Good course for a beginner (Dublin)

_fishbone_

I've taken 4 lessons in the past 2 weeks and I am looking to get out tomorrow for my first round. Would like a recommendation on a good course for a beginner or if someone knows of a good par 3 course around Dublin?

All advice appreciated.

deko43

Try Deer Park in Howth. Its fairly wide open and you have a choice
of 9 hole, 18 hole, 12 hole par 3 and pitch and putt...
Its where many a love , hate story with golf began !!!

Kid Charlemagne

Ballyheary in Swords is a good spot.
About 10 squids a round.

Bring a few spare balls though as youll be playing alongside ditches on some holes.

SM746

deko43 wrote: »

Try Deer Park in Howth. Its fairly wide open and you have a choice
of 9 hole, 18 hole, 12 hole par 3 and pitch and putt...
Its where many a love , hate story with golf began !!!

Exactly you cant beat deer park. A great place to start as it will take a truly awful shot to lose a ball so it will keep it nice and cheap for you. Balheary is a nice par 3 and not too far from that is the Swords Open course which is nice and easy too.

And the final very easy one I can think of right now is Elm Green just of the M50. Whichever one of those is cheapest will prob be your best bet as they are much the same.

Not too sure bout easy courses down southside if thats where your based.

Bandana boy

Deer Park would be a lot longer than Elm Green
Both would be pretty forgiving left or right will usually give you a shot of an adjacent fairway.
Except the Poxy 15th at Deerpark (I think its the 15th )It is a par 3 with a small forest on the left were I managed to slice left twice of the tee this weekend.
Having played both in the last month I enjoyed Deerpark a lot more and price was within a euro per round for each.

irishmanmick

Another recommendation for Deer park. Like some posters said, nice and wide, course isn't too harsh on you. Plus if you are up there on a nice morning there really isn't many better views around!

sleepyholland

Not to hijack the thread, but just to expand it - can anyone recommend a couple of easier courses South of the city too?
I've played the Par 3 in Marley Park, Stepaside and Puck's castle but am looking to step up to full courses.

Of those 3 par 3s, I thought Puck's castle was the most enjoyable: great value €8 and a good variety of hole lengths.
And absolutley stunning views over Dublin

LostPassword

Another vote for Deer Park - it's not imo a good course in any sense except for the views. But the good (or bad as suits0 thing is that it is full of beginners and you won't feel like you stand out too badly.

Next choices would be Sillogue and Elm Green, they're straightforward courses that are very forgiving - they have more a 'golf club' atmosphere about them and fewer absolute beginners than Deer Park.

Due to demographics, etc, Southside courses tend to be posher and more clubby so there are fewer courses for beginners to play in (or at least to feel comfortable in - your beginner attempts being watched by disapproving members does not make for comfort). I'd say that Beech Park, South County and Grange Castle would be the best as they're all fairly open at least and have friendlier atmospheres than some older clubs.

There's always Leopardstown too - although it's just a big field really but I'm sure it's full of beginners too (never played there so can't really say for sure)

The Falcon

Grange Castle is a nice southside option - Reasonable rates too.

_fishbone_

Cheers - think I will Deer Park a go tomorrow so. Have actually been getting my lessons out in Elm Green. No harm to see somewhere new though.

I will update how I get on if I manage to get around.

PARlance

sleepyholland wrote: »

Not to hijack the thread, but just to expand it - can anyone recommend a couple of easier courses South of the city too?
I've played the Par 3 in Marley Park, Stepaside and Puck's castle but am looking to step up to full courses.

Of those 3 par 3s, I thought Puck's castle was the most enjoyable: great value €8 and a good variety of hole lengths.

Southside Courses ideal for newbies

Leopardstown; Flat, plenty of fairway, not too much trouble along the way. Rough fairly easy to play out of bar a few holes.

Stepside Public Course; 9 hole, Again plenty of fairway to hit, more of a golf course than Leopardstown and you wont find too much trouble along the way too.

I'd go for Stepaside every day but you'll prob get a bit more confidence after playing Leopardstown.

Wouldn't go near that Par 3 in Marlay Park, think we got charged €18 when playing it (Over a year ago so they may have got some sense...I have since then) Greens are something else too Pretty sure the ball picks up speed going uphill on that astroturf surface... I actually played well on the course but won't dream of a return trip.

whizbang

Old Bray is pay and play, Dublin Mountain also easy to get out, think its €10 now.
Also par 3s at lucan, newcastle, and dont miss out Glen Mill!
enjoy and good luck.

