Fernhill in Carrigaline

getcover

Any golfers in the Cork area have an opinion on this course? Is it a good test? well maintained, in good condition?
I'm a beginner and have only played on this course, how would it compare to other courses in the Cork region?

CaptainPendulum

I would say it's the worst course in Cork city. Pylon Valley it is sometimes called. There are a few nice holes in a cluster on the back 9 but that's about it. Helmet's should be complusory there! If you are beginning I'd suggest Water Rock east of the city. Mahon is also a nice course - some difficult and some easy holes.

ssbob

I would concur with Captain Pendulum.............

If you are looking to improve your game on a budget, I would recommend the following:

1. Waterrock............short but requires accuracy and course management and always well kept Green Fee's about €28
2. Cobh....new course, not mature yet but the greens are really good and provide lots of undulations so great test from that point of view, played here for €20 recently
3. Fermoy..............well maintained club and some difficult holes, this is also €20
4. Mahon............you have to play Mahon, for the fun aspect alone but the water is really going to play tricks with your head and will demand good club selection, green fee's are about €25 I think.

Are you looking to join somewhere? Where are you living?

getcover

ssbob wrote: »

I would concur with Captain Pendulum.............

If you are looking to improve your game on a budget, I would recommend the following:

1. Waterrock............short but requires accuracy and course management and always well kept Green Fee's about €28
2. Cobh....new course, not mature yet but the greens are really good and provide lots of undulations so great test from that point of view, played here for €20 recently
3. Fermoy..............well maintained club and some difficult holes, this is also €20
4. Mahon............you have to play Mahon, for the fun aspect alone but the water is really going to play tricks with your head and will demand good club selection, green fee's are about €25 I think.

Are you looking to join somewhere? Where are you living?

I'm thinking of joining Blarney - am going to make a decision in the next day or so

ssbob

getcover wrote: »

I'm thinking of joining Blarney - am going to make a decision in the next day or so

I actually joined Blarney about 6 weeks ago, the course is in great nick, have you played there yet? I am heading out soon for a 5.10pm tee off myself.

You living this side of the city?

pinseeker

Hi getcover.
Its big decision joining somewhere and would say dont rush it.If all you have played is fernhill then you havent played a genuine course with the feeling of space and feature holes.
In cork at mo there is only 2 i feel that have good deal,those being Cobh and Blarney.You need to play both before you rush into anything,see how you feel about them and would you be happy to play there every week.
My own vote would be for Cobh.Quality of greens is superb and along with some nice feature holes and fact when it matures it will be even better.
That said Blarney as ssbob says is also nice track so check them out and make sure its course your happy to play week in week out as that most important thing.

soundsham

Sh1thole of the highest order......
Do a search for previous threads or on 2nd thoughts don't
It's not worth writing or reading about

bailey99

couldnt agree more with the previous post. Its a sh1thole.

The 3rd hole is a cracker of a hole but a little strange, u'd never see it on another course! Drive over the quarry, very good par 4 tho compared to the sh1te elsewhere on the course.

getcover

Wow, that bad?? :eek:
I've never been on any other golf course, so have no idea whats good or bad. Why is Fernhill so bad? is it badly kept, the layout, the hackers like me that play there?

I am thinking about joining Blarney because of the €100 a month deal there, and it's fairly handy for me as I'm on the north side of the City. Saying that, it would be easy enough to get to Cobh too - any idea on price of membership there?

One problem for me is that I don't know anybody in either club (at least I don't think so). I looked at playing Blarney, but I think you need a handicap to play there as a visitor (I may have read this wrong). Don't know anything about Cobh - can you just pay and play?

Anyway, I take it that Fernhill is a no-no, thanks.

Murphj7

Your starting out so Fernhill is good place to start. Not a great course, but perfect for you getting into golf. You need to crawl before walk so if you like it stay there.
PM me if you need any further advice

ssbob

getcover wrote: »

I am thinking about joining Blarney because of the €100 a month deal there, and it's fairly handy for me as I'm on the north side of the City. Saying that, it would be easy enough to get to Cobh too - any idea on price of membership there?

One problem for me is that I don't know anybody in either club (at least I don't think so). I looked at playing Blarney, but I think you need a handicap to play there as a visitor (I may have read this wrong). Don't know anything about Cobh - can you just pay and play?

Hi Get Cover,

You don't need a handicap to play there but it is saucy enough for green fees.

