Bellewstown

Fore Iron

Howdy all from a newbie poster!

I apologise if this has been covered already, but just a quick question regarding the above course.

I joined for this year (2007) and so far have been pretty upset with the standard of maintenance and management of the place. From the grumpy git behind the counter to the lumps of grass cuttings you could lose your granny in to the torn up greens and matching tee boxes. Then there's the half hearted clubhouse, lack of a putting green (although one is in the pipeline) and the air hose for cleaning shoes which is perfectly positioned in the middle a pile of old grass and mud so that your shoes end up dirtier than when you started after you blow them clean and walk back to your car!!

Then today, I decided to go for a round with a couple of friends and work on getting the old handicap a little further settled, only to find that they didn't have a competition on today. In fact, they have only ever had competitions on Saturday and Sunday as far as I can tell and nothing at all during the week. But a bank holiday Monday??? Seems ridiculous. I'm fuming now as that could have been one of the last chances to play a competition this year.

As I am fairly new to this world of golf, can anyone tell me how Bellewstown compares to any other course in the area. Is there any other courses near here that are good value??? Cos I can't really see myself paying for another year in Dodgytown Golf Course. If this is the standard they have after nearly 4 years in operation, then it can't be good for the future...

Many thanks for you help everyone!

FORE!! :rolleyes:

messed_up

Hi.

Played Bellewstown for the first time three weeks ago. I was impressed by the layout of the course - I think they've used the land wisely to create a nice mix of holes - but couldn't help feeling that it was being looked after somewhat lazily. The rough was in need of a cut everywhere - it was hard to find your ball even if it went in only a few yards - and the greens were very disappointing - very hairy and with many areas in dire need of attention before they became damaged beyond repair. This was particiularly annoying as their web-site claimed they were to USGA standard!

Not from around the area so can't really comment on the quality of adjacent courses but I doubt that many offer the one-year membership option. To get your money's worth back in green fees you would need to play there 25 times a year I work it out as, but if you aren't enjoying the course then I'd suggest that it doesn't represent great value for money.

clg23

Havent played there much recently but it was in good condition at the start of the summer. Last time I played there it wasnt in great shape at all, the second green was very bad.

Other courses in the area are a lot more expensive (balbriggan, hollywood lakes, laytown/bettystown, skerries) so you probably get what you pay for. They have plans for improvements over the next few months so they seem to want to improve the place so maybe you should write to them or ask to speak with the manager or the owner next time your there.

Jim Campbell

you could try the Glebe in Trim. Nice enough course. Par 73. I think the annual fee is around €900 with no joining fee and you won't need climbing gear to get around like you do in Bellewstown. Also no buggies and tracksuits clogging up the course

Mister Sifter

Jim Campbell wrote: »

you could try the Glebe in Trim. Nice enough course. Par 73. I think the annual fee is around €900 with no joining fee and you won't need climbing gear to get around like you do in Bellewstown. Also no buggies and tracksuits clogging up the course

I don't know... the last day i was out at the Glebe there was a group of about 30 golfers in tracksuits and football shirts on the course. Shouting their heads off and generally acting like dicks.

For what it is, i think the Glebe is decent though. It's only going to get better too. There's a few cracking holes on it. A few mediocre long ones in the middle of the front nine, but on the whole it's great value for money.

Hopefully the day i had to play behind that rowdy crowd was just a one off though!

hamnegg

I think golf needs more of the hooligan element in it to brighten it up rather than pompous people that are associated with it now

Can't wait for replies to this!!!!!