Thinking of joining Slade Valley

dar_cool · 11-01-2014 12:51pm #1

They have a great offer for under 35's for 595, I abseloutly love the course,I grew up in saggart so was always looking to join but never could. Am I mad?:D

J6P · 11-01-2014 12:58pm

You love the course and you're getting a bargain. Go for it!

dar_cool · 11-01-2014 12:59pm

Thanks, just the kind of advice I was after:D

Russman · 11-01-2014 2:00pm

No, you're not mad.
I'm a member so I'm probably biased, but its a decent track for what it is. Its hilly and quirky in places but the new holes have IMO really made the back nine a very good test of golf. Yes, there are some poor holes on the front nine, but I think as a normal members type course it can hold its own.

dar_cool · 11-01-2014 3:04pm

Yeah the new holes are class. Love the dogleg right. Savage hole. Hilly and quirky is good rather than flat and boring.

whizbang · 11-01-2014 11:03pm

Having hacked it all the way up the hill, I don't feel like hitting it back down, just to do the same climb thing again, and again, and again.

If it was a 14 hole course, i would quite like it.

ShriekingSheet · 12-01-2014 6:16am

Absolutely go for it. That's a really good deal.

ForeRight · 12-01-2014 12:36pm

The ball goes miles off the tee when you're playing in the clouds up there.

I live beside it and have played it quite a lot. During the winter even more so than other courses you don't get out as it's a couple of degrees colder up there and it's frosty.

Tough test I've always found it.

clown2brown · 12-01-2014 2:58pm

During the summer I played at least 14 rounds up there with friends and considered joining in the new year. Having played there on Friday I would not go near membership having seen the majority of their bunkers being filled in. I like playing a course with plenty of bunkers and it seems that Slade are having money trouble which is why they are resorting to this.

Russman · 12-01-2014 3:10pm

clown2brown wrote: »

During the summer I played at least 14 rounds up there with friends and considered joining in the new year. Having played there on Friday I would not go near membership having seen the majorityof their bunkers being filled in. I like playing a course with plenty of bunkers and it seems that Slade are having money trouble which is why they are resorting to this.

Out of 30 bunkers, 8 were closed and 7 reduced in size, 1 is being added (no idea where).

First Up · 12-01-2014 4:04pm

ForeRight wrote: »

The ball goes miles off the tee when you're playing in the clouds up there.

I live beside it and have played it quite a lot. During the winter even more so than other courses you don't get out as it's a couple of degrees colder up there and it's frosty.

Tough test I've always found it.

It can get foggy as well. I see the €595 offer excludes Saturdays but if you don't mind that and like the course, it's a good deal. Not sure how the 36 year old members will feel about it though!

cgh · 13-01-2014 9:59am

Slade is a good course, but under great financal difficulty, the €595 is a good offer but what are the terms and condiditons, if you cant play on a saturday does that mean your excluded from weekend competitions. which would mean your not eligibale to win a captains or any other of the bigger comps.

Russman · 13-01-2014 10:06am

There's separate competitions on both Saturdays and Sundays so I would have thought its only the Saturday comps you can't enter. AFAIK the Monthly Medals from April to September are split evenly between Saturdays and Sundays ( ie 3 on a Saturday and 3 on a Sunday) to cater for people who can or can't make one of the days on a weekend.

I'm only a regular member BTW, I'm not involved in any way, shape or form in the running of the club, so the above is an assumption, but seems to make sense.

dar_cool · 13-01-2014 10:07am

No you can play sundays and if you want to play saturday its just an extra 10euro and you can play all the major comps.

cgh · 13-01-2014 10:11am

then thats a good offer.

Seve OB · 13-01-2014 11:51am

I'm not a fan. Don't like the criss cross holes. Doesn't help that I've been hit by wayward balls up there.....

ShriekingSheet · 13-01-2014 1:07pm

stevieob wrote: »

I'm not a fan. Don't like the criss cross holes. Doesn't help that I've been hit by wayward balls up there.....

