Woodstock Ennis

barryxc

thinking of going to Ennis on a weekend away and playing golf in Woodstock. How would you rate it

link_2007

Not sure what it's like as a course but as a festival, it's unrivaled. :cool:

Myksyk

My home course. Nice course. Wet at the moment but playable. Winter mats. 14 holes open.

superneat

I think it's a lovely course, but i am biased because i always score well there!
It's great if all holes are in play as the 7th, long par 5, can be shortened to a par 3 if there has been a lot of rain! It can be very soft at times, there must be no drainage at all.

Couple of really stand out holes, first is very tight, watch out for the hotel and holiday homes at either side, hope you're shooting straight!
So-so for the next five, nice sloping downhill par 3 6th, hybrids are handy in calm weather.

7th is my standout, very nice playing alongside water hazard, 8th par 3 same, keep straight or right away from water.

BIG trek up the hill to the 9th! Take a minute to relax after it!
10th is nice, blind second shot a long ways down, providing you hit a nice drive obviously!

Overall.. enjoyable, i've played a lot worse and the price is very good i think, for what you get, just hope it's in good condition for you!
:cool:

tamloc

Dromoland is way ahead of Woodstock IMO. 18 holes in play.

dines08

There are 2-3 far superior courses within 10 minutes drive of Woodstock. It's not a bad course but it is very wet for 5-6 months a year

opinionated3

Shannon and dromoland are only down the road from woodstock and are definitely in better nick at the mo...Shannon has only one temporary green and I think dromoland is completely open. dromoland is not cheap though....

Myksyk

dines08 wrote: »

There are 2-3 far superior courses within 10 minutes drive of Woodstock. It's not a bad course but it is very wet for 5-6 months a year

There is one (imo inferior) course within 10 minutes of Woodstock (Ennis). Dromoland is a 20 min drive and is a better course. Shannon is half an hour and is a lovely course. Woodstock is wet when it's been lashing rain for days on end. It's not very wet for half the year, in fairness!

Kevinmarkham

opinionated3 wrote: »

Shannon and dromoland are only down the road from woodstock and are definitely in better nick at the mo...Shannon has only one temporary green and I think dromoland is completely open. dromoland is not cheap though....

Dromoland is €60 according to the website, which is steep - all things considered. I imagine they'd negotiate. Photos of the course

Shannon is quoting €55, with an early bird before 9am of €25 - again, a phone call will probably sort you out, and it doesn't specify any winter rates. Photos of the course.

Woodstock is a decent track alright (and cheap green fee) but if people are saying it's wet then I'd look elsewhere. Who wants a muddy round with temporary greens, plugged balls and closed holes. Give them a call and see what they say. Photos of the course

dines08

Myksyk wrote: »

There is one (inferior) course within 10 minutes of Woodstock (Ennis). Dromoland is a 20 min drive and is a better course. Shannon is half an hour and is a lovely course. Woodstock is wet when it's been lashing rain for days on end. It's not very wet for half the year, in fairness!

Fair point but the point I'm making is that it's worth the extra little bit of travelling. Correction in terms of the saying it's wet 5-6 months a year. Not the whole course but the bottom 3 holes, the best and most challenging holes on the course. They are wet for that long, last time i was there the par 5 fairway was a lake

Running Balance

Woodstock is a decent track alright (and cheap green fee) but if people are saying it's wet then I'd look elsewhere. Who wants a muddy round with temporary greens, plugged balls and closed holes. Give them a call and see what they say. Photos of the course [/QUOTE]

How much is there green fee at the moment??, have tried their website but can't find it anywhere and just seems cluttered with pointless info like a time zone clock.
Thanks

Myksyk

Running Balance wrote:

How much is there green fee at the moment??, have tried their website but can't find it anywhere and just seems cluttered with pointless info like a time zone clock.
Thanks

Yeah, our website isn't great at all. Green fees normally €20 mid-week,
€25 weekends. €15 at the moment as only 14 holes open but we just play the first four again.

Running Balance

Myksyk wrote: »

Yeah, our website isn't great at all. Green fees normally €20 mid-week,
€25 weekends. €15 at the moment as only 14 holes open but we just play the first four again.

