A round and about Greg Allen RTÉ Radio Golf correspondent and member of Blainroe

Earliest golfing memory?

As a boy in Mulranny, Co Mayo, on holiday in 1975 with my Dad and brother Declan. Raw links on a hot sunny day. I didn't break 60 for 9 holes and didn't care. It was heaven and I was smitten.

First victory?

I played pitch and putt before I played golf and getting the better of my older brothers at the beautiful Creek Pitch and Putt club in Rockbrook in the Dublin Mountains was as good as it gets.

First time to break 90?

I took an awful long time just to break 100, but I had one of those days when everything ran into the hole in a society outing at the Castle Golf Club in Rathfarnham in 1987. I am sad to say I still have the card somewhere.

Last bit of equipment you bought?

Touchy subject, because here I have to confess that I struggle with addiction. Currently I am seeking the Holy Grail of golf wedges, but actually the latest addition to my bag is a deadly Titleist driver.

Last time you took a cart and why?

I find cart golf to be a bit unsociable and defeats the purpose of getting some exercise, so I avoid it whenever I can. But it was obligatory in a recent shotgun start at The K Club in the summer.

Last time you muttered an obscenity on the course and why?

On the 18th green of my last round, for the obvious reason. The ball, as usual, did not do as it was told.

Which of the majors would you like to attend and why?

Clearly I am lucky to have been to all four majors in the course of my job, and I have to say the US Open is the one I would pick. It is like the Mount Everest of golf. Dramatic to look at and the toughest mental and physical challenge of all.

Ideal Fourball. Who and where?

Ernie Els, Bill Clinton and Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield, Scotland.

One last round on earth, where would it be?

I have only seen pictures of Cypress Point in northern California but it looks like a good place to stop by if you want to get a picture of what heaven must be like.

Ralph Lauren or Lyle and Scott?

There are few things in golf I have absolutely no opinion on, but you've just found one. But if I could get fit and skinny again and knock 20 years off my age, I'd like to try some of that lurid J Lindberg stuff!

Is a Titleist Pro V1 worth the extra expense?

Yes. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have said repeatedly that the biggest advance in golf equipment is the ball. So who am I to argue?

But you have to be a bit serious in your ambitions to really benefit from using a top of the range ball like the Pro V1.

Best golf club food - where?

Woodenbridge in the Avoca Valley in Wicklow, which is one of the great days out.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hands?

One of my golf buddies hits a wedge for such a shot and he always make me feel a bit inadequate in taking two clubs more.

Favourite club in times of trouble?

My broomhandle putter. A short putter would wobble like a water-diviner in my hands, so if the R&A ever ban the long putter, I'm a gonner.

Parkland or links?

Parkland in summer, links in winter.

Must see golfing holiday destination?

Ballyliffin, where there are two great links courses with totally different characters. The recent Nick Faldo modifications to the Old Course are subtle but excellent and it is now a match for its magnificent sister course, Glashedy.

But there's an awful lot more to the experience of Ballyliffin and while it might be a little difficult to get to, they don't like to see you go and it can be tough to drag yourself away!

Hidden gem?

Another Donegal nugget - Narin and Portnoo.

One Mulligan in life?

One more round with my Dad would be just great.