I wouldn't mind going for a round with you as it is only €20 for a guest with a member, I am going on holidays from Friday until the May bank holiday but would be available the week after that any night, just PM your details.

As for Cobh, I think they are doing a €100 a month deal too but you obviously don't get the gym membership included with that.

Bob

soundsham

getcover wrote: »

Wow, that bad?? :eek:
I've never been on any other golf course, so have no idea whats good or bad. Why is Fernhill so bad? is it badly kept, the layout, the hackers like me that play there?

I am thinking about joining Blarney because of the €100 a month deal there, and it's fairly handy for me as I'm on the north side of the City. Saying that, it would be easy enough to get to Cobh too - any idea on price of membership there?

One problem for me is that I don't know anybody in either club (at least I don't think so). I looked at playing Blarney, but I think you need a handicap to play there as a visitor (I may have read this wrong). Don't know anything about Cobh - can you just pay and play?

Anyway, I take it that Fernhill is a no-no, thanks.

ring blarney and cobh
tell them your thinking of joining
ask for a chance to play with someone on each course,they should set this up for you if they have any interest,
it should be a free round
take it from there,
ask to play twice if your unsure.

at least this way you'll get some feedback on
1 the course
2 how helpful/unhelpful the place/staff are

having never played cobh i cant comment on it,

blarney is a pretty good course,always breezy up there
€100 gets you membership to the gym too and ,so in winter if the golf course was closed you could always just get out for a swim

soundsham

depending where you live,personally i'd recommend you join a (decent) course closest to you, in budget of course,

blarney or cobh may suit a beginner as both are newish or taking in people that are new to golf more than anywhere else,

you also have mahon(not a fan myself),muskerry,leevalley all in striking range from northside of the city,even mallow perhaps
these 4 are more established courses.

getcover

I played Mahon last friday.
Wet, cold, damp and miserable.
Too many people out there, and was being hurried along too much.
It was ridiculous really, waiting around for nearly every shot.
( BtW, eitquette question - We were asked by a two ball behind us if they could play through, when I asked why, he said because there were 3 of us. Now we were waiting all the time for a threeball in front of us, who were waiting for a 4 ball in front of them, who were waiting on the 4 ball infront of them. I didn't say yes or no, he just went away again. Should I have waited for the 2 ball to finish out the hole, and then left them tee off in front of us when the 3 ball moved on?).
I got the feeling that Mahon is a nice enough course, but with the combination of the really wet long grass, the pressure on us to keep moving and my complete inability to hit a golf ball correctly, I ended up with 137 shots and felt utterly demoralised afterwards.

Maybe I should stick with hacking around Fernhill for a while...

I did play Beaufort in Killarney yesterday, shot 116, but felt good about that. Felt that I could have got a really lower score if I knew the course layout a little better, was aiming in completely the wrong place on about 8 of the holes! (for instance, was playing to the 2nd green when I was on the first hole! cost me 3 shots straight off)

curly from cork

I too have found Mahon to be very busy. If you can avoid school holidays and half days it will be a lot quieter. It is a nice course but played in those conditions no wonder you were fed up . Next week once the kids are back in school you should find lots of courses are empty mid morning . Dont be put off !!

Hunter21

Lads Fernhill isnt as bad as ye are making it out to be. Im not a member there (Im from North Cork) But I regularly play courses in the city, Mahon and Fernhill mainly.
Fernhill is well kept, some nice shots there. Some holes are strange alright id admit and a few are very straightforward. But all the same the place is in good nick and is an enjoyable place.
I feel some people expect too much out of some courses In my eyes its value for money green fee wise. I dont know about memberships.

The greens and neatness of Fernhill would run rings around Mahon anyday! Played Mahon yesterday was dissappointed. Bunkers in ****e! Stones in them, greens as hairy as a dairyfield teeboxes were like the rough. Was told there is a big Pierce Purcell comp on there soon, them boys wont be happy with the place if alot of work isnt done by then.. Again this is all in my opinion, not pointing fingers or saying any place is bad. I just think Fernhill gets a rather bad bashing

alxmorgan

My big issue with Fernhill is a safety one. Balls flying everywhere and unfortunately not accompanied by calls of four a lot of the time.

getcover

Played here again on Friday, beautiful day and I have to say the course seemd fantastic to me. Lots of work done on it, greens are in great condition, tee boxes moved back, fairway grass really cut beautifully.

