The best Pitch and Putt courses

Walter lemon

Hi Guys,

I apologies if this is in the wrong forum altogether, the moderator might point me in the right direction if that's the case.

I am a pitch and putt enthusiast and was looking for opinions on the best courses throughout Leinster specifically but further afield too.

I would love to know why you like them and what makes them stand out.

I am not promoting any agenda or affiliated to any course, but I want to plan playing a lot of different courses this summer.

The ones that stand out for me so far are Clonee and Tullamore.

Any advice and input would be really appreciated

PARlance

I've played P&P up at the Spawell quite a bit but I wouldn't really recommend it.
It's handy for me and I use it for a bit of short game practice, aside from that, I wouldn't really play it.
I played the P&P in Marley Park once, but seem to remember is was a ridiculous price... €18 if memory serves me... the astro turf greens where worth a few quid just for the experience. Think the ball gathered speed on the up hill putts on them

Glen Mill is meant to be very good, haven't played it but I know a few that really like it.

If you're ever down the West, there's a great Par 3 in Balla, Mayo. Not P&P I know but it may interest you.

Walter lemon

ajcurry123 wrote: »

I've played P&P up at the Spawell quite a bit but I wouldn't really recommend it.
It's handy for me and I use it for a bit of short game practice, aside from that, I wouldn't really play it.
I played the P&P in Marley Park once, but seem to remember is was a ridiculous price... €18 if memory serves me... the astro turf greens where worth a few quid just for the experience. Think the ball gathered speed on the up hill putts on them

Glen Mill is meant to be very good, haven't played it but I know a few that really like it.

If you're ever down the West, there's a great Par 3 in Balla, Mayo. Not P&P I know but it may interest you.

Cool Balla sounds good, thanks for the heads up

PARlance

Walter lemon wrote: »

Cool Balla sounds good, thanks for the heads up

Ya, it's definitely worth a visit if down that neck of the woods.
They don't have a website which is a shame because a few pictures of the course would do it better justice.

I could only find a couple as a taster.
Here's the 18th tee (elevated) and green.

They have regular weekend members comps so if you're planning a visit, check in with the club house first as they've a healthy membership and it's worth calling ahead to ensure there's nothing on.

Walter lemon

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Ya, it's definitely worth a visit if down that neck of the woods.
They don't have a website which is a shame because a few pictures of the course would do it better justice.

I could only find a couple as a taster.
Here's the 18th tee (elevated) and green.

They have regular weekend members comps so if you're planning a visit, check in with the club house first as they've a healthy membership and it's worth calling ahead to ensure there's nothing on.

Very swish, cheers for that

the lawman

Good Counsel in Rathfarnham is where I grew up playing my P&P. A nice walk along scholarstown road swinging a PW and a putter knowing in ten minutes you'll be on the first. Ah the wonderful memories.

Anyway back to the reply. GC is a lovely course and worth a visit. From 13 to 15 isn't great but apart from those three some super holes. Enjoy.

salmocab

glen cullen near johnny foxes is a lovely course really well kept and reasonable with some cracking views. Good counsel is a nice course too as lawman said although some holes are a bit short but well kept. Spawell has gone to the dogs wouldn't drive my car over that course. Bohernabreena was always a tidy enough course too but haven't played there in years. Would recommend glen cullen to people above these others its not the one opposite johnny foxes but back up the road a bit heading north from the cross roads I think.

skinnylizzy

Bohernabreena is a great little course. It's short enough but there are some great little tricky greens. Great for putting practice and the greens are always immaculate!!!! The tee boxes area bit of a pain in the ass but you can get away with teeing off the grass on most holes. Cheers.

scudster

I've played in Castletown co. Meath and thought it was great and very well maintained.
Heres a link to it and all the other ones in Meath too.
https://sites.google.com/site/meathppui/clubs/castletown

ForeRight

Bring back Pine Valley.

Throw those cats&dogs back out on the street I say!

DeanAustin

For my money:

Saint Bridgits in Kilcullen, fantastic little course.
Lucan
Seapoint in Louth
Cement in Louth
McDonagh in the Curragh used to be excellent - not sure if it still is.
Glenville in Tallaght
Tullamore
Larkspur Park in Cashel
Hillview in Clonmel
Rocklodge in Cork
Deerpark in Killarney

Some real treats in there.

Walter lemon

Great stuff folks, this is brilliant.

ON a tip Lucan club I think is 50 years old and they have made some upgrades on the T boxes etc so I might check that.

Irish ropes in Newbridge is good too, opposite Bord Na Mona.

I really appreciate the tips

DeanAustin

Walter lemon wrote: »

Great stuff folks, this is brilliant.

