Best of the rest

Goldenjohn

A lot of talk in the 2013 ambition thread about playing the top 100 courses which have become the "reference point" for most of us when deciding where to invest our green fee cash.....
I'm sure there are some great courses that don't get the recognition they deserve. Any suggestions of some must plays not on the 100 list?

tang1

Goldenjohn wrote: »

A lot of talk in the 2013 ambition thread about playing the top 100 courses which have become the "reference point" for most of us when deciding where to invest our green fee cash.....
I'm sure there are some great courses that don't get the recognition they deserve. Any suggestions of some must plays not on the 100 list?

Rathcore & Naas, both superb tracks. At €20 a pop, both priced reaonably to.

olaguopa

Goldenjohn wrote: »

A lot of talk in the 2013 ambition thread about playing the top 100 courses which have become the "reference point" for most of us when deciding where to invest our green fee cash.....
I'm sure there are some great courses that don't get the recognition they deserve. Any suggestions of some must plays not on the 100 list?

I think Roundwood is 'underrated'. I base that on a very small sample size but I have played Skellig Bay (top 100 course) and Roundwood both in the height of the summer and I found Roundwood more interesting and enjoyable (and around half the green fee).

Probably unlucky that it is surrounded by top class courses in that neck of the wood in Wicklow so falls under the radar a little bit- and probably suffers from lack of income for its upkeep for that reason.

Or maybe i just didn't enjoy Skellig Bay...

FixdePitchmark

A bit too short - but Corballis for me.

Seves Three Iron

I would give honourable mentions to;

Laytown & Bettystown
Nuremore
Abbeyleix
Slade Valley
Ashbourne
Royal Tara
Kilcock

ForeRight

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

A bit too short - but Corballis for me.

The best course around for iron play practice.

Eoinyh

Kilcock��, good lord I hope ur a member

Nedser101

Hey guys ! Had a brief look and couldn't see mecreddin .whats up with that.?thats my fav course ever .

Finlay Harp

Slieve Russell, Spa and Kilkeel

Seves Three Iron

Eoinyh wrote: »

Kilcock��, good lord I hope ur a member

Ha, no, I'm not. Just like what they've done with the place in the last few years. Each to his own. I suspect you're more a Carton or a K-Club man so?

tang1

I'd agree with you Seve on Kilcock, they have done smashing work on the course over past 3-4 years. Some nice par 3's on it.

thewobbler

Here's the thing. We are spoilt for choice in Ireland.

If you were to randomly land in any of these courses you'd more than enjoy your day out:

Kilkeel
Warrenpoint
Greenore
Nuremore
Shandon Park
Knock
Lisburn
Dunmurry
Bangor
Armagh
Spa
Tandragee

That's 12 mature, well-maintained and interesting parkland golf courses, all within 45 mins of my front door, that don't even get so much of a mention. None of them is Druids Glen in terms of wow or finesse, but they're all very well looked after and well worth playing.

I've no problem with a top 100 list, indeed I think it's something the industry needs. But I'd put each of these on a par with Dundalk or Westport, and quite some distance ahead of Headfort Old or Roe Park, which make the 'nearly' list. But we are spoilt for choice. There are at least 200 course worth playing in Ireland.

Addictedtogolf

Would be interesting to do a Top 100 for entry fee and annual Sub
Anyone with time on their hands?

phkk

If you're down in south-east and midlands Castlecomer, New Ross, Callan, Cahir, Thurles, Roscrea and Rathdowney are all courses I enjoy playing

FixdePitchmark

thewobbler wrote: »

Here's the thing. We are spoilt for choice in Ireland.

If you were to randomly land in any of these courses you'd more than enjoy your day out:

Kilkeel
Warrenpoint
Greenore
Nuremore
Shandon Park
Knock
Lisburn
Dunmurry
Bangor
Armagh
Spa
Tandragee

That's 12 mature, well-maintained and interesting parkland golf courses, all within 45 mins of my front door, that don't even get so much of a mention. None of them is Druids Glen in terms of wow or finesse, but they're all very well looked after and well worth playing.

I've no problem with a top 100 list, indeed I think it's something the industry needs. But I'd put each of these on a par with Dundalk or Westport, and quite some distance ahead of Headfort Old or Roe Park, which make the 'nearly' list. But we are spoilt for choice. There are at least 200 course worth playing in Ireland.

Great post.

Jaysus - Greenore is not in top 100 :eek:

Class course - the only time i played it it started to rain on the first , the hole was full of water after one hole of rain, It never stopped . Must go back again.

Eoinyh

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

Ha, no, I'm not. Just like what they've done with the place in the last few years. Each to his own. I suspect you're more a Carton or a K-Club man so?

No, I have played a lot in Kilcock an I just think its wet the greens are too slow an if I was a decent golfer it would be too easy, for them reasons i didnt join it an its on my doorstep,I'm just surprised someone would think there is any thing unique about it, every one to there own as u say I put it in the "it's ok category"

Rikand

Athenry - lovely golf course that I try to play at least once a year. nice layout, well maintained with some lovely holes on it. definitely worth a look!

Seves Three Iron

Should have mentioned Beaverstown earlier, love that place, especially the first

TRS30

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

Should have mentioned Beaverstown earlier, love that place, especially the first

4th is my favourite hole; tough par 4 especially if it's into the wind.

Seves Three Iron

Now you're talking, serious trouble on the right! Nice par 3 over a valley around the 6th or 7th, couple of cool par 4s later on also.

Can't beat a bit of beaver.

TRS30

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

Now you're talking, serious trouble on the right! Nice par 3 over a valley around the 6th or 7th, couple of cool par 4s later on also.

Can't beat a bit of beaver.

All OB down the right and orchard all down the left. OB behind the green, water hazard on the right, three bunkers on the left. Tough slooping geen.

7th is over the 'valley' to a narrow enough green.

No you can't