Top 100 Courses - Golf Digest Ireland Rankings

Kevinmarkham

It's that time of year...

I know someone commented that the Golf Promo Night should be tied in with the launch of the year's Top 100 courses, but things might get ugly if that was the case.

Royal County Down is number 1. Adare is the top parkland (number 10 overall).

Full rankings on my blog, here

thewobbler

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

It's that time of year...

I know someone commented that the Golf Promo Night should be tied in with the launch of the year's Top 100 courses, but things might get ugly if that was the case.

Royal County Down is number 1. Adare is the top parkland (number 10 overall).

Full rankings on my blog, here

It might be a bit odd, but I kind of like the way there's only a little change in this year's rankings.

Dramatic fluctuations should only really happen if the elite courses let their guard down, or if a mayor revamp/launch is unveiled. Which don't happen that often.

It makes it less newsworthy as a listing, and also harder for any courses to break into the list, but it makes for a better reference point imho.

charlieIRL

Great to see my club inside the top 100!

Am off to make a 2013 bucket list now.....

padzer

Makes for depressing reading, in my 7 years playing golf ive only played 12 of the 100, and only 1 of the top 40.

Do people generally travel to the other end of the country for a round? The furthest my mates would travel would be an hours drive from dublin id say.

mike12

Ballinrobe is one that i think should be higher than 80, one of the best parkland courses i have played and funny to see Concra falling rather than rising. Ardglass is another one i thought would be higher.
Only played 4 of the top 10 but 12 of the top 20. Have to head to the south west and north to improve that.
Mike

Loire

I don't get Waterville at #4. Sure there are some great holes, esp at the beginning and end with fantastic sea vews, but in the middle there are a good few, repetitive, "parkland" type holes.

blue note

I've played 2 extra this year, but new forest and castleknock have dropped off, so I'm still at the same level. It's strange to be honest, both very good courses. I play tullamore a bit as well and that's dropped right down. People tell me my divots are massive, but I didn't think they were that big a problem!

Incidentally, the 2 new ones I've played (grange and esker) I wouldnt rate as high as those that dropped out. In fact, my own course tramore which ranks at 47 I'd have at a similar standard to tullamore, new forest and castleknock.

Rikand

charlieIRL wrote: »

Great to see my club inside the top 100!

Am off to make a 2013 bucket list now.....

We're on the way up

link_2007

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

We're on the way up

Golf Digest must have heard about your recent appointment.

kevgaa

thewobbler wrote: »

It might be a bit odd, but I kind of like the way there's only a little change in this year's rankings.

Dramatic fluctuations should only really happen if the elite courses let their guard down, or if a mayor revamp/launch is unveiled. Which don't happen that often.

It makes it less newsworthy as a listing, and also harder for any courses to break into the list, but it makes for a better reference point imho.

While I agree with the process and ideal I think the main reason for very few fluctuations in the listing is because after reading the article the main review panel still control 70% of the vote and thus control the list. Until Golf Digest give the readers panel more control say 50%+ you wont see much change in the listing.

Granted in my own opinion this still wont affect the top courses that much as the Cream will always rise to the top but it could affect the order particularly between the top 3 or 4.

Any courses missing that you feel should be included? For me Castle Dargan in Sligo is on a par with a lot of courses on the list from 70+

link_2007

Have they stopped cutting the grass at Kilkenny?

PARlance

mike12 wrote: »

Ballinrobe is one that i think should be higher than 80, one of the best parkland courses i have played and funny to see Concra falling rather than rising. Ardglass is another one i thought would be higher.
Only played 4 of the top 10 but 12 of the top 20. Have to head to the south west and north to improve that.
Mike

You must be from Mayo too so Mike?

FixdePitchmark

Big year for me, went from 12 courses played last year, to 28 this year. Loved it.
It can be a costly affair - you can do it cheaper than I did, but still costly.


Kevin - have to hand it to you - your idea for your book was class.

Kevinmarkham

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Big year for me, went from 12 courses played last year, to 28 this year. Loved it.
It can be a costly affair - you can do it cheaper than I did, but still costly.


Kevin - have to hand it to you - your idea for your book was class.

Yea, at the time if you took the average green fee as €50 x 349 golf clubs = €17,450. Makes you think. That said, what would it cost today?

mike12

ajcurry123 wrote: »

You must be from Mayo too so Mike?

