Top 10 courses in Cork

aster99 · 05-01-2010 1:54pm #1

Any of the Cork gang on here attempt to name what they believe are the top 10 courses in Cork at present?

Would be interesting to see what the opinions are.

The_Kew_Tour · 05-01-2010 2:21pm

Have not played Golf in Cork for about 6 years now bar my own course and Mallow.

Cant give you ten but Old Head Kinsale and Fota are great courses. Near me always found Mitchelstown and Charlveille good courses. But like say im only going from 6 years back so there better people out there to give better examples.

ozymandias10 · 05-01-2010 3:08pm

in no particular order

fota
cork (the island)
Monkstown
douglas
old head
lee valley
bantry
castlemartyr
old head
muskerry

seanom78 · 05-01-2010 3:14pm

Would agree with Ozyozys 10 courses.

Fota , Cork and the Old Head are by far the top 3. Cork is my favourite. It is an absolutely brilliant track, but tough, esp from the tee.

Douglas, Monkstown, Muskerry, Charleville, Mallow, Bandon are all quite good too.

I wouldnt rate Lee Valley.

ShriekingSheet · 05-01-2010 4:41pm

What about that parkland Kinsale track. Played it years ago in Munster Youths but haven't been since. Is it not pretty decent?

seanom78 · 05-01-2010 5:03pm

FarranGalway is the parkland in Kinsale - its is grand but a bit wide open. I was surprised it got the Munster Youths that yr I must say.

I would say its ok but defo not in the top 10.

jimjo · 05-01-2010 5:26pm

seanom78 wrote: »

Cork is my favourite. It is an absolutely brilliant track, but tough, esp from the tee.

Not heard too much about Cork, more about Fota and Old Head, but I must admit from the pictures on their website the course looks stunning. See the tee shot on that index 1! Yeah looks to be numerous difficult tee shots.

seanom78 · 05-01-2010 5:33pm

yea Old Head and Fota get much more media attention. Old Head is unique, i caddied there, the course itself is good but the scenery is amazing in fariness.

Fota is more of an american style course: big greens, big fairways, lots of water.
its a quality track too in fariness, even if the pros did tear it to shreds.

I played with UCC and Cork GC was our home course. It has about 6 holes along the estuary which are links like and then some heath like holes in the middle. Hole 4 and 5 are superb! Then the opening and closing holes are parkland. Amazing variety of holes in the place,no 2 holes are alike. Its a beast off the blues, certainly a ball stikers course.

jimmystars · 05-01-2010 7:37pm

Dont think i have even played half thecourses in Cork but will give it a go
1. Old Head
2. Fota
3. Lee Valley
4. Castlemaytr
5. Muskerry
6. Mallow
7. Mitchelstown
8. Cork
9. Bandon
10. Blarney

Also played Douglas, Waterrock, Mahon

If you want a good guide to courses op then Kevin Markhams book "hooked" is the way to go.

curly from cork · 05-01-2010 7:47pm

from the front view off the ladies tee box !!
1. Cork - my home club
2. O.H
3. Fota
4. Castlemartyr
5. Douglas
6. Bandon
7. Monkstowm
8. Kinsale
9. Mahon
10. Water rock

holding my powder dry re Cobh, plenty of potential , deadly greens.

galvin66 · 05-01-2010 8:45pm

Old Head
Cork Golf Club
Fota Golf Club
Lee Valley
Monkstwon
Bandon
Muskerry
Blarney
Castlematyr
Douglas

Kevinmarkham · 06-01-2010 12:20pm

jimmystars wrote: »

If you want a good guide to courses op then Kevin Markhams book "hooked" is the way to go.

Thanks Jimmy.

As most people have said, top four are
Old Head
Fota
Cork
Castlemartyr

After that you'd have to choose six from
Bantry Bay
Macroom
Charleville
Monkstown
Mahon
Muskerry
Blarney

Lee Valley, Water Rock, Mitchelstown and Mallow should also be mentioned.

Miley Byrne · 06-01-2010 4:22pm

Ya, the top 3 or 4 jump out at you really...

Old Head
Cork GC
Fota
Castlemartyr

After that it's down to opinions I suppose. For me, in no particular order...

Monkstown
Bandon
Muskerry
Blarney
Bantry
Lee Valley.

