Slade Valley

Brodick

Hi, I'm looking for a 5 Day membership in or around South Dublin/Wicklow. I retired last year but can't play at the weekend for family reasons. A 5 day membership would suit me fine as long as there is an active 5 day membership, competitions etc.

The cheapest offer I've seen is Slade Valley at €500 for 2012 and no entry fee. I don't know much about the club and would welcome comments on Slade Valley or other options within striking distance from Sandyford.

I don't want to cross the Westlink because it would add €6 pergame x 2 times per week x 50 weeks = a lot of euro.

alxmorgan

For what its worth Kevin Markham in his fine book "Hooked" (plug, plug) says of it:

"You will love it or hate it. Personally, I thought it was fun"

He mentioned serious hiking so a motorised cart probably essential
Best of luck finding a place

Russman

You should go up and play it, they'll let you out for nothing if you say you're considering joining. Make sure you play the new holes on the back nine, they're usually not used for competitions in the winter as a composite 14 or 12 hole route is used, but are still completely playable.

The 5 day section was fairly quiet in recent times, but I believe they've taken in around 20 in the last few weeks.

Its not THAT hilly, there's a few drags but not as bad as you'll hear

JD Dublin

From what I remember there are lots of dog legs, the 4th hole has a bit of a carry - I ended up in the ditch twice. The 5th is a tight enough par 3, and the fairway is wide giving a false impression of loads of space. I gave it too much club and totally overshot it.

brick tamland

Ive had a look at this place as theres a good deal on at the moment and I've an odd complaint. Too many par 4s. 14 overall including 8 on the back 9. That just puts me off.

Russman

The par 4s are mostly all very different to each other though in fairness

brick tamland

Russman wrote: »

The par 4s are mostly all very different to each other though in fairness

Yeah I know but its just me being odd I reckon. It just puts me off

sodbuster77

Do they still make you drop your ball from the fairway into the rough in winter up there?

link_2007

sodbuster77 wrote: »

Do they still make you drop your ball from the fairway into the rough in winter up there?

Why do they/did they make you do that?

Russman

No, even worse , from Dec-Feb last year you had to use a tee peg on the fairway. Dunno what the plan is this year, at the moment its placing on fairway, lift clean and drop in the rough.

The dropping in the rough (which was done for 2 or 3 winters) was to save the fairways from being chopped up, and to be fair, you genuinely could see a big improvement each spring/summer.

Its at the behest of some consultant agronomist (or gardener or something ) that they use.