Club to join in Cork

Stevie555

Hi All,

Was just looking for a few peoples opinions on a club they would recommend joining in Cork. Living in the city and have been doing a lot of pay & play but would like to join somewhere in order to get a handicap, play a few competitions and try and lower my handicap if possible through more regular play!!

Have played Castlemartyr a good bit and its a lovely course but the 2k joining fee is a bit off putting! I think if I was to pay the joining fee I'd join a more established club like Monkstown but my thinking is there is surely better value out there.

Any thoughts, recommendations and advice would be great!

slingerz

Depends on where you are really and what you want to pay.

Would think the likes of Monkstown, Cork GC, Douglas, Lee Valley, Muskerry etc. are expensive places to join IMO

Perhaps Blarney, Macroom are options depending on where you are based

superhooper

slingerz wrote: »

Depends on where you are really and what you want to pay.

Would think the likes of Monkstown, Cork GC, Douglas, Lee Valley, Muskerry etc. are expensive places to join IMO

Perhaps Blarney, Macroom are options depending on where you are based

Don't think Lee Valley have a joining fee. IMO its a nice track and was always in good shape though I haven't played it in an age. Easy enough drive there too from City.

peepee

I've been a member of a few clubs and for me its all about convenience. If it is a pain to get there you'll soon get tired of going. You want to be able to spin out for a quick few holes midweek during the summer.

Whats your budget?

Dbu

Make your decision on joining a club, by location
As in previous threads I mentioned a buddy just joined Douglas
He has played more in 2 months, that he did in a full year on his last course, down purely to the club being on his doorstep.

The_Kew_Tour

You're better off paying the extra few quid/hundred if it suits you more as you will get more out of it and its much easier to come and go as you please.

Stevie555

I'm based in the city centre, quite close to the Link road so handy enough to get to most places. its 15/20 mins to Lee Valley i'd say and about 25/30 mins to east cork/castlemartyr direction. 30 mins would be the max I'd be looking to drive so any suggestions in that range.

I think that's good advice regarding paying an extra bit in order to get the convenience of being able to play more. Budget wise, most places I looked at were between the 800-1200 per year sub and that would be ok. Monkstown is a nice spot and would definitely enjoy playing there but not sure I'd want to stump up a big joining fee, anyone know how much it is or if its payable in installments?

I suppose also I'm looking for somewhere that members are sound enough and its pretty easy to get out for a few holes in the evenings etc.

Thanks for the help lads, I appreciate it big time! Just don't want to join somewhere without having done a bit of research!

Dbu

Stevie
a few thoughts for you
Join a members owned club rather than a privately owned one (ie Lee Valley) Fine course but owned by a family. My example of why not to join a privately owned one would be to look what happened to Harbour Point members..
Also suss out the financial situation of the club beforehand (critical in this day and age imo)
Douglas score on all counts, but you will be paying 3k upfront and spreading 4k out over the next 4 years. If its close and you dont intend to move, i would seriously think about it.
just my tuppance

peepee

Join a members owned club rather than a privately owned one (ie Lee Valley) Fine course but owned by a family. My example of why not to join a privately owned one would be to look what happened to Harbour Point members..

Good advice but in defence of Lee Valley you can pay monthly and there is no joining fee so you wont lose out if it was to suddenly wind up.

If money isn't an issue I think Fota is the best choice in terms of course/condition.

Castlemartyr is also excellent but membership numbers way too low, u'll struggle to find a playing partner.

Dbu

peepee wrote: »

Good advice but in defence of Lee Valley you can pay monthly and there is no joining fee so you wont lose out if it was to suddenly wind up.

If money isn't an issue I think Fota is the best choice in terms of course/condition.

Thats ok then peepe.
my point would be that at my age...4....:cool: something, i really need to settle down in a club and I am seriously looking at raiding the piggy bank for Douglas next year...if they are open for membership
Monkstown seem pretty poor financially

As fro Fota, fab track but if Mr. China decides some day that he would rather rear some rare chinese goats there instead of running it as a golf course..he can do whatever he wants really:)

Loire

I passed by Muskerry at the weekend and see they have no joining fee. Nice members club and not too far out..

tax_tutor1

Dbu wrote: »

Thats ok then peepe.
my point would be that at my age...4....:cool: something, i really need to settle down in a club and I am seriously looking at raiding the piggy bank for Douglas next year...if they are open for membership
Monkstown seem pretty poor financially

As fro Fota, fab track but if Mr. China decides some day that he would rather rear some rare chinese goats there instead of running it as a golf course..he can do whatever he wants really:)

Monkstown's joining fee is approximately €2,500 +€1,000 loan payment. Douglas is €6,500. Annual payment in Monkstown is €1,450 including €30 food levy, Douglas is €1,319 including €100 for bar. Definitely more availability of tee times in Monkstown as lower membership numbers. Douglas took 47 new members this year most of whom will be playing members.

In terms of finances Douglas are in a great position but their funds on deposit are restricted to capital expenditure only. Monkstown have a large outstanding bank loan (funded the clubhouse) but are making full repayments.

Ultimately your decision is down to which course you prefer and whether Douglas is worth the extra money.

Stevie555

Thanks for suggestions. Fota would be great but couldn't justify the 5k joining fee and the same with Douglas.

Enjoy playing Castlemartyr but as somebody mentioned the lack of member isn't great. The only plus on the joining fee there is it can be paid over 2/3 years so not bad. Course always seems to be in good nick and playable!

Must go play Lee Valley, Muskerry, Blarney and maybe even Cobh and then shortlist it down to 2 maybe including Monsktown and Castlemartyr!

Never thought picking a club to join would be this hard!!!! Will drive myself mad in the end!!