Dublin courses for beginners/improvers?

ronnie3585

After a 10 year absence, I'm finally getting back into golf. I used to play off about 18, was never anything special but I always enjoyed the game. I've been spending quite a bit of time at the driving range and I've found a little bit of consistency so I'm looking to head out onto a course.

I will be playing with three other friends. Two are at about the same level as me and the other is a complete novice. Weekends are the only option for us, I was thinking maybe Sunday evenings would be the quietest now that we have the extra hour.

Not being from Dublin, I don't really know what's what. We're looking for a decent course that isn't too difficult and and we can take a bit of time. I don't think it would be wise to waste green fees in some of the well established and busy courses, only to hold up play and p*ss the course ranger.

Many thanks:)

ForeRight

What area?

ronnie3585

We're all based in South Dublin. Happy to drive 30/40mins.

PARlance

ronnie3585 wrote: »

After a 10 year absence, I'm finally getting back into golf. I used to play off about 18, was never anything special but I always enjoyed the game. I've been spending quite a bit of time at the driving range and I've found a little bit of consistency so I'm looking to head out onto a course.

I will be playing with three other friends. Two are at about the same level as me and the other is a complete novice. Weekends are the only option for us, I was thinking maybe Sunday evenings would be the quietest now that we have the extra hour.

Not being from Dublin, I don't really know what's what. We're looking for a decent course that isn't too difficult and and we can take a bit of time. I don't think it would be wise to waste green fees in some of the well established and busy courses, only to hold up play and p*ss the course ranger.

Many thanks:)

The one thing that has changed while you've been away is that the green fees between the lower level/possibly easier courses you are looking for compared to a higher standard course is that you won't be saving a lot on the green fees.

For instance, you'll pay ~ €25 for the likes of Elm Green, Grange Castle, Sillogue Park, Swords Open versus ~ €25-30 for courses that are a much higher standard imo such as Lisheen Springs, Castleknock.
(I've played the "lesser" course above loads and I was a member of GC last year so I have nothing against them at all, just think there not at the same level as the other ones)

If it's a fine sunday afternoon/evening, I would nearly say the likes of Lisheen and Cknock would be the quieter.
The other courses...well, they would be busy with lads like yourself and in my experience are normally jam packed on a sunny summers day.

There will be plenty of high handicaps playing the better courses so don't worry about that, just make sure not to be keeping up with the pace of play. High HC doesn't have to mean slow player.

If you let us know where you are based I'll send you a list of both options and price ranges

PARlance

ronnie3585 wrote: »

We're all based in South Dublin. Happy to drive 30/40mins.

There'll be plenty on the South side to keep you going:

A list of the "lesser" clubs that you were originally looking for would be:
Stepaside Public (9 hole)
Glencullen (9 hole)
Grange Castle
Elm Green

All are about €25 for a round on Sunday. Grange Castle is quite long, the others are a lot shorter and may be easier to play when getting back into it.

For the same money you can play some of these courses (teetimes.ie golfnow.ie etc)
Castleknock (quite busy)
Luttrellstown (very quiet)
...there are plenty really, just have a look at the deal sites and you'll get a feel for availability and price.

ronnie3585

PARlance wrote: »

The one thing that has changed while you've been away is that the green fees between the lower level/possibly easier courses you are looking for compared to a higher standard course is that you won't be saving a lot on the green fees.

For instance, you'll pay ~ €25 for the likes of Elm Green, Grange Castle, Sillogue Park, Swords Open versus ~ €25-30 for courses that are a much higher standard imo such as Lisheen Springs, Castleknock.
(I've played the "lesser" course above loads and I was a member of GC last year so I have nothing against them at all, just think there not at the same level as the other ones)

If it's a fine sunday afternoon/evening, I would nearly say the likes of Lisheen and Cknock would be the quieter.
The other courses...well, they would be busy with lads like yourself and in my experience are normally jam packed on a sunny summers day.

There will be plenty of high handicaps playing the better courses so don't worry about that, just make sure not to be keeping up with the pace of play. High HC doesn't have to mean slow player.

If you let us know where you are based I'll send you a list of both options and price ranges

PARlance wrote: »

There'll be plenty on the South side to keep you going:

A list of the "lesser" clubs that you were originally looking for would be:
Stepaside Public (9 hole)
Glencullen (9 hole)
Grange Castle
Elm Green

All are about €25 for a round on Sunday. Grange Castle is quite long, the others are a lot shorter and may be easier to play when getting back into it.

For the same money you can play some of these courses (teetimes.ie golfnow.ie etc)
Castleknock (quite busy)
Luttrellstown (very quiet)
...there are plenty really, just have a look at the deal sites and you'll get a feel for availability and price.

That's very helpful. Thank you.

A colleague has recommended Lucan and the Hermitage - any opinions good or bad?

PARlance

ronnie3585 wrote: »

That's very helpful. Thank you.

A colleague has recommended Lucan and the Hermitage - any opinions good or bad?

Haven't played either but I've heard great things about them.
Lucan is €30 for Sunday evening (just checked, you can book at that price via the clubs website)
Hertimage Hermitage is saying €55 for green fees at the weekend.

You won't always get the them for ~€25-30 but once you start looking around you'll get to know the courses that discount the green fees.

Edit: Spelling: Always get the Heritage and Hermitage mixed up

mike12

Sunday afternoons is usually quite on most courses. St. Margret's was always quite when i played it at that time.

Static M.e.

Stepaside is nice for beginners (like me) and there is a driving range across the road which is handy too. We usually just play the 9 holes twice and we never really have a problem just showing up and getting a game within 30 min or so. Always best to call first though of course.