Top 10 courses in Cork

Tweaky · 16-05-2014 2:13pm

Sean_pop wrote: »

Just checked with Old Head and there Club Championship for Members runs from May 29th, 30th & 31st and the course would be closed to outside play.:(:(:(

I think the Captains prize is that weekend in Fota as well or do you already have a tee time booked there ?

Sean_pop · 16-05-2014 3:32pm

Tweaky wrote: »

I think the Captains prize is that weekend in Fota as well or do you already have a tee time booked there ?

Already have time booked in Fota at 9.20am.:) It will cost €45.

seanom78 · 03-07-2014 2:29am

Outside of Fota, douglas is the best conditioned course in Cork. The greens in douglas are top 3 in the country.

As you can see from prev posts I am a huge fan of Cork GC. But I have to disagree on the new bunkering. It is awful and I know it has caused a lot of tensions down there with members etc the condition of the bunkers are good, it's the design in the issue. They have basically added 2/3 fairway bunkers on every par 4/5. Problem is they are designed like green side bunkers with huge lips. They are also v narrow so u rarely get a stance. Imo fairway bunkers shud be flat with smallish lips. I think the new bunkering has weakened the course. It's made it somehow tacky and I'm turned off a track I used to love but there u go...

Tweaky · 03-09-2014 8:46am

snaphook wrote: »

Waterrock is our go to course here in Cork.
Cheap green fees and kept in good condition.
Easy front nine and a challenge on the back nine.
A no fuss golf course.

Heard recently that Waterrock may be looking at taking on members as opposed to relying purely on green fees. Sounds a strange move considering the amount of clubs that are struggling to retain members never mind get new members.
Just wondering if anybody else had heard anything similar in relation to Waterrock.

big_drive · 03-09-2014 8:56am

I heard that a few months ago regarding Waterrock but not sure how accurate it is

Tweaky · 03-09-2014 10:19am

Yeah I heard it a few months ago from one source and heard it more recently from a totally different source. Again not sure how accurate either source is but thought someone in the know on here might be able to throw some light.

FixdePitchmark · 27-10-2014 10:21pm

lads - hitting Cork for a few days.

Have played Old Head and Cobh and Fota recently.

So playing Cork and Lee Valley this time as near city.

Would that be a nice combination ?

FixdePitchmark · 27-10-2014 10:41pm

Why are there no sand dunes in Cork anyway ?

kiers47 · 27-10-2014 10:48pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Why are there no sand dunes in Cork anyway ?

There are some decent sand dunes around barleycove they are protected though.
They would be 2 good choices though. Castlemartyr is a decent track to and has a slight linksy feel to it.

Dossy · 27-10-2014 11:11pm

Well after playing Cobh, Old Head, Douglas, Water Rock, Castlemartyr in recent weeks any of them are worth a visit.

Old Head was my favourite but Cobh for €20 was worth every penny, course is in great condition

elgenerale · 28-10-2014 9:57am

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

lads - hitting Cork for a few days.

Have played Old Head and Cobh and Fota recently.

So playing Cork and Lee Valley this time as near city.

Would that be a nice combination ?

Its been fairly wet down here. Only Fota and Castlemartyr can handle it.

aster99 · 28-10-2014 10:36am

Blarney isn't as good as the courses mentioned above but it's very dry and in great condition if it's any good to you.

shabalala · 28-10-2014 10:49am

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

lads - hitting Cork for a few days.

Have played Old Head and Cobh and Fota recently.

So playing Cork and Lee Valley this time as near city.

Would that be a nice combination ?

Played Lee Valley earlier this year, wasn't impressed, very hilly and has 6 severe dogleg par 4s, but Castlemartyr would be ideal to play with Cork gc.

FixdePitchmark · 28-10-2014 11:33am

Yes after that rain - I'll have to look at course that will handle it - will look into Castlemartyr.

Would cork handle that lads ?

elgenerale · 28-10-2014 11:37am

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes after that rain - I'll have to look at course that will handle it - will look into Castlemartyr.

Would cork handle that lads ?

Not as well as the other two no. But if you haven't played it before its worth it just to enjoy such a great layout, especially the contoured greens.

Slicemeister · 28-10-2014 11:49am

If I was playing this week it would be between castle martyr or maybe blarney. Absolutely hockeying it down all last night and this morning.

FixdePitchmark · 28-10-2014 11:55am

Thanks lads - good few friends in Cork so will get them all in at some stage, so will look at drier options above.

Tha.

Miley Byrne · 28-10-2014 1:19pm

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Thanks lads - good few friends in Cork so will get them all in at some stage, so will look at drier options above.

