Galways best golf courses?

Lambasted

I've been playing now for a year and a half. So far I've played athenry, barna, Galway bay, cregmore, glenlo abbey, loughrea, Connemara isles (long time ago). Would like to play ballyconneely and salthill this year.

Anyone care to help me put galway,s courses in order of quality? Or any recommendations? I hear portumna is nice too.

My rankings from best to worst 1. Galway bay
2. Loughrea
3. Barna
4. Athenry
5. Cregmore (was really wet and soft when I played,I'm sure it's nice in summer)
6. Con isles (long time ago, only 9 holes)
7. Glenlo abbey

Rikand

Portumna is solid track alright
Surprised to see Athenry so low in the list. That would be my favourite course in Co. Galway.
Salthill also good
Ballinasloe is not too bad either if you get over to east galway, but it can be very wet at times. Rumor has it, they messed up their drainage down there with some experimental technique

scrubber72

My own list starting with the worst.
Glenlo
Curra west
Dunmore Demesne
Ballinasloe
Connemara isles
Mountbellew
Tuam
Bearna
Loughrea
Cregmore
Gort
Oughterard
Athenry
Portumna
Ballyconnelly
Galway
Galway Bay

Dr_Colossus

Good list of courses there by scrubber, haven't played them all but hard to argue with the rankings. Personally I'd probably have Galway first followed by Galway Bay, two very different courses. Always found Ballyconnelly to be overrated so would have thought further down the list and Ougterard/Loughrea which I've always enjoyed playing further up the list.
On a side note, although not technically not in Galway, I'd put Ballinrobe ahead of them all.

slave1

Have to agree with the Ballinasloe comment, we played it every year in our society for over a dozen years and skipped it this year because it was in brutal condition last year, loads of lads losing plugged balls.
Portumna is a gem, some great holes, 17th is superb.

scrubber72

Used to be in ballinrobe but left due to mileage and galway bay is on my doorstep. Still reckon galway bay is better though. More variety and not as windy as you might think.

Ronney

Surly Connemara Links has to be up there too

scrubber72

Ronney wrote: »

Surly Connemara Links has to be up there too

Ballyconnelly is Connemara links. Sorry if any confusion

Ronney

scrubber72 wrote: »

Ballyconnelly is Connemara links. Sorry if any confusion

No bother, not local so probably a little ignorant of me to what the course is known as.

Good list played a few of your top ones and would understand why they are up there. Haven't played any of the bottom ones though

inthehole1

would def have portumna up at top
lovely course and very reasonably priced

scrubber72

Even though I do quite like Portumna. I have to say that if the 17th wasn't there it wouldn't be anywhere as highly rated as people put it. One of the things I look out for when playing a course is, can I remember many of the holes? Most of the holes are forgettable to be honest but this is only my opinion.

kyleman

scrubber72 wrote: »

Even though I do quite like Portumna. I have to say that if the 17th wasn't there it wouldn't be anywhere as highly rated as people put it. One of the things I look out for when playing a course is, can I remember many of the holes? Most of the holes are forgettable to be honest but this is only my opinion.

And while 18 is a fairly good par 3 its a bit of a let down after 17.

For Paws

kyleman wrote: »

And while 18 is a fairly good par 3 its a bit of a let down after 17.

Thing about Portumna is the never ending variety of Slight Dog Leg between the trees Par 4's, punctuated by the odd really good hole.

Also, 17 & 18 are real card wreckers, and tend to leave a sour taste in the gob if not parred.

The addition of the newer 9 at Ballyconneely has really made it a 'must play'.

If you're sticking close to Galway city, then Galway GC, Galway Bay & Athenry are the best choice.

jwalsh1980

Am looking to join a golf club next year and its either going to be Athenry or Galway. I hear Galway is the better course but Athenry is much friendlier. Any advice would be great.

scrubber72

I take it money isn't a problem. Galway over athenry but timesheet congestion is a problem with both. I am a member of galway bay so i would put it above both. No winter greens and less money to join. Its a lot better too but i am baised.

jwalsh1980

Hi Scrubber,

There is a great deal in Galway bay at the moment. They are doing 15 month membership for the price of 12. €990 to join. I hear its a fabulous course alright. Is it a friendly club? I would imagine it would be a tough course especially on windy days

scrubber72

jwalsh1980 wrote: »

Hi Scrubber,

There is a great deal in Galway bay at the moment. They are doing 15 month membership for the price of 12. €990 to join. I hear its a fabulous course alright. Is it a friendly club? I would imagine it would be a tough course especially on windy days

I took that deal last October. Great value. Not as windy as i thought it would be. Not to say it has days that are tough. Best condition year round course i have played. Very nice group of lads in club the made me very welcome. Only a small amount of members around 150 male and 50 female so no problems with teetimes. Thee is also an extra fee to join mens club. I think 150 euro.

