Golf Club to Join?

Sionnachster

I'm sure this has been done to death but I'm new here so allow me this one minor error....

I've been looking at getting a membership to a new club as it's been 8 years since I left my home club in the midlands. I'm back playing a bit now and use the great facilities at carton house GUI Academy. Unfortunately, the club itself won't accept used golf balls and fun-size Lion bars is lieu of cash for their membership of a billion euro.

That's my nearest course in Maynooth and i'm looking for something within an hours drive that's challenging to join and regain a handicap, (Previously 9)... I've avoided the €400 courses with 18 holes top to tails and would like to see evidence of a club who don't want €10k shares and so on. I'd spend a grand or a bit more I expect but that may be wholly unreasonable nowadays.. Any thoughts would be welcomed....

It's been a while since I've officially had a handicap but are their GUI Cards now? How can I go about getting a handicap if there were no courses available? Society etc?

Much appreciated....

Sionnachster

Check it out right up there in the stickies.... Membership Search....

Clever!!

Sorry.....

Riskymove

I am based in celbridge and can recommend Killeen GC near Kill

I'd reckon 15-20 mins from maynooth via straffan

There is a good option that you can "lease" the membership of someone who has a share but is not using it.

You just pay the annual sub (around €1200) and have full membership for the year

its a good way of playing without paying for a full share (€15,000 or so).

markie4

Riskymove wrote: »

I am based in celbridge and can recommend Killeen GC near Kill

I'd reckon 15-20 mins from maynooth via straffan

There is a good option that you can "lease" the membership of someone who has a share but is not using it.

You just pay the annual sub (around €1200) and have full membership for the year

its a good way of playing without paying for a full share (€15,000 or so).

I tihnk you can also "lease" memberships in Carton House too if you like it there, there were a few available at the start of the year, and would likely be more next year. Bit out of my budget at approx €2k/year, but might suit you?

Sionnachster

Markie4 - Thanks for that, it sounds 'cheap' by Carton standards but still more than I'm hoping to put in. If I could find somewhere cheaper for now to see can I get back into the swing of it, pun not intended, and perhaps look at such investments later on?

Riskymove - I am based around there also so Killeen sounds like a good bet. I may head out there someday soon for a round and see what I think. Thanks for the update....

Is there another way of obtaining a handicap just to make work golf / society days out etc run a little smoother without having to assume to my old handicap of 7 years ago?

Riskymove

you could get a country membership from a rural club in order to get a handicap if thats all you want.

usually only a few hundred a year

just have to play three rounds etc

downthemiddle

I highly recommend Boystown Golf Club outside Blessington. Excellent test of golf and always in great condition. It is playable all year round and all for 800euro p.a. Contact the club at 045867146. I've been a member since it opened in 1998 and can't speak highly enough about the place.

Sionnachster

Downthemiddle - I looked that up on Ratemycourse.com and it ranks very highly and the reviews are excellent. I've heard it's a 9-hole and in another section it's an 18 hole? What's the real answer?

For a complete stranger to the area would it be a welcoming club for an individual (Loner!) to join? Price seems reasonable and it sounds challenging...

Has anyone heard much of Glebe GC?

downthemiddle

Its a nine hole course with alternative tees. There are a great bunch of lads there and as I have said previously I've enjoyed my ten years there. I was one of the first people to join the club and would not consider joining anywhere else.
The course is playable all year round due to excellent natural drainage and is always in excellent condition. It measures 6,900 yards off the back tees but is fair and rewards good golf. We have played many of the better known clubs down the years in inter club golf and it has always been highly rated by our visitors.
If there is a better nine hole course in the country I have yet to play it. Pay it a visit and you will definitely be impressed.

CLADA

http://www.athygolfclub.com/news-story.php?id=569

Nice course within an hour of dublin.

Golferx

Virginia Golf Club, Co. Cavan.

50 miles from the M50 and no entrance fee.

€360 for full membership, at the moment.