Fota Island Golf Academy

hades

Anyone here a member of this, and is it any good?

I was talking to a fella who i played a scratch cup with recently, and he mentioned it was super but i never got down to asking him more about it.

I always thought it was just a short game place, but it says it has a 10 bay range, so is it long enough for practicing driving aswell?

Is the whole practice area floodlit, or just the bays?

Any idea on prices for the basket of balls? Are they a good quality ball?

Do you have to be a member of the academy to use it out, or can you pay on the fly?

Thanks

murphdogg11

You have to be a member - costs around €300 per annum. As far as I know you also have to pay for the balls as well!

aster99

That's expensive in fairness, if you have to pay on top of the initial membership fee

hades

Aye, looking at the site, you have to pay for balls, on top of your membership. They'd want to be quality balls tho, not thr rocks you'd usually get stuck hitting.

I'm looking at the moment for a good quality home, for when the weather is bad and i want to practice. There's an indoor putting green aswell. My main fear is that, come the winter months the place would be over run. But then again, its unlikely to get over run when you have to pay "hello money" before you get to pay for the range balls.

aster99

If you were living close by it might be an option, after paying that membership fee you'd want to be using it on a regular basis.

hades

That would be the plan, just put it down as training, go there twice a week. Went to a range recently and found it very boring, and ended up just blasting balls for a finish. Evening aiming for the various distance markers was a disaster. Went onto the course the following night and played 5 holes and found it far more benificial. I'm thinking, with the range of facilities with the Fota Academy, a fella could chop and change the practice sessions accordingly.

pinseeker

Im joined the academy lads.Its down to 200 for joining fee i believe.
Its 2 euro for 30 balls but they do deals if you buy bulk.They give you card with credits on it and it punches mark each time you use it.
There is greens to aim at on range so bit better than just hitting at distance signs.There are four greens in practice area where putting,chipping and bunker pay can all be worked on.
All manner of shots from flops to bump and runs can be played.
Also it is generally quiet which i love,some days having place to myself.
With better weather coming it may get busy but plenty of space and options.

hades

Thanks for the info...

Whats it like for the winter months, and are the balls good quality?

Also, is the indoor green any good? Is it big?

Do you use the GC Clubhouse, or does the academy have its own one?

ssbob

pinseeker wrote: »

Im joined the academy lads.Its down to 200 for joining fee i believe.
Its 2 euro for 30 balls but they do deals if you buy bulk.They give you card with credits on it and it punches mark each time you use it.
There is greens to aim at on range so bit better than just hitting at distance signs.There are four greens in practice area where putting,chipping and bunker pay can all be worked on.
All manner of shots from flops to bump and runs can be played.
Also it is generally quiet which i love,some days having place to myself.
With better weather coming it may get busy but plenty of space and options.

Can you bring a guest with you?

pinseeker

Winter months are quiet and its bays only for the range and not off the grass,but that is to be expected i guess.
Would you believe ive never seen the indoor putting green but i heard that it is large.
The balls are wilson range balls and ok i guess.Better than most.

With regards using clubhouse you dont have to drive down to it as there is access to academy before you drive down to golf club parking.
You get the cards for the balls in pro shop and if you buy enough credits then no real need to be down by clubhouse until next time you need them.

Dont think ssbob you can bring guests but if you did then im sure you wouldn't be approached to show membership cards.As said only time you will see pros is when down getting ball credits and if have some already then just swing up to academy and rekon nobody will look twice.

jimmystars

Can get offers if you ring and ask. Last year 300e for 5 lessons, 50e worth of balls and membership of the practice area. Best money i ever spent on golf. Give them a ring and ask. Pros are pretty sound from my experience.

hades

Thanks for the info guys....i'll drop in next time i'm passing and check it out

big_drive

I'm thinking of joining this in next couple weeks. Just looking for some feedback.

Anyone here a member? What have you found to be the positives/negatives?

jrby

Hi, i'm staying in the hotl shortly nad was hopig to use it for a bit of practice. Will i be able to do this without joining?

foxyboxer

I'm a member for 2012.
It's generally quiet enough aroung the academy.

If you intend on practicing while staying at the hotel then I'm sure that wouldn't pose any problems.

