Rate Courses Here Threads!

slumped

Do it one thread per course then when you want to read the thread go to the stickie and read click on the link

Remember to include

Location
Green Fees
Your Score
Your Handicap

And any comments or tips that others may find useful

TheDoc

Hollywood Lakes Golf Club,
Ballyboughal,
Co. Dublin,
Ireland.

€35 euro monday - thursday. €15 with a member.
Early bird €20.
Semi open every Tuesday.

I am a member over 8 years and currently playing off 10.

Hollywood lakes is very much hailed as one of the best courses in Dublin and one of the most challenging courses in the country by all range of golfer. The course has held a good few major junior competitions, and with the addition of a new clubhouse which starts construction this summer it will be a matter of time before big events come its way.

18 holes riddle with water and bunkers and a real test of golf. Rarely are you on a dead flat lie, every fairway shot on a slight slant to test you to the max. Greens at their peak like putting on glass that are a privilege to putt on. A course that definitely rewards imagination around the greens.

1 : Par 4 dog leg left. The highest stroke index in the club. Your first shot is a position shot, a 5 iron or 4 iron enough to leave you with a comfortable 9-8 iron into a green surrounded by water and guarded by a bunker. You could hit longer of the tee and cut the corner to leave yourself a wedge over the water, but for your first wedge of the day its extremely daunting.

2 : Par 4. Whole fairway slants left to right, on the right a lake that will come into play from your tee shot. Everything roles to the right. The green is very tricky with a severe downslope and left to right break. A small dip infront of the green putts of many of visitors for distance and catches alot of short shots and provides a seriously tricky chip.

3 : A short par 4. Long hitters will find themselves a simple wedge into the green. But the 3rd hole bears one of the courses trickiest greens, guarded by bunkers on both side and a severe left to right break, the best approach is either tear in a wedge and hope for spin, or land the ball plenty short and chase to the pin.

4 : One of the defining holes of the course. The par 3 4th has a two tier green, that if the pin is top right and you mis hit , you will find yourself easily with a 40ft+ putt sweating to save par. Two lakes in place to catch any short irons, along with two massivly buried bunkers, that are extremely hard to get out off. Missing the green past the pin will provide a seriously tricky downhill chip.

5 : Short par 5. Dog left left , the fairway is protected on the left with a babbling brook to catch any stray balls that try cut the corner, and the green massivly surounded by water on the left and back. Decent golfers can play this as a par 4, cutting the corner using the countour to let the ball run. Then a comfortable 5 or 6 iron into a green, that is still very daunting.

6 : The par 3 6th is an uphill mis conceiving hole. The green contains a massive break downhill and its not advised to hit past the pin, even short of the green is better then behind. O.B down the right and a bunker along the left, a hole that sometimes is better played short then attacking the pin, but a green large enough to hit comfortably. By this hole standing at 10 points in Stableford is good as you have 4 holes where you can build alot of points.

7 : Hardest hole on the course in my opinion. The par 4 7th has a massive lake planted right in the middle of the fairway, a huge tree beside it, and O.B down the right, it is a proper example of clever course design. most lay up with a wood or iron of the tee, but are left with another wood or long iron into a green that severely slopes to the left, o and yeah the hole is uphill so always take a club more. Those with nuts who take on the small gap with driver will be rewarded with a shortish iron into the green, but still a treacherous hole. Usually the make or break for the front nine.

8 : The par 4 8th is index 6, but an easy enough hole. A dog leg left, with a massive ridge down the fairway that sucks drives down, the tricky part being you could be hitting wedges of a downslope. A lake guards the front left of the green and O.B and bunkers are in the driving area to the right of the fairway to gobble up stray balls.

9: The par 5 9th is straight foward par 5. Sloping right to left, a nice drive can set you up for a nice approach to the green in 2. Although there is a ditch about 100 yards in front of the green, and a tricky bunkers guards the front left of the green. If a good drive gets you up alongside the fairway bunker, go for the green, remembering the slopes of right to left. If your abck a bit lay up and then attack the green.