On the downside, was missed by a ball by millimetres, a guy playing the 14th walloped the ball straight in our direction when we were on the 4th green, ball clattered off a few trees and whizzed past me about shoulder height.
I said to him that he could have at least called to us that he was taking a shot (his ball was on the 5th tee), but he just laughed at us, I don't think he even realised what he was doing.

alxmorgan

getcover wrote: »

Played here again on Friday, beautiful day and I have to say the course seemd fantastic to me. Lots of work done on it, greens are in great condition, tee boxes moved back, fairway grass really cut beautifully.

On the downside, was missed by a ball by millimetres, a guy playing the 14th walloped the ball straight in our direction when we were on the 4th green, ball clattered off a few trees and whizzed past me about shoulder height.
I said to him that he could have at least called to us that he was taking a shot (his ball was on the 5th tee), but he just laughed at us, I don't think he even realised what he was doing.

Unfortunately no matter what the greens, fairways etc are like this is how it has been everytime I have played it. Taking your life in your hands

Buceph

Full disclosure, before I start, I used to work in Fernhill a few years ago. I spent two summers out maintaining the course.

First off, Fernhill is an extremely young course. Parts of it are about fifteen to twenty years old. And I'd say others are about ten years old. It used to be a nine-hole, so that's the difference in age. And yes, it is very small/tight/enclosed (whatever you want to call it.)


I think a lot of the complaints come from people who the course isn't intended for. If you're an experienced player, there's no point in playing there, it's not particularly nuanced, not pretty, and I don't think it's challenging. It's a cheap to play course (I think it had the least costly green fees in Cork when I was working there) available to anyone who wants it.

The main groups of people we had playing there when I was there were kids, middle to older aged ladies who were out for a day rather than just the golf, beginners and people on golf holidays. The kids never had a problem there, they showed up and played and never gave nor were given hassle. In fact I think in general they were the best players on the course. Chances are they couldn't afford or weren't allowed to play anywhere else regularly. The tourists came because there was a bar and restaurant, a swimming pool, a hotel and holiday homes and a golf course available to them. They had everything they wanted and usually spent two or three days. And beginners never had a problem, from either the staff or the other players. No-one tutted or rolled their eyes when they horsed a ball sideways off a tee. So all in all it was a very accessible, inexpensive course to play. And I'm not saying other courses and their golfers have airs and graces, it's just that when people are on a course with experienced players, they feel a bit intimidated despite any effort to the contrary of the other people. I think the only time anyone on the course had an official problem with the staff (that I saw anyway) was when three guys were playing with the same set of clubs.


Also, for all it's bad points, the course is (or was at least) extremely well maintained. The first year I was there we had six people working on the course Monday to Friday, the next year we had seven. The greens were cut daily (during the growth months) the fairways were cut at least weekly, roughs were cut low (to make it less punishing for beginners) and bunkers were dug at least once a summer, and were raked and patched up after every bit of prolonged and heavy rain. And then there was yearly maintenance like scarification and reseeding of the greens, and the like. At one point someone claiming to be a greenkeeper from the Kay Club (don't know the veracity of his claim) said we had the best kept greens that he ever played in Ireland.


So yeah, not a great course by any stretch, but it's probably not meant for you. For beginners and kids it's an alternative to Mahon. And the staff put a lot of work into its maintenence, and are quite proud of it.

alxmorgan

To be honest I enjoyed the course when I played it for what it was. Some testing holes and in good condition mostly.
I was using it as an alternative to the range as a cheap practice method and usually quiet too.

Am even thinking of going there tomorrow for a round but again I ask myself if I can take the risk of getting killed. I mean don't get me wrong it happens elsewhere but it's like Vietnam out there at times.
For the love of God it's this simple - if you can't see where your ball is going just give a shout. It costs you nothing but could cost someone else very dearly if you don't.

Buceph

You just need one of the mini-tractors to drive you around. No-one hits the ball near them because they might end up being rolled over. And as we all know, if the tractor rolls over them because you didn't warn the driver, the rules are play it as it lies.

getcover

Buceph wrote: »

And beginners never had a problem, from either the staff or the other players. No-one tutted or rolled their eyes when they horsed a ball sideways off a tee. So all in all it was a very accessible, inexpensive course to play. And I'm not saying other courses and their golfers have airs and graces, it's just that when people are on a course with experienced players, they feel a bit intimidated despite any effort to the contrary of the other people.

