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Galways best golf courses?

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Comments

  • #52
    galwaylad14
    Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭galwaylad14


    popepaisley1 wrote: »
    i really can't think of any signature holes in galway. if you had a list of the best 18 holes in galway i don't think there would be that many there on it. as i said before, it is in immaculate condition. it probably has more staff there to maintain it than anywhere else in the county - and they do a great job. but in terms of being a great parkland course...there is nothing really that makes it a special experience.

    5th and 6th are class holes I think, especially the 6th usually played into the gale is a beast and a par there is always good. I like the 16th too.

    But ya I agree that I don't think galway is an actual outstanding golf course but I'd still have it as the second best in Galway because of it's greens and also I love the fact that you can stand on every tee and see exactly whats in front of you, very few blind shots and tricks to it. Others however may view my second point there as a negative and may consider that to be boring


  • #53
    Shady Tady
    Registered Users Posts: 543 ✭✭✭Shady Tady


    galwaylad14 wrote: »
    5th and 6th are class holes I think, especially the 6th usually played into the gale is a beast and a par there is always good. I like the 16th too.

    But ya I agree that I don't think galway is an actual outstanding golf course but I'd still have it as the second best in Galway because of it's greens and also I love the fact that you can stand on every tee and see exactly whats in front of you, very few blind shots and tricks to it. Others however may view my second point there as a negative and may consider that to be boring

    There are plenty blind holes, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17


  • #54
    galwaylad14
    Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭galwaylad14


    7,15 and 17 are blind. Not really sure you could call 8, 10 and 12 blind. 8 has the narrow drive onto the awkward shaped fairway but I wouldn't call it blind. 10 isn't blind unless you're playing a massive draw shot around the corner and 12, I know you have to hit the 2nd shot over a couple of trees but I wouldn't call it blind at the same time, easy enough have to have a good idea of where it went.


  • #55
    Shady Tady
    Registered Users Posts: 543 ✭✭✭Shady Tady


    galwaylad14 wrote: »
    7,15 and 17 are blind. Not really sure you could call 8, 10 and 12 blind. 8 has the narrow drive onto the awkward shaped fairway but I wouldn't call it blind. 10 isn't blind unless you're playing a massive draw shot around the corner and 12, I know you have to hit the 2nd shot over a couple of trees but I wouldn't call it blind at the same time, easy enough have to have a good idea of where it went.

    I always find myself having to walk to the top of the hill on 8 to see where the flag is and back down to my bag for a club, maybe I'm a shorter hitter than most. I actually think I may have over rated it in my ratings, it's definately hyped up, there's also a noticeable snobbery there but some nice people as well!


  • #56
    popepaisley1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭popepaisley1


    Shady Tady wrote: »
    I always find myself having to walk to the top of the hill on 8 to see where the flag is and back down to my bag for a club, maybe I'm a shorter hitter than most. I actually think I may have over rated it in my ratings, it's definately hyped up, there's also a noticeable snobbery there but some nice people as well!

    in fairness most people are fine there, but there are certainly a few that have got some notions of themselves. i was a junior member there and i have to say we were treated like crap!

    its a grand wee course but as you say yourself its definitely hyped up. its the members themselves who do it. if i paid 10 grand to join a place i'd be hyping it up for sure


  • #57
    jwalsh1980
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭jwalsh1980


    Why is Galway 10k to join? You have courses like Galway Bay and Athenry where you can join for under a grand. €10k for golf sounds outrageous. I could understand maybe the K club charging this.


  • #58
    Dr_Colossus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,162 ✭✭✭Dr_Colossus


    popepaisley1 wrote: »
    in fairness most people are fine there, but there are certainly a few that have got some notions of themselves. i was a junior member there and i have to say we were treated like crap!

    Interesting and possibly deserving of a tread of it's own but care to share your experiences? Was it a case of too many members in general for a limited number of tee times and juniors not allocated any peak slots?
    Most clubs appear to treat their juniors with respect and offer additional benefits such as coaching sessions so I wouldn't have expected any less from Galway. It's an old club which is bound to have a number of junior members progressing to full members each year and well as existing junior members having their parents as full members in the club.


  • #59
    Kevinmarkham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭Kevinmarkham


    Dr_Colossus wrote: »
    Interesting and possibly deserving of a tread of it's own but care to share your experiences? Was it a case of too many members in general for a limited number of tee times and juniors not allocated any peak slots?
    Most clubs appear to treat their juniors with respect and offer additional benefits such as coaching sessions so I wouldn't have expected any less from Galway. It's an old club which is bound to have a number of junior members progressing to full members each year and well as existing junior members having their parents as full members in the club.