10 : A tricky par 4, major slope right to left with fairway bunkers in the driving landing area. Also a dip in front of the green tricks players into thinking its shorter, and a major hill and hole on the right of the pin takes in alot of balls providing a horrible chip. Also a bunker running along the right side of the green.

11: Par3. Usually plays the same club as the 6th. Again uphill, and a two tier green . Dont ever go past the pin

12: Par 4 12th, trickiest green on the course yet is index 17. A very short hole. Simply a good drive and a wedge. The green is a massive break left to right, with a tricky bunker on the right. Sometimes best to launch the ball left of the green, hit it off the sloper and hope it lands close.

13 : Par 4, very beautiful hole. A lake runs along the left side of this dog leg left. If your a big hitter, try the lake on and youll be rewarded with an easy chip to grab a birdie. Otherwise take a wood down the middle then a wedge into the green. Green has a dip to the front left so be warned.

14 : Par5, longest par 5 on the course and in ireland. O.B down the right, a nestle of bunkers in the landing area of your second shot and a lake and bunker supporting the green. This hole is driver, driver, wedge for me
Green is two tiered but is very receptive.

15 : again par5, looks easy but can be trouble, Lake down the right in landing area, then bunkers well placed to catch inaccurate second shots. The green is a big break left to right. Best bet is landing short left and let it run on.

16 : the par 4 16th is not really as hard as it might seem, its simply a drive and 7 iron. Not too much danger, bunkers around the green but a big green. Shouldnt be a bogey.

17 : par 3, cant be tough depending on pin position. An uphill green with a huge bunker right in front of it, and to the right. If pin is back right this requires a high fade of the tee. If you havnt got shot shaping in the bag hit the heart of the green. Beware of the dip in fairway as it again puts players off.

18 : Beautiful scenic hole. par 4. 3 lakes are located to the left of the fairway . Most will go with woods or irons for safety, but if your bold enough for driver, and you get away with it, youve a simple wedge into the green, over another lake and little brook. Green has a bunker to the right and is a severe downhill green, dont go past if you can

It really is an amazing course, hence why placed in the top 30 courses in ireland according to golf digest ireland last year. Affordable and great prices arranged by the club for societies this is a course you have to play. No holes overlap each other, none of that. This course is well spread every hole spread out and surrounded by newly growing trees. Its an amazing place.

The new clubhouse is going to enhance the reputation even more and the addition of the new chef has already improved business. All staff and members of the club are friendly and a laugh. And I can say its been a pleasure being a member there and as a junior have been treated with total respect.

If you can play only one course in Dublin this summer...and want a challenge, rewarding if you play well, enjoyable if you dont, scenic and a proper day out. Come to hollywood lakes.

Anyone wants anymore more info bout anything dont hesitate to email or pm me. If your even playing in interclub comps ill be willing to help ya out.

O and one last thing

EVERY GREEN BREAKS TO BALLYBOUGHAL TOWN

One Cold Hand

Charlesland Gold Club,
Greystones,
Co. Wicklow.

Greenfees: No idea, around the €50 mark i'd say, a bit cheaper mid-week.

http://www.charlesland.com/

'Set in the shadow of the famous Wicklow Mountain's, Charlesland Golf and Country Club, designed by Irelands most celebrated and prolific course designer Eddie Hackett, designer of legendary links courses Waterville, Connemara, Murvagh and Enniscrone, has always been known as a challenging but fair test of golf, in a beautiful setting.

The course at just less than 7,000 yards from the championship tees skirts the Irish Sea for the best part of the front nine with the home run being true parkland. A superb award winning modern golf hotel further complements the course with 12 well appointed, spacious ensuite rooms. The conference and meeting facilities add to make this an ideal business venue. With a fully stocked modern pro-shop, range facilities, buggy, trolley and club hire the golfer could not ask for more.' (yes i robbed this blurb from the website!)

