Glen of the downs

sweetswing

Short and sweet " is it any good ?? " my society is playing here tomorrow , I've never played it before and I'm not really in the humor of traveling if it's mediocre :-)

BenEadir

Played it once, not worth making a special trip to IMHO. Nice clubhouse but the course is nothing to get excited by.

Ben

Russman

Its a fair bit better than mediocre IMO,
A good decent track with some interesting holes and greens. Very exposed though, I'd say if its windy its very tough. I've played it a few times but luckily always in good weather

OK, its not Augusta, but worth a visit.

Dayor Knight

I've played it a few times and really like it. Maybe not spectacular, but definitely better than mediocre, i.m.o.

golfwallah

Myself and a friend (handicaps 12 & 9) used an internet deal to try out this course last September and I have to say that we enjoyed it immensely. We were lucky to meet up with two members on the 6th hole, so we joined up as a four-ball. This worked out great, as they were able to advise us on the vagaries of the course and our scores would have been a lot higher without their advice.

As for the course, it was in great condition, helped by it being a sunny day on which we could enjoy splendid views of the Irish Sea and Wicklow Mountains.

Lots of wildlife about - we saw buzzards and a couple of wild deer on the course. The clubhouse, bar, restaurant and changing facilities were of a high standard. After golf we enjoyed a light meal on the lakeside deck that also overlooks the 18th hole (a par 4 of about 260 metres with water at the back – our new-found friends advised us on a layup, then wedge, which worked a treat).

Definitely worth a visit - would have no problem returning or recommending it to others.

Kevinmarkham

It's a handy enough course, but by being so exposed it's difficult to define it. You're not playing through avenues of trees, so the holes don't feel distinctive. It's been in great nick whenever I played it and it's more difficult than you think. Greens are beautiful.

A bit late in the day (you could be on the course by now) but here are some photos

Looks like you might be getting wet - tough break after yesterday.

GreeBo

greens are pole forked and sanded, forget about putting altogether.
I played on Friday and we ended up not putting at all.

bunkers are deep but a lot of them have the lining showing, though there was still good sand in any of the ones I played out of.
I think it's a nice layout overall, very dry at the moment so lots of run, greens not terribly receptive.
also it will get very cold so bring lots of gear.

Kevinmarkham

GreeBo wrote: »

greens are pole forked and sanded, forget about putting altogether.
I played on Friday and we ended up not putting at all.

bunkers are deep but a lot of them have the lining showing, though there was still good sand in any of the ones I played out of.
I think it's a nice layout overall, very dry at the moment so lots of run, greens not terribly receptive.
also it will get very cold so bring lots of gear.

How long ago would you say they were pole-forked, Greebo? Junior/Senior Scratch there on May 5th

GreeBo

my partner played there 3 weeks ago and they had been done, so maybe right after the cups?
it was bone dry so maybe not enough water to wash them in or they were done again for some reason, either way, unplayable on Friday I'm afraid...

Mister Sifter

Probably the best course in north county dublin.

The_Architect

Generally speaking, I think this course is underrated and I like it quite a lot.

There is a large variety in the hole types and challenges. Some excellent quirky features add to the enjoyment.

Unlike Kevin, I find it refreshing to see a course defined by grasses rather than avenues of trees or over the top artificial mounding.

Kevinmarkham

The_Architect wrote: »

Unlike Kevin, I find it refreshing to see a course defined by grasses rather than avenues of trees or over the top artificial mounding.

A bit harsh. I didn't say I didn't like it - it's just the openness is not what most people are going to expect and that's what I was trying to tell the OP. On a good summer's day it can even play like a links, with many of the holes well up for bump and run shots. I like the place and would play it ahead of most of the courses in the area.

Kevinmarkham

GreeBo wrote: »

either way, unplayable on Friday I'm afraid...

With my putting inaccuracy, sounds like I'll have a distinct advantage

sweetswing

Cheers for all the replies lads , I ended up playing it , the wind was blowing and it turned out to be a very enjoyable days golf ,the greens weren't great but they were playable ( I'd say they are savage when in good nick)
I'll most definitely play there again .

sodbuster77

Does it have a practice range?

uberwolf

didn't when I last played 2 or 3 years ago. Unlikely to have added one since then

The_Architect

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

A bit harsh. I didn't say I didn't like it - it's just the openness is not what most people are going to expect and that's what I was trying to tell the OP. On a good summer's day it can even play like a links, with many of the holes well up for bump and run shots. I like the place and would play it ahead of most of the courses in the area.

Hi Kevin,

I wasn’t meaning to criticise your judgement. I just believe the course is all the better for not having planted corridors of trees.

GreeBo

The_Architect wrote: »

Hi Kevin,

I wasn’t meaning to criticise your judgement. I just believe the course is all the better for not having planted corridors of trees.

I would agree with this...but only because of the type of course it is.
Lines of trees would, imo, look ridiculous in that setting.

ShriekingSheet

I'm playing on Sunday. Haven't played in years. What are the holes to watch out for? Any holes that need a particular plan?

GreeBo

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I'm playing on Sunday. Haven't played in years. What are the holes to watch out for? Any holes that need a particular plan?

A lot of them to be honest, I only played the back 9 last week but I would say:

10th
Aim at bunkers off the tee. Unless you hit a good drive I would consider laying up, greenside bunkers and green itself is very penal.

11th
Lots off room out left off the tee, I was told to aim at the 150 marker but I hit it perfectly and was in the rough, Id aim well left of that.

12th
aim at the stables/sheds in the distance (half way up the mountain, right of the green) dont be long on your approach.

13th
No trouble long off the green.

14th
no trouble short

15th
lots of room left, off an ok drive you will be left with 200m to the middle. I'd seriously consider hitting two wedges as going for it or even a long layup is very tight with penal bunkers to a well protected green. OOB all down the right.

16th
Pot bunkers right of the green, avoid them.

17th
3 wood at absolute most off the tee, aim at the bunkers.

18th
4/5 iron at most off the tee, aiming at the bunker on the left.

There are some tricky holes around 4/5/6 but its a while since I played them last so couldn't give confident suggestions.

sodbuster77

GreeBo wrote: »

greens are pole forked and sanded, forget about putting altogether.
I played on Friday and we ended up not putting at all.

bunkers are deep but a lot of them have the lining showing, though there was still good sand in any of the ones I played out of.
I think it's a nice layout overall, very dry at the moment so lots of run, greens not terribly receptive.
also it will get very cold so bring lots of gear.

Greens were still very poor today. I found the bunkers impossible to play out of. Way too much sand in them.

GreeBo

they just don't seem to be getting the water...
I found the bunkers ok in the bottom, plenty of sand, the lining showing was a bit of putting though.