Joining a course - advice PLEASE!!

paddy111199

Hi all,

Im pretty much a beginner, played on a few courses castle grange, elmpark etc.

Looking to join a course, maybe citywest - €1,600 all in for the 2 courses.

What do you all think, never played there so might give it a go this weekend.

Any advice on other courses or on the citywest course??:)

ThunderCat

Ive played the Citywest Championship course and i thought it to be very good. The course condition when i played it was very good but 12 holes into the round the heavens opened and ive never seen a course to flood so fast. The rain was very heavy but the drainage wasnt able to handle it. Up until that point i thought the course was good and would love to play it again on a rain free day if there is such a thing in Ireland. Havnt played the Lakes but the price you mentioned sounds good to me.
My advice before you join anywhere is give it a crack yourself first. Its great getting advice off people but only by playing it will you know if its for you or not.

PS - The finishing hole at citywest is great.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Nuri Sahin

ThunderCat wrote: »

Ive played the Citywest Championship course and i thought it to be very good. The course condition when i played it was very good but 12 holes into the round the heavens opened and ive never seen a course to flood so fast. The rain was very heavy but the drainage wasnt able to handle it. Up until that point i thought the course was good and would love to play it again on a rain free day if there is such a thing in Ireland. Havnt played the Lakes but the price you mentioned sounds good to me.
My advice before you join anywhere is give it a crack yourself first. Its great getting advice off people but only by playing it will you know if its for you or not.

PS - The finishing hole at citywest is great.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Played it before Xmas with the DIT Society. 2 lovely courses but the drainage seems to be off fairly shoddy standard and added to that it's all in a valley, you get some iffy days.

If you can afford it I'd say go for it most definetely. Another course you might want to look at it is Dublin City GC which is about oh a 10-15 min drive more, would be certainly cheaper, friendly and lovely little course espically for a beginner(I started out there myself back in 2001).
It's quite a hilly course mind you.

Anyway good luck with whatever one you go with.

Hulkamaniac

If you want to play competitions its worth noting that all the comps in Citywest in the last two years have been played on the Lakes only (with the execption of the capts prize in 2007, which was a round on each course). They've written to members stating their intention to vary the comps on each course (But they said that last year).

istaunton

Played the lakes a few times and it is a nice course but with 8 par 3's and only the 1 par five the 65 par can be a big change if you ever play a long course. And champ is only a 69.

When i was in your boat i joined Corrstown and am still there. 27 holes and works out about 1250 for the year. Granted I am only renting playing rights but that suits me fine as i can still play in the comps. Might be another option for ya but depends on where your living. Its about 5 mins from St Margarets.

Hope you enjoy where ever you end up

ThunderCat

istaunton wrote: »

Played the lakes a few times and it is a nice course but with 8 par 3's and only the 1 par five the 65 par can be a big change if you ever play a long course. And champ is only a 69.

When i was in your boat i joined Corrstown and am still there. 27 holes and works out about 1250 for the year. Granted I am only renting playing rights but that suits me fine as i can still play in the comps. Might be another option for ya but depends on where your living. Its about 5 mins from St Margarets.

Hope you enjoy where ever you end up

I love the first nine at Corrstown. I think they call it the orchard course. Its brilliant!
I also love the par5 on one of the other nines where the fairway splits in two. Great hole. Never did get to play the nine that ends with the island green.

Paulusmaximus

The question i think you should be asking is, "Are you looking to join a place where the course is good or the club is good"

Where the likes of the K club, Citywest, Catleknock are all great golf courses how good is the club atmosphere within them? If i was looking to join a new club, the things that i would make as priority is competitions both days of the weekends, good club atmosphere with an active bar/restaurant and a course which is playable and enjoyable but not necessarily stunning.