ON a tip Lucan club I think is 50 years old and they have made some upgrades on the T boxes etc so I might check that.

Irish ropes in Newbridge is good too, opposite Bord Na Mona.

I really appreciate the tips

Think that one goes by the name of Ryston now but it's a good track alright. That, St Bridgets, McDonagh and Athgarvan are all within spitting distance and all worth a visit. Athgarvan isn't the best but if you're in the area give it a look. Greens are mental too if they have them fast and have put the pins in some evil positions.

Walter lemon

DeanAustin wrote: »

Think that one goes by the name of Ryston now but it's a good track alright. That, St Bridgets, McDonagh and Athgarvan are all within spitting distance and all worth a visit. Athgarvan isn't the best but if you're in the area give it a look. Greens are mental too if they have them fast and have put the pins in some evil positions.

Ha brilliant that's what you want from a course too, tricky greens.

Elm hall celbridge is worth a trip they have 2 courses there. One has some long holes and the other course is ppui standard and has some tricky tees and greens

loadwire

Just to second the mentions for Cement and Seapoint in Louth. Long time since I've played them but spent many an hour on them when I was younger and both were always in good nick and had very cleverly designed holes for a P+P course.

DeanAustin

Walter lemon wrote: »

Ha brilliant that's what you want from a course too, tricky greens.

Elm hall celbridge is worth a trip they have 2 courses there. One has some long holes and the other course is ppui standard and has some tricky tees and greens

Yeah I've played Elm Hall. Great set up that is sadly lacking in most PPUI courses.

As for Seapoint, I'd rank it as one of the best courses in the country. Some unbelievably good holes (16th being the standout) and it's a beast in the wind.

Walter lemon

DeanAustin wrote: »

Yeah I've played Elm Hall. Great set up that is sadly lacking in most PPUI courses.

As for Seapoint, I'd rank it as one of the best courses in the country. Some unbelievably good holes (16th being the standout) and it's a beast in the wind.

Sea point is definitely in the list now, nice one

ruamar

Just to add to this, some of the ones mentioned at the start are par 3, not pitch and putt.

Of the ones I've played in the last year, I'd rank as follows

1. Roadstone
2. Bohernabreena
3. Glenville
4. Ierne
5. St Bridget
6. Lucan
7. CPM

Hope to play more this year

JP85

I'd have to say Seapoint in louth is an amazing course, play more golf nowadays but still love to get out there for a couple of rounds once a year for old times sake

soundmangar

loadwire wrote: »

Just to second the mentions for Cement and Seapoint in Louth. Long time since I've played them but spent many an hour on them when I was younger and both were always in good nick and had very cleverly designed holes for a P+P course.

Unfortunately Cement has gone downhill in a big way, give it a miss. Seapoint is still absolutely outstanding

Walter lemon

Clonee is a beauty but not a public course unfortunately

enricoh

julianstown past balbriggan is a great track - good greens n well laid out. bellewstown has a few tricky holes with loadsa furze!

Walter lemon

The greatest shame is the lack of websites for these courses.

DeanAustin

Walter lemon wrote: »

The greatest shame is the lack of websites for these courses.

The PPUI is a joke in terms of promoting their game. A few clubs, like Shandon and Lakeside for example, seem to do a very good job. A lot of the rest are just existing and are pretty aimless. The PPUI itself, from what I know from a friend who was once on it, is a shambles.

Walter lemon

Its a shame really we have some great courses and the most basic of websites would go a long way. The inclusion of photographs can do so much to promote a course. I imagine in most cases its a money issue. I dont know much about the ppui to be honest.

Axel Lamp

Rocklodge in Cork

Deerpark in Killarney, celebrating 40 years this year. Website:

http://www.deerparkpitchandputt.com/

Walter lemon

Deer park looks fierce tricky, well worth a jolly boys outing

jjjd

Walter lemon wrote: »

Its a shame really we have some great courses and the most basic of websites would go a long way. The inclusion of photographs can do so much to promote a course. I imagine in most cases its a money issue. I dont know much about the ppui to be honest.

Most pitch and putt courses aren't interested in promoting themselves, therefore they generally don't bother with websites. It's not just a money issue. They are usually run as members' only courses, they are not interested in green fees. In fact most courses wouldn't take in enough money in green fees to employ one person, especially outside the summer months. It's just not practical. As a club, there is no profit motive. Clubs are run for members' benefits, not the general public.

Walter lemon

I think that mentality is geared towards golf clubs more so. Most courses are public and rely heavily on passing or regular summer trade. The only one i have played that is not public is clonee, i imagine there are more but not that i know of.