It's right on the coast and the front 9 is kinda linksy and the back 9 is inland and more park land. It's pretty open and at last count there was about 4 trees on the from nine (joke). At the minute the rough is pretty wild so that makes up for the lack of trees. It's pretty long, with some really testing par 4s, all low indexs. All these par 4s run in the same direction, so if your into the wind these are even tougher. All 4 par 5s run in the opposite direction. Because it's so open wind is a big factor. Theres a big hill in the middle of the back 9 the 12th 13th 14th and 16th work their way over and around. 13th is the signature hole.

Course is in great condition at the minute, greens are fantastic.

1: Average length par 4. Driver, 8/9 iron. OB down the left. Row of trees about 250 off the tee that could block out your second if your not careful.
2: Short tricky par 3. PW/9/8 depending on wind. Green is very shallow so tee shot is tricky.
3: Short but trickey par 4. Shallow green with water in front makes 2nd shot hard. Need to be in position after drive.
4. Straight forward Par 4 but can play long and hard if into the wind. Index 4. Driver, 8/7 iron
5. Par 5. Dogleg right. Can make it in two with 2 good shots. Driver, 3/5 wood.
6. Short Par 4, index 18. Driver and a flick. row of trees about 70 yds short. Can hit 6 iron, 9 iron as an option, but theres no trouble off tee, so no need to.
7. Long par 4, index 2. Swings to the right. Driver, 5 iron. (Again wind a big factor here. Into the wind i've hit 3 iron and not made it, with the wind i've hit easy wedge)
8. Par 3. One big tree on left and one on right, and bunker on right. Dont be long. 7 iron (roughly)
9. Lovely par 5. Great driving hole. Big lake on left and horrible rough on right. Possible to make it in 2 if wind is helping you.
10. Nice hole aswell Par 4, index 5. Other side of lake from 9th running opposite direction, so again water on left, and loads of trees on right. Need to get your drive in a good position. Driver, 8/7 iron.
11. Great hole. Par 4. Dogleg left. 3iron/5wood off the tee and a 7/8 iron in. Can't hit anything more off tee as water runs across fairway. Second is over a line of big mature trees, and water, scares the sh1t out of the ladies, cos they can't hit it high enough to get over. OB all along the left.
12. Par 4, uphill. OB left. Dogleg right. Can hit 5 wood 8/9 iron, or can try and cut the corner and leave a flick in.
13. Par 3, signature hole, from top of hill right the way down a steep hill to the green at the bottom. Spectacular view of Greystones and wicklow from tee box. 240 yds off the back sticks (i think, Downwind its a 4 iron, into the wind it's Driver and pray you make it).
14. Index 1 par 4. Monster hole. IF you hit a really good drive its about a 3iron in. On a calm day. Into the wind only really long people will make it.
15. Par 5. OB and water along the left and behind the hole. Trees down the right. Reachable with 2 good straight hits.
16. Index 3, par 4. Another beast. Again a good drive will leave you with about a 5 iron in.
17. Par 3. 620 yards. Lake on the right. About a 9 iron. Starightforward enough.
18. Monstrous par 5. Great finishing hole. Double dogleg, left then right. Lakes left and right of the green. OB all down the left. Last weekend I minced a drive and a 4 wood, downwind and was still 40 yards short (chipped in for eagle!)

Anyway the back nine plays about 3 shots harder than the front, so if your after a good score you need to rack them up in the first 6 or so and hold them on the back 9.

Oh and the grub is great!

kenco

Water Rock
Midleton
Cork

Green Fees - max €34 and they do a deal for groups!

A gang of us played here on a Stag weekend recently. All I can say to recommend this place is that I did not know it was a public course till we finished! Its of US public course standards and is definately worth playing. Its not that long but is tricky in places and the greens are true but tricky.

I wont mention my handicap or score on the day but its definitely worth a visit (good for a society as it has a full bar and good food)

drollab

Castlecomer GC is a good course, its only €35 during the week.
Its 12 miles north of Kilkenny city and about 1hr 15 mins from NEwlands Cross. It was designed by Pat Ruddy who also did the European club and maybe Druids Glen but I'm not certain about the latter.

The 11th hole in Castlecomer is amazing where one has to drive out through sheer rock face either side for about 1st 60 yards.