I'm a member of Malahide and we have competitions on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday every week and timesheets are 90% full for all of these. This generates healthy competition and also a healthy active bar, which in turn creates a good club atmosphere. The course is quite playable and enjoyable but does lack a wow factor but i wouldn't swap my membership there for anywhere else.

jimmystars

Looking at your options i would look at Dublin city gc. Super athmosphere in that place and very tricky course as well.i was a member there and loved it. Comps all the time and good website. Watch out for the drainage works on the course this year. They have work planed on some of the holes so dont think it will be 18 hole for some of the summer, could be wrong on this. Around 1400 for the year. 5 day membership around 800
Would also check out corrstown if you could take over someones membership no hello fee. its a real nice course with good practice facilities and top clubhouse. Full membership is something like 10,000 hello plus annual sub. The 27 holes makes it ideal if you fancy 9 holes in the summer evenings.

Dublinboy99

City West main course (not that you will see that much of it) is very ordinary and over rated. Lakes course is nice but just like a bigger version of a Par 3 course. Don't waste your money joining a privately owned club, join a members club. I played Baltinglass GC last year. Superb course, friendly people and great food. Loads of Dubs are members there for years.

Nuri Sahin

Craddockstown GC just outside Naas is a stunning course and with a great friendly atompshere. I play there quite a bit beside playing at my club South County GC(a bit dear now).

I highly recommend it, Craddockstown I mean

Gorill8

Personally I wouldn't join Citywest. Didn't like the course, but thats a personal preference. I've played killeen quite a bit out in straffan, I saw a post recently with someone looking to let out their membership for abour €1200? I also see Druids Heath are open to new members, no joining fee, not sure of the yearly sub though, tough course too.

Martin07

I joined Ballinasloe (nr Athlone) with 2 friends. Cost for long distance members there is €480 and includes some vouchers for bar etc. Motorway to Athlone and will be extended in the next year to Galway. Nice course -worth playing before making any decision.

spurscormac

Submitting my distance membership application this week to my hometown club in Mayo, will cost me €175 for the year. It suits me fine as I only usually play when I'm visiting the folks, but end up paying more in green fees than membership, so its worth it.

Hoping to get out more regularly too, so being a member will be an incentive - plus I also won't have to worry about only getting 9 holes in, always feels like a waste not playing 18 when I paid green fees.

Mister Sifter

Martin07 wrote: »

I joined Ballinasloe (nr Athlone) with 2 friends. Cost for long distance members there is €480 and includes some vouchers for bar etc. Motorway to Athlone and will be extended in the next year to Galway. Nice course -worth playing before making any decision.

That's quite dear for a distance membership. I'd say if that was the preferred option then there is cheaper value out there.

For that kind of money you could easily join one of the public courses around Dublin and just pay a reduced green fee when you want to play.

Elmgreen have really good offers this year and the likes of Corballis, Sillogue and the rest are cheap enough too.

jampotjim

I am a member of CW both courses and is a good deal..

My problem is the lack of practise facilities which is a big thing for me, If I stay there after May I will have to pay for the Academy again to get my practising done..

The Championship course is good the back 9 is excellent and the course is always in great nick

Mister Sifter

I picked up one of those free newspapers at the weekend (can't remember the name, could be Golf Review?!?) but anyway, it has an advert from Navan Golf Club -

€1,300 for the full year.

Full details here...

http://www.navangolfclub.ie/Content/NavanGolf/navanGolfMember.aspx

poster

Anyone played moyvalley golf course?

Mister Sifter

poster wrote: »

Anyone played moyvalley golf course?

No, but if you're looking to try it out i think they have opens singles on all this week so you could try it out for next to nothing most likely.

WHIP IT!

poster wrote: »

Anyone played moyvalley golf course?

It's fantastic, I really liked it and the greens are superb... although I'd heard it's in dire straits financially but then again - where/who isn't??

Mister Sifter

Elmgreen are offering an all in option this year. €850 for the year - unlimited golf 7 days, all year round.

The old €450 offer is still available too, whereby you play at a reduced rate.

