Dublin City Golf Club - Opinions???

minotour

Before anyone starts, i did use the search function, "DUBLIN+CITY" tends to return every thread on the board!

I am considering taking the plunge and joining Dublin City golf club up in bohernabreena, i played it on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the round, my partner struggled with the elevation and gradual inclines on the par 5's but i was generally ok with it. Got a great birdy on the 6th, thankfully i had put the driver back in the bag at the last second.

I have read it can be brutal in bad weather, is that a drainage issue or just being stuck up a mountain in general?

What do ye think of the current deal? 450 for year and 20 per game weekends? I have worked out it will cost me roughly 900 all in for the year.

Any feedback appreciated, if anyone wants to pitch their own club then consider DC is relativly close to home for me and i dont want to travel.

Cheers
Col

ShriekingSheet

Hi Col,

As a golf course, it offers very few good holes and while it can be okay for a beginner to play now and then, it becomes fairly tiresome to play regularly.

City West Lakes will cost around the same as DCGC and, IMO, is a much nicer course to play, is only marginally shorter, with way better greens and might only be the same or 5 mins extra time-wise for you. It's not exactly riveting to play on a regular basis either but if you want a good course and a vibrant club in that area you need to pay more.


A bit of backround to Dublin City:

DCGC was formerly Ballinascorney GC. About 8 years ago, the owners of the course refused to continue the lease to Ballinascorney GC, after 30 years of the club's existance. In short, the members were thrown out, and a new pay and play course was born - Dublin City.

Shortly afterwards, Dublin City began taking on members and has since built it's numbers back up to something in the ball park of 30% of the old Ballinascorney membership.

Many of the Dublin City members have been taking advantage of the lowering rates of better nearby courses. Some negotiated group rates elsewhere and jumped ship.

The course is still owned by the same guy who has a long history of making life difficult for members.

minotour

Thanks SS, now that is interesting, of course none of it is included on the clubs history page, food for thought.

I played CW champ course back in early April i think, remember the uncharacteristic good weather around the time, i thought the course was fairly heavily water logged considering the weather. It was a more challenging game though.

hmmmm, decisions!

Whyner

I'm a member in DC and it's perfect for me, for the moment. I live only a few mins away so it's very convenient - important factor

I play off 19 and find it challenging enough. It's the first club I've joined and for my level of play it's great. The views are amazing and there are deer regularly roaming the course late in the evening. I play often and never have trouble booking tee times. It's excellent for practicing as it never seems to get very busy.

They put on loads of comps, very friendly members and good craic in the bar

It is a bit hilly but that doesn't bother me. Crossing the roads is a nuisance and not something I like. Bunkers are not very good, some type of cement sand..Not very many nice driving holes. Greens are not too bad but we seem to get a lot of pay and play players who don't have much respect for the course

I only joined in May so not sure what it's like during winter. I paid 1250 all in for the year...

I might join South County next year if I can afford it. So much better in so many areas

There's some points, bit all over the place but I am on lunch

Any specific questions, let me know

minotour

Cheers for the input, have to admit i agree with you on every point, does that make me a whiner too?

As for SC, they dont seem to be adjusting their prices by all that much considering whats going on in the country, IMO that doesnt bode well for the future, assuming we make it out of this slump. Also, juding by the pics on their site, it looks a bit flat and featureless, again, just my opinion:D

Kevinmarkham

I liked Dublin City - which seems to go against the grain on here. For the money you pay it's fun, there are some good holes, and there are some quirky ones. I reckon it's better than most people think and while the quality is not top notch it's plenty good enough for an enjoyable round of golf.

The only things that bugged me were a couple of dangerous walks to tee boxes and various other 'fore' spots around the course

Mister Sifter

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I liked Dublin City - which seems to go against the grain on here. For the money you pay it's fun, there are some good holes, and there are some quirky ones. I reckon it's better than most people think and while the quality is not top notch it's plenty good enough for an enjoyable round of golf.

The only things that bugged me were a couple of dangerous walks to tee boxes and various other 'fore' spots around the course

I agree Kevin, i actually enjoyed my day there also. There's a fairly unique par 4 over the gulley on the front 9 and then another par 4 over the road with the trees in front of the green. Not a course i'd want to play every week, but enjoyable all the same.

I played Citywest for the first time a few weeks back and bits of it weren't bad. The front 9 is pretty mediocre, bar the par 4 that runs alongside the hotel with the large mounds down the sides of the fairway. There are a few nice holes on the back 9 though, particularly the 16th and 18th.

Would Slade Valley be another option for you OP?

Never played it, but isn't Hazel Grove out that way and pretty cheap?

stockdam

It's not that bad a course but I'm always shocked at the price you guys pay for membership down in Dublin.

minotour

Mister Sifter wrote: »

Would Slade Valley be another option for you OP?

Slade Valley looking for 3K with only 40 places open.................not even Noddy Holder himself would pay that;) And Hazel grove is fine but the 9 hole layout annoys me, plus they are hesitant to commit to a cost for 2010, can't really blame them.

Mister Sifter

Yep, i wouldn't pay that for Slade Valley either. What about Dunmurry Springs?

Whyner

stockdam wrote: »

It's not that bad a course but I'm always shocked at the price you guys pay for membership down in Dublin.

It's old news, not sure why you're still shocked

You've got to weigh it up and know what you want from the course/club. If you're looking to improve your game and you live nearby then go for it. I did a bit of research and it was best for me, location was my biggest pro.