Goldenjohn

If you live in the city and can afford it there is imo only one choice ...galway golf club. . . .If its a choice between galway bay or athenry i'd go GB...enjoy choosing all great courses.

Wombatman

Glenlo €350 for next year. Under new management. Course undergoing redesign. New pro. New head green keeper. Some details here http://www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie/en/golf-resort-galway/

jwalsh1980

Yes Gary Madden is the new director of Golf in Glenlo. A very nice guy and great teacher. They have huge plans for the course and to increase the size of the pro shop and driving range. Should be something else when it's all done.

Curlew

Big improvements underway at Glenlo. With membership fee set at €350 for 2014, it probably is best value for money.

Goldenjohn

Curlew wrote: »

Big improvements underway at Glenlo. With membership fee set at €350 for 2014, it probably is best value for money.

Oughterard is €400 for new members in 2014, better value for the extra €50 imo.

Dr_Colossus

Goldenjohn wrote: »

Oughterard is €400 for new members in 2014, better value for the extra €50 imo.

Wow, that's a seriously good offer, I'm looking at paying nearly 2 1/2 times that for a comparable course within 20mins of North Dublin City. Nice course and always in great nick anytime I've played it. A very underrated course in my book but a real pity they can't include an additional par 5 or two to extent it out to a par 72 as the first par 5 (8th) is very strategic leaving only the second (14th) to have a go at.

Goldenjohn

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Wow, that's a seriously good offer, I'm looking at paying nearly 2 1/2 times that for a comparable course within 20mins of North Dublin City. Nice course and always in great nick anytime I've played it. A very underrated course in my book but a real pity they can't include an additional par 5 or two to extent it out to a par 72 as the first par 5 (8th) is very strategic leaving only the second (14th) to have a go at.

I agree a par 72 would be nice but you'd be shoehorning it in which would detract from the course. The only real option would be the index 1 16th and if you changed that to a par 5 it would weaken the course greatly imo.

Maybe its a discussion for another thread but does a par 72 make that much of a difference when choosing a course? I came from Westport and thought i'd miss the extra par 5s more than i did, saying that i do appreciate the better scoring opportunities when i now play a par 72.

Wombatman

The good people of Tuam won't be happy.

Kevin Markhams Top Ten Golf Courses in Galway as featured in today's Galway City Tribune

Goldenjohn

Wombatman wrote: »

The good people of Tuam won't be happy.

Kevin Markhams Top Ten Golf Courses in Galway as featured in today's Galway City Tribune

Bearna @ 4???
Never played Gort or ballinasloe must knock them off the list this year.

Kevinmarkham

Wombatman wrote: »

The good people of Tuam won't be happy.

Kevin Markhams Top Ten Golf Courses in Galway as featured in today's Galway City Tribune

I like Tuam - have enjoyed my rounds there immensely - but doesn't get ahead of Ballinasloe and was just pipped by Cregmore Park. I need to get back to the latter as I've heard it's not in as good a shape as it used to be.

Goldenjohn wrote: »

Bearna @ 4???

Love the course. It's unique. Nothing like playing a course that is so different to anything else around. I've heard drainage is a problem, but not when I've been there.
Would thoroughly recommend you get to Gort.

Wombatman

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

I like Tuam - have enjoyed my rounds there immensely - but doesn't get ahead of Ballinasloe and was just pipped by Cregmore Park. I need to get back to the latter as I've heard it's not in as good a shape as it used to be.


Love the course. It's unique. Nothing like playing a course that is so different to anything else around. I've heard drainage is a problem, but not when I've been there.
Would thoroughly recommend you get to Gort.

What about Loughrea?

Dr_Colossus

Wombatman wrote: »

What about Loughrea?

Agree, would place Loughrea ahead of Cregmore Park anyway which I've always found to be very open and generous of the tee and greens not to the condition of the likes of Oughterard and Athenry.

Bearna is a tough one to rank, played it a good few times but that was a good many years ago now and never really played well and thus enjoyed my round there (probably rekindling memories of days on the real bog saving turf). That said it is certainly unique and there are some nice hole layouts so can see the appeal and positive ranking.

galwaylad14

I've read these pages for a good while now but never had much interest in posting until now. Lads, that list is brutal, I'd have played all the courses in galway and I actually can't believe anyone would rank them in the way he has done.

