Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Golf Gifts and the Joy of Christmas

Macreddin, where the Destination Golf Premier Golf
Card offers visitors 4 green fees for the price of 2.
December has arrived and that can mean only one thing… no, not temporary greens and chilblains… it’s Christmas. What joy! An entire month of listening to Christmas tunes older than Attila the Hun… or Mick Jagger. If there was one shop – just one – that decided not to play Christmas music from dawn till dusk, day in, day out, I reckon that shop would be minting it.

Anyway, you didn’t come here to read the thoughts of a grouch so here are 12 Christmas ideas:

1. Destination Golf Premier Golf Card
This new golf reward card, launched by Destination Golf in association with VouchersforGolf.ie, offers exclusive 2017 deals to many of Destination Golf’s top 150 ranked courses in Ireland… keep an eye out for the new guide which will be out early next year.

There are 50 courses in all, including Headfort, Powerscourt, Luttrellstown, Doonbeg, Dromoland Castle, Castlerock, Slieve Russell, Fota Island and Killarney. Offers range from 4 for the price of 2 (that’s at Macreddin and Dromoland Castle, folks, which is seriously good value), a free buggy, a free pint as well as 2 for 1s and 4 for 3s. One visit to Dromoland Castle and you’ve more than covered the cost of the card.
The Destination Golf Premier Golf Card costs €49.99 (click on the link to purchase). It is also available at the 11 McGuirks Golf Stores nationwide. Cardholders will enjoy a 5% discount on all McGuirks purchases.

2. Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Package.
Never hurts to kick off with the Irish Open… even if it is 7 months away (July 6-9). For one thing, it’s at Portstewart which is big links country and for another it’s going to attract some big, big names for 2017. Prize money has gone through the roof but with the following weeks filled by the Scottish Open and then the Open Championship, golf fans can expect to see the biggest Pros doing their thing.

And, on the subject of fans, why not treat someone to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Fan Pack this Christmas. You might even get a Christmas card from Rory McIlroy himself.

The packs are part of a limited edition launched by the European Tour, and include:
- TWO ONE-DAY TICKETS for event
- €50 MERCHANDISE VOUCHER that can be used in the tournament’s on-site store
- TWO DRINKS TOKENS
- One PROGRAMME and DRAWSHEET
The 17th green at Portstewart - home to the 2017 DDF Irish Open
This is only available until December 15 (to ensure delivery before Christmas Day). The price is €119 which is a saving of more than 20% on the full retail price of 150. Tickets can be purchased here: www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com

3. MyGolfPro.ie
Are you buying the gift for a hacker or are you buying it for a 7 handicapper? It doesn’t matter because MyGolfPro will help golfers of all abilities. You simply buy a voucher (from €50-€500) and let the recipient decide which of the more than 50 Pros nationwide they want to go to.

The 18th green at Fota Island
4. Fota Island Academy
Fota Island Golf Academy has just launched its new training centre and membership package. Buying the annual membership for €800 may well be out of reach but, with two fully equipped practice rooms featuring Trackman launch monitors a voucher might be ideal. After all, there’s a luxury hotel next door and a top class golf course boasting 27 holes.

5. Hotel Voucher
And why not? These days it’s easy to send someone away for golf and relaxation as there are dozens of deals around the country. Portmarnock Links have a one night B&B with golf starting at €185 for two people. For €150 you can get a one night midweek special at Ballykisteen Hotel, in Tipperary, including breakfast, dinner and a round of golf. Or send a couple to Belmullet to play the explosive Carne, where two nights B&B with one dinner and two rounds of golf can cost just €189 pps.
The 17th at Carne... one of the toughest (and most thrilling)
greens you'll ever tackle.
6. A Tiger Headcover
Yes, the greatest golfer ever to play the game (apologies to Nicklaus disciples) is on the comeback trail. A headcover might be all that is needed to inspire the golfer in your life.

7. The Book of Rules
Go on, be controversial. If you watch your mate/brother/mother breaking a rule or two, week in, week out, then maybe it’s time for that not too subtle hint. If you like, you can make yourself even more popular by marking the relevant rule with a post-it note. They’ll love you for it.

8. Green Fee Voucher
Yes, you’ve heard it before… but surprise them with a voucher for golf in France or Portugal or Scotland. It won’t cost a lot more than a big course in Ireland and it adds a huge level of excitement and gets them planning for the trip. If you’re lucky, you’ll get an invitation…
The 13th at Tullamore
9. Distance/Winter Membership
Alternatively, how about buying someone a distance membership for somewhere a little bit special? For €250 you can purchase a distance membership for Carne for a year. The charming and tranquil Tullamore is €430, as is Strandhill. At Connemara you can purchase a ‘Winter’ membership, running to March 31st, for €200.

10. Whacky Balls
These days it’s easy to buy golf balls and ball markers with someone’s name or initials on them… but how about some metallic coloured golf balls? Perfectly legal, too! Pink, golf, purple, green… you can buy them in packs of three or twelve from www.bestimpressions.co.uk
Prices start at £10 for three.

11. Irish Golf Expo
2017 will see the Irish Golf Expo setting up camp at the Citywest Hotel, from 25-26 February. Designed for golfers of all ages, to promote the game and participation in the game, it will have the latest equipment and accessories for visitors to test. You can also take part in free lessons from PGA professionals and interact with the many golf related businesses who exhibit at the event. There will be numerous chances to win prizes, there will be trick-shot shows and there will be a dedicated kids’ golf zone too. And for those who love freebies… if you buy your ticket in advance, you’ll also receive a free green fee, courtesy of GolfNow. Oh… and for those who like cars, you’ll find that there are a few Maserati models lying round the place.

Ticket prices start at €15. http://www.irishgolfexpo.com



12. Irish Golfer Magazine
Or how about an annual subscription to Irish Golfer Magazine for €40? And, in the spirit of Christmas, you can keep the dozen Srixon golf balls for yourself… ssshhh! 


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