DeanAustin

jjjd wrote: »

Most pitch and putt courses aren't interested in promoting themselves, therefore they generally don't bother with websites. It's not just a money issue. They are usually run as members' only courses, they are not interested in green fees. In fact most courses wouldn't take in enough money in green fees to employ one person, especially outside the summer months. It's just not practical. As a club, there is no profit motive. Clubs are run for members' benefits, not the general public.

To be honest, I think a lot of clubs are struggling badly for members for a number of reasons. One of those reasons, IMO, is the lack of proper self promotion.

A lot of clubs are now relying on lads in their 60s and 70s - people who took the game up in its heyday who are loyal to it. When those people leave the game and those clubs, it will struggle big time.

BTW, Deerpark is a cracking course. That f**king 16th is one of the toughest pitches in Ireland.

Walter lemon

DeanAustin wrote: »

To be honest, I think a lot of clubs are struggling badly for members for a number of reasons. One of those reasons, IMO, is the lack of proper self promotion.

A lot of clubs are now relying on lads in their 60s and 70s - people who took the game up in its heyday who are loyal to it. When those people leave the game and those clubs, it will struggle big time.

BTW, Deerpark is a cracking course. That f**king 16th is one of the toughest pitches in Ireland.

I agree with you on clubs relying on older players I am definitely going to go to deer park

Axel Lamp

DeanAustin wrote: »

BTW, Deerpark is a cracking course. That f**king 16th is one of the toughest pitches in Ireland.

Tis brutal alright, nothing worse than going down the hill on the left and leaving a chip Phil Mickelson couldn't make

DeanAustin

Axel Lamp wrote: »

Tis brutal alright, nothing worse than going down the hill on the left and leaving a chip Phil Mickelson couldn't make

Vaguely remember a young lad going down there in a provincial championship in the 90s and taking either a 7 or 10 and losing by just a couple of shots. Easy happen though.

mr.jingle

DeanAustin wrote: »

Vaguely remember a young lad going down there in a provincial championship in the 90s and taking either a 7 or 10 and losing by just a couple of shots. Easy happen though.

The All Ireland matchplay there a few yrs ago and i seen someone win the hole with a 5! Deerpark is a fantastic course my first time playing it was in the Irish Open 3yrs ago and it was in spectacular condition.

The newest course i've played that has just aboput taken the game by storm is Claycastle, Youghal, Co.Cork. If anyone gets toi place this course you are in for a real treat and a bloody difficult round! It's an absolute humdinger of a course the All Ireland Matchplay was there last year and it was in super condition and is very well kept all year round.

It's hard for PPUI courses to keep afloat as members are dropping year on year, societies are taking over i feel but playing the championships is the best part of the season. In Catalonia and other parts of Spain the game has really taken off over the past few years and only this week current world champion Fernando Cano is now fully sponsored by Titleist! Could be a massive boost for the game.

Of other courses around the country i've played and recommend:
Dublin: Erins Isle, Finglas, one of my favourites and always in good nick
Shandon,Near Dalymount Pk, kept very well but tight, good condition weekly
Ierne, across from Tolka Pk, super course with great pitches Scratch Cup on this Sunday!
Portmarnock, one of the best in the country, brilliant links course beside the golf course.
Lucan, another fantastic course hosts the 2013 All Ireland Matchplay
Glenville,Talllaght, another good course hosts the Dublin Strokeplay this year
Although my course Loughlinstown ain't a green fee course pm me and i'll organise a game no problem.

Louth: Seapoint, great test and a links course.
Down: Cloghogue,Newry, super course with great shots on it
Meath: Castletown,10km outside Navan, played there Monday and its in super nick, beautiful course.
Navan, nice course and clubhouse.
Bellewstown, in the middle of the racecourse been a while since i played it but was good.
Royal Meath/Clonee, one of my favourites a good course to me! Very well kept.
Stackallen, another always in good condition good facilities too.
Kildare: Ryston,Newbridge, nice pitchers course, big greens
St.Bridgets,Kilcullen, another super course always has championships which can't be a bad sign!
McDonagh,Curragh, A course i always enjoyed but don't know how it's gone since the man who basically looked after it Paddy Slattery died during the Winter.
Westmeath: Collinstown, Some fantastic hits on it especially 15 around or over the tree!
Lough Owel, although i haven't played this place the reports coming from it are astounding the talking course for 2013 i'm told!
Cork: Douglas, tight course but a good one
Lakewood, good shots if one or two are ridiculous greens!
St.Annes, beautiful course well maintained and a very good club with top players.
Rocklodge, hosts this years All Ireland Strokeplay a brilliant course.
Fermoy, small course with big greens! Good for putting practice!
Offaly, Tullamore, another super pitching course and host to the Leinster Matchplay this year along with Erry,Clara, a tight enough course up and down hills tough on the legs!
Tipperary: Larkspur Pk, maintained by a full time green keeper really in great condition especially in the Summer.
Lakeside, another good course some nice and tough pitches combined.
Hillview, usually hosts Irish team qualifiers and hosts the National Inter Co this year. Lovely course with a mix of small and long pitchs especially the last 2 holes!
Tipp Hills, haven't played here but when you hear only good things about a course it can't be bad can it!
Wexford: St Patricks,Enniscorthy, very tight course but hosted last yrs National Inter Co and always in good condition
Galway: Mellows,Renmore Barracks, been a few yrs since i've played it but it's a tough one out on Galway Bay when the wind blows it's near impossible!