Perhaps play it a few more times if you're undecided. I can always meet you up there sometime and you'll get it for €15/20.

minotour

Quick check of Dunmurry Springs site tells me entry level is approx 3.5K. A bit rich for my blood, looks like a nice course though.

At this point i just want relatively cheap and cheerful for the next couple of years, no point getting into hock unnecessarily. At the moment DC is still top of the list with CW a close 2nd, the wife has yet to play DC so unless she throws a major wobbly Ill probably go with it.

minotour

Whyner wrote: »

Perhaps play it a few more times if you're undecided. I can always meet you up there sometime and you'll get it for €15/20.

Cheers, thats downright decent of you, although ive been courting the menagement for a few days now and got myself a decent rate while i make my decision.

Whyner

minotour wrote: »

Cheers, thats downright decent of you, although ive been courting the menagement for a few days now and got myself a decent rate while i make my decision.

No worries, let us know how you go....

Obni

As someone who left DC last year, I can tell you that my main reason for leaving was the condition of the course throughout the winter. Drainage is only a serious problem on a few holes (9th & 16th), and not much worse than many other courses, but a someone who likes to play twice a week all year round, it didn't suit me. Plus bloody mats instead of tee-boxes in the depths of winter.

The members are as friendly a crowd as you'll ever meet, and when it's dry it's a cracking course.

I know about ten guys who left last year. Most left to play courses that were longer, more challenging, and didn't have drainage issues. I know that a few left because they didn't like the way the committee ran things, but that can happen anywhere.

I certainly enjoyed my time there, and if you can tolerate the winter conditions, it's a great place to be a member.

ShriekingSheet

minotour wrote: »

Slade Valley looking for 3K with only 40 places open.................not even Noddy Holder himself would pay that;) And Hazel grove is fine but the 9 hole layout annoys me, plus they are hesitant to commit to a cost for 2010, can't really blame them.

Jaysus. South County has full membership for an annual rate of around 1,600 plus 300 bar/food I think. A good few Dublin City members have joined SC this year and in previous years.

jimmystars

Obni wrote: »

The members are as friendly a crowd as you'll ever meet, and when it's dry it's a cracking course.


I certainly enjoyed my time there, and if you can tolerate the winter conditions, it's a great place to be a member.

I was a beginner member there last year and was made feel very welcome. A good place to learn your trade as you have to hit lots of diffent types of shot. Bit expensive is a complaint i would have. Would want to be playing at least twice a week to get value. It is also seriously wet in winter and the cracking par 3 2nd hole is out of play plus the 6th valley hole has a temp green before the valley. The loss of these two holes really take from the round imo.

minotour

jimmystars wrote: »

The loss of these two holes really take from the round imo.

Cheers, those holes definitly made the course for me. Considering the weather they are predicting for the next few weeks i might give it a miss so.

lomax52

Hi Kevin, Since your review the 16th tee has been moved , much safer and now a much better golf hole.

ShriekingSheet

lomax52 wrote: »

Hi Kevin, Since your review the 16th tee has been moved , much safer and now a much better golf hole.

Where to?

lomax52

To the left of the old 16th tee just behind the 15th green adjacent the carpark. This now makes the 16th a dogleg

fullstop

Stange bump of an 18 month old thread.

Whyner

lomax52 wrote: »

To the left of the old 16th tee just behind the 15th green adjacent the carpark. This now makes the 16th a dogleg

Never thought it was dangerous but moving it closer to the carpark is a bit dangerous, people landing balls right behind you and then driving over the corner of the carpark...

What did Kevin's review say about the 16th?

I thankfully moved last year. Played there 2 weeks ago with a member and the greens were embarrassing and as for the mats....

Kevinmarkham

Whyner wrote: »

Never thought it was dangerous but moving it closer to the carpark is a bit dangerous, people landing balls right behind you and then driving over the corner of the carpark...

What did Kevin's review say about the 16th?

I thankfully moved last year. Played there 2 weeks ago with a member and the greens were embarrassing and as for the mats....

I mention that it's a bit dangerous, but this has been updated in the new edition (OUT NOW:D) as there are a few changes around the place.
K

wcarey1975

Moving back to Ireland this November so looking at clubs to join giving serious thought to joining DCGC with the 5-Day membership a really attractive option. So will keep an eye on this thread. Thanks to all who have posted info so far.

eamonbreen

I've just joined DCGC and have played it twice so far. All seems fine with me so far.

Yes, of course I've played better courses, but as my first golf club to be a member of this is perfect for me. 10 mins from home, €390 for 12 months and reduced green fees and a reasonble course. I am yet to get my handicap but I usually play of 18 when playing to date. The course seems fine for if only a bit short. Greens are poor at the moment but I'm putting this down to the winter (& snow) this year.

Anyway, to all the current members of DCGC, I'm looking forward to getting to know you and getting involved in competitions, etc. To people looking for reasonable membership and a good (beginner to improver) course, definately make a visit to DCGC.

J6P

How much is the reduced green fee?

eamonbreen

I've paid €18 on weekends so far. I think it's €15 on weekdays.

They're all nice up there, so its worth a trip up just to find out info etc.

SimonLynch

Niot sure if bumping an old thread is the right way to do this but didn't think it was worth a new thread.

I was in Irish Liquidators on the Belgard Rd today and they appeared to have just taken in stuff from Dublin City, the board with list of Lady Captains was there, I'd imagine the others too. Might be of interest for ex-members looking for a memento.