Hats of to Ballinrobe GC

FANTAPANTS

Drove 2and half hours to paly golf her today have to say very impressed with the course after all the weather we have been getting. Greens are best ive seen anywhere, some mud balls of fairways but have to take my hat off to the green keepers and staff thumps up :D:D

mike12

Have played it a couple of times and it has always been in great condition and is a good test of golf. I have heard it described as the Druids Glen of the west not far off in my opinion and usually a really good rate.
Mike

FANTAPANTS

great value hope to get back in summer for a round and the horse racing :D:D

niall147

Ballinrobe possibly the best inland course in Connaught although I haven't played Castle Dargan so would be interested in any comments? However in Mayo its no 2 behind Carne which is a gem although if weather conditions are tough can be very painful(and I mean very)!
I agree with fanta- I have played Ballinrobe when most other courses would be closed. Great drainage and clearly must have a decent greenkeeper. My only complaint is the price. Apart from opens it can be 25-30 quid to play. I play a lot in Kildare and you can play a lot of tracks for less than 20 especially if you go out early. Think they could do with looking at that.
Niall

mike12

I think that price is fair for the quality of the course and due to the footfall they would have to keep the prices up. The last member i played with told me that the green keeper is an ex Druids Glen employee and u can see that thru the couse. It is way better then castle Dargan. Most of the course down there seem to have a standard 20/30 euros for green fees.
Mike

Dr_Colossus

Quality course and always love playing there. They run an open day every Fri for €20, or at least they used to, which is good value.
Open days offer the best value as you're generally paying a reduced fee for playing the course while still competing in a competition for a prize which adds to the concentration levels. As such green fees at €30 seem reasonable enough.

In terms of the best inland course in Connaught it's generally argued to be between Ballinrobe and Portumna. Have never played Castle Dargan so can't comment on that.

Pappa Charlie

Outside of the summer Castle dargen is a mud bath! nice course when its dry but I agree that Ballinrobe and Portumna are the best, love westport too!

niall147

Nice to get some info on Castle Dargan. I was under the impression it was pretty impressive but perhaps that's not theecase so.
I like Westport too but I can't understand how its ranked about 50 in Ireland. For starters Ballinrobe is far superior to it but I can think of a few courses in leinster that are a better test and aren't in the top 100. I agree the views are beautiful though so clearly that's a factor in the overall 'experience'.

golfnut1

Ballinrobe is a fine track and always in great condition. Loughrea's greens are consistently the best I have putted on. Really fast and pure even in winter.
Carne is my spiritual home place. No better course anywhere imo.
My home course is portumna so no point offering an opinion.