If you play to your handicap here you are doing well, needless to say I didn't!!!

Matt Santos

Drollab,
Indeed the Castlecomer track is impressive but I notice that you declined to comment on an aspect of the course that was the talk of the Clubhouse after we played it in a society outing recently.
On arriving here at 9am one Saturday morning I could not believe the amount of caddy cars that were available to rent. Not letting it register properly I unloaded my Golf Glider from the boot and proceeded to pay my money and off to the first. The walk to the first was when the penny dropped!! A huge steep incline that had me reaching for my chest before I had hit a ball!!!
Hint;
When playing Castlecomer.............Avail of the caddy cars!!

Matt

drollab

Hi Matt
Yes its hilly alright but on the front 9 the 1st hole is uphill, the 2nd not really and after that it is flat until the par 3 7th. The drive from the 8th tee box is very good - great views.
What I found hard was the walk up to the 11th tee box but after the 12th its flat enough. Its might sound strange but if you carry your bag you do not have to walk as far because you do not have to stay on the paths.

I think the hills make for some memorable holes compared to some very flat courses that maybe less appealing on the eye. Fitness certainly comes into play in the last few holes!

Castlecomer have open days every Thursday for the summer costing €15 - I saw details on www.IrishGreenFees.ie

drollab

mac1970

Slivenamon in Co.Tipperary

New course pretty short but some quality holes.Not for the big hitter as has plenty of dog-legs.Went with a society two years ago cost was €25.00 per person including steak and chips and dessert,couldn't fault the day was most excellent value for money anywhere in M=unster but course wasn't brilliant just okay

billy3sheets

Powerscourt West Course, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
Played this a few weeks ago at end July. Beautiful setting. Course in great condition despite loads of recent rain. Greens were dark grass an lush looking which fooled me into thinking they were slow. Far from it. They had some great undulations & once I figured out the speed of them, they were great fun.
Played off society tees, so it was a bit short but very enjoyable. Great facilities too for practice before the game.

Golf Ninja

The west course greens at powerscourt very difficult the first is a far 5 the green is lethal and it really sets the trend for the rest of the round.

The east course is a far better test of golf and the greens are nowhere as difficult as the west course.

drollab

Firstly I could not afford to play there but I was lucky somehow get a free round... The course is unreal. Definitely the best course I ever played. we played off the whites and the lowest club I hit to a par 3 was a 5 iron. There is lots of water in play all over the course. If anyone gets the chance go for it. I had to be up at 6.10am to be there but it was worth it. Unfortunately I played pure crap (23pts) and I am unlikely to get the chance to play there again unless I win the lotto!!

lafors

St Margarets (beside Dublin Airport) - played Thursday before last.

€30 with one of the lads open fairways card.
Overall not impressed. Bunkers were like hitting out of concrete. Rough was terrible i.e. the cut grass had not been cleared and there were clumps of cut grass all over it, so once you were off the fairway you pretty much had to send out a search party for the ball. Out of a 4 ball with handicaps of 9,14,14,18 we lost 10 balls between us that were just off the fairways (plus the few more I lost from bad shots, I'm the 18). Greens were decent enough, fairways the same.

Maybe we were expecting too much!


Druids Glen - played 1 month ago.

Charity Event (Don't know price).
Absolutely stunning. Don't think I could fault anything, except possibly the pin positions, which were well placed for high handicap's like me, but probably too easy for the low handicapped player.
(btw, the food in the clubhouse was superb)


Hollystown (dublin off the N2) - Twice in the past 3 weeks.

€30 afair.
For a semi public course this is in fantastic condition. Fairways, Greens all in good condition. Course is very flat though, so lie is nearly always good. Possibly a bit easy for a very good golfer though. Well recommended though for pay & play.

Ian

f22

Agree with previous comments, the place is in bad shape. It has a great layout and huge potential but lack of funds have seen the place fall from a wonderfully manicured course to a place I wouldn't play for free anymore.

I played two charity events there this year and I was disgusted at the state of the place, diseased green, lumpy tee boxes, unraked grass. No excuse!