Fota Golf Academy

pats87

Anyone here joined to the academy? I'm seriously thinking about joining but have a few questions. First off, do you think it's worth the money?

How busy is it in the evenings and weekends? Is the pitching area separate from the full length driving range or are they all in one? How large is the putting green? Are you able to hit full shots off grass or are full shots only from in the covered bays? Are all the different areas spaced out? Are all the greens, bunkers etc kept well? Is it more aimed at short game practice or can you work on all your game? What's the dress code, do you have to wear the same clothes you'd wear on the course or is it a bit more relaxed?

I practice at frankfield specifically because you can hit off grass but the quality of the turf in the outdoor area isn't great, sometimes very little grass, with no real targets, and the putting/chipping area is quite small. In good weather the place is packed and can get quite loud with people chatting.

Would love somewhere with quality practice facilities, that is nice and quite.

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance!!

big_drive

I'm a member there.

The answer to nearly everything you asked is yes. Its a class facility, i don't think there is anything as good around the country bar Carton House maybe.

You should drive in and take a look at it.

The driving range is seperate to the short game area. You hit off grass, there is covered driving bays but they're only used for winter/bad weather.

The putting green is very large. Then there are 3 other greens used for pitching, chipping, bunkers. You can practice all types of shots you'd need

The dress code is relaxed, obviously within reason. you wouldn't need to be dressed like you would for a round of golf but at same time i wouldn't go there in a soccer jersey and runners

Its been busy recently since the weather got better but it makes no difference as it can accomodate a large number of people. there is never a problem with doing anything you want

I find it worth the €200 as i live fairly close (10 mins drive)
Last week i was there monday, tuesday, thursday. I'm getting there 3 nights a week at least at the moment so find it good value.

Should point out too its extra for balls for the range, €10 for a card that has 5 credits. One credit is 30 balls i think

For the chipping, putting, bunker i bring my own balls so i can get used to the ball i use on the course and how it behaves, etc.

The facility is mantained to an exceptionally high level

I feel its really brought on my game in the 2 years i've joined as the short game to me is key to good scores.

So overall i'd highly reccommend joining

Any other questions ask away

the greatest game

used it a good few times, I would say its well worth it.

Very good driving range,

Excellent putting and chipping facilities, floodlit too in winter.

I never noticed it too busy, so not over subscribed, its beside the new 9, which is always very quite.

pats87

Thanks for the replies.

Re the dress code would you be ok so in jeans and a polo shirt?

Think I'll get my membership handed in ASAP!!

big_drive

pats87 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Re the dress code would you be ok so in jeans and a polo shirt?

Think I'll get my membership handed in ASAP!!

Jeans and polo would be fine. A lot of people come there straight from work I'd say so no problem.
I'd say go for it, you'll enjoy it

hades

pats87 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Re the dress code would you be ok so in jeans and a polo shirt?

Think I'll get my membership handed in ASAP!!

Well, i'd have to agree with all things said above. This is my third year being a member there.

2 things that i would point out would be -

Dress code, i was wearing a pair of jeans on the range one day and i was called on it. Was told it would be best if i wore trousers in future. TBH, i rarely see fellas wearing jeans in the practice area.

Group Lessons, during the winter they can run group lessons in the evening. This affected me as my two nights for practice would alternate between a tuesday, when they would have junior coaching and a thursday when they would have group lessons from coláiste stefon naofa. I may have gotten the days mixed up, but the bays were always full.

Having said that, i still find it a great place to practice. Its actually out of my way to get there, but i still make the over an hour round trip every week.

cjfitz

Is there anything such as a day pass or the likes for this facility? Have a few hours (4-5 hours) to kill in Cork tomorrow.

big_drive

cjfitz wrote: »

Is there anything such as a day pass or the likes for this facility? Have a few hours (4-5 hours) to kill in Cork tomorrow.

Not that I'm aware of. But you could always ring and ask, you'd never know

cjfitz

Ya will chance it, cheers.

hades

Hi Guys

I used to be a member of the Fota Academy, and i'm thinking of going back.

I see that the rates for membership have gone up from €200 to €250.

Is there anyone here still a member and how is it these days? As i mentioned above in a post from 2014, i found that group sessions could have the place jammed on some nights.

I've heard rumblings that there's a new person over the Academy. And apparently he's looking to re-invent the Academy, with new pricing etc. I've tried contacting Fota a number of times in the last 6 weeks about next years pricing and trying to get a deal for the rest of this year, but i've been put off every time. "new prices will be up by mid september" followed by "new prices by end of september" and i rang again today and i was told prices are not finalised and there will be "no deal for joining for the rest of this year and all of next year."

I don't know but the attitude seems a bit off by the staff, but unfortunately there really isn't an alternative, outside of going to East Cork GC Driving Range.

luvthegame

The Tiger economy is back down in Fota.
Plans are to make the whole place more exclusive again.
Thats direct from the head pro!
"We are going to make the academy more expensive and limit the membership"

slingerz

not a great attitude but i dont see the business model behind an academy/practice area/driving range being economically viable really

hades

luvthegame wrote: »

The Tiger economy is back down in Fota.
Plans are to make the whole place more exclusive again.
Thats direct from the head pro!
"We are going to make the academy more expensive and limit the membership"

That would sum up why they've been so blunt and unhelpful with me so.