It's only one cris cross to be fair, and it's done in a fairly smart way ie: the fairways cut each other at points that aren't really in play - as far is I remember.

dar_cool · 13-01-2014 1:18pm

Yeah as long as your aware of the guys teeing off when your going across its not too much of a problem, thanks for the help lads, think ive made up my mind, it suits me down to the ground, i dont play much during the winter, my mother lives only down the road so plenty of mammys dinners and i genuinely love the course layout, people give out about the hilly nature of it but i love that!

levitronix · 13-01-2014 3:49pm

Ye can give me a shout when the semi opens are on

dar_cool · 25-01-2014 7:18pm

Myself and Parlance played up there today in a gale. Despite the crazy wind we had a ball. I think I'm definitely going to join. The back nine is the greatest string of holes on a parkland in a long while. Forgot how much I like the place. See you up there soon Russman

Russman · 25-01-2014 7:35pm

dar_cool wrote: »

Myself and Parlance played up there today in a gale. Despite the crazy wind we had a ball. I think I'm definitely going to join. The back nine is the greatest string of holes on a parkland in a long while. Forgot how much I like the place. See you up there soon Russman

Nice one, can't imagine how windy it was up there today !! Yeah, I do rate the back nine alright, as tough as almost anything around. Front nine has a few weak holes, but, hey, can't have everything.
I won't be back playing til April/May (injured) but we'll definitely have a game in the summer.

dar_cool · 25-01-2014 7:38pm

Russman wrote: »

Nice one, can't imagine how windy it was up there today !! Yeah, I do rate the back nine alright, as tough as almost anything around. Front nine has a few weak holes, but, hey, can't have everything.
I won't be back playing til April/May (injured) but we'll definitely have a game in the summer.

Yeah was crazy on the high holes. Didn't stop parlance from launching a hybrid 215 yards to within 15 feet on the 7th for an eagle putt!!
Yeah that would be great. Look forward to it.

FixdePitchmark · 25-01-2014 7:42pm

dar_cool wrote: »

Yeah was crazy on the high holes. Didn't stop parlance from launching a hybrid 215 yards to within 15 feet on the 7th for an eagle putt!!
Yeah that would be great. Look forward to it.

Did you not know it is not possible to hit a hybrid 215 yards :rolleyes::)

Next you will be saying you know a lad who lost 8.8 (?) shots off his handicap.

ForeRight · 25-01-2014 8:02pm

9-10-11 are up there with the three toughest holes you will play on the bounce anywhere.

PARlance · 25-01-2014 8:53pm

.

PARlance · 25-01-2014 8:54pm

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PARlance · 25-01-2014 8:54pm

I was just glad I had my putter for a very rare attempt at an eagle

(It was in the boot for the first 6 holes

)

Had a great round up there despite the wind.
Truth be told, the climb on 11 and 18 nearly killed me, I was on my knees after them. Time to get onto the gym equipment. A round a week up there would do wonders.

Would agree with Russman, there are a few weak holes on the front 9 but they were well forgotten about once the back 9 gets going. Good hole after good on the back.

The under 35 membership is very appealing I have to admit. Some thinking to be done over the next few weeks.

cgh · 27-01-2014 9:37am

its a good all round course lets be honest,
the first is a decent opening hole, the second a very decieving par 3, the third is by no means weak, you need to play smart. the forth is a weak par 4, the 5th a very nice par 3, the sixth can be weak ( I drove the green last year ), the seventh is a easy birdie for a par 5, the eight is weak enough. after that batten down the hatches, the ninth is a wicked par 4, 10 is a trickie par 4, 11 has to be up there as one of thoughest index 1's ever, 12 is a weak enough par 4, 13 a good par three, 14 is a great dogleg par 4. 15 would be a weak enouh par 4 but the green is wickedly hard. 16 is handy enough just hit straight down and a lob wedge for a second shot in, seventeen the same and eighteen is just a killer of a finish.......

all said its a great test of golf up there. those who thinks its easy should try it.... even more so when its windy up there......

just a pity the politics of the club have it nearly in financial ruin.

ForeRight · 27-01-2014 10:27am

Just something else on Slade.

IMO it's totally set up for a fader.

Of the par 4's and 5's holes number 1,4,6,7,8,11,14,15,16,17 all shape left to right. The other holes are par 3's and couple of straight ones and I can only think of the 3rd and 10th that shape right to left.

I fade the ball and always seem to score well there but I've played with very low handicap lads who are big high drawers of the ball and they really struggled.

ShriekingSheet · 27-01-2014 12:02pm

ForeRight wrote: »

Just something else on Slade.

IMO it's totally set up for a fader.

Of the par 4's and 5's holes number 1,4,6,7,8,11,14,15,16,17 all shape left to right. The other holes are par 3's and couple of straight ones and I can only think of the 3rd and 10th that shape right to left.