I have only played Ballinrobe twice but it is a cracking course.
Mike

the anser

There's no doubt that if its the golf you're after (not blazing sunshine, cheap booze etc....) then Ireland is the venue....Enniscrone for €30 during the summer (open comp on Mondays)...fantastic.

Back9bandit

If the vote was 50% to the people, I doubt if there would be 9 links courses in the top 9. In my top 100, there would be NO LINKS courses in the top 9.
It's a totally different dicipline so maybe there should be two categories. Those who like links,compile there list. Those that play golf, I mean those that like parkland courses make their list?

thoscon

There's alot of links in the top 20 links not that fond of them .im surprised my own club (rathcore ) not in top 100 but maybe I'm biased

AGC

Are certain course on that list just because of marketing they have done with the mag?

Woodenbridge is certainly a better course than 100

thewobbler

AGC, it's something that's levelled every year.

I don't think spend counts for anything initially, but only a mad bastard editor would not nod to advertising spend as a delimiter in event of a coin toss. After all, as it's only marked out of 80 points, there's bound to be huge clusters of courses on more-or-less the same mark.

I'd also think geographical anomalies is called upon instead of a coin toss in some circumstances. If say (and I'm not using real stats here) Leinster already has 50 courses in the list and Connacht has only 10, then the Connacht representation will, maybe even unknowingly, surely get a nod.


By the way, Lisburn is a better course than any 10-12 parklands I've played in the 50-100 group. Their political leanings probably don't help things here though. Finding them on Golf Shot requires the UK library; the only course on the island that I've found to be the case.

The Premier Man

link_2007 wrote: »

Have they stopped cutting the grass at Kilkenny?

was always a vastly overrated course imo.by all means it is a nice course but i don't feel it warrants its current rating and definately didn't deserve its rating 2 years ago.i know the majority of members will see it differently though;)

Poker Face

Have played 17 of the 100. 9 of them links.

If the cashen course in Ballybunion didnt have another 18 holes beside it, then it would be more like 19 instead of 79.

Getting my first game in 6 weeks in Tralee in the morning, frost please stay away tonight!!

Ed Winchester

St Margaret's back in the top 100. Surprised at that.

PARlance

The Premier Man wrote: »

was always a vastly overrated course imo.by all means it is a nice course but i don't feel it warrants its current rating and definately didn't deserve its rating 2 years ago.i know the majority of members will see it differently though;)

Coming from an impartial Tipp / Premier County man?

Oilbeefhooked!

If there really are over 100 golf courses out there better than Castleknock,
then we really are blessed in this country!!
Would love to know the criteria considered to make the list, because present condition and maintenance surely cant have been taken into consideration on seeing some of the courses that did make it.
Will leave it at that , each to their own i suppose :rolleyes:

CamiloVillegas

i think its the best list yet, got less criticism to offer, and courses generally moving in the correct direction

Castleknock is a pile of crap, go play outside Dublin.

About time esker got the list

If Paddy Harrington says Ballinrobe is the best parkland in Connaught i'm not going to disagree.

Why is Druids no THE TOP parkland in the country, Mount Juliet and Killeen Castle are too low on challenge.

i don't like the pro links bias throughout, that said i like links courses on big dunes Ballybunion Cashen / Island/ Rosapenna/Connemara, no time for the flatter Royal Dublin/portmarknock/St annes/Castlerock variety.

if you don't rank Ballybunion Old and Lahinch 1 & 2, the other 98 spots are wrong.

Oilbeefhooked!

CamiloVillegas wrote: »

i think its the best list yet, got less criticism to offer, and courses generally moving in the correct direction

Castleknock is a pile of crap, go play outside Dublin.

About time esker got the list

If Paddy Harrington says Ballinrobe is the best parkland in Connaught i'm not going to disagree.

Why is Druids no THE TOP parkland in the country, Mount Juliet and Killeen Castle are too low on challenge.

i don't like the pro links bias throughout, that said i like links courses on big dunes Ballybunion Cashen / Island/ Rosapenna/Connemara, no time for the flatter Royal Dublin/portmarknock/St annes/Castlerock variety.

if you don't rank Ballybunion Old and Lahinch 1 & 2, the other 98 spots are wrong.