I live near mallow but don't rate it at all. Some people really like it but it's not for me..........opinions I suppose!!!

gorfield · 06-01-2010 4:42pm

Whats the big hoo haa about castlemartyr?? I think its truly awful, a great site but very poorly designed imho.....

gorfield · 07-01-2010 3:06pm

Bump...........

Daithio9 · 07-01-2010 4:26pm

gorfield wrote: »

Whats the big hoo haa about castlemartyr?? I think its truly awful, a great site but very poorly designed imho.....

It's a thread about what's best in Cork, so it can't be that big of a surprise to you that it features so prominently.
I played Castlemartyr and if someone who was thinking of playing there asked me what I thought of it I'd say "it's worth a visit", but I'd be very surprised to hear if they fell in love with it, I agree with you that the layout/design is poor (especially the lack of depth to the greens), but relatively speaking it's much better than county average.
I mean alot of posters have included Charleville in their top 10 and to say it's truly awful is an understatement yet it represents how poor the choice is for Cork golfers other than the top 3/4 courses.

Zardoz · 07-01-2010 4:43pm

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Thanks Jimmy.

As most people have said, top four are
Old Head
Fota
Cork
Castlemartyr

After that you'd have to choose six from
Bantry Bay
Macroom
Charleville
Monkstown
Mahon
Muskerry
Blarney

Lee Valley, Water Rock, Mitchelstown and Mallow should also be mentioned.

Mahon is a glorified pitch and putt club .Its ridiculously short .
I wouldnt rate Monkstown either ,Water Rock had a good back nine but the front nine is poor.

Top courses
Cork Golf Club
Fota
Old Head
Muskerry
Mallow

If you break par on any of the above courses its a fair achievement and any one playing off a low handicap at those clubs earned it the hard way.

Kevinmarkham · 07-01-2010 6:28pm

Zardoz wrote: »

Mahon is a glorified pitch and putt club .Its ridiculously short .
I wouldnt rate Monkstown either ,Water Rock had a good back nine but the front nine is poor.

Top courses
Cork Golf Club
Fota
Old Head
Muskerry
Mallow

If you break par on any of the above courses its a fair achievement and any one playing off a low handicap at those clubs earned it the hard way.

Glad to see you can count Zardoz. Let's see your other five since you have such strong opinions about Mahon and Monkstown.

jimmystars · 07-01-2010 6:39pm

gorfield wrote: »

Whats the big hoo haa about castlemartyr?? I think its truly awful, a great site but very poorly designed imho.....

I know a few of my buddies who dont like it either, but i just find it enjoyable. Find it a bit of a break from most of the parkland courses around and has a few really interesting holes. Always in good nick too.
The 9th is a funny hole as you can drive and have a flop shot over the drain. The 11th is a good hole as well inmo, really good 3 shot par 5.

Miley Byrne · 08-01-2010 1:08am

I like Castlemartyr because its different to most other courses in the county but also because its always playable(barring frost:mad:).But the drainage is unreal there.Last couple of times I played there most courses locally were closed due to all the rain but Castlemartyr was dry as a bone. Strongest things about the course imo are the par threes,the quality of the greens and playability in the rainy season (All year round:D).

ozymandias10 · 08-01-2010 1:18pm

Zardoz wrote: »

Mahon is a glorified pitch and putt club .Its ridiculously short .
I wouldnt rate Monkstown either ,Water Rock had a good back nine but the front nine is poor.

Top courses
Cork Golf Club
Fota
Old Head
Muskerry
Mallow

If you break par on any of the above courses its a fair achievement and any one playing off a low handicap at those clubs earned it the hard way.

Monkstown has the best and fastest greens in Cork...Tight course not terribly long but punishes poor shots...80 odd bunkers on the course undulated greens and water...think you are being pretty harsh to a seriously well maintained and established course...also new clubhouse is by far the best around..it is a course you can walk off and wonder how you didn't score better. You have to think your way around it . It is a far better course overall than muskerry or mallow. would agree with your other assessments

curly from cork · 08-01-2010 9:14pm

I dont think I would rate Monkstown greens that highly. However that is your opinion... we ll have to agree to differ. I find Cork and Lee Valley greens to be much quicker than Monkstown. I do like it as a course though and agree ,fab job with the new clubhouse .. AND .. they now allow denims in there !!!!! what a break through

:D

The_Kew_Tour · 09-01-2010 1:51am

Played Mallow last August its near me and have to say its decent course now and I think can be in top 10. Its greens were not great there about 8 years ago(very poor at times) when I played there but my mate who member there told me there improved greatly and when I played it they were played it the greens were decent.