Cheers for that mysky. do saturdays be mad busy, was hoping to get out for a few holes saturday while in ennis?

Myksyk

No. Saturday's are fine. Sunday's tend to be busy. Ring ahead and book a time maybe. You'll be talking to Avril or Anne-Marie. By the way, there are no temp greens.

BenEadir

Don't shoot me if this is a real dopey question but is the "Woodstock Golf Hotel and Spa" (http://www.woodstockennis.com) located on the same or adjacent ground to Woodstock golf course? http://www.woodstockgolfclub.com

The hotel website has a bit of info hidden behind the "To Do" tab starts off "Woodstock Golf Course, over which the 4-star Woodstook Hotel looks" but it doesn't give much info about the course, green fee's or even a link to the golf course website :eek: I'm also reluctant to believe a word the hotel website says given the comments above about holes being flooded for long spells each year. The hotel website states " the course was built on free-draining soil, which allows the course to be played throughout the year"

I'm going to be staying in the Woodstock hotel for a weekend soon and would like to get out for 18 holes while I'm there so hopefully the Woodstock golf course referred to here is the same one the hotel "overlooks".

Did the people who built the hotel website forget to replace the home made Golf course website I wonder????

Ben

cackhanded

BenThere wrote: »

Don't shoot me if this is a real dopey question but is the "Woodstock Golf Hotel and Spa" (http://www.woodstockennis.com) located on the same or adjacent ground to Woodstock golf course? http://www.woodstockgolfclub.com

The hotel website has a bit of info hidden behind the "To Do" tab starts off "Woodstock Golf Course, over which the 4-star Woodstook Hotel looks" but it doesn't give much info about the course, green fee's or even a link to the golf course website :eek: I'm also reluctant to believe a word the hotel website says given the comments above about holes being flooded for long spells each year. The hotel website states " the course was built on free-draining soil, which allows the course to be played throughout the year"

I'm going to be staying in the Woodstock hotel for a weekend soon and would like to get out for 18 holes while I'm there so hopefully the Woodstock golf course referred to here is the same one the hotel "overlooks".

Did the people who built the hotel website forget to replace the home made Golf course website I wonder????

Ben

It's the same place alright, the hotel overlooks the golf course. I agree on the website, it's a bit of a mess, green fees usually around €20-€25 in winter iirc. Some parts of the course get very boggy in winter (even with the "free draining soil":p), the 7th is usually reduced to a par 3 and the 12th to a par 4.

Myksyk

The Hotel and the golf club are owned by different people. THey have business arrangements obviously but they are separate entities.

Course is in good nick now. Winter mats in play til probably end of March. All greens opened as usual. Winter course (shortened to 69 par). Two holes always shortened in winter (7th and 12th).

golfwallah

Stayed in the hotel last year. They were offering a good deal - very enjoyable, good food and good value for money.

Didn't play golf though - get enough of that in Dublin.

Myksyk

golfwallah wrote: »

Didn't play golf though - get enough of that in Dublin.

Hush yoh mouth child!!!! :eek:

Sup_Ben?

cackhanded wrote: »

It's the same place alright, the hotel overlooks the golf course. I agree on the website, it's a bit of a mess, green fees usually around €20-€25 in winter iirc. Some parts of the course get very boggy in winter (even with the "free draining soil":p), the 7th is usually reduced to a par 3 and the 12th to a par 4.

Thanks HurleyGripper!!

I'd say investing a couple of grand in a website which is of a similar standard and complimentary to the Hotel website with an online booking engine (see http://www.brsgolf.com) and you'd get your investment back via additional visitor green fees and society's etc (if you want them of course!) in no time.

I'm really looking forward to playing the course. Thanks for the local info.

Ben

BenEadir

Lads,

Any update on the condition of the course? I'm hoping to play this weekend.

Are all holes fully open? No winter mats or winter greens? Is the 7th playing as a par 5 or shortened par 3?

