The Masters, Open Championship and Ryder Cup are my trifecta of golfing events to watch. Hearing the patron roars when an eagle is sunk on 13, the more polite British applause following a fifty yard putt into the hole of an Open links venue and the boisterous celebration of fans and players alike after a…
A stone wall. A Druid burial ground. The corner of a hotel. An enormous dune. Or, the Pacific Ocean. These are some of the hurdles or for many like me, exhilarations you face at North Berwick, Old Head, The Old Course, Ballybunion and Pebble respectively. There is excitement when sizing up such a formidable barrier…
US parkland golf courses differ from UK links courses as much as their respective approaches to the opening of their golf courses during the pandemic. Since these are important Athlone outbound golf destinations to our clientele, I monitor closely on what they are doing. The individualistic, American cowboy versus the collectivist, staid Brit. Golf courses…
While waiting to hit my final shot into the green at a beautiful Japanese golf course two years ago, I witnessed the Japanese group ahead of us finish their putts and go directly to their bags. There was no handshake or doffing of caps to bring closure to a glorious match in a wonderful setting….
Brora to Royal Dornoch. Ardglass to Royal County Down. Crail to the Old. Do you see the pattern? I like making suggestions in our tailor-made links golf tours to include at least one of the lesser known golf courses with the heavyweights. How about the fun 9-hole Bann Course at Castlerock, NI? Brora has electrified…
Minimalist golf course designs have been popular over the last several years. Bandon, Cabot and Streamsong are just a few big names. Respecting the natural terrain is more the strategy than using bulldozers. Most if not all only allow walking and are either links or links style. Less water is used and bunkering can be…
1. UK and Irish tee sheets are opening sooner this year. You should start planning for your links trip now and get commitments from your mates. 2. Travel insurance, especially for North Americans, should be seriously considered as part of your expenditures. 3. Your competition for in demand 2021 tee times are not only other…
I thought my golfing pet peeves would resonate and the thousands of reads and many comments confirmed it. Most fell on the traditionalist side and there were good additions. Some from the new wave golf frontier disagreed. As I learned in studying political studies at Queen’s, there is no right or wrong but a perspective….
Everyone has them. Time to give you some of mine from a traditionalist’s perspective: Caps/hats worn in the clubhouse. The biggest No No. Beware of the member who may have a stern chat with you about it. Respect… Untucked golf shirts. Golf caps worn backwards on the course. Leave that for the football game. Five-somes…
Have you played Lahinch? Royal County Down? Prestwick? Brora? The Road Hole? The Doak Course at Dismal River in Nebraska? Well people, get over it and hit the blind shot as these wonderful golf courses (like many others) have them. North Americans are pampered with holes that you can see roll out in front of…