PARlance

whizbang wrote: »

Old Bray is pay and play, Dublin Mountain also easy to get out, think its €10 now.
Also par 3s at lucan, newcastle, and dont miss out Glen Mill!
enjoy and good luck.

Whizbang, you play Dublin Mt much? Went out there once and while it was very cheap I lost a few balls......on the fairway!!! I was only there once and I kid not, had to look for a lot of balls that hit the fairway, just wondering if this was a once off. Would consider a trip up again for a change some eve

whizbang

havent been there in over a year. spoke to a member recently, touting for business.
I know its rough, but theres something about the place... always seem welcoming, and make an effort to get anybody out

thegen

Glencullen GC beside Johnnie Foxes is worth a trip.

_fishbone_

Cheers for all the recommendations. Played Deer Park today.
26 points 10/16 playing off 28.

Tones69

_fishbone_ wrote: »

Cheers for all the recommendations. Played Deer Park today.
26 points 10/16 playing off 28.

Playing off 28 what do you get in stableford, 2 shots on holes index 1-10 and 1 shot from 11-18? Thats deadly

_fishbone_

Tones69 wrote: »

Playing off 28 what do you get in stableford, 2 shots on holes index 1-10 and 1 shot from 11-18? Thats deadly

Yeah seems to be 2 shots on 1-10 and 1 shot 11-18 - I had a 9 and 2 8's on the front 9, managed to not shoot more than a 7 the back 9. had 5 3 putts (4 on front 9) have to cut them down.

lawred2

deko43 wrote: »

Try Deer Park in Howth. Its fairly wide open and you have a choice
of 9 hole, 18 hole, 12 hole par 3 and pitch and putt...
Its where many a love , hate story with golf began !!!

that's not the same as Howth golf club right?

dar_cool

lawred2 wrote: »

that's not the same as Howth golf club right?

No 2 different clubs,

John Divney

No Howth starts from the other side of the mountain and is a much better track.

GreeBo

LostPassword wrote: »

Due to demographics, etc, Southside courses tend to be posher and more clubby so there are fewer courses for beginners to play in (or at least to feel comfortable in - your beginner attempts being watched by disapproving members does not make for comfort). I'd say that Beech Park, South County and Grange Castle would be the best as they're all fairly open at least and have friendlier atmospheres than some older clubs.

There's always Leopardstown too - although it's just a big field really but I'm
sure it's full of beginners too (never played there so can't really say for sure)

Lol.
Yes, forsooth, us SouthSiders are born with a Silver Vokey in our mouths and never hacked it around. :rolleyes:

Lisheen and BeechPark would not be suitable for a beginner imo.

Leopardstown would be much more appropriate.

PARlance

GreeBo wrote: »

Lol.
Yes, forsooth, us SouthSiders are born with a Silver Vokey in our mouths and never hacked it around. :rolleyes:

Lisheen and BeechPark would not be suitable for a beginner imo.

Leopardstown would be much more appropriate.

He might have changed his mind 3 years on after posting that comment

rrpc

GreeBo wrote: »

Lol.
Yes, forsooth, us SouthSiders are born with a Silver Vokey in our mouths and never hacked it around. :rolleyes:

Lisheen and BeechPark would not be suitable for a beginner imo.

Leopardstown would be much more appropriate.

Yeah, Leopardstown is not bad, the fairways are well groomed and the greens are a good size. Generally the holes are pretty short, but there's a good sized par 5 on it and a few tricky par 3s. Mostly though it's good value at €15 and could be played in the evening after work quite easily if you're nearby.

GreeBo

PARlance wrote: »

He might have changed his mind 3 years on after posting that comment

I was typing very quickly...got up to 88 mph in fact

lawred2

I'm not a beginner but I need a not so expensive nearby course where I can get out and practice without much hassle..

Deer Park is 10 mins from me.. It seems to fit the bill however I've never played it. Membership seems great value as it includes GUI membership and all Sunday and midweek comps..

Obv I'll get out for a round and check it out first but has anyone any particular experiences that would suggest that membership may not be such a good idea? Some pay as you play courses are known for their hackers who struggle with the old on course etiquette..

mister gullible

Leopardstown nice and handy for a novice plus you could hit a small basket of balls on the range before going out.
Glen Mill is a very good challenging par 3.