Club to join?

Bruno26

Hi, I live in stepaside. I'm looking to join a club for the first time within a 15-20 mile radius. Would anyone be able to put up a few recommendations please, preferably under €1000.

n2o

Glencullen is just up the road from you.

http://www.glencullengolfclub.com/

Tones69

Leopardstown!? Very close isnt it?

pauleggs

Tones69 wrote: »

Leopardstown!? Very close isnt it?

It that not just a field where the hens play:)

Bruno26

pauleggs wrote: »

It that not just a field where the hens play:)

Yes!

Is your man taking the mick or genuine?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

BUACHAILL

Dare I say without insulting anyone most membership in south dublin under 1k wouldn't be great tracks.

The ones that come to mind are:

Djouce in roundwood (9 hole)
Leopardstown
Dublin mountain
Glencullen
Ballinastoe
Blessington Lakes ( 35 mins away)
Citywest
Grange Castle
Elmgreen



€1000 - €2000

Druids Heath
Wicklow
Charlesland
South County ( 30 mins away )
St. Margarets
Turvey


Of the course under 1k for me it would be Djouce or Glencullen for handyness.

If you can stretch at all over 1k go for Druids Heath or Wicklow

Bruno26

Thanks BUACHAILL

Will investigate some of those

BUACHAILL

No probs if you need some extra info - help pm me. I know quite a few of these clubs well grew up in the area

BUACHAILL

Actually Bruno sorry forgot about one , and prob the best of the lot.

Old Conna doing an annual sub no joining fee for the same price as Druids Heath and Wicklow.

€1500 per annum and on your door step. Best value of the lot in my eyes although the Heath would be a much tougher test week in week out.

Bruno26

Played Old Conna once - loved it.

I didn't know entrance fee is gone there- thanks for that.

BUACHAILL

Bruno26 wrote: »

Played Old Conna once - loved it.

I didn't know entrance fee is gone there- thanks for that.

They have introduced a few options

Join as a full member for €4900 and its €1100 a year sub
Join as a temp full for €1500 a year
And a 5 day for €800 I think.

Dont dwell on it if its in your plans I know they had a lot of people taking it up. This club was 15k joining up until this year, not suggesting it was value but it is well sought after.

Bruno26

Super- thanks Buachaill.

That is good value for a great course-and only a few miles from me.

BUACHAILL

The best of the local bunch I would think.
Looking at joining myself this year

Dtoffee

Given you live in Stepaside, I surprised no one has mentioned Stackstown. They still have hello money but the anual sub reduces as the year goes on.

I think the cheapest is Dublin Mountain at around 400e ..... near Blessington so about 30 mins away.

BUACHAILL

Dtoffee wrote: »

Given you live in Stepaside, I surprised no one has mentioned Stackstown. They still have hello money but the anual sub reduces as the year goes on.

I think the cheapest is Dublin Mountain at around 400e ..... near Blessington so about 30 mins away.

Think the hello money has changed, could be wrong ?
I thought I heard it was 1200 a year, only remember it now as your mentioning it

Bruno26

Yes have looked into Stackstown but have never played it.

People at work just keep saying "very hilly" but that wouldn't put me off!

Stackstown or Old Conna would be handiest.

Plus the ones towards Enniskerry - Powerscourt or Dun Laoghaire if I win the lotto soon!

BUACHAILL

yeah better get saving

Dun Laoghaire - no hello money €2200 + 550 bar levy per annum
or Join on €16000k and 1700 per annum sub

Powerscourt very similar

Different league of golf course though.

Bruno26

Drove out to Powerscourt last Sunday for a spin- unreal spot- like a BMW & Merc showroom.

Some day!

BUACHAILL

Bruno26 wrote: »

Drove out to Powerscourt last Sunday for a spin- unreal spot- like a BMW & Merc showroom.

Some day!

Members of Dun Laoghaire cannot afford bmw or merc the sub is so high

Between the two for me it would be dun Laoghaire, less mature track but has everything. Powerscourt is great also but lacks something for me.

Bruno26

Tis mad- you would have to think that clubs are going to have better offers available as time goes on to survive.