I think this is why I like it. Outside of the one dodgy experience I recounted above, I've played there 9 times now, and feel comfortable there. Don't feel any pressure about my level of golf, and while I am getting better, I am still worried about the thought of playing on courses where my beginner level will be frowned on. (This is probably what's stopping me from making a decision on a club to join). The first time I ever played on a different course to Fernhill (Mahon), I felt exactly that kind of pressure, and felt quite demoralised afterwards.
Played Fernhill a week later and had a completely enjoyable day.
I guess the big difference to other courses is the benefit of being allowed play at your own level, and thats ok for me for now.

ssbob

getcover wrote: »

I am still worried about the thought of playing on courses where my beginner level will be frowned on. (This is probably what's stopping me from making a decision on a club to join). The first time I ever played on a different course to Fernhill (Mahon), I felt exactly that kind of pressure, and felt quite demoralised afterwards.
Played Fernhill a week later and had a completely enjoyable day.
I guess the big difference to other courses is the benefit of being allowed play at your own level, and thats ok for me for now.

Genuinely I think you had a bad day in Mahon, 99% of other golfers don't care how good/bad you are as long as you are sticking to the etiquette of the game ie. if your group is playing slower than theirs then let them through.

I have only ever shot under 100 once and since I have joined Blarney I have regularly joined up with people who were playing by themselves and they were only too happy that someone was playing with them and making the effort to get out and play and some of them were even quite nice in terms of giving me tips.

One thing though is that if you are conscious about people watching you on the course then it will play havoc with your game!!

Buceph

getcover wrote: »

I think this is why I like it. Outside of the one dodgy experience I recounted above, I've played there 9 times now, and feel comfortable there.

That's the most important thing. I'm not much of a golfer (whack a few balls around a couple of times a year with hand me down clubs) but in anything I've done, and I'm sure most people would agree, if you're nervous about something you're going to do crap.

I'd say stick with Fernhill until you get your wits about you, but equally don't get complacent. Mahon, from what I've heard from my young cousins, is a friendly spot (you can generally tell from how the teenagers are treated.) And if people offer to take you around another course, go for it. You'll have someone there to allay your fears and help you out, and you'll get used to playing "The big boys courses."




Half your problem I'd imagine is coming from other people being ignorant of beginners. They wouldn't give someone crap about using beginners clubs and say they're ****, they wouldn't say someone's drive is ****, so why should they say their choice of course is ****. It's a cyclical problem. If people are told certain clubs are different to others and are only played by charlatans and chancers, then anyone who plays there isn't going to feel prepared for playing on the more serious courses. And if people weren't intimidated by courses, there may be no need for places like Fernhill (although I'd debate that.) If you have a problem with the course, say why, but don't tell someone they're a moron for playing there. It's perfectly suited for someone hacking their way around until they gain confidence.



As for the balls flying around, I can count on one hand the number of times a ball came too close for comfort to me down there, and that would have been with me on the course for eight months, nine hours a day. There should have been far more cries of fore for safeties sake, admitedly. And still the only time I was actually hit was when I was standing thirty feet from my brother when we were playing.

One thing I was made do as a five year old, that I think a lot of beginners should be made do (when the course is quiet) is; tee off, spot the flight of the ball, and yell "fore" as loud as you can. Do this ten times in a row and you'll lose your inhibitions about shouting funny words out.

getcover

ssbob wrote: »

Genuinely I think you had a bad day in Mahon,

Ah, I realise that, it's not going to affect my interest in playing.
I just need to pluck up the courage to play a round in Blarney (they have offered me a complimentary round), and other offers to play.
Thanks for the advice.

ssbob

getcover wrote: »

Ah, I realise that, it's not going to affect my interest in playing.
I just need to pluck up the courage to play a round in Blarney (they have offered me a complimentary round), and other offers to play.
Thanks for the advice.

I was one of those offers mate and your more than welcome to join me any day, no matter how bad you are, my brother who came around with me 2 weeks ago was way worse and nobody said boo to him, I think he had a score of 165 or something like that but like I kept saying to him everybody had to start somewhere.

Even if you want to just play 9 holes on an evening....................

foxyboxer

Played there with both brother and father a few months ago.
Some guy was playing his approach to a green as we were walking up the fairway beyond the green.

He proceeded to top his shot which was heading directly at my brother.
He was lucky it hit a tree. Not even a shout of Fore from him. :rolleyes:

Just pay the extra fiver and go to Waterrock.

alxmorgan

Is there only a fiver in the difference though ?
Fernhill is 18 during the week and I though Waterrock was nearer 30 ?

foxyboxer

alxmorgan wrote: »

Is there only a fiver in the difference though ?
Fernhill is 18 during the week and I though Waterrock was nearer 30 ?