I always like courses with water (although the drink seems cost me more often then not) in play hence why picked out Mitchelstown even if its just few holes.

In all think Cork courses are decent but no better then most counties.

its hard to beat Kerry for Golf they have great parkland and links courses.

soundsham · 09-01-2010 3:46pm

Agreed on castlemartyr,its an ok short track imo,would agree with the "its worth a visit",wouldn't be too far away from your own line of thinking galvin,where arwe your own 10 gorfield ???

Someone is having a laugh with lee valley not being above the likes of bantry,blarney,douglas,mallow,macroom,charleville and quite a few more

for me (havent played old head yet:()
1 fota(old 18) dont fancy new 9
2 cork g.c.
3 lee valley
4 muskerry
5 monkstown
6 castlemartyr
7 blarney (providing its actually being maintained at the time)
8 bandon
9 mallow
10 macroom

6-10 could be in any order really for me,

.......awaits backlash:o

kevin just re-read your post ....mahon.........you are really having a laugh

gorfield · 09-01-2010 4:19pm

1. cork
2.Old head
3.fota
4.Cobh(new)
5.Monkstown
6.Mallow
7.lee valley
8.Muskerry
9.douglas
10.Kinsale

irishjim111 · 09-01-2010 4:39pm

muskerry god i used caddy for lads there the hills are mad lol but great course mahon is a good injoyable course and not to costly. theres one near midelton good golf course the new blarney one the back nine are good the front are hard enough lot of golf balls gone missing lol.

Kevinmarkham · 09-01-2010 8:31pm

soundsham wrote: »

kevin just re-read your post ....mahon.........you are really having a laugh

Nope. I'd play Mahon ahead of Lee Valley, Mallow, Douglas...
It was in great condition when I played it and while I won't deny that Lee Valley etc. are 'better' golf courses, Mahon is a lot more fun.

soundsham · 10-01-2010 10:33am

doubt many regular golfers in cork would,
howsever,interesting to see peoples own decisions.

curly from cork · 10-01-2010 3:08pm

would you think its fair to say that if you score well in a course it usually goes up your top 10 list ??????;)

PhilipMarlowe · 10-01-2010 6:32pm

Not necessarily for me... I rate the European Club highly and it chewed me up the few times I've played it.

curly from cork · 10-01-2010 10:26pm

true of that course now that you mention it ! i have played the european only once , shocking score, i think 28 pts, but loved it and got a nice voucher to go back and play it as a present. i will save it for a few months .. or at least til i remember how to swing again.

PhilipMarlowe · 10-01-2010 10:33pm

I had 28 or 29 points there one day and beat my 3 playing partners comfortably

gorfield · 11-01-2010 12:18am

You would have loved the irish close there a few years ago so licksy..........id 74 1st rd to lie 4th and it felt like a 59..........the shortest club i hit to any par 4 was 5iron......i followed with a solid 83 to qualify 10th!!!! Std scratch was 78 80..........The best way to describe how hard it was is one of my playing partners was 1 under after 7.....and walked in after 11........imagine the carnage between 8-11!!! We played from the tips both days it was a complete joke!

big_drive · 19-07-2012 12:30pm

Just found this old thread. Would anyone like to offer their top 10 now? Some of the newer courses are a couple years more mature and taking shape

Reganovski · 19-07-2012 8:32pm

big_drive wrote: »

Just found this old thread. Would anyone like to offer their top 10 now? Some of the newer courses are a couple years more mature and taking shape

What are your thoughts on the matter?

big_drive · 19-07-2012 9:14pm

1. Fota
2. Cork
3. Old Head
4. Castlemartyr
5. Muskerry
6. Bandon
7. Blarney
8. Lee Valley
9. Mallow
10. Monkstown

blockic · 19-07-2012 9:38pm

big_drive wrote: »

1. Fota
2. Cork
3. Old Head
4. Castlemartyr
5. Muskerry
6. Bandon
7. Blarney
8. Lee Valley
9. Mallow
10. Monkstown

Id agree with 90% of that, except for Blarney, just have a personal hatrid of the place. Would probably put Douglas in at 9 and bump Lee Valley and Mallow up 1.

Playing Bandon for first time saturday so will reserve judgement on there until then!

