Luttrellstown, Castleknock or Hermitage?

paulanthony

Hoping to play one of these courses next week.

Which would people recommend for two mid to high handicappers?

Reasonably similarly priced.

Cheers

P

RedorDead

Played luttrelstown 3 weeks ago and the greens were a mess - rabbits digging up a lot of the front nine - very bumpy etc. Cant comment on castleknock and hermitage but my advice would be to avoid luttrelstown

LostPassword

I've played Luttrelstown and Castlenock this year and Hermitage last year.

Luttrelstown has been going downhill in terms of maintenance since it closed and reopened (in administration?) but it's a nice layout with some great holes - shame about the state of some of them.

Hermitage is a nice enough parkland track with some very pretty views over the liffey but apart from the 10th (a par 3 with a long drop to the liffey) most of the holes are fairly ordinary. It's the only one of the 3 that has a members-club atmosphere about it, but the members didn't strike me as particularly friendly.

Castlenock is a nice track, a decent amount of variety, good greens and a good test. Of the 3 it's my favourite by a good bit.

Kevinmarkham

I would have suggested Luttrellstown, but Redordead's comments may put you off. It's a shame to hear it's being let go, but not surprising considering it was going to close for good last year.

I'm not a fan of Castleknock but you'll probably find it's in the best condition of the three (the greens certainly). I like the Hermitage for it's old world, classic parkland feel.

For mid/high handicappers I'd say the best layout was Luttrellstown.

BigAl>>

Lutterlles town certainly about a year ago:D when it was in tip top shape, its still a good track and very enjoyable/interesting. Its current bad press in relation to the state of the course is all because back in the day it was a sublime track....... wonderful greens manicured fairways:) and an all together fantastic layout with a great mix of holes to keep everyone happy. It still has the same layout and amazing mix of holes it always had......... just not as manicured as before but still enjoyable none the less.

LT has fallen from its perch as one of Dublins to courses.(imo)

Castleknock has always been a fav of mine:) mainly because the greens are always in tip top shape (apart from the 10th, but thts another days story):D. Good mix of holes too and will not dissapoint .

Hermitage....... never set foot on it so cant comment.

Whichever one you choose, enjoy and be sure to go visit the others later and compare for yourself.

jackal

Played Luttrelstown about 3 times since the big freeze finally thawed. The first time out it was in pretty good condition bar the huge amount of sand on the greens. Found it very long for a high handicapper. Interesting holes include most of the par 3s and a few of the longer holes which involve water, also the approaches and settings of the green are very good, with sneaky bunkers all over the place. Pretty forgiving if you spray the ball around also, fairly open.

The last two times the greens are less sandy, but more pockmarked and not in great condition. The fairways are very cut up with un-repaired divots. Again I found it too long for me (even off the easier tees). The last time I was out they had packed the place out, 5 hrs for a 2 ball, not good. People in front, people behind. For 30 quid, ok its still a deal. Any more than that I would look elsewhere.

Castleknock on the other hand I played last week and really enjoyed. Its less of a slog than lutterelstown, more fun in my opinion (though others might call it contrived). The greens were tricky and immaculate, the general condition of the course is top notch. I love all the long par 3s there, the amount of water and the contours. There are a couple of generously short par 4's which give you a chance and the par 3's involving carries over water (3 of them) are lovely looking holes. Have never had any issues with the place being packed in the 3 or 4 times I have been there. The only problem with castleknock is finding a decent green fee. Mostly they are looking for 50 quid or more, which is too much in my opinion. I have only ever played it when there was a deal going for 30 or 35.

Hermitage - have not played.

stiltskins

Played Luttrelstown alot last year and loved the place, class track and beautifully kept. Played in February and it was in awful shape, said I wouldn't go back at the time. Got a free round there today so went out and it's much improved, greens are very good and saw several groundsmen out and about so that's a good sign. Still not upto standards of old but it's a great course so definitely worth a go.

Castleknock is tighter and shorter, great variety of holes and always immaculate, have heard some people aren't mad on it but I love it.

I'm off 18 so probably of similar level to you and they're both challenging but scoreable courses. Try both is my advice!

(Haven't played The Hermitage)

Benicetomonty

Luttrellstown the longest of the three from memory, some brutish par 4s the back 9. Best value though for 30e if the course is in good nick, quality test of golf.
Castleknock probably the most enjoyable imo, always well kept and some nice water features. Green fees potentially exorbitant though, and it's not as good a layout as the other two courses, way less room to work with.

