Golf Trip

bailey99

Myself and a couple of mates are thinking of going on a golf trip for 3 or 4 days. We had originally planned to enter an amateur tournament but found out we weren't playing together so just gonna organise smthg myself.

I've done a fair amount of research etc and have picked 4 courses. The courses I've picked are Carlow, Rathsallagh, Tulfarris and Mount Wolseley.

Just wondering if anyone can tell me a little bit about the four courses please? I've played Mount Wolseley before so know a little about that course. Carlow I've heard good things about but never played.

Rathsallagh and Tulfarris are the two courses I'm a little concerned about. Are these clubs in receivership or something? Is the condition and the greens etc being maintained or what's happening at the club?

If anyone has any advise or knowledge about the clubs I'd be very grateful to hear it. If anyone recommends other courses in the area I would be very grateful also.

Cheers again!

sky6

I haven't heard anything about Rathsallagh being in trouble. But it is a good course. Tulfarris is a cracking course along the banks of Blessington lakes. I played it only 2 weeks ago and it was in great shape. A True championship course. But I wouldn't recommend having a meal there, very small portions which is not what you want after a long round.
I played Mount Wolsley before Christmas and was disappointed with it's condition.
Carlow I haven't played but again I have heard it's a fine course.
A couple more to look up that I would recommend as very good courses.
Killerig Castle also in Tullow. Craddockstown Naas. Castlewarden N7 Naas Rd.
Dunmurray Springs Kildare town. 4 very nice courses.

bailey99

thanks for the response.

Disappointed to hear Mount Wolsely wasn't in good condition. I played Dunmurry Springs before, very nice track alright.

I've played Killerig couple of years ago and the condition of the place was a disgrace.

A work colleague recommended Rathsallagh and Tulfarris to me. Travelling from Cork so not often I'd get a chance to check out courses in Wickow. But I really want to play those two courses to be honest. Provided they are in good condition of course

Fursttimer

Look no further than Woodenbridge GC. A little off your beaten track (not by very far though) but well, well worth serious consideration.

Kevinmarkham

Rathsallagh's a fine course and should be in great nick at the moment (it can get a bit soggy if there's rain).

Tulfarris - the opinions above are accurate. It's a beautiful setting for golf.

Mount Wolseley is long and good - I'm surprised to hear the condition is poor, but I imagine that it has bounced back nicely in this good weather.

Carlow is the understated genius of them all. It's class. A very subtle parkland without any fancy design work (i.e. it's got a pure, natural feel).

You've picked four great courses. If you have any problems getting on to any of these, I'd recommend Bunclody or Coollattin as being close by

Oh, and avoid Killerig Castle like the plague!

sky6

I'm sure Mount Wolsley has recovered well since I played it and is one of my favorite courses in Ireland. You will love Tulfarris. the biggest problem you will have is not knowing the course and some of the fairways turn and you are unsure where to be hitting. The cracking par tree 5 all carry over water plays longer than it looks. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with Cradockstown near Punchastown race course in Naas. Or Castlewarden near Kill n7 motorway.
Food in Castlewarden is superb as well as the Course.

bailey99

I have a citydeal voucher for Mount Wolseley and gonna play the Carlow open singles on the thursday. So those two courses are definitely in.

The two days undecided are what I'm wondering about. Tulfarris and Rathsallagh from Kevin Markhams book seem to be the top choice. Plus i've heard great things about the two courses.

We're 10, 12 and 17 handicappers.

bailey99

based on the feedback here, the trip has been extended to 5 courses.

We've decided on Rathsallagh, Tulfarris, Carlow and based on the feedback here and checking out reviews etc also picked Woodenbridge.

Our last day is between Mount Wolseley and Macreddin. I've played Mount Wolseley, really enjoyed it, but if Macreddin is as good as people say, depending on the condition of it, maybe it would be worth a look.

Also, selling my voucher for mount Wolseley bed and breakfast for 2 people and a round of golf each, as there's an odd number of us going on the trip so it's no use to me. PM me if anyones interested, and the voucher is up for sale on Adverts.ie also.

Cheers!