I fade the ball and always seem to score well there but I've played with very low handicap lads who are big high drawers of the ball and they really struggled.

Eh, what? 1 and 4 are (a) straight holes and (b) have OB and trees up the left hand side. 7 and 11 also play dead straight.

Fair enough, there probably are a couple of holes suited to cutting it, but some of those examples... well, anyone who starts it up the left off that first tee, good luck to them!

ShriekingSheet · 27-01-2014 12:06pm

cgh wrote: »

just a pity the politics of the club have it nearly in financial ruin.

What kind of stuff, as a matter of interest?

A couple of my old neighbours (long dead) were founder members and brought me up to play when I was a kid. They always had stories about the arguments at committee meetings and AGMs, but I thought that was the same everywhere.

cgh · 27-01-2014 12:08pm

it is the same everywhere, but from what I do know is that when you build a new clubhouse and then decide to knock it down to build another new one costs a small fortune.

PARlance · 27-01-2014 12:25pm

ForeRight wrote: »

Just something else on Slade.

IMO it's totally set up for a fader.

Of the par 4's and 5's holes number 1,4,6,7,8,11,14,15,16,17 all shape left to right. The other holes are par 3's and couple of straight ones and I can only think of the 3rd and 10th that shape right to left.

I fade the ball and always seem to score well there but I've played with very low handicap lads who are big high drawers of the ball and they really struggled.

I'd have to agree, I'm a slicer, aggressive fader gentle fader of the ball and I have to say the course really suited my eye.

The holes ShriekingSheet mentioned are fairly straight but I certainly think a fade is more suited than a draw. Fair enough OOB runs along the left, but if you take that line with a fade it should come in nicely to suit the hole.

3rd is ok in the sense that it's a straight iron up to the fairway for me.... I did cack myself on the 10th

dar_cool · 27-01-2014 1:32pm

Most of the short par 4's up there are risk reward. You could drive a few of them but little bit off line and your lucky to come out with a par. I've played up there with big egoed lads who took dead aim at 3,4 and 5 and came away with silly high score. Centre off the fairway leaving a short iron in is the only way up there.

ForeRight · 27-01-2014 2:48pm

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Eh, what? 1 and 4 are (a) straight holes and (b) have OB and trees up the left hand side. 7 and 11 also play dead straight.

Fair enough, there probably are a couple of holes suited to cutting it, but some of those examples... well, anyone who starts it up the left off that first tee, good luck to them!

Eh what to you to sir?

Hole one is in tiny left to right turn on the fairway and anything turned over left is dead. A fade or slice right is still in play.

The 4th is another slight turn right if you are having a pop at getting the ball right up to the green which is possible and 100% suits a fader. A gentle fade but still a fade.

What's wrong with starting the ball down the left on the first if you fade the ball! Works for me. I aim down along the tree line and cut it back into the fairway which is looking straight up the neck of the green.

ShriekingSheet · 28-01-2014 11:02am

ForeRight wrote: »

Eh what to you to sir?

Hole one is in tiny left to right turn on the fairway and anything turned over left is dead. A fade or slice right is still in play.

The 4th is another slight turn right if you are having a pop at getting the ball right up to the green which is possible and 100% suits a fader. A gentle fade but still a fade.

What's wrong with starting the ball down the left on the first if you fade the ball! Works for me. I aim down along the tree line and cut it back into the fairway which is looking straight up the neck of the green.

It's totally fine if you only have a cut shot and fit that to the course. But for me, aiming up the side with OB and trees and bending it back is never, ever "the shot".

A slight bend in the first fairway, and a slightly better chance of getting close to the par 4 green on the 4th are not rewards enough to take on that risk.

Russman · 28-01-2014 11:15am

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

A slight bend in the first fairway, and a slightly better chance of getting close to the par 4 green on the 4th are not rewards enough to take on that risk.

I'd tend to agree.
Depending on the pin position, the left rough is often a better place to be than the right edge of the fairway on the 4th. Usually leaves a much easier 50/60 yard pitch uphill into the green.

IMO the drive going for the green should move from right to left. If you overdo it, the bunker should catch it or the rough over the back. You're dead if you miss out right.

