Great article! On the topic of Fields Ranch East, I had a wonderful time playing the venue last year. I certainly would not label it a boring course from any shot. My main critique were landing strip tee boxes but that is more of a preference on my part. The large amount of rain in that area caused a lot of uneven tee shots due to erosion. I do wonder if switching holes 9 and 18 ruined some of the flow of the golf course. I would be curious to know about more routing changes made for tournaments at other courses.

Can't wait to watch the men play it in 2027. It's such a visually striking course to see in person, I hope the CBS broadcast does it justice in two years!

thanks, Andrew!

Maybe I have it wrong, but are the labels on the pictures on the 13th backwards? Front should be back and vise versa, same as left and right.

When I got the notice that Quintero was closing to do some work I was hopeful ... for about 10 seconds. But it seems like they are mostly sprucing up what is there, which isn't anything I'm really a fan of. The course is beautiful and it is totally one of those courses that you should play on a trip. But as someone who lives here it's not inly not in the regulation rotation, it isn't in the rotation at all.

Will always look at Portrush as the place I knew I should propose to my now-wife. Took our first big trip together to Ireland, flying into Belfast before turning north and driving around the island. Asked if our first stop from Belfast could be Portrush (I didn't dare ask to bring my clubs on this trip). And while I didn't get out on the course, I knew that if she was willing to fly 6 hours, hop in a car, and make our first stop a golf course, she was a keeper.Now to somehow get back over there for several rounds of golf. Maybe an anniversary trip, perhaps.

I want to go to Ireland next summer to see the Walker Cup at Lahinch. I would love to play some golf while there. In 2026, Portrush's Dunluce Links green fee is £420 ($570 US) -- if you can get a tee time. Their Valley Links course is ONLY £200 ($270 US). I don't need to play the best courses in the world, I just want to play some fun Irish courses that the Irish play. Can you suggest some?

Heading to Ireland/Northern Ireland next month for the first time (two weeks following the Open). Will be basically all over the entire island. Any non-golf suggestions/recommendations? Pubs, restaurants, etc.? Thanks!

Played this one a few days ago. Very fun and playable course akin to a DMK design imo. Got big Gamble Sands vibes. It’s more walkable than the previous iteration of the course, but it’s no picnic. There are some serious hills to navigate. The routing is pretty clunky on the back nine, particularly the interchange between 13 and 14 and 17 and 18. It will be ever better at the course matures and will hopefully play firm and fast for years to come. 0-1 egg in my eyes, but well worth a visit.

Having never played golf over there... are there any characteristics or features that Irish links courses tend to possess that you don't see on Scottish or English links?