    I'm guessing it's age dependent. When I was a junior - 30 years ago - my club didn't have a lot of time for us either. These days there are programmes and training and teams and special deals because the club appreciates their value - both to golf and to the success of the club. Back then, juniors were simply a nuisance.


  • #60
    Shady Tady
    Registered Users Posts: 543 ✭✭✭Shady Tady


    Kevinmarkham wrote: »
    I'm guessing it's age dependent. When I was a junior - 30 years ago - my club didn't have a lot of time for us either. These days there are programmes and training and teams and special deals because the club appreciates their value - both to golf and to the success of the club. Back then, juniors were simply a nuisance.

    Golf by its nature can be a selfish game, many members accept juniors in theory but don't tolerate them on the course, it's very short sighted and now that clubs are looking around and nearly begging people to join their clubs they suddenly see them as potential full members and see their value! It annoys me to hear people talk of all the practice Harrington put in on stackstown as a junior and how it paid off and yet the same people whing in the club bar about a junior hitting two ball on the green! Do I come across as being bitter cause I am!


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  • #61
    Tilikum
    Closed Accounts Posts: 994 ✭✭✭Tilikum


    jwalsh1980 wrote: »
    Why is Galway 10k to join? You have courses like Galway Bay and Athenry where you can join for under a grand. €10k for golf sounds outrageous. I could understand maybe the K club charging this.

    Because year after year they have people willing to pay it.


  • #62
    galwaylad14
    Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭galwaylad14


    Tilikum wrote: »
    Because year after year they have people willing to pay it.

    Exactly, supply and demand. Since they are able to get it they'd be foolish not to charge it.


  • #63
    Kevinmarkham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭Kevinmarkham


    galwaylad14 wrote: »
    Exactly, supply and demand. Since they are able to get it they'd be foolish not to charge it.

    I think that's a fair enough statement... but it does depend on the age profile of the people joining. If they're all 50s/60s and the club isn't attracting younger members then they could be shooting themselves in the foot in the medium term.

    I have no knowledge of the fee structure or age profile of Galway GC but, generally speaking, golf clubs need to balance young and old. And there can't be vast numbers of 25-35 year olds who can throw around 10K at the moment.


  • #64
    h2005
    Registered Users Posts: 1,387 ✭✭✭h2005


    Kevinmarkham wrote: »
    I think that's a fair enough statement... but it does depend on the age profile of the people joining. If they're all 50s/60s and the club isn't attracting younger members then they could be shooting themselves in the foot in the medium term.

    I have no knowledge of the fee structure or age profile of Galway GC but, generally speaking, golf clubs need to balance young and old. And there can't be vast numbers of 25-35 year olds who can throw around 10K at the moment.
    I'd say there's quite a few 25-35 year olds who were junior members. Anytime I've played there there's been a nice mix of ages although I can't say if they were all members.


  • #65
    ronnie3585
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭ronnie3585


    Thought I'd bump this instead of starting a new thread.

    I played Glenlo Abbey in May of this year and there was no way you could call it a golf course, it was a complete mess.

    I went for a round there yesterday afternoon and there has been an enormous improvement in the quality of the course. The biggest improvement have been the greens. In May, you simply couldn't putt on them. Now, they are in a very respectable condition. They have a bit of a way to go but they are certainly playable.

    It will be great to have an easily accessible course in town, I'll certainly be playing there in the future.

    **I've no affiliation to Glenlo, just think it's important to recognise to give credit where it's due.


  • #66
    galwaylad14
    Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭galwaylad14


    ronnie3585 wrote: »
    Thought I'd bump this instead of starting a new thread.

    I played Glenlo Abbey in May of this year and there was no way you could call it a golf course, it was a complete mess.

    I went for a round there yesterday afternoon and there has been an enormous improvement in the quality of the course. The biggest improvement have been the greens. In May, you simply couldn't putt on them. Now, they are in a very respectable condition. They have a bit of a way to go but they are certainly playable.

    It will be great to have an easily accessible course in town, I'll certainly be playing there in the future.

    **I've no affiliation to Glenlo, just think it's important to recognise to give credit where it's due.

    I have never played this course but had always heard it was a bit of a dump etc. However Gary Madden took over the running of the range and course there at the start of the year and he's a seriously good pro and apparently it's come on in leaps and bounds since so I'd say you're not alone in this opinion.

    I must give it a crack sometime.


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  • #67
    Wombatman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭Wombatman


    Greens completely relaid in Glenlo. Tee boxes relaid. New flags, signs, markers, fixtures and fittings. All done to highest standard. Reverted to a nine hole course from a dual green 18 hole course. Course cleaned up in general.

