What club? Opinions please......

neckedit

Hey All,
Not another Help me find a club to join thread!! I hear you cry!!!
A friend of mine from Germany wants to Join a club in Ireland, as he spends alot of time here on Business, and enjoys "the craic".....
He has narrowed it down to 4 clubs and hes the enviable task of choosing either, The Island, Ballybunion, Waterville or Lahinch, He has played all of the above and enjoys them. What he really wants to know is, which of these has the best members scene i.e. social aspect to the club. So if there are any members out there who can give us an insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Neckedit

Benny Cake

neckedit wrote: »

Hey All,
Not another Help me find a club to join thread!! I hear you cry!!!
A friend of mine from Germany wants to Join a club in Ireland, as he spends alot of time here on Business, and enjoys "the craic".....
He has narrowed it down to 4 clubs and hes the enviable task of choosing either, The Island, Ballybunion, Waterville or Lahinch, He has played all of the above and enjoys them. What he really wants to know is, which of these has the best members scene i.e. social aspect to the club. So if there are any members out there who can give us an insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Neckedit

Ballybunion would be my choice. only issue I would have is the town itself wouldn't appeal to me. Unless he is a low handicapper I would avoid Lahinch, & Waterville would be my second choice.
Nice predicament to have tbh!

neckedit

Benny Cake wrote: »

Ballybunion would be my choice. only issue I would have is the town itself wouldn't appeal to me. Unless he is a low handicapper I would avoid Lahinch & Waterville would be my second choice.
Nice predicament to have tbh!

Thanks for the reply Benny, thats the kinda info Im looking for, My buddy is currently playing off Scratch on a gentle park land so he can play a bit, he intends to play here Quite a bit to get the Links vibe. As he is flying direct from Bremen to Dublin, logistically I keep saying the Island is the only sane choice commute wise, so he made the point about loving rural settings over Dublin.
I genuinely appreciate the feedback.

PARlance

neckedit wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Benny, thats the kinda info Im looking for, My buddy is currently playing off Scratch on a gentle park land so he can play a bit, he intends to play here Quite a bit to get the Links vibe. As he is flying direct from Bremen to Dublin, logistically I keep saying the Island is the only sane choice commute wise, so he made the point about loving rural settings over Dublin.
I genuinely appreciate the feedback.

Has he looked into waiting lists Neckedit?
Maybe there isn't as long a wait if he's getting an overseas membership but I know the likes of Ballybunion's one is long.
A mate got in this year as a captains pick, he had been waiting 5-6 years at that stage and had a few more to go.

Might be worth checking out that before he gets his hopes up.

Has he considered Portmarnock Hotel & Links. 2-2.5k per year and he could get a round in before his flight or as soon as he touches down.
It's a long long drive to be heading down to Ballybunion for a round and back.
Madness to put it nicely

I'd go for that option for regular & v good links golf and then take the odd trip down South and pay green fees.

Rippeditup

Personally I would go for the island.. I had a couple of years in there as a junior and it always had a good vibe. Quality course, close to the airport. Also excellent standard of golfer in there to compete with.
Course wise I would say Ballybunion but it is so far away, longer commute down there than the initial flight over.
If he wants out of the town a bit would he look at Baltray, again a good club atmosphere and easy enough access to Dublin while being out of the city. (They had been open for membership)

neckedit

PARlance wrote: »

Has he looked into waiting lists Neckedit?
Maybe there isn't as long a wait if he's getting an overseas membership but I know the likes of Ballybunion's one is long.
A mate got in this year as a captains pick, he had been waiting 5-6 years at that stage and had a few more to go.

Might be worth checking out that before he gets his hopes up.

Has he considered Portmarnock Hotel & Links. 2-2.5k per year and he could get a round in before his flight or as soon as he touches down.
It's a long long drive to be heading down to Ballybunion for a round and back.
Madness to put it nicely

I'd go for that option for regular & v good links golf and then take the odd trip down South and pay green fees.

Thanks for the reply man, The four courses are the only tracks he is really interested in, He intends to buy a place close to where ever he joins, The Dublin options are least attractive to him.
I suppose what info he is really looking for is club life and local life.

Thanks

PARlance

neckedit wrote: »

Thanks for the reply man, The four courses are the only tracks he is really interested in, He intends to buy a place close to where ever he joins, The Dublin options are least attractive to him.
I suppose what info he is really looking for is club life and local life.

Thanks

Only familiar with Ballybunion on that front Neckedit, have been down there a 3 times and know a member down there.

There has always been a good buzz about the place when I have been down, I am not 100% about this, but I think they have a reduced rate (maybe no entrance fee...not sure) for people within the town to encourage locals into the club.
From the few times I have been, there's always a group of lads in the bar watching TV/hanging around. And you get the impression that a lot of them may not have been out for a round, think the bar gets a bit of business on the social front.
So there's always been a good buzz, friendly and welcoming club.

As I said, can't speak for the others, but I'd have no worries about saying that Ballybunion should tick a lot of boxes!

neckedit

PARlance wrote: »

Only familiar with Ballybunion on that front Neckedit, have been down there a 3 times and know a member down there.

There has always been a good buzz about the place when I have been down, I am not 100% about this, but I think they have a reduced rate (maybe no entrance fee...not sure) for people within the town to encourage locals into the club.
From the few times I have been, there's always a group of lads in the bar watching TV/hanging around. And you get the impression that a lot of them may not have been out for a round, think the bar gets a bit of business on the social front.
So there's always been a good buzz, friendly and welcoming club.

As I said, can't speak for the others, but I'd have no worries about saying that Ballybunion should tick a lot of boxes!

Thanks again PARlance, thats the kinda info we are looking for.

PARlance

neckedit wrote: »

Thanks again PARlance, thats the kinda info we are looking for.

Was down there on St. Stephens Day, they wouldn't take a green fee of us, twas Christmas after all... that kinda goes to show the relaxed and friendly atmosphere about the place.

If he's looking to talk to a member I could arrange contact with my mate, I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions.

neckedit

PARlance wrote: »

Was down there on St. Stephens Day, they wouldn't take a green fee of us, twas Christmas after all... that kinda goes to show the relaxed and friendly atmosphere about the place.

If he's looking to talk to a member I could arrange contact with my mate, I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions.

Sweet I'll pass that on to him.

gorfield

If he's off scratch the defo lahinch, great town incredible course, and he could play the south every year on his home course! Great week of golf

TrapperChamonix

PM sent

neckedit

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

PM sent

PM received with thanks.