Be aware however that you need to get credit for any range balls from the pro shop itself. No coins for the machines.

jrby

thanks....do you know if the golf club holds any open competitions. Staying over easter week with the family and wouldnt mind getting a game in.

foxyboxer

jrby wrote: »

thanks....do you know if the golf club holds any open competitions. Staying over easter week with the family and wouldnt mind getting a game in.

Just a member of the academy, not sure regarding open competitions.

big_drive

Is the academy well maintained? Bunkers in good nick etc.

foxyboxer

big_drive wrote: »

Is the academy well maintained? Bunkers in good nick etc.

There is a green for putting only which is always kept in good condition.

There is another green dedicated to 30 yard pitch shots so it has the expected pitch marks etc.

Another large green is for chip and runs shots and is in good condition.

Another green to the far right as you enter can be used for anything between 30 - 60 yard pitch shots.

The grass tees are currently off limits but there is a 5 bay outdoor area with 'artificial' grass which is actually quite good.


To be honest there are 2 bunkers and they are in average condition but that's to be expected for this time of year.

My advice would be to get a bucket of balls, go through the short shots with them, collect them, then hit them up the range.

It's the kind of place where you could bring a thermos of coffee and a packed lunch and wile away a good few hours.

big_drive

Thanks for the feedback. And if you just wanted to do chipping & putting is it ok to bring your own balls. Or can it be a pain, can they get mixed up with the range balls?

foxyboxer

big_drive wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. And if you just wanted to do chipping & putting is it ok to bring your own balls. Or can it be a pain, can they get mixed up with the range balls?

You can use your own balls. There are no stray balls lying around to confuse matters.

ijf123

Hi! I am actually working at Fota Island Golf Club. The academy has ten covered bays and an indoor putting green for practice during bad weather. It also houses two large teaching rooms with the latest hi-tech video and computer systems and a full array of teaching aids.

With regards open competitions and up coming events, I dont know will you be here for it but if you you should check out the Callaway Custom Fitting & Demo Day on Friday, 30th March.
The Open Series fourball is running every Wednesday for the spring months which is €35pp.

Hope this helps!

jrby

Thanks for this. Actually down the first week in April. When would be a good time to book for the open fourball? A week or two in advance?

ijf123

The earlier the better as they are proving very popular!

curly from cork

I am a member of the academy and just wondered is the indoor putting room available for use or do you have to request it specially ?

ijf123

The indoor putting green is used for lessons and teaching only. If you want to set up some lessons the pro shop is the place to contact.

Reganovski

ijf123 wrote: »

....you you should check out the Callaway Custom Fitting & Demo Day on Friday, 30th March.

Isnt there custom fittings there all the time? I was thinking about trying it out...what would be the benefit of waiting till then?

Jasonw

If there's none on in Fota, There will be in Cobh just down the road. There's open singles on Fridays and there's usually a 3 ball scramble/rumble on Easter bank holiday Monday.

ijf123

Reganovski wrote: »

Isnt there custom fittings there all the time? I was thinking about trying it out...what would be the benefit of waiting till then?

As of this week the Callaway Custom fitting Day has been brought forward to the 7th of March, 2.00- 7.00pm so you dont have to wait that long to chek it out. True there are always custom fittings in the pro shop by appointment but the benefits of this event is that there will be a complete range of Callaway clubs, from fairway woods to putters, that you wouldn't usually have access to at a normal golf shop!

Reganovski

ijf123 wrote: »

As of this week the Callaway Custom fitting Day has been brought forward to the 7th of March, 2.00- 7.00pm so you dont have to wait that long to chek it out. True there are always custom fittings in the pro shop by appointment but the benefits of this event is that there will be a complete range of Callaway clubs, from fairway woods to putters, that you wouldn't usually have access to at a normal golf shop!

Thats excellent. Only problem is that its a Wednesday.....do you have to book a time or can you just 'show up'? How much is it?

ijf123

Reganovski wrote: »

Thats excellent. Only problem is that its a Wednesday.....do you have to book a time or can you just 'show up'? How much is it?

No you have to book a time! I just checked with the pro shop for you and the only times left are 3pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, and 6pm. There is no cost involved.

