Farnham Estate Golf Course

Roger_007

Anyone out there played Farnham Estate golf course in Cavan. I am organising a day's golf and was wondering what the course is like. We would be travelling 50 miles or so. The green fees look reasonable but is it worth the trip?

Almaviva

Its OK only. Good value and well kept but design of most of the holes is dull. No memorable holes despite plenty of space, some nice land and what looks like a good bit of money spent on it.
Bland for a 50 mile trip.

ciaran1982

Have to disagree totally we played our captains weekend here and loved it. Greens were suberb and the course was in fab condition. You cant just step up and blast your driver as if you find trouble it can be difficult to find your ball. You really need to plot your way around. Lots of interesting holes and plenty of hills and dog legs. Id highly recomend it.

Headford New isnt far away either and this is equally as good.

Only bad points are lon walks between some holes and there isnt a proper clubhouse but the hotel is on the grounds.

searay

Almaviva wrote: »

Its OK only. Good value and well kept but design of most of the holes is dull. No memorable holes despite plenty of space, some nice land and what looks like a good bit of money spent on it.
Bland for a 50 mile trip.

I'd agree. They are offering very cheap green fees at the moment, but it doesn't have a clubhouse and its a trek back to the hotel. Assuming you are coming from Dublin, options I'd put ahead of it, in no particular order, are the Slieve Russell, Glasson, Headfort New, Knightsbrook, Concra Woods, Esker Hills and Tullamore.

Finlay Harp

Save your money and go a few miles up the road to the Slieve Russell. Brilliant setup.

thewobbler

Almaviva wrote: »

Its OK only. Good value and well kept but design of most of the holes is dull. No memorable holes despite plenty of space, some nice land and what looks like a good bit of money spent on it.
Bland for a 50 mile trip.

I wouldn't call it bland. Played it once, 18 months ago, and can recall most of the holes. The 2nd is a magnificent hole, and the 10th is gorgeous to look at. 3, 4, 5, 15, 16 and 18 all fine holes too.

It's not a tier 1 parkland, but it's not a million miles away either.

Some of the walks between holes are horrible.

Roger_007

Finlay Harp wrote: »

Save your money and go a few miles up the road to the Slieve Russell. Brilliant setup.

I've played Slieve Russell. I agree it's a terrific course but I like to try out new courses. I think I will try it anyway.
Thanks for all the advice.

Ollieboy

Played it once and wouldn't rush back. It's very open on some holes and the walk from 9 to 10 is a killer up hill. Some nice holes but the index 1 is crazy and almost impossible.

The course holds a lot of water so don't go near if its raining. As most people mention already there is a lot better courses in the area.

Someone mention Glasson, I thought this was the most over-rated course ever. Nothing at all special about it and the front 9 is terrible and horrible bunkers.

I personally love Headfort new and old plus Slieve Russell but its ages since I played it.

sydneybound

Ollieboy wrote: »

Played it once and wouldn't rush back. It's very open on some holes and the walk from 9 to 10 is a killer up hill. Some nice holes but the index 1 is crazy and almost impossible.

The course holds a lot of water so don't go near if its raining. As most people mention already there is a lot better courses in the area.

Someone mention Glasson, I thought this was the most over-rated course ever. Nothing at all special about it and the front 9 is terrible and horrible bunkers.

I personally love Headfort new and old plus Slieve Russell but its ages since I played it.

Ah come on it's better than that!

I played there two weeks ago and the greens were in great nick, some of the best ive played on in recent times. Im sure the place is struggling but give me one club in the midlands that isnt finding things tough at the moment. It's not as good as either SR or Headfort but you will be paying a lot less money to play there plus you need to give the course time, it's only about 3-4 years old. We played on a groupon voucher and some lads had a buggy included for €50 for a twoball plus buggy, great value.

The front nine is the scoring 9 and a lot more open then the back 9. 4th is a difficult hole (its an index 1, what do you expect) but the 15th par 5 really plays its length, no way getting home in two, I'd take a par everytime.

If your anyways fit and not over weight you'll do that walk from 9 - 10 and then from 10 - 11 grand, granted its all uphill. All in all it's a stern test and much more difficult than SR down the road.

The chap in the cabin is dead friendly, forgot his name. Played there three times and he's always been there and remembered my name the last time! All in all not a bad course by any means. Best holes are 2,3,7,10,13,15

Kevinmarkham

Interesting to see the two sides to this. I was there in 2008 and thought it was a fine set up (although the back 9 were still under construction). The holes are enjoyable and have individuality so there's a good experience to it. First four holes really grab you.

No idea what condition it's in but agree about the walk to 10 - it's hard work. There being no clubhouse is a downside, too.

Some photos on my Flickr page (Taken by Boards' own MiniGolf)

Roger_007

Myself and 3 friends played Farnham yesterday. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the course. Apart from the 1st and 17th all the holes were challenging, but fairly so. The greens were excellent, (some of the best I have seen this year). In terms of value-for-money, I do not think there is a better course in the country. We paid €100 for a fourball + 2 buggies. Because of the spread-out nature of the course, the buggies turned out to be essential. It is true that there is a slightly unfinished look about the environs, (similar to Concra Wood), and a proper, modest, clubhouse would improve things. All in all it is a good test of golf on a well-designed course and well worth the trip. I would highly recommend it.

bigtimecharlie

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to play the course by the end of September, looking forward to it. Cavan's my home county.

bigtimecharlie

Finally got to play it 12 months later than expected.

I loved it. Course in great condition, greens were superb and fast. €120 for a fourball with 2 buggies (absolutely essential).

Didn't find any issue with the long spins between holes, in fact I think this gives the course character. The view on the 10th green worth the wait.

Loved the second (same type hole as 4th in Mitchelstown) and the 13th, 14th, and 15th all set in the woods where you can't see another hole.

Can't wait to get the second round played.

slave1

Snap, played it Monday AM, very expansive course, reminds me of Palmerstown in it's layout, greens great and a buggy 100% required for this baby as some of the walks e.g. 9-10 and 10-11 brutal steep.
Good value too, we inquired for a society outing and it was €30 with a buggy and tea/coffee on arrival, very obliging Pro too.

PS It's big because it was meant to hold two courses, one for members and one for the 'resort', in the end they stitched the best of both into one.

kieran.

How did you find it Slave. Played it recently myself and found it very ordinary with no memorable holes. I reckon some of the treks between holes could be 300m +.

bigtimecharlie

Its a course where you don't need to shout "FORE" too often, no one for miles around.

Pro was very welcoming, asked all the right questions, showed us where everything was etc. Aside from the portocabins, its a nice set-up. Didn't get to use the practise facilities, but at least they have some.

slave1

kieran. wrote: »

How did you find it Slave. Played it recently myself and found it very ordinary with no memorable holes. I reckon some of the treks between holes could be 300m +.

I really enjoyed it, the change from hole to hole, apart from the mundane opener every hole was superb I thought, easy to know where to hit your ball for most parts and as I'm used to 'closed-in' parkland it was a nice change of scenery for me. We will deffo bring our society there next year.

slave1

Went back here yesterday, my word what a change, tee boxes great, greens great but everywhere else very very wet, not often you have placing in August, really suffering with drainage, damn shame

mikepajero182

Terrible terrible shame. Its like a bog after rain.
Such a pity as there is some lovley holes.
That long par 5 on the back 9 through the trees is especially wet.

freethearmy

drainage is a pity their but as i see they are working on it it wil be a great course when they sort it all out

Telecaster58

Excellent golf course. If I couldn't rent a buggy I wouldn't play it.