Course Recommendations Please

baxieboy

Hi,

I've decided to take a golfing holiday to your beautiful country this year Would welcome any recommendations on courses to play (but not really interested in those 100 Euros plus courses), any tips etc.

Staying in Kenmare for a week and then Broadford (close to East Clara golf club?) for a week.

What are your favourites and why?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

stockdam

I don't know County Clare so I can't really help. You are staying beside Lough Deg and North of Limerick if that helps anyone.

Nearest course is East Clare

Nearby:

Dromoland
Portumna
Woodpark (9 hole)
Gort
Woodstock
Galway Bay
Birr
Doonbeg
Lahinch


Of these you should play Lahinch - it isn't cheap but it's a traditional Irish links course and is different to courses that you may have played.

I know you said you aren't interested in the expensive courses but try Lahinch and maybe even look at some further away......like Ballybunion.

Hopefully somebody will help who knows the area.

Uncle Mclovin

Dooks Golf Club in Glenbeigh would be fairly close to Kenmare.

It's a really nice links course and it's pretty cheap at this time of the year. Green Fees are €55 during the winter.

stockdam

Sorry you are also staying in Kenmare.

Nearby you have some good courses:

Ring of Kerry
Killarney
Waterville
Dooks
Dingle
Tralle
Ballybunion

These are all very good courses but a little expensive.

You've also got:

Beaufort
Ceann Sibeal
Kenmare
Killorglin
Skellig Bay

stockdam

If you want a guide to all the courses in Ireland then look for a book called Hooked by Kevin Markham. Kevin may be along soon to give his comments as he has played all of the courses in Ireland.

baxieboy

stockdam wrote: »

If you want a guide to all the courses in Ireland then look for a book called Hooked by Kevin Markham. Kevin may be along soon to give his comments as he has played all of the courses in Ireland.

Thanks for the responses. It was Kevin's blog that actually pointed me at this site and ive ordered his book but not published until March :-(

stockdam

baxieboy wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. It was Kevin's blog that actually pointed me at this site and ive ordered his book but not published until March :-(

Kevin's book Hooked is already out.........


http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Amateurs-Guide-Courses-Ireland/dp/190517294X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295301685&sr=8-1

Maybe he's bringing out a 2nd issue or another book.

dvemail

In Limerick, you could play either Adare or Castletroy, both good parkland courses, or Dromoland in Clare.
If you are looking to play Links type courses in Clare or Kerry you will have to spend a bit more on greens fees. I think you should try and play at least one good course like Ballybunion or Lahinch, would be well worth the money.

Corkblowin

Played a good bit of golf In kerry,
Kenmare itself is a nice scenic course;
Waterville is one of the fairest of the links courses you can play - nice people & a nice drive from ken mare- some like ballybunion can be very difficult on certain days;
For a bit of a drive I'd go to Tralee, very pleasant people any time I've visited and the back 9 is outstanding!
Dooks is an experience - again stunning scenery and it's an old fashioned, low maintenance place - still has many of the old stone Walls that were there;
Obviously Killarney, but really only if you can get the Kileen course - the others are fine but it's the star.

Haven't played many in Clare but in my opinion Adare is the best parkland course in the country & well worth the visit - they often do early birds / late deals depending on time of year.

If I was to pick just 2 - it'd be Tralee & Adare - great courses, tough but fair and most handicap golfers will be fine.

Enjoy!!!!

Enjoy it!

Aesop

Of courses I've played around the Clare/Limerick/Tipperary area. I would recommend playing some of the really good value courses and use the savings to get at least one round in one of the more expensive ones. They are worth it.

East Clare (Bodyke) - A fine course that is great value at ~€30. Only downside is that it can get very wet this time of year. It shouldn't be too bad though as the drainage has improved a good bit over the years and we haven't got that much rain this winter. It's also very close to Broadford.

Portumna - Only played it once but it is a lovely course. Tough in places (not unfairly) in a beautiful wooded area. Again good value (can't remember exactly but I think it was in the region of €30-€40)

Nenagh - Really nice course that again offers great value (~ €30). Some holes are very young (~ 3 holes) and need to mature but it's a great course and I've always found it a very friendly place for a round of golf and a bite to eat afterwards.