Trampas

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Elmgreen are offering an all in option this year. €850 for the year - unlimited golf 7 days, all year round.

The old €450 offer is still available too, whereby you play at a reduced rate.

So which did you got for Graeme?

bogmanfan

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Elmgreen are offering an all in option this year. €850 for the year - unlimited golf 7 days, all year round.

The old €450 offer is still available too, whereby you play at a reduced rate.

That's really putting it up to Hollystown, where it's 1375 for unlimited golf.

WHIP IT!

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Elmgreen are offering an all in option this year. €850 for the year - unlimited golf 7 days, all year round.

The old €450 offer is still available too, whereby you play at a reduced rate.

I was there for a year myself a couple of years back, I doubt very much I spent €400 quid on green fees after the initial €450 so I wouldn't see it as a better offer. Then again, I was only able to play a Max of once a week so maybe it would suit others who get out a couple or three times a week.

I was a member there in 2006 so good to see the yearly rate still has not gone up.

BohToffee

hazel grove is still open just drove past it to see a new sign, only 800 for the year...

03mcgs0

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Elmgreen are offering an all in option this year. €850 for the year - unlimited golf 7 days, all year round.

The old €450 offer is still available too, whereby you play at a reduced rate.

Just to pick up on this, to all that are members of Elmgreen... You know the offer for €450 and than reduced green fees... these reduced greenfees are only up till 1pm? Is this true?? Or is it a case that the management aren't that strict and will let members out at reduced rates after 1pm?? Cause it does work out costly if you have to pay full green fees all the time after 1pm....

george67

paddy111199 wrote: »

Hi all,

Im pretty much a beginner, played on a few courses castle grange, elmpark etc.

Looking to join a course, maybe citywest - €1,600 all in for the 2 courses.

What do you all think, never played there so might give it a go this weekend.

Any advice on other courses or on the citywest course??:)

Arklow are doing good membership deals at the moment cracking course good food good club .it all depends what side off the city you're on

VO

If you are looking for a good course in that area then Castlewarden is the place to go. Excellent course , great food and friendly members. Also it is a members owned course which has it advantages over privately owned.

ShriekingSheet

george67 wrote: »

Arklow are doing good membership deals at the moment cracking course good food good club .it all depends what side off the city you're on

I'm fairly sure that for weekend competitions you have to drive down there to put your name on a timesheet, ie: there's no phone or internet booking. Bit of a deterent for guys looking to join from further away I would have thought.

george67

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I'm fairly sure that for weekend competitions you have to drive down there to put your name on a timesheet, ie: there's no phone or internet booking. Bit of a deterent for guys looking to join from further away I would have thought.

all on line for over a year now for all golf bookings

PhilipMarlowe

I played Arklow twice, once socially and once in Inter-club and it's a course I'd like.

ShriekingSheet

george67 wrote: »

all on line for over a year now for all golf bookings

Well that makes sense!

Licksy wrote: »

I played Arklow twice, once socially and once in Inter-club and it's a course I'd like.

Yeah it is a nice track. Good all year round too.

george67

Licksy wrote: »

I played Arklow twice, once socially and once in Inter-club and it's a course I'd like.

and getting better 9 holes getting remodeled 5 last winter 4 this winter to be finished for april

PhilipMarlowe

Haven't played 17 or 18.... played first 15 in a social game and 16 holes in barton cup a few years ago

Mister Sifter

Licksy wrote: »

Haven't played 17 or 18.... played first 15 in a social game and 16 holes in barton cup a few years ago

Ahhh no way Licksy, i heard those two are meant to be the best two as well.

george67

Licksy wrote: »

Haven't played 17 or 18.... played first 15 in a social game and 16 holes in barton cup a few years ago

did you win or loose ?