Given that we live in Ireland I think surely how the course drains and plays in wet weather has to be an important factor. 3 of those courses (Balinasloe, Ougtherard and Bearna) are virtually unplayable for half the year because they drain so badly. Ougtherard is a nice course and Barna is a decent track when it's dry but Balinasloe is a mickey mouse course anyway in my opinion aswell as having its drainage problems.

Galway Bay is the best course by a good margin I think. So many great holes there. Portumna is a good course but if it wasn't for the 17th (which in fairness is one of the best holes in Ireland) then I reckon it would just about make the top 10 so can't really see a justification for it being first.

I must confess I've only played Ballyconneely once but it is a fine course. Galway is somewhere I'd be very familiar with and is a good course although I always think if you get your driving right it's handy enough from there on, has very big welcoming greens that are always a pleasure to putt on.

Athenry is a nice course always in great nick and in a great location although it can be a bit mundane and the lack a bit of space down there or something.

Loughrea, Tuam and Gort are all solid courses that are always maintained well. All 3 are a good challenge and would both deserve to be in the top 10. Cregmore Park I find it hard to make much of a case for. It's very wide and generally not enough of a challenge I think. Maybe in 10 years time when the whole palce is a bit more mature it might be a decent course but not now.

I think I've gone through them all so I'd probably rank them like this:

1 Galway Bay
2 Galway
3 Ballyconneely (though I'd really need to play it again to give a proper opinion)
4 Portumna
5 Athenry
6 Ougtherard
7 Loughrea
8 Gort
9 Bearna
10 Tuam

Kevinmarkham

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Lads, that list is brutal, I'd have played all the courses in galway and I actually can't believe anyone would rank them in the way he has done.

Fair enough - no need to be rude about it. We all have our opinions. I wouldn't agree with your list either but evidently we work on different criteria.

Someone emailed me the other day saying that Loughrea should be 3rd on the list, someone else said Bearna was a dump. Everyone has an opinion and most people would disagree over any top 10.

I did post my rationale for why Loughrea didn't make the top 10 (in reply to Wombatman's query) but Boards went down for maintenance and my post disappeared. I'm told it should be reinstated. Wombatman may have an email of it.

galwaylad14

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Fair enough - no need to be rude about it. We all have our opinions. I wouldn't agree with your list either but evidently we work on different criteria.

Someone emailed me the other day saying that Loughrea should be 3rd on the list, someone else said Bearna was a dump. Everyone has an opinion and most people would disagree over any top 10.

I did post my rationale for why Loughrea didn't make the top 10 (in reply to Wombatman's query) but Boards went down for maintenance and my post disappeared. I'm told it should be reinstated. Wombatman may have an email of it.

Apologies if I was a bit rude, as you say no one will ever agree exactly but I just really can't see the logic in ranking them the way you have here.

I look forward to seeing your rationale for leaving out Loughrea actually as I think it should be a definite to be in the top 10

tinman09

First nine in Lougrea is average, athenry is not difficult if you're straight off the tee, years since I played Connemara so I can't judge the new 9. I'd have GB first, portumna, Galway. Obviously Connemara could jump in there I'm aiming to play it next month.

Goldenjohn

I have to say I'm not a huge fan of lists in general when I look at them I'll normally just change it into Divisions. I'd never say no to a game of golf so I'd categorise as such

Division 1 - Must play
Division 2 - Def Play
Division 3 - Play if you get the chance
Division 4 - Avoid if you have an alternative
I'd also throw in My Favourite & Least Favourite

There is often little or nothing between courses in each division & really the preferences are just up to an indivuals taste.

Oh the courses I've played in Galway:
Division 1 - Both Galways, Portumna & Connemara
Division 2 - Oughterard, Athenry
Division 3 - Bearna, Cregmore, Tuam
Division 4 - Glenlo

Favourite: Portumna, played for the first time this yr, lovely relaxing ambience, deer wandering around, some lovely holes and a Nice challenge and a fair test.

Least Fav: Glenlo, been years since I played it maybe its improved since but it was a very wet day, wasnt well maintained at the time and i didnt enjoy the round.

Yet to play so can't comment: Curra west,Dunmore,Ballinasloe,Connemara isles,Mountbellew,Loughrea,Gort

For Info I'm a member in Oughterard

Goldenjohn

Galway Lad,

I'd also say that this is an exaggeration, for Oughterard anyway:

"3 of those courses (Balinasloe, Ougtherard and Bearna) are virtually unplayable for half the year because they drain so badly."

Unless there is extreme weather the course is always playable.
Like most Parkland courses in the west of Ireland it will be soft in the Winter months. A couple of holes 6,7 & 16 can suffer patches of standing / casual water but it is most definately "playable"

Wombatman

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Fair enough - no need to be rude about it. We all have our opinions. I wouldn't agree with your list either but evidently we work on different criteria.