BUACHAILL

Bruno26 wrote: »

Tis mad- you would have to think that clubs are going to have better offers available as time goes on to survive.

Yes in principal but the good clubs only have a certain time frame of opportunity in my eyes then close shop again, its like a poker game.

If you like a club and you can afford the fee ...you should join. As soon as things pick up it will go up again, cant go lower on an upturn IMO

Bruno26

Yes- if you can afford it go for it- if you keep waiting for better deals you will never join- must tell the other half tomorrow ! Only took up golf a year ago - but absolutely love it

Thanks again Buachaill for the info

Redzah

Bruno26 wrote: »

Yes- if you can afford it go for it- if you keep waiting for better deals you will never join- must tell the other half tomorrow ! Only took up golf a year ago - but absolutely love it

Thanks again Buachaill for the info

Bruno, would you consider Druids Heath, which is close to the area you are looking? Sub of 1,500 per year and no hello money. I joined this year and i'm delighted with my decision. There's a great bunch of lads there, competitions at weekends and midweek and the course is always in great nick and very enjoyable. PM me if you have any interest as there's a referral bonus for me if you join which we could split 50:50 and reduce your sub to 1,350 for year 1.

Bruno26

Hi redzah,

I've never played it but it is one to consider - heard good things about it. It's about 20 minutes from me.

Redzah

Bruno26 wrote: »

Hi redzah,

I've never played it but it is one to consider - heard good things about it. It's about 20 minutes from me.

Fair enough, you can join whenver by the way and your sub will run a year from your join date, as opposed to a pro-rata.

newport2

Bruno26 wrote: »

Hi redzah,

I've never played it but it is one to consider - heard good things about it. It's about 20 minutes from me.

Tulfarris is a nice course that hasn't been mentioned, if it's close enough for you. It was full membership with no hello money for 1k (1.5k for a couple) last year. I expect it still is, if not cheaper now. Powerscourt aside, it's probably my favorite one of the ones mentioned here

Johnny_Fontane

newport2 wrote: »

Tulfarris is a nice course that hasn't been mentioned, if it's close enough for you. It was full membership with no hello money for 1k (1.5k for a couple) last year. I expect it still is, if not cheaper now. Powerscourt aside, it's probably my favorite one of the ones mentioned here

my two mates are gay, I wonder if they could get it at 1.5k for a couple....

Dr_Colossus

newport2 wrote: »

Tulfarris is a nice course that hasn't been mentioned, if it's close enough for you. It was full membership with no hello money for 1k (1.5k for a couple) last year. I expect it still is, if not cheaper now. Powerscourt aside, it's probably my favorite one of the ones mentioned here

Tulfarris would be a little over 40 mins away from Stepaside so may be too far for the op to travel? In saying that there are existing members in Tulfarris from Stepaside.
I'm a member there so can confirm the annual membership is still at 1k which also gives playing rights Mon to Fri in Faithlegg. There is no bar/restaurant levy but an additional €55 is payable to cover the GUI levy, golfsure insurance and club liability insurance. This year there's also an additional payment of €120 payable to the men's club to cover all competition entries bar the captain's and president's prize and charity scrambles/team events. In total so you'd be looking at €1,175 all inclusive.

Dtoffee

Dr Colossus thats a very good deal ...... interesting about Faithlegg, is there any connections? (ownership?). I think its great that these type of deals are emerging, as it encourages more of the same and offers something extra on top of your membership ..... Faithlegg is also a good track thats worth a visit.

I have heard great reports about Tulfarris, whats it like in the winter?

As regards the OP, check your travel costs on the basis of how much your intend playing ....... twice a week @ €10 petrol adds up.

heavyballs

Redzah wrote: »

Fair enough, you can join whenver by the way and your sub will run a year from your join date, as opposed to a pro-rata.

that sounds great Redzah,i live 2 mins from the course but just dusted the cobwebs off the clubs,havn't played much in the last year,i presume that referal scheme comes back to you when the full amount is paid,i also beleive you can go direct debit or you can pay cash in dribs and drabs,is that correct?