If you can stretch to it :-

Adare golf course is one of the best in the country and worth the extra money. (be careful there are two golf courses in adare - the one called Adare Manor is not the course I'm talking about). I'm talking about this one

http://www.adaregolfclub.com/

Lahinch, is a bit quirky in places but it's a spectacular course. Can be very expensive alright and would help to play with someone who knew the course (not essential, not that many blind shots).

Doonbeg haven't played it but most that have rave about it. A spectacular links that plays very tough if the wind blows hard.

Of the last three they are very expensive but if I was you I'd give them a ring and see. There are lots of good deals at the moment and of the three you'd surely get one for less than €80 and it would be the highlight of your golfing holiday.

baxieboy

stockdam wrote: »

Kevin's book Hooked is already out.........


http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Amateurs-Guide-Courses-Ireland/dp/190517294X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295301685&sr=8-1

Maybe he's bringing out a 2nd issue or another book.

Aha! Looks like ive orderered the new edition out in March

baxieboy

Aesop wrote: »

Adare golf course is one of the best in the country and worth the extra money. (be careful there are two golf courses in adare - the one called Adare Manor is not the course I'm talking about). I'm talking about this one http://www.adaregolfclub.com/

Adare does seem a common theme here - im confused about the Adare Manor though - website looks to be one and the same?

baxieboy

This looks pretty good value? http://www.peninsulapass.com/

Poker Face

baxieboy wrote: »

This looks pretty good value? http://www.peninsulapass.com/

What time of the year are you coming Baxieboy? Skellig Bay and Ring of kerry course could be soft and not in great condition depending on the time of year you are here. Dooks being a beautiful links course will always be dry.

From Kenmare, the ring of Kerry course is just a 10 minute drive. Skellig Bay is in Waterville and will take between 45-60 mins but if it is a good day there are some spectacular views on the way. Dooks is near Glenbeigh and will take around 1 hour to get there.

dvemail

baxieboy wrote: »

Adare does seem a common theme here - im confused about the Adare Manor though - website looks to be one and the same?

http://www.adaregolfclub.com/ Is the good course.
http://www.adaremanorgolfclub.com/ Is the not so good course.

bigtimecharlie

dvemail wrote: »

http://www.adaremanorgolfclub.com/ Is the not so good course.

God, there are some long treks between holes in adare manor.

Kevinmarkham

baxieboy wrote: »

This looks pretty good value? http://www.peninsulapass.com/

baxieboy wrote: »

This looks pretty good value? http://www.peninsulapass.com/

I'd say that's a great looking deal. Dooks (€55 - €70) has the best scenery of any course in Ireland and is worth the total price alone - all the other links courses in this part of the world are considerably pricier. Skellig Bay (€35 - €70) is a beauty too, and under-appreciated. Ring of Kerry (€25 - €60) is a good parkland with great views.

Kenmare (€25 - €35) is nice enough - it was a pretty 9 hole course and then got upgraded to 18 when 9 new holes were added across the road. If you can play the old 9 twice you'd have more fun.

Killarney (Killeen) is also in a beautiful setting, but having held the Irish Open, been upgraded, and highly ranked among Ireland's parkland courses, it is also a bit pricier (€60-€90). There are two other courses at the club: Lackabane and Mahony's Point - neither is as impressive as Killeen, but Mahony's Point has got views of Lough Leane and the mountains.

Killorglin - give it a miss. Castleisland isn't bad - some wild holes on the back 9 that are highly entertaining - but you'll find better from the courses already mentioned.

A couple of courses further afield, but both links, are Ceann Sibeal (Dingle) and Tralee. Tralee is pricey (€90 - €180).

When you're based in Clare, you might as well play East Clare - but a word of warning, you will love it or hate it. It's wild and a bit unkempt, but I think it's well worth a visit for 30 - €35. I'd agree with all the other courses mentioned: Adare is the best parkland in the country, Dromoland Castle is also very good. Castletroy is a standard up and down parkland but is a beautifully presented course. Gort is another under-appreciated course with some good hills and views. If you can get to Portumna it is one of my favourites - perfectly isolated and peaceful. Limerick County is in trouble it would seem, but also worth a visit if you're near the town.

As for the whole Adare vs. Adare Manor thing - it's a nightmare. The big, pristine course is 'Adare' (opened in 1995), but it is part of the Adare Manor hotel complex. 'Adare Manor' golf club (opened in 1900) is next door and is nothing to do with the hotel or the big course. Its all a bit confusing.