Tha.

Castlemartyr, Fota or Blarney would probably be the driest Fixd. Condition-wise, at this time of the year though, I wouldn't be looking beyond Fota. I know you have played it before but you are guaranteed a dry sod and the place is always immaculate

curly from cork · 28-10-2014 8:53pm

Cork is considered to be very dry as most of the course is built on limestone . However it's not in it's usual great condition at the moment . Greens have had a few problems and some have GUR markings on them .

Loire · 28-10-2014 9:26pm

Fota, Castlemartyr, Blarney and Cobh all OK after the rain Fixed.

FixdePitchmark · 28-10-2014 9:47pm

Having a Beamish in Courthouse here.
Things dry enough.

Jaysus not sure if more pubs or traffic lights in Cork.

inthehole1 · 28-10-2014 9:48pm

aster99 wrote: »

Blarney isn't as good as the courses mentioned above but it's very dry and in great condition if it's any good to you.

Have to agree about blarney
Played it while back and was very disappointed with it.very average course in my opinion

bailey99 · 29-10-2014 1:57pm

curly from cork wrote: »

Cork is considered to be very dry as most of the course is built on limestone . However it's not in it's usual great condition at the moment . Greens have had a few problems and some have GUR markings on them .

Don't know what's after happening down there, but the greens there are in a very poor condition for the last 2 months. Members giving out and numerous societies also. I've played it recently and it was definitely the poorest condition I've seen the place ever.

Very disappointing to see the greens in that condition when you visit a big course like Cork. Fota by comparison is in fantastic condition.

FixdePitchmark · 31-10-2014 10:14pm

In the end, due to time and playing partners location, ended up playing Douglas.
Thanks for your tips above anyway - will use advice and this thread again - at some stage - I plan to play every course in or around Cork City over next year or so. Have a good few friends down that way.

Douglas is a fantastic course - with great history in design - Vardon and MacKenzie.

Got absolutely drenched - very impressed with the course - and that was on a poor day weather wise. Great holes like 5 and 8 and then a great run of holes from 12 to 17. Maybe front lacks character of back - also only 3 par 3s and - they are only ok holes.

Loved the natural bends in the holes - with slight change in height - and was hitting plenty of mid irons all day - the day that was in it played a part here.

Played well enough 2 over on back - with a few lip outs -

Started shocking as - lets just say, I wanted to see what the night could offer in Cork - and when the Beamish is that good - you got to go with the flow. 32 points in the end, at the golf.

I'd imagine in the summer, time and equipment may have passed out the course a little - is only 5791 M - but hard to judge today - example last hole is a drive and mid iron to a par 5. Many other holes you are just using a 3 wood and no problem.

But overall very surprised - course held up well enough and was solid to start - but greens got a bit flooded at end. No course could have held out today.

Will be back to Douglas - but many more course to play first down there - back in December .

Cork - a class place for a holiday - now a great place for golf too.

Will be back soon.

big_drive · 14-02-2023 12:04pm

Old thread I came across.

A few years later now, what would the top 10 be these days?

Some courses have seen changes in that time

slingerz · 14-02-2023 9:18pm

I’d still reckon it’s going to be

Fota

Old Head

Cork

Castlemartyr

Lee Valley

Muskerry

Douglas

Bandon

Mallow

Macroom

paulos53 · 14-02-2023 10:01pm

Very interesting to read back on the thread and note how much has changed in 10-12 years.

Water Rock and Frankfield got a mention but unfortunately both are now closed. Charleville got into financial difficulty and had to sell off some land. I haven't played it since so I am unsure how many holes are gone.

There was a comment about my home club Castlemartyr being one of driest courses in the county. It is now one of the wettest winter courses.

Lots of bargain green fees were reported early in the thread. Most of them have doubled or tripled in price since then

Deporhostia · 14-02-2023 11:21pm

I'd personally go for:

1. Old Head (for overall experience although I would say Cork is without doubt a better golf course)

2. Cork

3. Fota

4. Castlemartyr

5. Muskerry

6. Lee Valley

7/8/9 Douglas/Macroom/Mallow

10 Clonakilty/Mahon/Cobh/Blarney/Kinsale/East Cork/Youghal

Haven't played Bandon/Fermoy/Mitchelstown/Raffeen Creek

I used to have a big sweet spot for Clonakilty (Lisselan), would have been maybe as high as 6th on my list, but I think the extra holes added on have really taken away a lot from it

IHateNewShoes · 15-02-2023 12:44am

I think my 10 would be...