Ben

Jasonw

They hollow tined and sanded the green there last week and we haven't had a lot of rain to wash it in. I played the back nine last week and they were still off the winter mats. The course was fairly dry though.

Myksyk

Yes greens have been hollow tined but have had some rain last day or two. Back off green tees. Course at full length. First counting open comp tomorrow.

BenEadir

Myksyk wrote: »

Yes greens have been hollow tined but have had some rain last day or two. Back off green tees. Course at full length. First counting open comp tomorrow.

That's great to hear. Looking forward to playing it.

Ben

MyKeyG

BenThere wrote: »

That's great to hear. Looking forward to playing it.

Ben

Can you post back and tell us how you found it? Usually play a couple of times a month but the sand was a killer last Sunday and we left a lot of strokes on the greens. Not too crazy about playing it in that condition again.

Not as bad as Ennis GC though to be fair. They didn't bore at all some lad just went round spraying sand. Left lumps of it all over the greens.

BenEadir

Just back. Good weekend all round. The hotel itself is over rated at 4 stars but that's mostly due to the quality of rooms, they are pretty tired looking bordering on shabby (basic lack of maintenance) but the staff were great and there is a nice family centric vibe about the place. Good for families with kids, not so good if you are a couple.

The pool etc is fine as is the breakfast itself but you can tell they are trying to keep things going on a tight budget and maintenance and repairs are low down the agenda e.g. wonky chairs, worn carpets, missing fittings, flaking paint etc

The bar is good when there is a crowd (full occupancy over the weekend with Easter and the Munster match) and the Indian food on the bar menu is truly great, on a par with some of the best Indian restaurants I've eaten in. A real Indian chef which is a bonus!!

So the golf course. Played it twice. Once Friday evening when it was bright and good conditions and again yesterday afternoon when it was overcast and pissing rain. My opinion is that its an average course with a couple of nice holes (Max 4) and some very easy/short par fives. The bunkers weren't great and right now the greens are hollow tinned and covered in sand so that was disappointing. I'm sure in a few weeks when the greens are back up to scratch it will be a more enjoyable experience but for me I'd give it a 5 or Max 5.5 out of 10. Still enjoyable (when is golf not enjoyable??) and for €20 its not bad value for money at all. I just wish it was a bit more challenging/interesting and the greens were in good shape.

Hope I haven't offended anyone!!

Btw, all tee boxes and greens were in play.

Ben

MyKeyG

Well if you gave Woodstock 5.5 then don't play Ennis:D. I see where you're coming from though. I love Woodstock. I'm only playing 6 months but Woodstock is where I play. I love the views, the serenity but I can see how it could be handy enough to a decent player. Spot on about the par fives. I reckon the tenth could be had in two. I still love it though.

BenEadir

MrKeyG,

I'm glad you didn't take offence

I'm sure with the greens in good shape and the sun on my back I would score it a bit higher. If you're looking for a sociable course for you and your mates to get around without too much drama or lost balls then Woodstock will fit the bill no problem.

If however you're looking for a pure golf challenge then I'd say you'll be underwhelmed.

I'd certainly be happy to go back for a lads weekend. Something along the lines of play Friday afternoon, followed by a great curry in Spikes bar and pints in Ennis. Sharing rooms with lads means tired looking carpets and fittings won't be a problem so a solid breakfast Saturday morning followed by a swim and a sauna before hitting the course again and repeat and rinse the curry -> pints -> breakfast -> swim/sauna then a final round of golf Sunday lunchtime before heading for home.

Nice people, well run, very forgiving and excellent value for money. Nothing wrong with that.

Ben

bailey99

Any update from visitors or members who played the course recently. Was thinking of playing here soon on the Clare Golf Challenge but would prefer to wait until the greens are over the hollow tining. Thanks in advance!

Jasonw

They're still a bit bumpy and slow. 6,7and 8 are lovely holes. I love the fact that it's built well away from any main roads so there is zero traffic noise which I hate when playing golf.

Agree whole heartedly about the quality of the Indian there. I stay at the hotel quite a bit and I find it very good. Friendly staff (except for Christy behind the bar who is a bit of a good-natured grump )