Dublin Memberships

jimjo

It would be great if we had a main thread on boards that was dedicated to memberships of clubs and in particular the Dublin area as so many seem to enquiry about them, maybe because their so expensive compared to courses in the rest of the country. For example you can join Rosses Point for €982 a year, insurance and bar levy included! When you compared that figure for the cheer standard of courses below it does make you think!

I’m a floating golfer at the moment, willing to move to any affordable, reasonably good course, located relatively close to me.

These options are full memberships (7 days). Here are there current asking fees..

Elmgreen €850
Hollystown €1375
Castleknock €3000+
Corrstown €1492
Donabate €1565
Balcarrick €1500
Turvey €1350
Lucan €1200 for ten years and €700 a year annual sub on top
Corballis €470 and €11 each time you play

I wonder if any of these clubs will reduce there fees anymore for the coming year???

Or has anyone else heard of any more affordable membership options in the Dublin area???

Newuser12345

The Irish times did a review of memebership prices of some Clubs including Dublin earlier this year

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0407/1224244146369.html

brianrcarney

that times article will be quite different next year i would imagine...interesting stuff

jimjo

Newuser12345 wrote: »

The Irish times did a review of memebership prices of some Clubs including Dublin earlier this year

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0407/1224244146369.html

Yeah that’s a good article by all accounts (although not all clubs participated in that survey), I feel even though it was printed in April the information is a little dated at this stage. Clubs are introducing new memberships options all the time (putting joining fee’s on hold etc),
and I feel it would be of benefit of all boardies to keep a good track of them.

If anyone else has heard of any good memberships deals or any that might be on the arisen please mention them

minotour

The GUI website has a membership search option which is handy enough for getting you pointed in the right direction.

http://www.gui.ie/membership_search.asp?pid=140&area=1

Theres no substitute for getting on the blower though.

As for a permanent thread, i find once a thread has more than 5 pages of replies it loses its relevance, especially in an area like this which is being revised constantly.

jimjo

Yeah true, but I do feel that GUI membership search again is dated and never includes say a lease membership or special offer that you can see on some clubs websites.

What I'm really dying to know if any club will dramatically reduce there fees to get new members in? Unlikely I know but heres hoping!

scotindublin

Hollystown have revised there membership prices for 2010. Full playing membership is now €1090 runs from date of acceptance until December 2010 details here

http://www.hollystown.com/golf/proto/hollystown/membership/membership.htm

jimjo

scotindublin wrote: »

Hollystown have revised there membership prices for 2010. Full playing membership is now €1090 runs from date of acceptance until December 2010 details here

http://www.hollystown.com/golf/proto/hollystown/membership/membership.htm

Good man thats just what I wanted to hear, if anyone else hears of any deals keep this thread updated...

Still wouldn't join Hollystown spoke to a member in the week and he said the place was closed 72 days last year..... Hard to believe, realise it was wet and all but thats beyond

Who's next to drop their prices....?? We'll wait and see....

Maverick.ie

The last club in the world that I would have thought would need to drop their fees just have I understand, Headfort down to e5000 rumour has it the committee were looking to take it down to e3000 but members would only let it come to 5.

Also understand Concra Woods will have to drasticaly reduce expectations, course and clubhouses built for different times I'm afraid:(

jimjo

Maverick.ie wrote: »

The last club in the world that I would have thought would need to drop their fees just have I understand, Headfort down to e5000 rumour has it the committee were looking to take it down to e3000 but members would only let it come to 5.

Also understand Concra Woods will have to drasticaly reduce expectations, course and clubhouses built for different times I'm afraid:(

Yeah was down there recently and spoke to a committee member, he said that they wanted it down to €3,000… than played with a member who strongly opposed the idea… so I suppose €5,000 is a comprise of sorts.

A number of members up and down the country through whatever circumstances aren’t paying there annual subscriptions, meanwhile clubs in recent years have upgraded holes or built new swanky clubhouses (where people can’t even drink as their driving), never thinking of any downturn… something has to give so clubs have to get some money to keep the banks away…

Happens everywhere not just at Headfort look at the spectacular Luttrellstown probably the best parkland in Dublin, it’s gone at the end of the year…

ipitydafool

i dont know if this article has been linked onto this forum before but i think it gives good insight into state of the irish golf industry at moment.

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/golf-clubs-are-trying-to-play-their-way-out-of-a-financial-bunker-1824476.html

unfortunately i dont think luttrelstown will be the only good golf course to close over the next while as the way things are some of the new resort courses are unviable. Having said that, its a great time if you have the money to both join great golf courses and play them:). who would have thought you could get playing the old head for 60 euros a couple of years ago.