PhilipMarlowe

Woodenbridge is a lovely course IMO.. fantastic setting and there's an hotel across the road. Bunclody is certainly worth a look too - haven't played it since this time last year but looking forward to play it again soon. Also, it has an hotel at the entrance as it's in the town.
I always enjoy Carlow and love how natural it is but have heard that the condition was poor recently (know some guys who played inter-club matches there). I'm sure it's just a temporary thing with the greens but just so you know before you travel (generally it's excellent).
I used to be a member at Mount Wolseley when it opened first and while I really like some of the design, I'm not a fan of some of the landscaping and all the development. The 'busyness' is somewhat of a distraction for me and takes from the overall experience.

david

Macreddin is in fantastic condition at the moment - it's the type of course you need to play at least once. I see you're using Kevin Markham's book as a reference. He's included our 12th in his top 18 holes. I'm pretty sure our rates are cheaper than the other courses mentioned and we've got great buggy-inclusive deals if your group want to take it easy on your final day. If you need any assistance with tee-times or accomodation in the area you can e-mail me on d.lee [at] macreddingolfclub [dot] com and I'd be delighted to help you out. Best of luck with your trip, you've got a cracking set of course lined up.

Kevinmarkham

bailey99 wrote: »

based on the feedback here and checking out reviews etc also picked Woodenbridge.

Our last day is between Mount Wolseley and Macreddin.

Macreddin would get my vote - and there's a good place for food in the Brooklodge complex.

As for Woodenbridge, I heard over the weekend that the food is poor at the moment... but that could be a case of one bad day.

Tom Fiat

With respect, one is not going there for the tucker?

bailey99

david, thanks for the info. The only course we've played is Mount Wolseley, but we all really enjoyed that track.

Although, a chance to play Macreddin might be too much to turn down.

Accomodation sorted already. Travelling with a group of 3 is a bit of a pain but that's all we could muster up this time round.

keanecm

If your in Wicklow you should be playing teh European Club - absolutely magnificent links course. It would be very pricy compared to the other course mentioned though.

bailey99

played the european club earlier this year. Unreal course. I love links courses and I would put the European club right up there.

Fantastic, but at 180euro a round, I would never pay anything like that.

bailey99

I could go up this area for a month to play all the courses I want. We've sorted the house in Carlow anyway and got a fourth golfer.

We are now going for a week, 8 days, I'm hoping for 8 rounds of golf but probably gonna be seven!

Playing the following:

Sunday: Tulfarris
Monday: The Heritage
Tuesday: The European Club
Wednesday: BLANK
Thursday: Druids Heath
Friday: Macreddin
Saturday: Rathsallagh
Sunday: Mount Wolseley

Bunclody is a possibility on the Wednesday if we want to play again.

I dropped Woodenbridge and Carlow. I don't know why, I've played The Heritage, European Club and Wolseley before but the others havent. Only one I'm having trouble booking is Rathsallagh.

A quick request, have people on here played Tulfarris and/or Rathsallagh recently. I've heard from different people that they are in receivership or smthg like that and I don't want to turn up and the greens be in poor condition and place not being maintained. If this was the case, I'd go elsewhere.

Thanks for all the feedback lads!

Dr_Colossus

bailey99 wrote: »

A quick request, have people on here played Tulfarris and/or Rathsallagh recently. I've heard from different people that they are in receivership or smthg like that and I don't want to turn up and the greens be in poor condition and place not being maintained. If this was the case, I'd go elsewhere.

Thanks for all the feedback lads!

I'm a member of Tulfarris and although in receivership the course is doing well and being maintained. It's over a week since I played but the course is in good condition and the only complaint I'd have is with the bunkers as the sand is quite hard, damp and inconsistent. I've experienced the same in other clubs so probably more a result of the crappy weather and general lack of raking.

That's a great looking list of clubs you're playing, what kind of price did you get the European Club for?

bailey99

Thanks Doctor! I'm more worried about the condition of the greens etc. I have a long list of other courses that I wanted to play and would substitute in if Tulfarris and/or Rathsallagh werent in top condition.