Castleknock is a pile of crap, go play outside Dublin.

Nothin like a bit of constructive criticism :0)

Ps. Please don't assume I only play courses in Dublin. I have played courses the length and breadth of Ireland and being Scottish have also played many class courses back home. Carnoustie,glen eagles , turnberry to name a few.
Not boasting just trying to say I know what makes a good golf course and while I'm not putting Castlekmock among the top courses - I genuinely believe it to be a great course , always in great condition with superb greens and well worthy of a top 100 mention .... Just sayin!!

slave1

14/100
Glasson being there at 56 is a joke, place was in muck every time I played it this year and it's not that difficult/varied

tang1

slave1 wrote: »

14/100
Glasson being there at 56 is a joke, place was in muck every time I played it this year and it's not that difficult/varied

It was a super course few years back, agree it no longer deserves its place amoung the top 100. I said it last year to, beyond me how St Annes is top 100.

Eoinyh

Have I missed something here moyvalley not on list due to closure??? Are they trying to get my hard earned an close the gates?? Any able to tell me how to get back to the mobile compatible version press full site by accident

searay

Poker Face wrote: »

Have played 17 of the 100. 9 of them links.

If the cashen course in Ballybunion didnt have another 18 holes beside it, then it would be more like 19 instead of 79.

Getting my first game in 6 weeks in Tralee in the morning, frost please stay away tonight!!

I can't understand the ranking for the cashen course either. I think it's tougher than the old course, maintained to the same level and has great scenery too.

I'd like to read the ranking criteria to understand their approach.

Tin_Cup

Eoinyh wrote: »

Have I missed something here moyvalley not on list due to closure??? Are they trying to get my hard earned an close the gates?? Any able to tell me how to get back to the mobile compatible version press full site by accident

That just applies to the Lackabane course not the others

PARlance

10/100 this year, surprised myself by that, none of the top 20 though but I'll be making a trip to Belmullet to put that straight over the Christmas.

Kevin, don't know if you would like to comment, but rankings/scoring format aside, If you could only play 10 more courses in Ireland, what would they be?
Maybe you don't want to list personal fav's but be very interested if you do.

Senna

Portsalon, Number 25 on the list and membership €480 per year:D.

Doc Daneeka

Loire wrote: »

I don't get Waterville at #4. Sure there are some great holes, esp at the beginning and end with fantastic sea vews, but in the middle there are a good few, repetitive, "parkland" type holes.

That doesn't make sense to me. The course is out and out links and no weak holes is its real strength. Might have been a valid criticism before the Fazio changes a few years ago.

GreeBo

14 for me.
I dont see how you could take public votes as very few people would have played all the courses in Ireland to be able to rank them.

blockic

Palmerstown House in Top 50?

They having a laugh? The layout maybe, but the condition of the place currently is poor. A top 50 course with unplayable bunkers for most of the summer and minimum greenkeepers I can't understand.

Played Kilkenny two weeks ago, condition is fine, but as was said above it was overrated. Pretty average course really.

thegolfer

31/100, 11 from the top 20.
Interesting to see how some here are not too fond of the links tracks, if anything they offer a fantastic challenge, much better than parkland's.
Also some of the courses falling down the rankings, possible sign of a diminishing membership base and ability to maintain the course, or just taking their eye off the ball..

Oilbeefhooked!

blockic wrote: »

Palmerstown House in Top 50?

They having a laugh? The layout maybe, but the condition of the place currently is poor. A top 50 course with unplayable bunkers for most of the summer and minimum greenkeepers I can't understand.

Played Kilkenny two weeks ago, condition is fine, but as was said above it was overrated. Pretty average course really.

My point exactly re. Condition of course ,
Carton o meara , k club smurfit also not in great condition at moment.!!
So if they are judging courses based on the tracks being in their ultimate condition then fair enough , but then why do a new list every year?!?!

Felloffmebike

Played 39 of the 100. Have to get a few more of them in next year.

big_drive

I've played 7. Must try improve that this year

For the record the 7 are Cork, Castlemartyr, Fota, Old Head, Killarney, Tralee, Dromoland

Ed Winchester

Only played 9 myself. Something to work on!