Hope that helps.

baxieboy

Poker Face wrote: »

What time of the year are you coming Baxieboy? Skellig Bay and Ring of kerry course could be soft and not in great condition depending on the time of year you are here. Dooks being a beautiful links course will always be dry.

From Kenmare, the ring of Kerry course is just a 10 minute drive. Skellig Bay is in Waterville and will take between 45-60 mins but if it is a good day there are some spectacular views on the way. Dooks is near Glenbeigh and will take around 1 hour to get there.

Late April, Early May so should be ok by then i assume - these 3 look good options / value

baxieboy

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

As for the whole Adare vs. Adare Manor thing - it's a nightmare. The big, pristine course is 'Adare' (opened in 1995), but it is part of the Adare Manor hotel complex. 'Adare Manor' golf club (opened in 1900) is next door and is nothing to do with the hotel or the big course. Its all a bit confusing.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the great advice - looking forward to the delivery of your new book in March Now i understand why i was confused by the Adare Manor confusion.

baxieboy

Thanks to everyone for some great information - really looking forward to it now.

Can i just ask for some advice on booking tee times. In recent years I'm used to going to Northern Scotland in early May for golf and in general booking of tee times is unnecessary during the week apart from at the major courses. How is it in Ireland?

LuckyGent88

baxieboy wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for some great information - really looking forward to it now.

Can i just ask for some advice on booking tee times. In recent years I'm used to going to Northern Scotland in early May for golf and in general booking of tee times is unnecessary during the week apart from at the major courses. How is it in Ireland?

Its much the same. Just a phone call the day before or the morning you want to play should do for most courses. Majority of courses in Ireland will be glad for green fee's.

Also would recommend Portumna big time. Hugely underrated IMO. It is a tough but fair test and is great value (only about 25 mins from Broadford)
P.S: Enjoy your stay in THE BANNER COUNTY

Aesop

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Limerick County is in trouble it would seem, but also worth a visit if you're near the town.

Kevin, Limerick county is gone unfortunately (I thought it was a fine course, apart from the way the 18th got axed down to a par 4). You might have to strike it off the second edition

From http://www.limerickcounty.com/

"It is with regret that the directors inform you that the Driving Range and Golf Course are closing for business."

The_Architect

bigtimecharlie wrote: »

God, there are some long treks between holes in adare manor.

I just looked at the layout on their website and it appears to be all over the place. Pity, because there seemed to be some nice holes when I had a quick peer over the fence.

Is playing the course as awkward as it looks?

Kevinmarkham

Aesop wrote: »

Kevin, Limerick county is gone unfortunately (I thought it was a fine course, apart from the way the 18th got axed down to a par 4). You might have to strike it off the second edition

Thanks Aesop. 2nd edition has gone to print unfortunately, so Limerick County and Turvey are in. I'm hoping for a Luttrellstown-type resurrection! It was a bit depressing adding a comment at the start of the book that said: 'some courses may have closed by the time you read this book...' I expect more will follow.

The_Architect wrote: »

I just looked at the layout on their website and it appears to be all over the place. Pity, because there seemed to be some nice holes when I had a quick peer over the fence.

Is playing the course as awkward as it looks?

In a word: yes. When you look over the wall you see the best holes, but in the middle of the course there are a couple of very 'imaginative' and dangerous walks across other fairways.

Aesop

Yes Adare Manor can be challenging to get around. The third tee tees off out over the second green. There are three tee boxes beside each other (4/17/14) which are just plain dangerous. Fairways 13 and 5 cross. Some of the par 4's are very short, 17 is 284yds, 4 is 330yds (these are medal tees). There are 6 par 3's and the par 5's are also short (3rd is 447 yds).

It's a lovely looking course and the abbey and graveyard in the middle of the course make it very scenic. One side of the course runs down by the Mague (although it's not really in play) and there are some nice views of the manor. It would have been a lovely 9 hole course (which it was for the first 90 odd years of it's existence) but IMO the site is just too small for an 18 hole course.

BTW Eddie Hackett redesigned the course in the early 90's from a 9 hole to an 18 hole course.

The_Architect

Aesop wrote: »

BTW Eddie Hackett redesigned the course in the early 90's from a 9 hole to an 18 hole course.