I had been talking to my instructor about getting a place to practice and he told me that he was approached by the new guy in charge of the Academy about sending some students his way for academy membership. The promise was that he'd look after them.

My instructor gave me the guys mobile number, so i rang it, no response. No response from the voicemail either. I left it go a few days and texted the number explaining who i was and how i came to get the number, i got a text back almost immediately saying "sorry no offers or deals, membership is €250". So much for looking after students of this instructor.

Tweaky

I'm still a member down there. I live 5 mins away so very handy for me. I'm part of a group membership so have a discounted rate. We came under pressure last year on our rate so not expecting ant good news this year based on what I am reading above.
The lessons there have become very expensive - all on trackman and 60 for 30 minutes. Its rare you see people getting lessons down there now and it is definitely quieter in the evenings than I would have seen in previous years.
A foolish approach if they are going to try and price people out of it. I'm sure it has been a nice little earner over the years with little extra cost to them. they have to maintain it for the full members anyways

nuts86

€250 is pretty expensive on top of your year sub for gold elsewhere indeed,

Are the balls included in this or do yo have to pay for them as well?

It is a pretty nice setup - there is no where else to practice either... I've seen people queuing for bays in Frankfield driving range in the Winter,

If you were living close by and the balls weren't an extra on top of membership it wouldn't be too bad

Tweaky

nuts86 wrote: »

250 is pretty expensive on top of your year sub for gold elsewhere indeed,

Are the balls included in this or do yo have to pay for them as well?

It is a pretty nice setup - there is no where else to practice either... I've seen people queuing for bays in Frankfield driving range in the Winter,

If you were living close by and the balls weren't an extra on top of membership it wouldn't be too bad

Balls are extra - Between 1.50 and 2.00 for 30 - depends on the quantity of credit that you buy. Cheaper than Frankfield.

hades

Well guys, i sent an email into Fota detailing my frustration and got a response

It is correct that we are putting a new structure in place around the membership of the golf academy. The final details of this are being put together at the moment but I can confirm the price will be €800 for the year, January 1st to December 31st. This package will have more elements included than what it has been to date.

Holly sh!t, €800 a year, that's more then my full membership in my home club.

Hopefully its a typo in the email, i can't understand how they'll be able to charge that and expect people to pay for it. Unless perhaps they'll include membership of the "new" nine holes aswell.

Dbu

If they want exclusive they will charge
I would be slightly worried if I was a member of the actual golf club as well. Price shift soon enough there as well I would say
They also was that to be exclusive as well.

Tweaky

hades wrote: »

Well guys, i sent an email into Fota detailing my frustration and got a response

It is correct that we are putting a new structure in place around the membership of the golf academy. The final details of this are being put together at the moment but I can confirm the price will be 800 for the year, January 1st to December 31st. This package will have more elements included than what it has been to date.

Holly sh!t, 800 a year, that's more then my full membership in my home club.

Hopefully its a typo in the email, i can't understand how they'll be able to charge that and expect people to pay for it. Unless perhaps they'll include membership of the "new" nine holes aswell.

Must make use of my remaining 3 months membership !!! Won't be joining again if that is where the prices are going !!

big_drive

I was a member there in 2014 and 2015
Really enjoyed it and found it really helped my game. I'm not playing golf this year so didn't join but was thinking of going back next year.
Wouldn't be joining at that price! There would want to be some serious extras built in

big_drive

Seems that there will be use of the 9 holes, this may make it some way worthwhile. Especially for someone living close by who could get a few holes in the evenings. Or if you'd worked on something at the range and then wanted to take it straight onto the course
I'd like to hear the finer details though as I presume there may be some type of restrictions!

Tweaky

All range balls included as well - this is the email I got


Dear Member,

Membership to Fota Island Golf Academy is being transformed; and so is becoming a member of the academy. Within the new membership package, members will receive range credit up to €40 per week and will also have limited use of the Barryscourt 9 holes which can be booked through the ProShop. Greenfee rates are also available to play the full 18 holes of Barryscourt or Deerpark (subject to availability).

Comprising of two USGA spec outdoor tees, three USGA spec chipping greens and a USGA spec putting green, the Fota Island Golf Academy is one of Ireland’s best. We have also recently transformed our indoor facilities; within our two fully stocked teaching rooms, we have upgraded our teaching technology to Trackman launch monitors and we also have a golf simulator, especially handy during those dark, wet winter nights.

The annual membership fee for 2017 is €800, which includes all of these new additional benefits.

bailey99

Was member there for last two years. Must say a right air of snobbery in the place again. The pro shop look down their noses at you when you go in there to them.

Its as if you are something they throd on. Membership of the academy went was 200 in 2015 to 250 in 2016. For 2017, membership is 800. Yes that's not a typo. 800 euro.

U get the academy and access to the new 9 hole course once you book in advance and there aren't green fees out on the new 9. I'd say that's a sure fire way though to wipe out 95% of the academy membership.

Montgolfier

Surely that's a reasonable price hike after 901 years.
You did say it wasn't a typo couldn't resist