Maverick.ie

I for one wont be going to play the old head even at e60. As you say it was only last year when they were as good as taking money out of me pocket at e1300 a line. And I wont be supporting any other formerly high priced golf clubs that are now as good as begging for business.

Nope I will stick with the many courses that didn't rip me off and charged e30 or less, even if they are not the best courses in the country they more than deserve the support of golfers even more so if they are members clubs in the traditional sense and not proprioty ( I know that's spelled wrong) courses who only affiliated a club to give them a bit of legitimacy as far as I am concerned they can go whistle as they were not giving much of a thought for me when they had the high flyers queing up to hand out crazy money for a round of golf

jimjo

Elmgreen Golf Club is €850 for 2010, the same price as 2009....

Thought it might have gone down in price..

Draupnir

Played St.Margarets on Sunday and the guy in the pro shop said they are currently doing 1400 for 2010, with the last three months of this year included. Sounded like a good deal to me.

Trampas

Draupnir wrote: »

Played St.Margarets on Sunday and the guy in the pro shop said they are currently doing 1400 for 2010, with the last three months of this year included. Sounded like a good deal to me.

Did that include VAT?

Draupnir

Trampas wrote: »

Did that include VAT?

Not sure, but he never said it didn't include VAT so either he was trying to con me or it includes VAT.

He said they only want 50 more members to move up to 250 members total.

golfbgud

Heard from a mate at work that the greens were poor in Margarets?

Draupnir

I wouldn't say poor, to be fair to them some were very good and others were below par for what you'd expect in a course of that stature, it was really a mixed bag.

I suspect they may have pole forked in recent weeks which made for some bumpiness in places, I'd rate the greens at 7 out of 10 overall.

Mister Sifter

St Margarets is €1500 for 2010 and that includes VAT.

Maverick.ie

Just to put it out there, my own club Ballinlough has a very good offer on memberships on their website for the month of October

BigAl>>

Was looking for a club to join in order to get my gui handicap, so of course I wasnt willing to pay thousands:rolleyes:. The best deal I can find so far is Ballinlough Castle

You can pay an annual fee of €250 if you reside more than 20kms from the course, you then just pay a reduced rate fee (€10 midweek & €15.00 weekends @ current rates) per round of golf.

Your first three rounds of golf will be free to allow you gain an official GUI handicap. (there will be a GUI/ILGU fee payable in year 2)

So, you are in control of your golfing budget and you decide how much your golf will cost you over the year.

This option is ideal to give club membership and the oppourtunity for playing in regular club competitions to people who may only have the time to play a limited amount of golf and will prove very cost effective for the year.

Pay now and enjoy the benefits of membership until 1st February 2011.

Can anyone beat that?????

f22

Can anyone post an ad in a more annoying format?

shaydy

Re Ballinlough Castle, that looks like a very good deal, anyone any idea what the course is like?

f22 wrote: »

Can anyone post an ad in a more annoying format?

Bit harsh, i was just on the club website & the text format is copied & pasted from the website

f22

Maybe a bit harsh alright, my eyes have recovered now and I have seen the error of my ways. Large, bold, italic, red & hangover not a good combination!

PhilipMarlowe

Hallucinogenic formatting removed

shaydy

Anyone any idea what Ballinlough Castle course is like?

Unglika Norse

In fairness it can be a bit rough at times, they have had problems with their sand based greens and moss this year but after the last 3 summers.... 2 completly different 9s, Front through nice old trees back much more open.

It has massive potential though and will test your ability to hit the ball straight.Long par 4s with only one par 5 and it's a cracker.

They have rough on this course not your mamby pamby rough at half an inch high but rough cut at 2 to 2,5 inches and thats before you get to the long stuff. I had 37 points with 3 scratches in rathcore recenty (mind you off the yellow markers) but could only manage 26 in Ballinlough. No fault of the course just my poor golf ability when put to the test.

Bunkers are poor and could do with more sand overall probably a lack of finance which stops them from moving the course up a gear or two.

Pat Ruddy done the design and speaks highly of it's potential.

Kevin Markham also gave a fair description in his book. Which on a plug for Kevin would make a great christmas present.

If your only looking to keep a handicap and play it a few times a year its well worth a look for the price, Basic clubhouse that does breakfasts at weekends.

Handy drive from Blanch through Trim round 40 mins.

See on their site and above post special offer ends end of October

sector

Moate have a membership offer on now, played there today, great greens, nice & fast.

http://www.moategolfclub.ie

ps, i'm not a member but was thinking of joining for that money. (500)

shaydy

Unglika Norse wrote: »

In fairness it can be a bit rough at times, they have had problems with their sand based greens and moss this year but after the last 3 summers.... 2 completly different 9s, Front through nice old trees back much more open.