    This will be an exclusive golf course in two years.

    The first par three out onto the Corrib is IMO the most visually attractive hole in Galway.

    I picked up cheap membership there this year for practcing in the evenings when I'm working in town, but have no connection with Glenlo. My home club us Tuam


  • #68
    aquane69
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭aquane69


    Cregmore is only €400 to join this year (according to their website)

    Is it worth it?

    I have heard that it is not as well maintained as it should be!


  • #69
    slave1
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,197 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    aquane69 wrote: »
    Cregmore is only €400 to join this year (according to their website)

    Is it worth it?

    I have heard that it is not as well maintained as it should be!

    Not often I am brutal in comments but that is a hole of a place IMHO, our society got a good price and played it a few years back, never again, we were given a 4ball as a prize and no one would take it for free even!


  • #70
    ronnie3585
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭ronnie3585


    aquane69 wrote: »
    Cregmore is only €400 to join this year (according to their website)

    Is it worth it?

    I have heard that it is not as well maintained as it should be!

    I'm a member and in my opinion it's not terribly well maintained. The back 9 should be closed as it's a complete bog. However, it remains open and is getting cut up worse and worse every day. We're talking heavy standing water on large parts of most fairways. I drove the 15th fairway recently and the ball was completely buried rather than plugged. I nearly needed a shovel to retrieve the ball! The front 9 is in decent enough nick for this time of year though.

    It is worth it? Probably. For me the pros are; it's cheap, once the weather improves the condition of the course will improve a lot and it's a decent track for the money, by and large it's a very friendly club and it's not too busy - you'll generally always be accommodated even if you're not on the time sheet.

    I don't intend renewing my membership next year. Think I'll make the move to Oughterard. It's €450, which is phenomenal value IMO as it's a beautiful course with good facilities. Plus Oughterard make more geographical sense for me now.

    If you're living around town I think Glenlo is good value at the minute. Their membership is €395 and there have been huge improvement in the course over the last few months. I'd consider joining but I prefer an 18 hole to a 9.


  • #71
    RonnieL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 791 ✭✭✭RonnieL


    aquane69 wrote: »
    Cregmore is only €400 to join this year (according to their website)

    Is it worth it?

    I have heard that it is not as well maintained as it should be!

    I have been a member there the last couple of years, and I'd agree with what others have said. I like it because it's very laid back/friendly, and I'm still useless so the forgiving nature of the layout is good for me. They've struggled with drainage I think, but even that has improved since I first joined. In summary, I'd recommend it for someone who isn't too picky, and especially those who live nearby. Better golfers might not like it.


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  • #72
    Goldenjohn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Goldenjohn


    ronnie3585 wrote: »
    I don't intend renewing my membership next year. Think I'll make the move to Oughterard. It's €450, which is phenomenal value IMO as it's a beautiful course with good facilities. Plus Oughterard make more geographical sense for me now.

    If you're living around town I think Glenlo is good value at the minute. Their membership is €395 and there have been huge improvement in the course over the last few months. I'd consider joining but I prefer an 18 hole to a 9.

    I'm a member on Oughterard so I'd definately recommend it. The new member deal is great value @ €450. Not sure if it will be there again next year Ronnie so you might be better signing up this year if you have not already commited to Cregmore.
    If either of you want a trial run pm me and I'll try and organise a green fee for you


  • #73
    Sean_pop
    Registered Users Posts: 301 ✭✭Sean_pop


    Lambasted wrote: »
    I've been playing now for a year and a half. So far I've played athenry, barna, Galway bay, cregmore, glenlo abbey, loughrea, Connemara isles (long time ago). Would like to play ballyconneely and salthill this year.

    Anyone care to help me put galway,s courses in order of quality? Or any recommendations? I hear portumna is nice too.

    My rankings from best to worst 1. Galway bay
    2. Loughrea
    3. Barna
    4. Athenry
    5. Cregmore (was really wet and soft when I played,I'm sure it's nice in summer)
    6. Con isles (long time ago, only 9 holes)
    7. Glenlo abbey

    Don't just limit yourself to Golf in Galway. Try out few different counties.


  • #74
    Webbs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,645 ✭✭✭Webbs


    Sean_pop wrote: »
    Don't just limit yourself to Golf in Galway. Try out few different counties.

    This is a thread about golf in galway though - AND the OP posted nearly 2 years ago!!


  • #75
    Sean_pop
    Registered Users Posts: 301 ✭✭Sean_pop


    I stand corrected.

    Did not read post properly!!!


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