Milkers

Loire wrote: »

I don't get Waterville at #4. Sure there are some great holes, esp at the beginning and end with fantastic sea vews, but in the middle there are a good few, repetitive, "parkland" type holes.

Only played it once but also didn't quite get the Waterville love-fest you see in the rankings/boards threads etc. (played Ballybunion Old and Tralee the same weekend and no argument there). I have to admit that I had the feeling I wasn't fully appreciating the subtle brilliance of Waterville because I'm not that good and that on return visits I might "get it" more and more?

Benicetomonty

Played 40, so 60 to go. Played five of the top ten not a bad return I suppose. Anxious to play the other 5!

jimmystars

searay wrote: »

I can't understand the ranking for the cashen course either. I think it's tougher than the old course, maintained to the same level and has great scenery too.

I'd like to read the ranking criteria to understand their approach.

Yeah that ranking is crazy low. One of my favourite courses. Would love to see see the rankings explained like in Kevins book. Makes you take the list with a pinch of salt.

Rikand

Have played 20/100. And my homecourse at 99 is the best of the lot!

Well maybe not... Well maybe it is .... Well i dunno i dont think there is much difference in the quality between any of them. They're all really good courses.






Except glasson. Glasson sucks!

FixdePitchmark

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

Have played 20/100. And my homecourse at 99 is the best of the lot!

Well maybe not... Well maybe it is .... Well i dunno i dont think there is much difference in the quality between any of them. They're all really good courses.






Except glasson. Glasson sucks!

Glasson was one off the first in the list I played - I guess it was the fact it was the best parkland I had played at the time and the views blew me away. (about 2001). I loved it.

What is the story with Glasson now ? Is it a bit of a bog in the winter? I'd like to go back and play it now and compare it to the likes of Luttrellstown etc.

I love links golf, so it takes something very special on parkland like, Mt. Juliet to get me going. Very. young courses inland, like castleknock are not to my taste.

There is no way a courses doing the min work on bunkers etc , should be anywhere near the list.

Played Royal Co. Down this year, loved it - but way too expensive. They are not aiming at local market.

WH BONNEY

Interesting reading a lot I would agree with and some I wouldn't.

For me Glasheady & Mount Juliet should be higher up the list.

Can never understand why Rosses Point is rated so highly, find it an enjoyable course to play but would not consider it as highly as the author.

No problem with the K Club Smurfit course, played it recently and taught it was in reasonable condition.

On the other hand how can Palmerstown be in the top 50, the place is in poor condition and its inclusion is insulting to many of the fine courses in Kildare that are not even considered.

Finally, St Annes at number 84, on your bike. There are at least a 100 other courses in Ireland that should be on the list before that one.

slave1

Isn't it great though that as an island this size with the population we have that we can have a meaningful top 100 with some good courses not ranked and not restricted to a top 25/50, spoiled really.
Played both New Forest (a lot) and Moyvalley and can't understand why they are not top 100??

CamiloVillegas

Oilbeefhooked! wrote: »

Castleknock is a pile of crap, go play outside Dublin.

Nothin like a bit of constructive criticism :0)

Ps. Please don't assume I only play courses in Dublin. I have played courses the length and breadth of Ireland and being Scottish have also played many class courses back home. Carnoustie,glen eagles , turnberry to name a few.
Not boasting just trying to say I know what makes a good golf course and while I'm not putting Castlekmock among the top courses - I genuinely believe it to be a great course , always in great condition with superb greens and well worthy of a top 100 mention .... Just sayin!!

I'll give ya that conditioning in castleknock is very good, but its an 18 hole layout that has insufficient space, and is dangerous in spots. The par 5 10th is a nightmare with the entrance exit road. (Correct me if I'm wrong) there not signs on the 8th and 17th saying please keep it on your own fairway.. The 6th has no fairway!

bunkers are supposed to be hazards, your not entitled to a perfect lie and the texture of your preference.

I consider it very unenlightened to consider a golf course better or worse than another because of sand.

i like Glasson and palmerstown but drainage can be a problem.

tang1

slave1 wrote: »

Isn't it great though that as an island this size with the population we have that we can have a meaningful top 100 with some good courses not ranked and not restricted to a top 25/50, spoiled really.
Played both New Forest (a lot) and Moyvalley and can't understand why they are not top 100??

There NAMA owned, under rules i think a course cant qualify cause of that reason.