It has massive potential though and will test your ability to hit the ball straight.Long par 4s with only one par 5 and it's a cracker.

They have rough on this course not your mamby pamby rough at half an inch high but rough cut at 2 to 2,5 inches and thats before you get to the long stuff. I had 37 points with 3 scratches in rathcore recenty (mind you off the yellow markers) but could only manage 26 in Ballinlough. No fault of the course just my poor golf ability when put to the test.

Bunkers are poor and could do with more sand overall probably a lack of finance which stops them from moving the course up a gear or two.

Pat Ruddy done the design and speaks highly of it's potential.

Kevin Markham also gave a fair description in his book. Which on a plug for Kevin would make a great christmas present.

If your only looking to keep a handicap and play it a few times a year its well worth a look for the price, Basic clubhouse that does breakfasts at weekends.

Handy drive from Blanch through Trim round 40 mins.

See on their site and above post special offer ends end of October

Thanks, this is very helpful.

Unglika Norse

Your welcome. IMO Ballinlough Castle is way ahead of moate in it's layout and design. Again Refer to KMs book. In fact if given the support of the golfing community it could be on a par with Headfort New. But if you can't see it in it you can't see it some can.

Mister Sifter

Unglika Norse wrote: »

Your welcome. IMO Ballinlough Castle is way ahead of moate in it's layout and design. Again Refer to KMs book. In fact if given the support of the golfing community it could be on a par with Headfort New. But if you can't see it in it you can't see it some can.

Yep, and given a big pair of paps and a curly blonde wig i'd be a ringer for Dolly Parton.

Unglika Norse

Ok your point is taken, but if ballinlough had money spent on it, it would be on a par with any of the top course in the country because it has the land, layout and course design IMO.

MiniGolf

You can pay an annual fee of €250 if you reside more than 20kms from the course, you then just pay a reduced rate fee (€10 midweek & €15.00 weekends @ current rates) per round of golf.

Your first three rounds of golf will be free to allow you gain an official GUI handicap. (there will be a GUI/ILGU fee payable in year 2)

So, you are in control of your golfing budget and you decide how much your golf will cost you over the year.

This option is ideal to give club membership and the oppourtunity for playing in regular club competitions to people who may only have the time to play a limited amount of golf and will prove very cost effective for the year.

Pay now and enjoy the benefits of membership until 1st February 2011.

If more of the clubs did offers like that I am sure they would get more takers!
I would jump at an offer like the above as it is basically what I am doing at the moment (Distance member in Slievenamon - €200 (incl insurance) - and paying €25 per round on a Sunday playing with a member locally!)

I just don't have the time to play twice a week in order to justify the cheapest green fees locally - €1400!!

(€1400-€200(saved by not joining as distance member!!)= €1200/25= 48 rounds!
I would be lucky to get 30 per year.... although that would increase if I was a member locally - but not to 48!!

jimjo

MiniGolf wrote: »

If more of the clubs did offers like that I am sure they would get more takers!
I would jump at an offer like the above as it is basically what I am doing at the moment (Distance member in Slievenamon - €200 (incl insurance) - and paying €25 per round on a Sunday playing with a member locally!)

I just don't have the time to play twice a week in order to justify the cheapest green fees locally - €1400!!

(€1400-€200(saved by not joining as distance member!!)= €1200/25= 48 rounds!
I would be lucky to get 30 per year.... although that would increase if I was a member locally - but not to 48!!

Well in that case minigolf your a bit screwed unfortunately... could I suggest some of the public golf courses around Dublin - Corballis & Elmgreen, join for €450 odd and get out to play for around €11 each time? Might work out cheaper. Elmgreen have full membership for €850 a year...

jimjo

I see on the Corballis website that they are offering membership for €750 a year for unlimited golf, must be the cheapest in Dublin??

http://corballislinks.com/index.php?page=membership-option-c

Mister Sifter

jimjo wrote: »

I see on the Corballis website that they are offering membership for €750 a year for unlimited golf, must be the cheapest in Dublin??

http://corballislinks.com/index.php?page=membership-option-c

That's the cheapest 'all-in' offer i've heard of around Dublin. Not sure i'd be happy playing it every week, but a good offer all the same.

It seems the clubs on the next rung up on the ladder - the likes of St Margaret's, Corrstown, Roganstown etc - have settled on €1500 as their level for fees in 2010. Will be interesting to see if any of them go a bit lower in an attempt to steal a march on the others as surely, these clubs are all competing for the same 'floating' members.

jimjo

Mister Sifter wrote: »

That's the cheapest 'all-in' offer i've heard of around Dublin. Not sure i'd be happy playing it every week, but a good offer all the same.

