What are the chances of a walk up tee time at Royal County Down?

[Chanceman]

I am travelling to Ireland next year with my good lady wife and wanting to play at RCD and Portrush.

I know you can book a tee time way ahead but you have to pay up also. Our schedule is likely to be very flexible so would like to leave it to the last minute. What are the chances of getting on like that?

[TerpFangolfer]

I played RCD in June 2015 - I did pre-book for 2. We were playing on a Monday.

My impression that the course was not busy at all - so you could just "walk on" - caveat is, if they allow that?

Or at least call a few days ahead?

[JNewsted]

Was there this week. Caddy talks about only getting 100 players a day. I'd bet you'd be able to walk up or call the day before.

[stringbean502001]

Just returned from Royal County Down. Absolutely wonderful people, went out of their way to make us feel like members over several days

 

Having said that, at least call ahead a couple days. My experience in booking, not expert at all, is that the number of "scheduled" visitor spots are very limited, and booked out. So, if they accommodated you it would possibly be using a member reserved spot (probably many open)? Maybe they would be fine with that...hope so for you because it is worth every cent and really much more.

 

Literally just "walking up"...well only my opinion of course...that is not an appropriate way to return the courtesy the members and staff are extending to guests (regardless how much they may be charging). I say this because the staff is charged with preparing for your arrival, and making sure your experience is efficient and world class. Allow them time to do that.

 

Good luck, hope it works out for you. I've played all over the world and that was one of a small handful of greatest golf experiences.

[Chanceman]

Thanks Stringbean, I am now going with a small group and have pre-booked so glad to be in the system. I am just worried about how my very flakey game will stand up to all those long carries and blind shots. I am fine once I get to 100 yds/mts but ballstriking has always been my issue. Just the thought of playing RCD and also Portrush has me in some flux. We are also planning to play Ardglass while in the area which appears to be an awesome back up. BTW did you use a caddie and how did you think that went?

[stringbean502001]

Thank you for asking! I am not an expert...but will share our experience at RCD. I think a caddie is worth every bit of money in most cases. They work unbelievably hard, and in 5 rounds, as a 10 handicap not always straight off the tee...I lost one ball in 5 rounds. Didn't want some of them found, but whatever.

 

Now to the insights of my caddie the last round at RCD. They do not have a handicap max as the Old Course and others might. You are right to be concerned about play there. It is the most penal course I have played, and I have now covered the top 15 or so in the UK/Ireland, and Pine Valley here. On our last round my golf partner and I were paired with 2 Americans. One was a 17, who only hit the ball about 175 in the air off the tee, and not straight...and the other was well, maybe a 36? RCD welcomes them and treats them well. HOWEVER, the two of us were playing from 6700 yds--not overly long and a great fit for our games. The two other guys tee it up on the same tees. After watching them for a hole/two, I tried to kindly suggest they move up a tee or two. I kept trying...to no avail. the 17 shot maybe 150 and If the 36 handicap broke 200 I would be amazed...my caddie said in 30 years there he had never seen anything like it.

 

So, by your description, here is my advice--worth exactly what you are paying for it! You are good 100 yds in---the incredible beauty of RCD to me is exactly that -- 100 yds into green and bunker complexes unmatched in the world, in settings among the dunes that are extraordinary. So you will get the FULL experience playing from shorter tees. Treat the first shot as just what is required to get you to your favorite spot to play into the greens--magical stuff. And IF/WHEN you get off the fairway off the tee, into the fescue--no matter what you think you can do...just take your wedge and go sideways into the fairway--you will thank me later!!

 

I cut 19 shots off from day 1 to day 2 at RCD, just from playing smart off the tee. Had one of my best rounds ever on day 2 just from my caddie managing my game and keeping me focused on fairways

 

also, JMO, but Portrush, while it is brutally tough for the expert golfer playing from the tips...for us mere mortals (playing from the correct tees of course) it is easier than RCD. More open feel, flowing course. You will enjoy both.

[adschus]

I’m playing RCD, Portrush and portstewart next week. I’m an international member at Ardglass so will be playing the majority of my rounds there. Need to get my money worth. Anyways, this thread was helpful.

[Chanceman]

Thanks guys, great responses. We are playing RCD, RP, Ardglass and Castlerock in Northern Ireland before heading into the Republic, so that should have us well acquainted with the horrors of forced carries, deep rough and blind tee shots. If you ever get down to Oz to play Barnbougle or Cape Wickham it is the same thing - choose the right tee and you are fine. Otherwise bring plenty of balls.