You can book a time by ringing 021 488 3700 and ask to be put through to the pro shop. Give them a call before 5pm

aster99

I still haven't got around to joining here but think i will. Need to get some serious practice done if i'm to get the handicap down this summer.

What are the opening hours for the academy?

db80

Went down there today to join the academy having rang earlier in the week and told it was€200 to join inc €40 credit for balls, today i was told it was €200 and credit was extra they were not will to budge on this and let a potential customer walk out of the pro shop. Pity was looking forward to it a great facility

Tweaky

db80 wrote: »

Went down there today to join the academy having rang earlier in the week and told it was€200 to join inc €40 credit for balls, today i was told it was €200 and credit was extra they were not will to budge on this and let a potential customer walk out of the pro shop. Pity was looking forward to it a great facility

Look at this link. Definitely says €30 of ball credit with €200 membership. Might be worth buying yourself a voucher and then presenting it in the pro shop and having a copy of the web page handy if they won't honour the ball credit.

http://www.fotaisland.ie/vouchers/1/golf.html

big_drive

Has anyone here taken lessons in Fota? If yes, what did you think of it?

murphdogg11

Had a lesson there a couple of years ago and wouldn't go back for another. Wasn't happy with the lesson & got the impression that the pro didn't have much interest in a high handicapper (which I am).

juansheet

Anyone join here recently? what type of deal you get? incl lessons, ball credit etc?

big_drive

I joined start of year for €200
Got some ball credits but can't remember how much exactly. Best move I made, my short game in particular has improved as a result. The facilities are really top class

juansheet

Anyone join the golf academy in Fota recently? is it still 200 euro to join for the year?

big_drive

Still €200 this year, well worth it in my opinion if you use it on a regular basis

Putt it there

Its an excellent facility and still €200 but is nowadays only jan-oct as the "believe" santa experience takes over from nov 1st and im told the academy will be closing then until following jan

Domo1982

Putt it there wrote: »

Its an excellent facility and still €200 but is nowadays only jan-oct as the "believe" santa experience takes over from nov 1st and im told the academy will be closing then until following jan

As a matter of interest does the €200 get you into the Santa Experience as well?

Putt it there

Domo1982 wrote: »

As a matter of interest does the €200 get you into the Santa Experience as well?

Sadly no but some say it helps you jump the que for the elf interviews (or santa in my case)

PARlance

Domo1982 wrote: »

As a matter of interest does the €200 get you into the Santa Experience as well?

Depends if you've been naughty or nice.

hades

I've been a member of the Academy for the last 3 years and didn't renew this year. As pointed out, it pretty much shuts down for the Santa experience and it was also closed for an extended period last summer for the Irish Open.

I used to go in the evening, and it involved a bit of travel for me. But i found that there could be group lessons on some evenings and all the bays would be in use and of course it would be too miserable to do outside practice.

It is a great facility, and if you're within striking distance its well worth joining. But if you have to travel to make it there, it can be a bit of a lottery.

recycled

big_drive wrote: »

I'm thinking of joining this in next couple weeks. Just looking for some feedback.

Anyone here a member? What have you found to be the positives/negatives?

I was talking to one of the guys in American golf who recommended the facility. He said that for 10 members to join as a group its €100 each or €200 for an individual member. If you got a group together I would be interested.

OffalyMedic

recycled wrote:

I was talking to one of the guys in American golf who recommended the facility. He said that for 10 members to join as a group its €100 each or €200 for an individual member. If you got a group together I would be interested.

For €100 I'd b interested!!

juansheet

shaunac93 wrote: »

For €100 I'd b interested!!

Me too

juansheet

I see it is now 250 euro to join

Ron Burgundy II

I know it's not best practice to revive an old tread, but just want to see if anyone has experience of the new academy membership? I see they have increased the rate to €800 but allow you to play limited number of rounds on the 9 hole course.

For me its a 10min drive from the house and 5min drive from work. But for an extra €300 I could join Lee Valley and I think Castlemartyr has the same membership rate.

Getting out to play the nine hole in the evenings would be great but what do they mean by limited?

benny79

IMO its a rip off I have been down in fota a few times loved the course etc but I would join 1 of the courses mentioned above all day long both super courses!