Lucan, Hermitage, Newlands

Pauliee

Hi

I'm looking to join a club this year and have narrowed it down to these 3 as are closest. Just interested to see what club boards members would join if had choice and reasons why before I make the big decision.

I have considered all others such as Castleknock and Luttrellstown but don't really interest me.

Krusader

Grange Castle??

PARlance

Krusader wrote: »

Grange Castle??

It looks like the OP is willing to fork out a bit more than the GC level, if he is, then I don't think he needs GC to the list.

I'm a member of GC, fine track, but much better out there (for more wedge obv)

Pauliee

PARlance wrote: »

It looks like the OP is willing to fork out a bit more than the GC level, if he is, then I don't think he needs GC to the list.

I'm a member of GC, fine track, but much better out there (for more wedge obv)

Played GC loads and a big fan (greens were always great) but whatever club I join now is club for life so want one close where there is a good club atmosphere and facilities.

Russman

Nothing against Lucan, its a fine course, but I'd put both the others ever so slightly ahead of it, if it were me and all other things were equal.
Between Hermitage & Newlands, not a lot between them IMO, arguably Hermitage is a little more interesting/quirky and Newlands a little tougher, but its very subjective.
If it were me I'd flip a coin..............and choose Newlands, don't really know why, I'd be happy with either.

Can't comment on the atmosphere, club spirit etc. and I don't know which has better facilities like practice area, putting green etc., or where its easiest to get out for a few holes in the summer evenings.

dar_cool

Out of them id go with newlands aswell, always loved the course, played out there last year with a member on a summers evening and it honestly looked like augusta, savage looking course in full bloom!!

tigerwood1

Easy choice for me The Hermitage lovely course, newlands too much rd noise. Lucan front nine stagered tee boxes can be a pain when course is busy.

spacecoyote

Haven't played hermitage. Lucan & newlands are both nice courses.

I'd say the greens are probably a bit better in lucan. Newlands would be a bit tighter. Not sure how much of an impact to the course lay out there is from the new flyover going in?

Would you consider palmerstown house, not too far from any of the others, great course & no joining fee.

golfwallah

Have played Lucan & Hermitage but not Newlands.

Hermitage is way better than Lucan, IMO.

ForeRight

I've played them all on many occasions and I find Lucan a bit boring at times.
Up and down and a bit featureless.
Newlands is nice and tight. Tough little test.

If I was picking one is go with the hermitage too. Greens are fabulous in all 3 courses and the only negative I cone away from hermitage with every time is how weak of a finishing hole it is.

Pauliee

spacecoyote wrote: »

Haven't played hermitage. Lucan & newlands are both nice courses.

I'd say the greens are probably a bit better in lucan. Newlands would be a bit tighter. Not sure how much of an impact to the course lay out there is from the new flyover going in?

Would you consider palmerstown house, not too far from any of the others, great course & no joining fee.

Thanks for the reply spacecoyote. Palmerstown House is a very good offer. Was a member of Druids Heath previously and loved the course but the drive for both is 35 mins for me and trying to get down in the evenings for a few holes in Druids was a nightmare so really looking for a club that takes me 10 min to get too.

FixdePitchmark

This may sound mad.

But if you are stuck and between course - look at other factors.

Practice facilities
Course atmosphere
Practice green condition
Short game area condition
Long game facility
Balance sheet
Age profile of members
Food and drink
Time-sheet issues
Competition varieties
Pace of play (How long a round takes)

Also - I did all this agonising over courses - whilst the course condition and type is lets say 80 % of the reason to join a club - don't be blinded by this - factors above even the condition of locker rooms adds to the overall experience. They are the incalculable background factors to the overall experience. These things make you go to the club more and get value for money.


Now here is a good one, may not be a factor for you - but when people say a course is 15 minutes down the road - on many occasions it isn't.
Around me there are 20 course within 20 minutes - but there are only 2 that I can be on the first tee or putting green in 10 minutes.

Like buying a house - drive to the course at the awkward times - NEVER underestimate the M50 the mad cow and all the junctions on that road.

Sorry if I'm stating the bloody obvious - but if you are joining a club to be your long term club - make sure there is no issue with getting there at any time. (Time it - measure distance)

This may sound strange - but there is a big difference at getting to your course at 700 pm and 720 pm.


Sorry , If you have considered all of above - but you are looking at a long term move.