Someone emailed me the other day saying that Loughrea should be 3rd on the list, someone else said Bearna was a dump. Everyone has an opinion and most people would disagree over any top 10.

I did post my rationale for why Loughrea didn't make the top 10 (in reply to Wombatman's query) but Boards went down for maintenance and my post disappeared. I'm told it should be reinstated. Wombatman may have an email of it.

Nope. No email here. Would love to here your rationale though.

galwaylad14

Wombatman wrote: »

Nope. No email here. Would love to here your rationale though.

Same here definitley. The more I think about that list the more it seems like there could be other factors at play in deciding that list apart from the quality of the golf courses.

Shady Tady

galwaylad14 wrote: »

I've read these pages for a good while now but never had much interest in posting until now. Lads, that list is brutal, I'd have played all the courses in galway and I actually can't believe anyone would rank them in the way he has done.

Given that we live in Ireland I think surely how the course drains and plays in wet weather has to be an important factor. 3 of those courses (Balinasloe, Ougtherard and Bearna) are virtually unplayable for half the year because they drain so badly. Ougtherard is a nice course and Barna is a decent track when it's dry but Balinasloe is a mickey mouse course anyway in my opinion aswell as having its drainage problems.

Galway Bay is the best course by a good margin I think. So many great holes there. Portumna is a good course but if it wasn't for the 17th (which in fairness is one of the best holes in Ireland) then I reckon it would just about make the top 10 so can't really see a justification for it being first.

I must confess I've only played Ballyconneely once but it is a fine course. Galway is somewhere I'd be very familiar with and is a good course although I always think if you get your driving right it's handy enough from there on, has very big welcoming greens that are always a pleasure to putt on.

Athenry is a nice course always in great nick and in a great location although it can be a bit mundane and the lack a bit of space down there or something.

Loughrea, Tuam and Gort are all solid courses that are always maintained well. All 3 are a good challenge and would both deserve to be in the top 10. Cregmore Park I find it hard to make much of a case for. It's very wide and generally not enough of a challenge I think. Maybe in 10 years time when the whole palce is a bit more mature it might be a decent course but not now.

I think I've gone through them all so I'd probably rank them like this:

1 Galway Bay
2 Galway
3 Ballyconneely (though I'd really need to play it again to give a proper opinion)
4 Portumna
5 Athenry
6 Ougtherard
7 Loughrea
8 Gort
9 Bearna
10 Tuam

To say Oughterard is unplayable for half the year is a Joke, it's in play pretty much the same as most courses, there are 3 holes 5, 6 and 7 that are often closed in the winter but it's more to do with making room on the time sheet for members firing winter hours in competitions. Most clubs have similar senarios. It might have more to do with your inability to master the course, it's a good challenge and well maintained and is right up there in the top 5, Barna is way too high on the list and should be in bottom 3.

1 Galway bay
2 Connemara
3 Portumna
4 Galway
5 Oughterard
6 Athenry
7 Gort
8 Tuam
9 Barna
10 Cregmore

Goldenjohn

Wombatman wrote: »

Glenlo €350 for next year. Under new management. Course undergoing redesign. New pro. New head green keeper. Some details here http://www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie/en/golf-resort-galway/

Lads,
Anyone know if the driving range in Glenlo is open and if so what are the opening hours

Wombatman

Goldenjohn wrote: »

Lads,
Anyone know if the driving range in Glenlo is open and if so what are the opening hours

It is open but is is in rag order and due to be refurbished soon. Mats are like boards. In winter the guy is only there during daylight hours.

Go to Salthill. Open around 10:30-9:30.

Goldenjohn

Wombatman wrote: »

It is open but is is in rag order and due to be refurbished soon. Mats are like boards. In winter the guy is only there during daylight hours.

Go to Salthill. Open around 10:30-9:30.

Thanks Wombat, usually use salthill but need to do some work on driver, just gonna have to get to the course when its quiet & do it there.

Cheers

Wombatman

Goldenjohn wrote: »

Thanks Wombat, usually use salthill but need to do some work on driver, just gonna have to get to the course when its quiet & do it there.

Cheers

Shameless too long for Salthill brag disguised as request for help

Goldenjohn

Wombatman wrote: »

Shameless too long for Salthill brag disguised as request for help

Its the poor people in the caravan park who are in most danger !!!

RonnieL

Goldenjohn wrote: »

If you live in the city and can afford it there is imo only one choice ...galway golf club. . . .If its a choice between galway bay or athenry i'd go GB...enjoy choosing all great courses.