Anyone have experience in Arklow? Looks like a gorgeous little links course. Only for a game on the Wednesday maybe, if we havent our fill of links from the European Club!!!

The European Club have open singles on the Tuesday and Thursday that week so its €60.

david

Arklow is a beautiful little links. However, they had a problem with their irrigation earlier in the year during which they nearly lost most of their greens. I hear they're coming back well now perhaps a member could comment?

PhilipMarlowe

I have played Arklow a couple of times (though not since all the changed greens) and it's a course I enjoy. It is more links-like going out the first few holes but I wouldn't call it a "links" because it loses some of that feel as it moves in from the coast.
However, as I said, I still really like the course.

You could also consider Courtown which is another course I like a lot.

8 days a week at those courses sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy!

bailey99

Heading off this Sunday on the trip anyway. Just wanted to get any updates if possible from people/members who've played any of the courses in the last week or two please.

Itinerary is as follows:
Sunday @ Moyvalley
Monday@ The Heritage
Tuesday @ Rathsallagh
Wednesday BLANK (Maybe Dunmurry Springs)
Thursday @ Esker Hills
Friday @ Macreddin
Saturday @ Tulfarris
Sunday @ Mount Wolseley

Can anyone whose played any of these courses recently, tell me if the greens were in good condition etc? I've turned up at a few courses recently and been disappointed with the condition of the greens. Really takes from the enjoyment of playing a new course when the greens are really pure and not well maintained.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Tones69

bailey99 wrote: »

Heading off this Sunday on the trip anyway. Just wanted to get any updates if possible from people/members who've played any of the courses in the last week or two please.

Itinerary is as follows:
Sunday @ Moyvalley
Monday@ The Heritage
Tuesday @ Rathsallagh
Wednesday BLANK (Maybe Dunmurry Springs)
Thursday @ Esker Hills
Friday @ Macreddin
Saturday @ Tulfarris
Sunday @ Mount Wolseley

Can anyone whose played any of these courses recently, tell me if the greens were in good condition etc? I've turned up at a few courses recently and been disappointed with the condition of the greens. Really takes from the enjoyment of playing a new course when the greens are really pure and not well maintained.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Ive played rathsallagh a few weeks ago and was very good, greens were nice too, why did u drop carlow? I think ud like it , very well maintained, a good challenge and very fast greens

EDIT: Just seen your wed spot, i played dunmurry springs a month back too, nice course but i wasnt impressed with the greens at all, if it was a pick between that and CW, i know what id be going for

scubapro

Hi, a friend and i played moyvalley twice last week, the course was in decent nick including the greens. Found the greens tricky and difficult to read with some big breaks. The course is a bit unusual as it is built links style, with not a tree in sight(well there is 1 tree on the 10th and 1 tree on the 11th i think) and just long wispy grass either side of the fairway, there was a gale blowing due to no shelter made the course challenging but was enjoyable. Sounds like an awesome trip.

bailey99

Tones69 wrote: »

Ive played rathsallagh a few weeks ago and was very good, greens were nice too, why did u drop carlow? I think ud like it , very well maintained, a good challenge and very fast greens

EDIT: Just seen your wed spot, i played dunmurry springs a month back too, nice course but i wasnt impressed with the greens at all, if it was a pick between that and CW, i know what id be going for

To be honest I dunno why I dropped carlow. I rang them up and they were charging a fairly high price to be honest. The dearest round of golf is The Heritage @ 30euro each on the Monday. There was an open singles on Thursday in Carlow with a main course dinner afterwards for 33euro each. But one of the lads really wanted to play Esker Hills. I've played Esker Hills once before too and its a cracking track to be honest.

Wednesday is blank in case we are tired or if the weather is bad and we have to substitute another course in.

If we get good dry weather, I'll give Carlow a buzz to see if they can give us a last minute rate on the Wednesday.

Thanks for the info about Moyvalley and Rathsallagh lads. Much appreciated. Nothing worse than arriving at a course and the place not meeting your expectations or being in nice condition.

Hopefully, I'll get some more feedback on the other courses as well. Will post back after the trip how the courses fared.

