Post by tutu on Sept 21, 2011 7:16:26 GMT
Ireland is about the size of the state of Indiana. Not too long, not too short and not so cheap golf clubswide that it can't be driven across comfortably in an afternoon.
The same can be said about Ireland's 400-plus golf courses. Not too long, not too short and with enough tee boxes that driving can be as challenging or as comfortable as you like.
One of the thrills of women's golf in Ireland is the opportunity to play on a true links course; 30% of the world's links courses are in Ireland.
The word links as it relates to Taylormade R11 Fairway Wood golf is a Latin derivative from "hlinkus," which translates to the land between the mainland and the sea. Not quite beach, but almost.
Today's links courses still resemble the first golf courses that made use of natural water hazards, undulating dunes and the almost treeless landscape between the water and the mainland. This area couldn't be farmed, was too sandy for housing, so it became a playground for golf. Back in the 15th century, golf courses were dug by hand so style was kept to Taylormade Burner SuperFast 2.0 Fairway Wooda minimum.
Susan Heffernan says that links courses are as forgiving as they are challenging. She also thinks they are perfect for women golfers. A Dubliner, Heffernan works for Golf Vacations Ireland and she specializes in women's golf. Or,TaylorMade R9 Supertri Driver as they say in Ireland, ladies golf.
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"Links golf is indisputably the real draw in Ireland, which means that the parkland courses (like Killeen Castle where the 2011 Solheim Cup was held in mid-September) are sometimes overlooked. My top selection for parkland courses-Killeen Castle aside-would be Killarney Killeen (no connection between the two), Adare Manor, Carton House'sTaylormade R7 CGB max irons Montgomery and O'Meara courses and Lough Erne.