It seems the clubs on the next rung up on the ladder - the likes of St Margaret's, Corrstown, Roganstown etc - have settled on €1500 as their level for fees in 2010. Will be interesting to see if any of them go a bit lower in an attempt to steal a march on the others as surely, these clubs are all competing for the same 'floating' members.

I cant see them dropping majorly below the €1,500 mark. Clubs seem to be sticking to the prices they charged in 2009 i.e. Elmgreen & Donabate both charging the same in 2010 that they charged in 2009.

Pity as if one dropped there subs by a decent amount, floating golfers would have to sit up and take notice...

redzerdrog

i heard a romour that navan are thinking of scrapping the entrance fee and will offer membership for 750 a year.

anyone know if this is tue or not?

Orion

Knockanally are doing a special on membership. €1500 for a share including membership until 2011. Annual fees are currently €1300pa.

Played the course last Saturday - very nice course.

heavyballs

Macros42 wrote: »

Knockanally are doing a special on membership. €1500 for a share including membership until 2011. Annual fees are currently €1300pa.

Played the course last Saturday - very nice course.

nice course but i wouldn't pay 1300 pa for it.I beleive as they have a huge amount of society's it hard to get a game on a Saturday.
This is only second hand info from a member so i stand to be corrected.
It gets very wet in the winter also.
What kind of share do you buy into,can you sell it back to the club after few years or what?

jimjo

jimjo wrote: »

I see on the Corballis website that they are offering membership for €750 a year for unlimited golf, must be the cheapest in Dublin??

http://corballislinks.com/index.php?page=membership-option-c

No not the cheapest, I've found a winner! Dublin Mountain E499! Got to say fair dues to them for offering that regardless of the type of course it is.

http://www.dublinmountaingolf.com/index_membership.htm

Not played Dublin Mountain myself, played South County beside it a fair few times and thought it is a cracking course, must get a back there!

thoscon

redzerdrog wrote: »

i heard a romour that navan are thinking of scrapping the entrance fee and will offer membership for 750 a year.

anyone know if this is tue or not?

i heard something similar that they are scrapping the entry fee and charging 850 a year.was up at the range tonight the pro wasnt giving anything away but said its to be sorted in the next week
defo an option for me as i live 5 mins away

redzerdrog

thoscon wrote: »

i heard something similar that they are scrapping the entry fee and charging 850 a year.was up at the range tonight the pro wasnt giving anything away but said its to be sorted in the next week
defo an option for me as i live 5 mins away

if you hear anything definate please let me know its only 20 mins over the road for me so will definately be interested

Orion

heavyballs wrote: »

nice course but i wouldn't pay 1300 pa for it.I beleive as they have a huge amount of society's it hard to get a game on a Saturday.
This is only second hand info from a member so i stand to be corrected.
It gets very wet in the winter also.
What kind of share do you buy into,can you sell it back to the club after few years or what?

That's the drawback alright. The pro told me the members want to get it down to under 1000 but it's dependant on enough members in the club - they have to cover their operating costs. I rang last Wednesday to get a green fees timeslot on Saturday morning and I could so I don't know about not being able to get a game.
We played at 8:40 on Saturday and after the deluge on Friday the course seemed to hold up well. We saw some pockets of water on the course but we didn't have to take any relief in the whole round. The greens were perfect too.
I don't know about the share - I'm going to ring up and find out about that.

thoscon

redzerdrog wrote: »

if you hear anything definate please let me know its only 20 mins over the road for me so will definately be interested

yea no problem.

Maverick.ie

While looking at the option a offer in Ballinlough, you should also note the option B, e699 with easy pay for unlimited Golf.

jimjo

Courses like St. Margarets, Corrstown, Donabate & Hollywood Lakes, a 12 month sub is €1,500..

Cheaper options are Corballis €750, Elmgreen €850 & Hollystown €1090

Seems like a lot of clubs in the North Dublin area are around the €1,500 mark, what do people think is the best option??

Sandwich

redzerdrog wrote: »

i heard a romour that navan are thinking of scrapping the entrance fee and will offer membership for 750 a year.

anyone know if this is tue or not?

Anyone got any update on whether the above is true?

Unglika Norse

any one know anything about the rumour that the horsey people could be thinking of pulling the plug on Navan.

thoscon

Sandwich wrote: »

Anyone got any update on whether the above is true?

still no word on it .meant to be announced in the next week

thegen

New offers in Southcounty Golf Club

http://www.southcountygolf.ie/mysitecaddy/site3/membership.htm