Tones69

bailey99 wrote: »

To be honest I dunno why I dropped carlow. I rang them up and they were charging a fairly high price to be honest. The dearest round of golf is The Heritage @ 30euro each on the Monday. There was an open singles on Thursday in Carlow with a main course dinner afterwards for 33euro each. But one of the lads really wanted to play Esker Hills. I've played Esker Hills once before too and its a cracking track to be honest.

Wednesday is blank in case we are tired or if the weather is bad and we have to substitute another course in.

If we get good dry weather, I'll give Carlow a buzz to see if they can give us a last minute rate on the Wednesday.

Thanks for the info about Moyvalley and Rathsallagh lads. Much appreciated. Nothing worse than arriving at a course and the place not meeting your expectations or being in nice condition.

Hopefully, I'll get some more feedback on the other courses as well. Will post back after the trip how the courses fared.

Hmm How many of you is there? Id go and play with you if ya needed, ud get in for 25 quid with me, its a pricey place to pay withuot a member alright dude yeah, ud like it though, let me know anyway k

david

Ninth green in Macreddin was rolling at 9.5ft today. Great condition at present you'll enjoy the course.

bailey99

david wrote: »

Ninth green in Macreddin was rolling at 9.5ft today. Great condition at present you'll enjoy the course.

I saw that on Facebook alright. Really looking forward to Macreddin.

bailey99

Tones69 wrote: »

Hmm How many of you is there? Id go and play with you if ya needed, ud get in for 25 quid with me, its a pricey place to pay withuot a member alright dude yeah, ud like it though, let me know anyway k

There's four of us going so getting a members guests rate isn't really an option i'm afraid. Thanks a million for the offer Tones69, much appreciated.

bailey99

Decided to ring round all of the golf clubs and ask about the condition and greens and when hollow tining/forkpitching is being carried out.

The Heritage had their green hollow tined on Monday so we need to drop this from the itinerary, which is a shame. Giving the greens only a week to recover isn't sufficient in my opinion. Last time I played there was May and the greens were sandy enough then so we'll leave it off til end of september on a day trip maybe.

As a result of dropping Heritage, I've decided to go back and book Druids Heath and make up my own mind about the place!!!!

All the other courses are in fine fettle by all accounts.

New itinerary as follows:
Sunday - Moyvalley
Monday - Rathsallagh
Tuesday - Tulfarris
Wednesday - Rest day or else Dunmurry Springs
Thursday - Esker Hills
Friday - Macreddin
Saturday - Druids Heath
Sunday - Mount Wolseley

The golf is costing us.......wait for it..........€133.50 a man for seven rounds of golf! Magic!!!!

L.O.F.T

bailey99 wrote: »

Wednesday - Rest day or else Dunmurry Springs

That's my home course bailey and whilst you'll appreciate that ill be biased if you play Wednesday you will be playing just after our Captains prize this weekend 27th -28th and the course is in great nick with real fast greens. If you could swap the Wednesday for Thursday there is an open stableford on for €20 with soup and a sandwich included in the €20.00 fee.

bailey99

L.O.F.T wrote: »

That's my home course bailey and whilst you'll appreciate that ill be biased if you play Wednesday you will be playing just after our Captains prize this weekend 27th -28th and the course is in great nick with real fast greens. If you could swap the Wednesday for Thursday there is an open stableford on for €20 with soup and a sandwich included in the €20.00 fee.

Cheers Lofty! I'd be up for playing as I've gotten buggies sorted for Esker Hills and Macreddin. We're playing the open singles in Esker Hills on the Thursday already.

I played Dunmurry about 3 years ago i suppose. Decent track. Pity the best hole is the 3rd! So early in the round.

johnnyfardel

Bunclody is well worth a visit with a fantastic stretch of holes on the back nine along the banks of the river slaney.

bailey99

johnnyfardel wrote: »

Bunclody is well worth a visit with a fantastic stretch of holes on the back nine along the banks of the river slaney.

Good track alright. Think the last 5 holes are stunning alright. The par four with the tree is the middle is class. Last hole is easy enuf in fairness. Nice touch with the lift i suppose tho!