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Ahhh no way Licksy, i heard those two are meant to be the best two as well.

yeah, nearly 2000 yards in last 4 holes, 3 over water a real card ruiner

PhilipMarlowe

In the social fourball, my 18 handicap partner stitched a 5 wood on 15 to win the money..
In the barton, we turned all square, lost 10 & 11 but won 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16

george67

Licksy wrote: »

In the social fourball, my 18 handicap partner stitched a 5 wood on 15 to win the money..
In the barton, we turned all square, lost 10 & 11 but won 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16

cool,:cool: nice one licksy on both counts
a good finish in the barton ,nice stroll to club house hesd held high and all that

PhilipMarlowe

It's a nice memory alright but I was already impressed by the course and the setup...
I remember my drive on 15 after the game again turning in our favour... really cracked one out there high on adrenaline and it must have landed hard because my partner only had a wedge left to the green and I sank the raking 30 footer for birdie and it was easy close out the match on 16 then.

What is the deal they are offering? Liked the setup and the people we met there (not that I'm interested but others on here might like to know).

george67

Licksy wrote: »

It's a nice memory alright but I was already impressed by the course and the setup...
I remember my drive on 15 after the game again turning in our favour... really cracked one out there high on adrenaline and it must have landed hard because my partner only had a wedge left to the green and I sank the raking 30 footer for birdie and it was easy close out the match on 16 then.

What is the deal they are offering? Liked the setup and the people we met there (not that I'm interested but others on here might like to know).

€6500 is joining fee that includes first year (same price for a few years now )
they are doing deal of 1500 a year for 10 years €830 annual sub plus 670 premium
after 10 years €6500 paid off , just pay annual subs then
Also doing 5 day for €595 no joining fee
if any interested p.m. me and i'll see about a sponsor

Mister Sifter

03mcgs0 wrote: »

Just to pick up on this, to all that are members of Elmgreen... You know the offer for €450 and than reduced green fees... these reduced greenfees are only up till 1pm? Is this true?? Or is it a case that the management aren't that strict and will let members out at reduced rates after 1pm?? Cause it does work out costly if you have to pay full green fees all the time after 1pm....

That is the old offer. The new €450 option is €11 to play every day Monday to Friday. You can get one visitor on also at €15. On weeekends and bank hols it's €11 after 2pm and one visitor at €20.

That's way better than the old option of before 1pm, which was pretty crap if you work weekdays.

03mcgs0

Graeme1982 wrote: »

That is the old offer. The new €450 option is €11 to play every day Monday to Friday. You can get one visitor on also at €15. On weeekends and bank hols it's €11 after 2pm and one visitor at €20.

That's way better than the old option of before 1pm, which was pretty crap if you work weekdays.

I should have really directed that question towards you Graeme! Thanks

I dont suppose its any cheaper for 9 holes?! All in all thats a reasonable deal. Fair dues Elmgreen. That old deal of €450 and than full green fees after 1pm seemed rubbish! Not many people would really be able to get out on a regular basis before 1pm

Mister Sifter

03mcgs0 wrote: »

I should have really directed that question towards you Graeme! Thanks

I dont suppose its any cheaper for 9 holes?! All in all thats a reasonable deal. Fair dues Elmgreen. That old deal of €450 and than full green fees after 1pm seemed rubbish! Not many people would really be able to get out on a regular basis before 1pm

Nah, you're not going to get any cheaper than 11 euro even for 9. My experience is that they are generally pretty strict even when it's just for a few holes.

The old deal still suited a lot of people. There's a lot of members up there who only play midweek. For them it was perfect. The new deal suits both weekend players and weekday.

BUACHAILL

Played Arklow today and was in great nick, few holes on temp greens as they are doing a lot of work on the new holes but to be fair they werent bad at all. Looks like the new holes will really make a huge difference on this place , shaping up lovely and I think will bring the course to a different level

Very good value as I have use of an open fairways book , €20 for the round

Graeme is right Licksy ha ha 17 and 18 would be two of their best !!