Ciaranra

Hermitage better option.
Grange castle is not a members course shoud be left public

sawdoubters

whats the joining policy in each club

I am sure they don't let riff raff in

Ciaranra

Not saying riff raff,but they would let anyone out,no dress code

pinkdoubleeagle

Ciaranra wrote: »

Not saying riff raff,but they would let anyone out,no dress code

Are you sure?

Ciaranra

Cant say for weekends.but i played it a few times midweek and this is my opinion.
Nice course but could be giving a t time and a q on the t box.
Just feel its a nice public course

PARlance

Ciaranra wrote: »

Cant say for weekends.but i played it a few times midweek and this is my opinion.
Nice course but could be giving a t time and a q on the t box.
Just feel its a nice public course

For clarity, you are talking about Grange Castle as opposed to any one of the 3 clubs in the OP's list?

I would agree that the dress course for Grange Castle (when it comes to casual rounds in the summer) is very relaxed, but I don't think this effects members.
On a fine summers day/weekend, you will have lads out for their annual round of golf which can be seen as a chance to top up their tans... but as a member you will not see much of these lads as they are teeing off after the members comp.

The only encounter I had was one weekend where I couldn't play in the morning comp and decided to stick my name down for a casual early evening round.
Put it this way, I haven't done it again. Extremely slow and plenty of lads out there more interested in getting a tan on their chests than playing golf.


But again, you won't see much of this if you're a member.
You will notice a fair few pitch-marks from these casuals, but in fairness to the green-keeping staff, the greens were well maintained throughout the year.
I have went out at 6 or 7pm on these summer evenings and the course I generally empty, the sun is down so there's less chance of topping up the tan for them.

Just noticed that you were talking about mid week rounds:
You're right to an extent, I quickly learned to wait an extra hour or so before going for a quick midweek 9 holes last summer.
There was no point rushing to get there for 5:30 as there was always a fair bit of traffic, I started heading at 6;30-7pm and generally used to get a few run at it as all the casual 18 holers would have been onto the back 9 at that stage.

Pauliee

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

This may sound mad.

But if you are stuck and between course - look at other factors.

Practice facilities
Course atmosphere
Practice green condition
Short game area condition
Long game facility
Balance sheet
Age profile of members
Food and drink
Time-sheet issues
Competition varieties
Pace of play (How long a round takes)

Also - I did all this agonising over courses - whilst the course condition and type is lets say 80 % of the reason to join a club - don't be blinded by this - factors above even the condition of locker rooms adds to the overall experience. They are the incalculable background factors to the overall experience. These things make you go to the club more and get value for money.


Now here is a good one, may not be a factor for you - but when people say a course is 15 minutes down the road - on many occasions it isn't.
Around me there are 20 course within 20 minutes - but there are only 2 that I can be on the first tee or putting green in 10 minutes.

Like buying a house - drive to the course at the awkward times - NEVER underestimate the M50 the mad cow and all the junctions on that road.

Sorry if I'm stating the bloody obvious - but if you are joining a club to be your long term club - make sure there is no issue with getting there at any time. (Time it - measure distance)

This may sound strange - but there is a big difference at getting to your course at 700 pm and 720 pm.


Sorry , If you have considered all of above - but you are looking at a long term move.

Hi Fix

Thanks for the reply. Have considered these and all would similar. Hermitage probably doesn't have the best practise facilities but would be the nicest course in my opinion. Newlands is the closest but not by a lot.

All seem to have a good club atmosphere and all would appear to have a wide range of competitions.

You're right its a big decision especially when you factor in a joining fee which is a big commitment.

Really appreciate all the comments. I have a favourite but its really good to get everyones opinion.

golfwallah

Played twice as a visitor last year - always enjoy playing here.

Here's one from early in the round:


2 views of the par 3 10th beside the Liffey:



11th hole:

d2ww

OP, do you know members in each of the clubs mentioned who can propose and second you? Fairly sure that you will need this for Hermitage anyway, and to attend an interview.

Russman

Do those holes down by the river in Hermitage still flood in the winter (or spring, summer & autumn !! ) ? Might be a factor.

Can't really go wrong with either TBH.

Pauliee

Thanks for all the replays and input. I had 99% already made up my mind on the Hermitage and looks like most agree.

RoadRunner

What price is membership of hermitage? Would be looking to join a fairly local course myself soon and not sure if castleknock gc is a safe bet anymore with the news of receivership last week.