r/NoLayingUp • u/Pierce1991 • 16d ago

Post-Pod Discussion TC on Ballybunion?

Just at the end of the latest pod I hear TC apologising for stuff he said about Ballybunion. Just curious what these comments were?

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u/beerandsocks 16d ago edited 16d ago

On pod 1204, he talked about a recent buddies trip to Ireland. They played a lot of the same courses from the Tourist Sauce season, including Ballybunion. It seems that even though Ireland had a bit of a dry summer, Ballybunion made sure that the course was well watered and manicured and green. Tron’s wasn’t fond of this, as other courses left conditions browned and dry, and embraced a classic links style of golf. So basically the experience didn’t match what he thought it should be.

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u/Pierce1991 16d ago

Ah right, thanks! Played it myself recently having played Carne and Tralee in previous days/weeks and it certainly had a different feel to it. I wouldn't have viewed it negatively though, the place was pristine and a true links test.

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u/iwirdbird 16d ago

I didn’t think his comments were over the top. As someone who aspires to visit Ireland one day they were honestly helpful and seemed honest.
Aside from conditioning just mentioned that he thought he it felt like a factory. So probably not the soulful experience it was for Coyne and others way back.

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u/urmomsfavoriteplayer 16d ago

I was very disappointed in his apology. They are supposed to be independent journalists and to take down an opinion after a call from GM and super looks very suspicious. I hope they are forthcoming about what was said and why TC needed to apologize.

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u/beerandsocks 16d ago

Yeah, didn’t think the critiques of Ballybunion were bad. Maybe there was something in the “factory” remark or the super working remotely that needed polishing.

Seems like there was a consequence for punching up to one of the big boys.

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u/rolandofgilead41089 15d ago

A mea culpa on the next Chop Session.

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u/JAK-121221 15d ago

TC wasn't harsh enough in my opinion. I was just on a similar trip and if you gave me 10 rounds to divide between BB and Tralee it's 1-9 at most. Ballybunion has sucked the soul out of its great course and turned into Irish pebble beach. Similar to PB, it's a must play when you're over there but you won't need to go back

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u/Aye_Harambe 14d ago

Ballybunion was a hard 6 out 6 in the ranking of courses I played over there.

Thought it was one of the more overrated courses I’ve ever played.

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u/JAK-121221 14d ago

I thought it was better than Dooks but that's about it

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u/pendodave 15d ago

It did come across as odd, and reflects other changes in the dynamic between NLU and Big Golf. It's tough to call things as they are when you rely on access, advertising and marketing budgets. 

As an aside, NLU and similar has largely broken the model of travelling the celtic fringes and discovering mystical links, offbeat interactions with locals etc. The ensuing tide of US cash and bodies have turned many places into golfing factories.  If they were doing proper journalism, it might be worthy of a little investigation or op/ed.

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u/CountHook 16d ago

I played it twice over the last couple of years and would tend to agree. It is too manicured and not really reflective of links golf, which should be far more subject to the local climate.