Reganovski · 19-07-2012 11:11pm

Only back playing after 6 years so I can't really give a top 10 but rather a top 8. Can't remember some courses that I played years ago

1. Fota (Deerpark)
2. Castlemarthyr
3. Cork Golf Club
4. Mallow
5. Mitchelstown
6. Youghal
7. Macroom
8. Frankfield

I don't think my top 4 would change even if I'd played the likes of Douglas, Muskerry & Monkstown.
7 & 8 would defo not make my Top 10 if I'd played any other courses!!

blockic · 19-07-2012 11:20pm

Reganovski wrote: »

8. Frankfield

7 & 8 would defo not make my Top 10 if I'd played any other courses!!

You saved yourself on that last sentence. Frankfield! :eek: Frankfield wouldnt make my top 10 if there were 11 courses in Cork, it's truly awful!

You should try play Muskerry if you can, some unique holes there...

Reganovski · 20-07-2012 8:36am

blockic wrote: »

You saved yourself on that last sentence. Frankfield! :eek: Frankfield wouldnt make my top 10 if there were 11 courses in Cork, it's truly awful!

You should try play Muskerry if you can, some unique holes there...

Lol....they're all the courses that I've played in Cork this year so I said better include it...plus I'm a member there!!

Gonna try and play Muskerry for the Junior Scratch Cup. Played it years ago but can't remember it.

ssbob · 20-07-2012 11:42am

My Top 9, based on courses played in Cork:

Cork Golf Club
Castlemartyr
Charleville
Blarney(Home Course)
Waterrock
Mahon
Mitchelstown(Home Town)
Macroom
Fermoy

Really want to play Fota obviously and The Old Head but the opportunity has not arisen yet.

charlieIRL · 20-07-2012 11:54am

Fota looked fantastic on the europro tour coverage on sky during the week.

The_Kew_Tour · 11-08-2012 1:28pm

Played Mitchelstown last week and have to say I really enjoyed it.

15euro Green Fees is very reasonable and got friendly reception.

4th, 9th and 10th stood out for me.

Will go back again.

big_drive · 11-08-2012 3:22pm

I've never played mitchelstown , it's on the list of places to play.

Played Bandon during the week in their open singles, was in beautiful condition

elberry · 12-08-2012 12:30am

Fota, Old Head, Cork, Kinsale, Castlemartyr, Bantry, Bandon, Douglas, Lee Valley, Monkstown.

PARlance · 12-08-2012 12:49am

blockic wrote: »

Reganovski wrote: »

8. Frankfield

7 & 8 would defo not make my Top 10 if I'd played any other courses!!

You saved yourself on that last sentence. Frankfield! :eek: Frankfield wouldnt make my top 10 if there were 11 courses in Cork, it's truly awful!

You should try play Muskerry if you can, some unique holes there...

Was down in Cork last weekend, is Frankfield the one beside the Kinsale Road Roundabout?
It nearly caused me to crash as I drove up to the roundabout...

I couldn't believe it when I spotted a golfer taking a shot from what looked like a cliff face

suddyb4 · 12-08-2012 1:56am

fota island is top quality best course in ireland let alone cork

big_drive · 12-08-2012 7:54am

Well I wouldn't say it's best in Ireland, not even in Munster actually but probably best in Cork alright.

Reganovski · 12-08-2012 9:49am

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Was down in Cork last weekend, is Frankfield the one beside the Kinsale Road Roundabout?
It nearly caused me to crash as I drove up to the roundabout...

I couldn't believe it when I spotted a golfer taking a shot from what looked like a cliff face

It sure is. Great craic there

As everyone says you need one leg shorted than the other to play there.
I practiced there for the first time last week. I played 1, 2, 1, 2 etc cos theyre both at the top of the hill and are relatively flat compare to rest of the course.

blockic · 12-08-2012 12:47pm

Reganovski wrote: »

I played 1, 2, 1, 2 etc cos theyre both at the top of the hill and are relatively flat compare to rest of the course.

Compared to the rest of the course is right, but compared to most other courses in cork they are still pretty tough, played frankfield once and was dead after i reached the first green!

alxmorgan · 12-08-2012 9:25pm

big_drive wrote: »

I've never played mitchelstown , it's on the list of places to play.

Played Bandon during the week in their open singles, was in beautiful condition

How'd you find it ?
Those holes across the road have ruined my card everytime. (9-15)
Tough course but well maintained

Top 10 courses in Cork

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