Sanded greens. Should we be forewarned?

milltown

With the exception of this past few days, we haven't been hit with too much rain so far this year (that I recall anyway) so I was taken by surprise when we reached the first green in Macreddin today to find it heavily sanded. To make matters worse, the quality of the sand seemed to get worse after four or five holes. From then on there were pebbles or broken shells in with the sand! I presume they don't use beach sand for fear of what the salt would do to the soil but it looked like coarse beach sand. Anyway, net result as you all probably know is that the greens won't hold a ball pitched onto them, and when you are on it's hard to judge pace and pointless trying to read breaks.

Weather aside (pi$$ed down all day) we couldn't complain too much as €30 a head should be a steal for a course like it, but am I alone in thinking that we should be warned when making a booking that the greens are or will be sanded? If I had been told I probably would have looked elsewhere, and paid more, for nice grassy greens. Apart from home club players who are stuck with whatever the greenkeeper decides to do, what are other "nomadic" golfers views?

Side note: They may as well close that course when the weather is wet. The drainage is very, very poor. I'd love to enjoy a sunny round, with a buggy to spare the calves and hamstrings on the trek from green to tee box, but it's been wet both times I've been there and buggies weren't allowed out for obvious reasons. Parts of the course were waterlogged, including one or two of the tee boxes. Of all the new courses, it's particularly hard to see that one surviving. Drainage, no clubhouse, no GUI affiliation (yet) = scarcity of members = little financial foundation for annual upkeep. My €0.02.

kermitpwee

Definitely you should have been told in advance or a reduced rate.

deko43

Probably best to ask about what work is taking place on the course before you book. A lot of courses do offer better rates when works are being carried out. Forking and sanding is something we all have to put up with at this time of year.... if you are a bad putter like me it can level the playing pitch.

ShriekingSheet

Milltown, in my experience it's common practice and common courtesy for the receptionist/pro to tell you as you book that the course has been sanded. Macreddin is a new course so hopefully it's just down to someone's in experience but I would be very pissed off if it happened to me.

WHIP IT!

There's nothing more frustrating I have to say. Happened a group of us a few weeks ago on Monty at Carton House. I don't mind it - as long as you're given the courtesy of being forewarned.

Also, very disappointed to hear that McCreddin seems in such bad condition?? Had heard it was a beauty and was really looking forward to playing it this year.

thegen

As with previos posts, common courtesy of letting you know sanding has taken place is not much to ask.

On the last post, Macreddin is stunning, but you require a buggy as the walk from green to tee is unbelievable. I do hope it survives.

BUACHAILL

I have played a lot of courses this year and from my experience most of the places I have played did not inform me of work going on e.g. sanded greens, pole forked, bunkers GUR etc. I must say its very annoying as all is needed is a little heads up.

I am very surprised Macreddin is in this condition as my bro in law is a member and I have played it several times this year and only played it 2 weeks back and was perfect. Rain has been quite sever last few days but shouldnt be in that bad a condition. Personally I love the course. Agreed its very hilly from green to tee box but I am yet to find a course which on every hole its individual...

I like other posters hope this survives and its looking bleak to honest. When I was there a few weeks back they had guys in cutting trees etc and another guy from UK setting up the sky caddy system( doesnt look like a club in trouble) so fingers crossed.

As for affiliation to the GUI can someone please confirm or rubbish this !!
Macreddin have said to the brother in law that it needs to be up and running for a full year and then have their AGM before they can apply to the GUI ??

Any Opinions ???

milltown

I want to be mindful of self fulfilling prophecies here. I have heard nothing at all to suggest it could be in trouble. Of all the new courses I have played over the past few years I think this one stands out as something different and we should hope it stays. The likes of Moyvalley, Lutrellstown, Castleknock, Roganstown etc. are just variations on a theme, albeit done to a very high standard. The setting and the variety of holes sets Macreddin apart from a lot of other courses, and when I played last year the greens were among the best I'd ever played on.

Which brings us back on topic. Most are agreed that prior notice should be given of green sanding, hollow tining, pole forking etc. And we managed to avoid the subject of temporary greens, the plague of the winter golfer! Another issue I've been left ignorant of in the past, prior to teeing off.