Last time I saw figures (this time last year I believe), membership in Galway involved a 10 grand sign up fee. Is that still the case? I'm guessing that will put most off.

I believe Athenry have gotten rid of their up front fee this year. Details are on their website. I'm a member in Cregmore, which is perfect for me because I'm rubbish, so the forgiveness it offers is very welcome.

popepaisley1

galwaylad14 wrote: »

1 Galway Bay
2 Galway
3 Ballyconneely (though I'd really need to play it again to give a proper opinion)
4 Portumna
5 Athenry
6 Ougtherard
7 Loughrea
8 Gort
9 Bearna
10 Tuam

i dont know why people go on about galway so much. its a fine course, but there are heaps of parkland courses like it. the first 4 holes have always been a problem. there just isn't enough space. in fact its the problem with galway for the whole course. it has a great location, is full to the brim with members, yet it doesnt have any room to expand, and if they could they would. while there is nothing wrong with galway there is nothing that makes it special either - other than the air of exclusivity coming from some of the members!

i think the list in the city tribune is a better reflection of the best courses in galway. its great to see portumna right at the top. it really is a smashing course, and one that not many people would know of. personally i would like to see galway bay joint first with them instead of connemara. but there can be no doubt as to the top 3. its nice to see bearna up there too. on its day its hard to beat. i'd say a top 5 list would have been better. once you get down further on the list there really are some courses that don't deserve to be on any list. in fairness some of the 9 holes would be better than them!

popepaisley1

RonnieL wrote: »

Last time I saw figures (this time last year I believe), membership in Galway involved a 10 grand sign up fee. Is that still the case? I'm guessing that will put most off.

I believe Athenry have gotten rid of their up front fee this year. Details are on their website. I'm a member in Cregmore, which is perfect for me because I'm rubbish, so the forgiveness it offers is very welcome.

pretty sure that is still the case.....minimum entry level fee to the illuminati

to be fair, there is a waiting list of people wanting to join there so they would be very silly not to charge it. im sure that if any other golf courses could charge it they would. luckily for galway they still can

galwaylad14

popepaisley1 wrote: »

i dont know why people go on about galway so much. its a fine course, but there are heaps of parkland courses like it. the first 4 holes have always been a problem. there just isn't enough space. in fact its the problem with galway for the whole course. it has a great location, is full to the brim with members, yet it doesnt have any room to expand, and if they could they would. while there is nothing wrong with galway there is nothing that makes it special either - other than the air of exclusivity coming from some of the members!

i think the list in the city tribune is a better reflection of the best courses in galway. its great to see portumna right at the top. it really is a smashing course, and one that not many people would know of. personally i would like to see galway bay joint first with them instead of connemara. but there can be no doubt as to the top 3. its nice to see bearna up there too. on its day its hard to beat. i'd say a top 5 list would have been better. once you get down further on the list there really are some courses that don't deserve to be on any list. in fairness some of the 9 holes would be better than them!

Ah come off it, Galway GC has the best greens in Galway which is a huge factor and there's great variety to the holes. I actually don't think it's an overly difficult course but it's still a joy to play and I'd have it second only to Galway Bay which really is a top class track.

popepaisley1

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Ah come off it, Galway GC has the best greens in Galway which is a huge factor and there's great variety to the holes. I actually don't think it's an overly difficult course but it's still a joy to play and I'd have it second only to Galway Bay which really is a top class track.

dont get me wrong...its a perfectly nice course, very well manicured, but in terms of quality it is way behind, for example, portumna. its not a very challenging course. a lot of holes you are using the same clubs. a drive and then a 8 or 9 to the green. because it is so tight there isn't a whole lot to think about. i was actually a member of galway for years. i do still go back to it, as it is quite close to me. but i do find it hard to get a game there. must be a pain in the arse for the members to play a casual round at the weekends

h2005

Galway is far ahead of Portumna for me. Bar the 17th no hole really stands out there for me.

galwaylad14

Ya I wouldnt be mad on Portumna either. To me it's just the same level as Gort/Loughrea/Tuam and it's just the superb 17th that would put it ahead of those places. I find the greens there often aren't super and some of the holes seem a bit mickey mouse. But don't get me wrong, still a very decent course

popepaisley1

h2005 wrote: »

Galway is far ahead of Portumna for me. Bar the 17th no hole really stands out there for me.

i really can't think of any signature holes in galway. if you had a list of the best 18 holes in galway i don't think there would be that many there on it. as i said before, it is in immaculate condition. it probably has more staff there to maintain it than anywhere else in the county - and they do a great job. but in terms of being a great parkland course...there is nothing really that makes it a special experience.