Redzah

heavyballs wrote: »

that sounds great Redzah,i live 2 mins from the course but just dusted the cobwebs off the clubs,havn't played much in the last year,i presume that referal scheme comes back to you when the full amount is paid,i also beleive you can go direct debit or you can pay cash in dribs and drabs,is that correct?

Yes heavyballs, thats correct. Direct debit scheme is €195 per month for 8 months which works out at €1,560 (€1500 + €60 finance charge). Once this is I paid will get €300 for referring you and will hand you back €150.

Alternatively, you could pay €1,500 straight up for which i will immediately get €300 and pay you €150 of it.

Its a decent deal alright so let me know before you contact them about joining to ensure we both get the €150 back.

Aside from the finances, its a lovely course which is always is great condition and the members are a great bunch of lads. PM me when you make the decision

Dr_Colossus

Dtoffee wrote: »

Dr Colossus thats a very good deal ...... interesting about Faithlegg, is there any connections? (ownership?). I think its great that these type of deals are emerging, as it encourages more of the same and offers something extra on top of your membership ..... Faithlegg is also a good track thats worth a visit.

I have heard great reports about Tulfarris, whats it like in the winter?

As regards the OP, check your travel costs on the basis of how much your intend playing ....... twice a week @ €10 petrol adds up.

No connections as far as I'm aware, Tulfarris is in Nama but haven't heard of any difficulty surrounding Faithlegg. I raised the possibility of having playing rights at other clubs at last year's AGM similar to the offer Dunmurray Springs have. The general manager present though it was a viable suggestion and said he'd look into other clubs with a similar member base so this year we now have an agreement in place with Faithlegg. Have yet to play it but heard it's a pleasant track alright.

I only joined Tulfarris in Jan 2011 so don't have extensive experience of their winter conditions. It was a concern I had before joining as I heard it used to get very wet and soggy in winter but new drainage was installed in spring 2010 which appears to have solved most of the issues.
The biggest gripe I'd have with the course and general maintenance is concerning the bunkers which are often concrete like during the winter. They're raked by tractor which doesn't seem to do anything but smooth them over where instead they're in need of deep raking and aerating to help dry and fluff the sand. Given the condition of the bunkers they often play rake and place in the bunkers during the winter months which is a workable solution.
The course in general though offers a good test of golf and the mix of longer holes coupled with strategic danger results in tough scoring conditions. It's a course I don't seem to tire of and offers good variability and scenery on each occasion.

championc

Dtoffee wrote: »

Given you live in Stepaside, I surprised no one has mentioned Stackstown. They still have hello money but the anual sub reduces as the year goes on.

You'd be over there in 10 minutes across the Blackglen Road. Front 9 not that bad hilly wise imo. Course in great nic too. I joined two years ago. Annual sub seems reasonable when compared to may others around so you'll get your moneys' worth.

link_2007

championc wrote: »

You'd be over there in 10 minutes across the Blackglen Road. Front 9 not that bad hilly wise imo. Course in great nic too. I joined two years ago. Annual sub seems reasonable when compared to may others around so you'll get your moneys' worth.

Is the hello money still there?

championc

link_2007 wrote: »

Is the hello money still there?

The suggestion from the website is that there is but I'm sure I heard someone up in the club mention recently that there wasn't. If there is, then, as the website confirms, it's reduced pro-rata as the season progresses so the total cost for year one is now less than €2k.

Bruno26

championc wrote: »

The suggestion from the website is that there is but I'm sure I heard someone up in the club mention recently that there wasn't. If there is, then, as the website confirms, it's reduced pro-rata as the season progresses so the total cost for year one is now less than €2k.

I sent an email to Stackstown and just got the same information as per website so hello money still there.

championc

An interesting thing, my sub was less this year than last so it's not a club who will just put up annual rates for the sake of it.

The greens staff do a huge amount of work themselves. They fitted some membrane to some bunkers in 2010 at a cost of only €100 and plenty of elbow grease per bunker whereas the annual report that year confirmed Newlands and Hermitage used a product called Sportscrete and cost around €200k !!!

newport2

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