Waterrock is 25 on Sundays.
Paid 20 the for Fernhill. This was in early march mind.

ssbob

Going to try and play Waterrock this Sunday, think they do golf and a grill for €27 if you get out before a certain time.

It is quite a challenging course and has matured beautifully over the last few years.

alxmorgan

Website is same as before - maybe they've dropped their prices and haven't advertised the fact

Anyone confirm ?

getcover

alxmorgan wrote: »

Website is same as before - maybe they've dropped their prices and haven't advertised the fact

Anyone confirm ?

I was going to try to play there two weeks ago on a Friday (didn't make it in the end), and they said fee was €25.

Played Fernhill after work yesterday on my own, only about 4 or 5 other people on the course, was really able to try out some of the tips I was given at lessons. Feel pretty confident about using the irons now, get decent distance and relatively accurate.
Drivers, 3 wood and rescue club are a compelety different matter though :rolleyes:.
I either get my drives dead straight, or else they veer totally off to the right. The drive actually starts ok, but then curves off at about a 60 degree angle.
Really frustrating.
Can't use the 3 wood and Rescue club at all. I either top the shot, or bury the club in the ground...:(
Still though, I really enjoyed those 3 hours...

foxyboxer

alxmorgan wrote: »

Website is same as before - maybe they've dropped their prices and haven't advertised the fact

Anyone confirm ?

Played there a fortnight ago and the Sunday rate was €25 each.

That's good value. Front 9 is a bit of a pushover but the back 9 is difficult as the water comes into play.

ssbob

getcover wrote: »

I was going to try to play there two weeks ago on a Friday (didn't make it in the end), and they said fee was €25.

Played Fernhill after work yesterday on my own, only about 4 or 5 other people on the course, was really able to try out some of the tips I was given at lessons. Feel pretty confident about using the irons now, get decent distance and relatively accurate.
Drivers, 3 wood and rescue club are a compelety different matter though :rolleyes:.
I either get my drives dead straight, or else they veer totally off to the right. The drive actually starts ok, but then curves off at about a 60 degree angle.
Really frustrating.
Can't use the 3 wood and Rescue club at all. I either top the shot, or bury the club in the ground...:(
Still though, I really enjoyed those 3 hours...

The lessons will help and more practice, my drives are sporadic, being keeping track of them on my iphone for the past 15 rounds and the stats are I only hit the fairway 25% of the time, then 37.5% I go right and 37.5% i go left......................frustrating!!!

alxmorgan

getcover wrote: »

I was going to try to play there two weeks ago on a Friday (didn't make it in the end), and they said fee was €25.

Played Fernhill after work yesterday on my own, only about 4 or 5 other people on the course, was really able to try out some of the tips I was given at lessons. Feel pretty confident about using the irons now, get decent distance and relatively accurate.
Drivers, 3 wood and rescue club are a compelety different matter though :rolleyes:.
I either get my drives dead straight, or else they veer totally off to the right. The drive actually starts ok, but then curves off at about a 60 degree angle.
Really frustrating.
Can't use the 3 wood and Rescue club at all. I either top the shot, or bury the club in the ground...:(
Still though, I really enjoyed those 3 hours...

As a slicer with the driver too one thing I've had some success with is the pump drill. Basically before taking my swing I bring the club back slowly to top and return to just behind ball. Full focus is on club being square.
With this thought in mind perform your swing and hit the ball - only thought in your head is square club face as it was when you pumped.
Give it a try !!

foxyboxer

One thing i've noticed with the driver is that I tend to get very quick with it.
This leads to some erratic shots.

Recently at the range i've taken the pitching wedge and hit say 5 balls using a smooth tempo. Then using the same tempo I hit the driver. Really does make a difference and stops me getting too quick. Haven't tried it on the course yet though

bigtimecharlie

Graced the fairways of Fernhill today, all in all had a good day. Yes the course is on top of itself and glad i played with guy's who had been around previously. Course was empty until 2 guy caught up with us as we walked from 16 to 17th tee, right out into their tee shots on 14.

mr.mickels

getcover wrote: »

Is it a good test?

jaggiebunnet

Played here yesterday, greens are an awful state, bumpy as hell. The bunker at the last had barely any sand in it - could see the weed protector!

Course itself was ok, specially for a beginner like me, but i wouldn't like to be on it when it is busy.