Yes - It doesn't appear to be one of his best routings.

I wonder if his brief was to leave the original nine holes intact. Has anyone any experience of the course prior to the extension?

Incidentally, I believe they were offered a large sum of money or some extra land at the time to give up the name "Adare Manor" but pigheadedness saw them refuse.

Corkblowin

I know its been covered above....but don't forget to differentiate between Adare Manor GC & Adare GC. For the OP Adare is recommended - the one that held the Irish Open.

The other course is a nice track on a quiet day, but you definitely need to play it more than once to figure it out. As Aesop says, some good holes in there tho.

dvemail

Ya you are definetly taking your life into your own hands when playing Adare Manor on a busy day. The origional 9 holes are fine holes, while the other nine are just squeezed into a small plot of land tbh.

Yes apparently the owner of the "good" Adare offered to give Adare Manor the plot of land that was used as the car park for the Irish Open for free so they could build another set of good holes, and all he wanted in return was to be able to call his course Adare Manor Golf Club instead but they refused. Silly move.

deko43

When you are finished reading Kevins book could I also recommend this one.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Links-Heaven-Complete-Journeys-Ireland/dp/1845132270

This is a a very nice book written from an american visitors point of view
about the joys and frustrations of Links golf in Ireland. There are some moments of "Paddywhackary" but all in all a very enjoyable read and an excellent guide down the quirky fairways of our "wonderfull" country.

Forget your budget for one day and play Waterville.

veetwin

baxieboy wrote: »

This looks pretty good value? http://www.peninsulapass.com/

Yes its excellent value considering all three courses would charge more than €50 green fee. If you plan to play them in the summer time you can't go wrong.

The_Architect

deko43 wrote: »

When you are finished reading Kevins book could I also recommend this one.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Links-Heaven-Complete-Journeys-Ireland/dp/1845132270

Along with Jim Finegan's book (I forget the name.. Emerald Isles etc...), Richard Phinney's Links of Heaven is undoubtedly the best travel book on golf in Ireland...

Both these authors have a detailed and inherent understanding of what makes a course what it is.

Although I've seen most travel books, I have not read Kevin's so can't comment there...

Kevinmarkham

The_Architect wrote: »

Along with Jim Finegan's book (I forget the name.. Emerald Isles etc...), Richard Phinney's Links of Heaven is undoubtedly the best travel book on golf in Ireland...

Both these authors have a detailed and inherent understanding of what makes a course what it is.

Although I've seen most travel books, I have not read Kevin's so can't comment there...

I recommended Links of Heaven in the introduction of Hooked. It's a superb book for links enthusiasts, giving a 2-3 page history of the course, followed by a comprehensive review.

Finegan's book - Emerald Fairways & Foam-Flecked Seas - dates back to 1996 so is a bit outdated, but it's a chatty tale of his travels and has many interesting observations about the golf courses he plays. I did find it a bit irritating in places... a sort of arm thrown over the shoulder 'you're my best mate, come along with me' kind of thing.

Tom Coyne's 'A Course Called Ireland' is also worth a read but, like Links of Heaven, it is exclusively links.

The_Architect

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I recommended Links of Heaven in the introduction of Hooked. It's a superb book for links enthusiasts, giving a 2-3 page history of the course, followed by a comprehensive review.

Finegan's book - Emerald Fairways & Foam-Flecked Seas - dates back to 1996 so is a bit outdated, but it's a chatty tale of his travels and has many interesting observations about the golf courses he plays. I did find it a bit irritating in places... a sort of arm thrown over the shoulder 'you're my best mate, come along with me' kind of thing.

Tom Coyne's 'A Course Called Ireland' is also worth a read but, like Links of Heaven, it is exclusively links.

Links of Heaven isn't exclusively links, Kevin. It's just that he gives little truck to many of the modern parkland layouts and in general concentrates on the courses worth talking about. Buyers would need to get the 2007 edition.

Finegan is an excellent writer. He is of a certain age and social standing that may not connect with certain people, spending as much time talking about Ireland's wonderful country house hotels as some of the golf courses. His book was updated lately with an addendum chapter covering changes between 1996 and 2007.

What I like about both Phinney and Finegan is their appreciation of architecture and their obvious love of the golf course as an entity and golf as a game. They are little interested in stature, ego and the marketing side of each club.