Some quality holes in Hermitage, especially 10 and 11. Members course so ought to be in fairly good shape. Also the added bonus of being unlikely to lose any balls, not too many holes with water (bar the second) for the higher handicappers. All three enjoyable though, you'll have fun either way!

jimjo

Played Castleknock and Luttrellstown a fair bit, but not yet this year. Luttrellstown by far the best lay out, but going on recent reviews maybe give it a few weeks and im sure it'll be back in good nick.

Played the Hermitage not long back and was not impressed, the course and greens were in bad nick. Not keen on the course, different strokes for different folks. I would say Castleknock would be your best bet, it seems to be in good condition year round. It is a little on the expensive side but if you can get a cheaper green fee, I would say its the pick of the three right now.

darirl

I played Luttrellstown on Friday and it was in very good condition, I went out with a pro and he was well impressed with it, it cost me €40 and not the €30 mentined earlier. But its very true in that there are some long par 4's.

Fursttimer

Has anybody played Luttrelstown within the last week or so?

What state is the course in?

sweetswing

Fursttimer wrote: »

Has anybody played Luttrelstown within the last week or so?

What state is the course in?

Played it 2 weeks ago, the condition is as good as I have ever played it.

shaydy

sweetswing wrote: »

Played it 2 weeks ago, the condition is as good as I have ever played it.

I agree the course was in great shape however the only complaint I had on the day was the greens being way too sandy

MasterKZG

Here what i think

Luttrelstown : Lovely course, some cracking hole especially in the back 9 but that all there is. last time i played, the greens were heavily sanded, not to my liking! This course will suit all sort of handicapper, you don't have to be straight to do well here as you can spray the ball all around and still be in play.

Castleknock : Greens superb, the holes are less short than Lutterlstown. Loved how the water hazard are in play for some of the par3s, make it interesting. You don't need a driver in some of the holes, a 3 wood would be sufficient. My only gripe is that the green fees are not cheap.

Hermitage: Lovely typical parkland track.some of the holes are quite average,nothing out of the extraordinarily. Enjoyed the atmosphere at the club last time out!

Verdict : Castleknock

the lawman

shaydy wrote: »

I agree the course was in great shape however the only complaint I had on the day was the greens being way too sandy

+1 to this. The greens are way too sandy. You're cleaning your ball all day long with these greens. I'm using a new putter and the sand scratched the head of my shiny new baby....grrr.

Anyway apart from that its in great nick. Love this course.

3qsmavrod5twfe

Fursttimer wrote: »

Has anybody played Luttrelstown within the last week or so?

What state is the course in?

Played it sunday, good condition, greens are rolling pretty true.

Fursttimer

MasterKZG wrote: »

Here what i think

Luttrelstown : Lovely course, some cracking hole especially in the back 9 but that all there is. last time i played, the greens were heavily sanded, not to my liking! This course will suit all sort of handicapper, you don't have to be straight to do well here as you can spray the ball all around and still be in play.

Castleknock : Greens superb, the holes are less short than Lutterlstown. Loved how the water hazard are in play for some of the par3s, make it interesting. You don't need a driver in some of the holes, a 3 wood would be sufficient. My only gripe is that the green fees are not cheap.

Hermitage: Lovely typical parkland track.some of the holes are quite average,nothing out of the extraordinarily. Enjoyed the atmosphere at the club last time out!

Verdict : Castleknock

Yep, Castleknock looks a nice golf course. Some spare time on the horizon so I have it pencilled in. Cheers for the info.

veetwin

Played Luttrellstown last Monday and the course is in pretty good shape apart from the greens. In fairness to the staff there I think the greens took an awful hammering in the frost and they are still recovering. The rest of the course in in excellent shape. My club is nearby and the greens there are worse. But every day of this weather will help them.

Castleknock is always in excellent shape and is every bit as good a challenge as L'town. Excellent value there too.

Haven't played the Hermitage in a few years but the course doesn't have the "championship" feel that the other two have..still a nice golf course though.

If I had a choice in the morning I would play Castleknock if thats any help!

Fursttimer

Played Luttrellstown today. 43pts (white tees)

Very nice golf course and would recommend to others. Lovely surroundings to play golf. 4 or 5 greens were slightly sanded, the rest in good condition. Hole 10 was nice to play, as was 12 & 13. As Arnie says; I'll be back

Thanks again to all for the info.

LostPassword

Fursttimer wrote: »

Played Luttrellstown today. 43pts (white tees)

Jealous^2