Others i haven't played but have heard great things of are Doolin Co.Clare, Roscarberry, Co Cork, 2 courses on that and was Fippa's course of the month for March.

Anyone any queries or questions on pitch and putt and i'll gladly take them the game is pretty much my life!

Axel Lamp

Great info there ,Thanks mr.jingle

Walter lemon

This is gold thanks dude that is some serious listing there, the other half will be delighted

sydneybound

mr.jingle I dont play pitch and putt but that is some post with a wealth of information, fair dues fella.

On the back of that I might try a little pitch and putt in the summer

Axel Lamp

sydneybound wrote: »

mr.jingle I dont play pitch and putt but that is some post with a wealth of information, fair dues fella.

On the back of that I might try a little pitch and putt in the summer

It will certainly improve your golf game

mr.jingle

One thing I always found when trying to mix both P&P and golf is it was way easier to go and play golf and adjust quickly whereas it was hard to play P&P after golf. I just didnt have the time for golf got to a 5 h/c but just found it too hard to mix. P&P took over as it was more economical with work and the Ppui scene is basically very active weekly with comps coming thick and fast now.

As I said lads/lasses Im a member in loughlinstown so if your in the area pm me and ill try organise a round for you

mr.jingle

Just out of interest my top 5 to play would be: Claycastle, Portmarnock,Lucan,Deerpark and Cloghogue.

jjjd

My top 5 would be: Lakeside, Deerpark, Parteen, Ardnacrusha, Collinstown, Bruff

mr.jingle

jjjd wrote: »

My top 5 would be: Lakeside, Deerpark, Parteen, Ardnacrusha, Collinstown, Bruff

Have never played in limerick so looking forward to playing Bruff know the lads down there well and heard Parteen aint bad either. Havent played Ardnacrusha. The other 3 picks are right up there

Trampas

jjjd wrote: »

My top 5 would be: Lakeside, Deerpark, Parteen, Ardnacrusha, Collinstown, Bruff

Hopefully your counting on the course is better

jjjd

mr.jingle wrote: »

Have never played in limerick so looking forward to playing Bruff know the lads down there well and heard Parteen aint bad either. Havent played Ardnacrusha. The other 3 picks are right up there

Parteen is a great course, hosted the All-Ireland Strokeplay Competition back in the 90s. The 17th is the most difficult, over a tree to an elevated green. Ardnacrusha is less than two miles away. You could easily play both on the same day.

jjjd

Trampas wrote: »

Hopefully your counting on the course is better

Bogey! It's hard to narrow it down to just 5! I've also played Riverdale, Ferrybank, Ashgrove, Croom, Clare Road, Lough Owel, Ballykilty Manor and even Mosney in the Community Games as a kid. Not sure if all those courses are still around or affiliated. It's been a good few years since I last played.

Airtel31

I use to play in Bishoptown when the lads from Dunlops took over it was a great course some great shots in some of the best courses are in Cork Rocklodge, ESB and St Anne's, since comming to Dublin Ierne and Shandon are up there I love Portmarnock I have say the courses in Cork shade it for me

DerekpFox

One of best courses I have ever played is also up in Glencullen and has been going for over the last 40 years so well worth a shot (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glencullen-Pitch-and-Putt/146218292130753?sk=info)

Walter lemon

smashing stuff folks, please keep them coming, there will be a fair few Beano's down to places like Cork and Kerry I reckon

Axel Lamp

DerekpFox wrote: »

One of best courses I have ever played is also up in Glencullen and has been going for over the last 40 years so well worth a shot (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glencullen-Pitch-and-Putt/146218292130753?sk=info)

Fox. Glencullen. Biased perhaps?

Walter lemon

Biased or whatever its all good

Username exists

If you are ever in Salou on holidays this is place is about 30 mins away by taxi but well worth it, we played there last year it was amazing

http://www.pitchandputtlloret.com/

The picture attached is of the 17th and the guy in the club house was telling us that a team of their members were to play in the world championships in the Royal Meath in Clonee last year.

http://www.royalmeathpitchandputt.ie/index.htm

http://www.fippa.net/index.shtml