken advantage.
Yup, had he pulled to 2 behind, he may have forced an error.If the wind had died down and it had been bright and sunny like the early rounds then I'm sure the result would have been a lot closer.
Fleetwood hit a 74, Lowry a 72. Compare that to the 67 67 63 Lowry carded in the previous rounds. A few birdies here and there and Fleetwood would have been in with a real chance of catching Lowry Just a shame he finished with a 74 given the consistent 67 68 66 he played the first three rounds.
Although it was good to see a relative newbie win. Anyway I have a signed Lowry golf ball if anyone is interested
Edited by EarlofDrift on Monday 22 July 00:04
Jamie VTS said:
Playing the 2010 on Thursday. Any tips or advice welcomed!
I don’t know your standard so excuse me if sucking eggs comes to mind. Plenty of water around. Try and choose an angle
Off the tee to play away from it as much as possible. Water on the right? Tee up on the right of the tee box and hit it up the left, and vice verse. Quite a few water carries so consider extra club, especially on 18 which has a false front that will suck the ball down into the lake. Ask me how I know...
The bunkers on the 17th are brutal. Avoid.
A lot of the greens are smaller than they look because of hollows and run offs. Middle of the green is a much safer bet. Don’t go flag hunting.
Try and enjoy it though. It’s not that hard a course if you’re sensible but manage your expectations and take it in. The view across the valley from the closing stretch of holes is fantastic. It’s a great day all round...you’ll be ferried to the range to warm up where your bag will be waiting for you and you should get a locker with a European or American player on it. Take a good look around.
If the weather is good, have a pint in the sun watching people come in down 18. Lovely spot.
EarlofDrift said:
Andy 308GTB said:
TTmonkey said:
Tommy is refusing to step up a challenge. Could have been a four shot swing if he had taken advantage.
Yup, had he pulled to 2 behind, he may have forced an error.If the wind had died down and it had been bright and sunny like the early rounds then I'm sure the result would have been a lot closer.
Fleetwood hit a 74, Lowry a 72. Compare that to the 67 67 63 Lowry carded in the previous rounds. A few birdies here and there and Fleetwood would have been in with a real chance of catching Lowry Just a shame he finished with a 74 given the consistent 67 68 66 he played the first three rounds.
Although it was good to see a relative newbie win. Anyway I have a signed Lowry golf ball if anyone is interested
Edited by EarlofDrift on Monday 22 July 00:04
https://thespun.com/more/golf/jb-holmes-had-1-of-t...
I cannot help but feel that Fleetwood "made it easy for Lowry" in some way. I know that was obviously not his intention and I am taking nothing away from the superb round of golf Lowry played in those conditions, but the early chances Fleetwood had to cut the gap and apply some serious pressure may have told a different story during the round - but we will never know.
Lowry was well and truly the deserved winner, especially the way he played Round 3 - some of the best golf I have watched on the TV in many a year.
Lowry was well and truly the deserved winner, especially the way he played Round 3 - some of the best golf I have watched on the TV in many a year.
Lowry's fourth round was every bit as good as his third IMO.
It might have been different if Fleetwood had taken his chances in the first few holes, but equally Lowry didn't crack and then when the conditions got terrible he kept it together. He took his medicine with the bogeys, but didn't let them knock him off track. Stunning stuff.
It might have been different if Fleetwood had taken his chances in the first few holes, but equally Lowry didn't crack and then when the conditions got terrible he kept it together. He took his medicine with the bogeys, but didn't let them knock him off track. Stunning stuff.
HaplessBoyLard said:
I don’t know your standard so excuse me if sucking eggs comes to mind.
Plenty of water around. Try and choose an angle
Off the tee to play away from it as much as possible. Water on the right? Tee up on the right of the tee box and hit it up the left, and vice verse. Quite a few water carries so consider extra club, especially on 18 which has a false front that will suck the ball down into the lake. Ask me how I know...
The bunkers on the 17th are brutal. Avoid.
A lot of the greens are smaller than they look because of hollows and run offs. Middle of the green is a much safer bet. Don’t go flag hunting.
Try and enjoy it though. It’s not that hard a course if you’re sensible but manage your expectations and take it in. The view across the valley from the closing stretch of holes is fantastic. It’s a great day all round...you’ll be ferried to the range to warm up where your bag will be waiting for you and you should get a locker with a European or American player on it. Take a good look around.
If the weather is good, have a pint in the sun watching people come in down 18. Lovely spot.
Thanks very much! I play off 18. I'm really excited about playing it, a friend is a member and has got me in for free which makes it even sweeter!Plenty of water around. Try and choose an angle
Off the tee to play away from it as much as possible. Water on the right? Tee up on the right of the tee box and hit it up the left, and vice verse. Quite a few water carries so consider extra club, especially on 18 which has a false front that will suck the ball down into the lake. Ask me how I know...
The bunkers on the 17th are brutal. Avoid.
A lot of the greens are smaller than they look because of hollows and run offs. Middle of the green is a much safer bet. Don’t go flag hunting.
Try and enjoy it though. It’s not that hard a course if you’re sensible but manage your expectations and take it in. The view across the valley from the closing stretch of holes is fantastic. It’s a great day all round...you’ll be ferried to the range to warm up where your bag will be waiting for you and you should get a locker with a European or American player on it. Take a good look around.
If the weather is good, have a pint in the sun watching people come in down 18. Lovely spot.
Will defo buy a hole by hole guide!!
Cheers
Jamie
Just looked the green fees for Royal Portrush, £225 a round which is on par with the top courses in the world.
No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
EarlofDrift said:
Just looked the green fees for Royal Portrush, £225 a round which is on par with the top courses in the world.
No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
I don't think that's particularly insightful. No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
Both NI & Eire have plenty of golf courses - and if the best are £225 a round it would suggest that the bulk of them are reasonably priced!
And sets of clubs don't have to be £300 for a junior.
EarlofDrift said:
Just looked the green fees for Royal Portrush, £225 a round which is on par with the top courses in the world.
No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
I don't think that's fair.No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
Royal Portrush probably has a very active cadet/junior section which would be either free or very cheap. I know my club does, and they charge £165 a round.
EarlofDrift said:
Just looked the green fees for Royal Portrush, £225 a round which is on par with the top courses in the world.
No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
Hardly comparable. It’s not £10 a game of football if I want to play for 2 hours on the Old Trafford pitch.No wonder they can't get normal kids into playing golf in the numbers they would like.
Want to play football, £10 for a ball
Want to play rugby £15 for a ball
Want to play golf, £300 for basic clubs, bag etc, membership another few hundred plus green fees.
It is however only a few quid if I want to take my kids to the local pitch and putt and bang a few balls down the range. Or £15 a round at my local when I was a kid.
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