ForeRight · 28-01-2014 11:19am

It's nothing to do with reward. It's how I hit the ball so it suits my game as opposed to holes that shape left which was my only original point in regard to the course suiting a fader of the ball

Russman · 28-01-2014 11:26am

ForeRight wrote: »

It's nothing to do with reward. It's how I hit the ball so it suits my game as opposed to holes that shape left which was my only original point in regard to the course suiting a fader of the ball

There are for sure a good few holes that suit a right handed fader insofar as the worst trouble is on the left (ie first 4 holes !), but a lot of the dog-legs, while turning right, can equally be played with a right to left shot. There's not that many of them where you're actually getting the ball to go around the dog-leg, two straight shots will do.

ForeRight · 28-01-2014 11:43am

Russman wrote: »

There are for sure a good few holes that suit a right handed fader insofar as the worst trouble is on the left (ie first 4 holes !), but a lot of the dog-legs, while turning right, can equally be played with a right to left shot. There's not that many of them where you're actually getting the ball to go around the dog-leg, two straight shots will do.

No doubt about that asking as you can hit it straight. I can't lol

Russman · 28-01-2014 11:48am

ForeRight wrote: »

No doubt about that asking as you can hit it straight. I can't lol

Straight is the hardest of them all !

Ahh no, I'm a lefty but predominately would hit a fade if anything. I tend to see the 1st as a right to left shot, over the edge of the trees.

ShriekingSheet · 28-01-2014 11:53am

I'm not arguing the minute of shot shaping strategy at Slade Valley. I'm just pointing out that saying holes suit a fader, where he can fire it at the trees and OB and cut it back, is a bit mad.

ForeRight · 28-01-2014 12:03pm

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I'm not arguing the minute of shot shaping strategy at Slade Valley. I'm just pointing out that saying holes suit a fader, where he can fire it at the trees and OB and cut it back, is a bit mad.

I never said you can fire it at the trees. Down the LHS of the fairway aiming isn't aiming out of the course and if a fade turns into a slice you are still in play as opposed to a draw that turns into a hook was simply the point I was making.

cgh · 28-01-2014 12:17pm

I just play my first tee shot down the 9th Fairway anyway.....takes the OB out of the tee shot.... :-)

pinkdoubleeagle · 28-01-2014 12:28pm

Not played it since the new holes went in. Will give it a bash this year.

dar_cool · 28-01-2014 3:24pm

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

Not played it since the new holes went in. Will give it a bash this year.

Give me a shout one of the Wednesdays for the opens!

dar_cool · 18-02-2014 7:41pm

Just to let anyone know thinking of this offer of 595 for under 35's. It's now for FULL membership and not only 6 day. This is a serious deal for anyone looking for a course to Join in the Dublin area.

spacecoyote · 18-02-2014 7:57pm

dar_cool wrote: »

Just to let anyone know thinking of this offer of 595 for under 35's. It's now for FULL membership and not only 6 day. This is a serious deal for anyone looking for a course to Join in the Dublin area.

Cheers Dar, very tempted to try this for a couple of years. Might have to get up & try a round. Member in GC at the mo & based on city west so handy to get to.

What condition is place in now & what's the comp fee?

dar_cool · 18-02-2014 8:02pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

Cheers Dar, very tempted to try this for a couple of years. Might have to get up & try a round. Member in GC at the mo & based on city west so handy to get to.

What condition is place in now & what's the comp fee?

It's a bit wet and sloppy in places. Greens and fairways in good condition bits of trees Here and there but most courses like that after the recent rain and wind. Few holes out of play today due to the wind. Should be open again by the weekend. If you want to go for a round up there let me know. They have no problem letting out people for free who are thinking of joining.comp fee is 5 euro for normal comps.
Cheers

Russman · 18-02-2014 8:03pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

Cheers Dar, very tempted to try this for a couple of years. Might have to get up & try a round. Member in GC at the mo & based on city west so handy to get to.

What condition is place in now & what's the comp fee?

Comp fee is €5 at weekends, with €1.50 for the 2s as an optional extra.
Haven't been up in a few months so no idea what the course is like after the storms.

josie19 · 18-02-2014 11:32pm

dar_cool wrote: »

It's a bit wet and sloppy in places. Greens and fairways in good condition bits of trees Here and there but most courses like that after the recent rain and wind. Few holes out of play today due to the wind. Should be open again by the weekend. If you want to go for a round up there let me know. They have no problem letting out people for free who are thinking of joining.comp fee is 5 euro for normal comps.
Cheers

Gone from BB already Dar?

Thinking of joining Slade Valley

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