Practice Ranges in and around Cork City

superhooper

Any thoughts on practice ranges around the city-The good and the bad. Frankfield is really handy for me and you can hit off the turf which I think is more useful than artificial. However cons are definitely the balls, the crappy turf and the way the bays are lined out.

curly from cork

maybe but still the best of a bad lot around the city IMO.

aster99

Have never been to Frankfield, whats it like in terms of cost, etc? Like the idea of being able to hit off grass. Only ever used the ranges in Inniscarra and Blarney

rebel.ranter

There's a range out by the Inniscarra Bar near Ballincollig too, it might be an alternative. I don't think you can hit off turf though.
There's another range on the way to Ringaskiddy just after the Carrigaline roundabout.
Blarney has one too, just on the road from Hollyhill. I think you can hit from the grass here.
None are as close to the city as Frankfield but are alternatives.

superhooper

aster99 wrote: »

Have never been to Frankfield, whats it like in terms of cost, etc? Like the idea of being able to hit off grass. Only ever used the ranges in Inniscarra and Blarney

30 balls-€3
60 balls-€5
etc,etc

Jasonw

Frankfield is the best of a bad lot as curley says. If you are serious about your practice you could join Fota's academy. 200 euro a year though.

aster99

what do you get for your €200?

Jasonw

access to the academy including driving range, putting green, chipping green and pitching area. I think there's a few balls thrown in too. for an extra 100 you get 4 lessons too.

aster99

ok thanks. the idea of some place with a good chipping and pitching area is appealing as i need to get working on this area

Atlantic1

I agree with Curly and Jason. I go to Frankfield a lot but I rarely go to the outdoor bays as they're a little sloped in places and the ground is often in average condition. The indoor bays have a hopper into which you pour the balls and and they automatically pop up. They're also height adjustable. And good value too, at their prices.

curly from cork

i was a member in fota academy for one year. to be honest i didnt get a great deal of use from it. but that was entirely my own fault. the facilities are fantastic and when i went down i thought it was a really wonderful academy. however it was a bit out of the way for me and as i tend to nip in and out of the range, i fine it handy and quick. fota , you need time to drive to, then walk up to the range, which takes about 6/7 mins up and same back. i know that doesnt sound like a lot but its still added time. plus if and when it rains you re drenched going and coming from there. or worse still you re stranded up there waiting for rain to pass !! all in all i didnt rejoin and am just as happy to pop in and out of the range.

D Hayes

Frankfield also has a chipping and putting green beyond where you can hit balls off the grass.

jimmystars

Jasonw wrote: »

access to the academy including driving range, putting green, chipping green and pitching area. I think there's a few balls thrown in too. for an extra 100 you get 4 lessons too.

Its 5 lessons and 30 euro worth of balls. Sweet setup and definetly a big help to your game if you are serious about your golf.
Frankfields main benifit is you can hit of the grass. Other than that they are all more or less the same.

MikeCork2009

Hi,

Sorry to drag up an old thread but was just wondering how driving ranges work. I want to start playing golf and reckon getting a feel for things at a driving range is the place to start. I am thinking about going to the range in Frankfield. Can you just show up and pay or do you need to book and do you pay for time and balls or just balls? Also, is it possible to hire clubs there? I'm a total beginner so any info is much appreciated.

Freemount09

MikeCork2009 wrote: »

Hi,

Sorry to drag up an old thread but was just wondering how driving ranges work. I want to start playing golf and reckon getting a feel for things at a driving range is the place to start. I am thinking about going to the range in Frankfield. Can you just show up and pay or do you need to book and do you pay for time and balls or just balls? Also, is it possible to hire clubs there? I'm a total beginner so any info is much appreciated.

Hi Mike,
Just turn up with some coins, feed them into the machine and hit the balls !
Its all automated.
As above states you can go to outdoor range and hit off the ground or indoor range and use the automated mats that tee up the ball automatically for you.

You can't rent clubs up there (to the best of my knowledge) but if your just starting off i'd just bring up a 7 iron and a pitching wedge and get used to hitting them.

One tip - don't forget to put the basket under the shoot before you put in your coins into the machine !!

MikeCork2009

Thanks Freemount09 and cheers for the tip about putting the basket under the shoot, that could have been embarassing :eek: