Beginner moving to Dublin

theboycanwrite

Hi all,

I'm new here in more ways than just having registered to the forum. I'm from Sweden but have lived in Cork for the last two years. I just recently picked up golfing as a serious hobby after having played a few rounds throughout the last 15 years with friends and family.
As the title indicates, I'm moving to Dublin within a month and I aim to become a member at club to continue my golf journey up in the capital. Since I am a beginner, and not of the wealthy kind, I am looking for a club that isn't too pricey but still has a good enough 18-hole course where I can develop the fundamentals of the game. Since I don't have a membership anywhere I don't have a handicap, but I play at between 25-35 strokes above par depending on how good of a day I've had. I aim to get a handicap below 30 before the end of the fiscal year.
I am also looking for people to play with. Preferably people who are as obsessed with the game as me and that are looking to improve their own game.
If you know of a club that might suit me or if you want to go out for a round some day I'd be more than happy to hear from you.

Thank you for taking your time to read!

(PS. I made a birdie on a 430m par 5 hole today! Score!)

PARlance

Welcome, do you know what area of Dublin you'll be living in?

Do you have a car or will you rely on public transport?

(P.s the username gives it away but it's worth double checking that you're not a Swedish lady???... Purely for Membership options of course )

Ronney

Where in Dublin will you be living/working? Best join somewhere reasonably close that you can get out and practice mid week evenings and then play comps at week ends

(ps highest handicap for men is 28, record your score in stableford and aim to break the 36 pts mark)

theboycanwrite

Wow! That was quick!

I will be working in Dublin 3 so I was thinking of moving as close as possible. I've been looking at Clontarf and East Wall for accommodation. I don't have a car so the Dublin public transportation services will be my one real option unless I find somebody to carpool with of course.
And you are correct about my username. I am a 27 year old Swedish male.

PARlance

I'm not overly familiar with the courses and their membership prices around there but I'm not sure they would be within budget, most are quite expensive around there.

I'm not even sure where the closest driving range would be tbh.

However, some good news, you can get cheap golf in Dublin by using such sites as teetimes.ie or golfnow.ie
The Dart may be your biggest friend, pretty handy (as public transport goes)

There's also an "Arrange a game" thread on here. When you've moved up let us know you're looking for a game etc.

theboycanwrite

Yes, it might be as I feared that I will have to travel an hour to get to the closest affordable golf course. Seeing as work and domestic life will take up most of my weekdays I figure that I will have time to play one or two rounds and do 3-4 hours at a close by driving range each week at tops. It might be more affordable for me to get a cheap membership in the countryside for handicap purposes and pay the standard green fee at whichever course I want to play that weekend. If I can find some good deals each week at teetimes.ie or golfnow.ie, it might now be too costly for me. I would however lose out on club tournaments and such.
Thank you for your quick replies and help though. I will look into it further.

Ronney

St Annes could be an option.

Also most clubs have special rates for under 28/30/35 members. Worth your while making a few calls to see if there are any vacancies/good offers

TrapperChamonix

theboycanwrite wrote: »

Wow! That was quick!

I will be working in Dublin 3 so I was thinking of moving as close as possible. I've been looking at Clontarf and East Wall for accommodation. I don't have a car so the Dublin public transportation services will be my one real option unless I find somebody to carpool with of course.
And you are correct about my username. I am a 27 year old Swedish male.

From Clontarf, 2 cheap alternatives that would suit a beginner and are accessible within 30 mins by public transport.

Bus to Howth to http://www.deerpark-hotel.ie/Golf
Dart to Malahide and you can get to a par 3 course in Malahide Castle (I understand they've put new greens in recently which play really well) http://www.mcgt.ie/par-3/

Seve OB

try somewhere like Silogue Park Golf Club. It's near the Airport, you get a Handicap and its not expensive. Probably the best deal you will get anywhere near you but I have no idea what the course is like.

As you say, getting the handicap is great cause then you can play anywhere in Open comps etc.

whizbang

I wouldn't bother with a distance handicap for a while
There's probably no course you would want to play that will demand a handicap card.

Most Opens will allow you to play without entering the competition.

theboycanwrite

I realize that as well, however, getting an official handicap is part of the journey and in my eyes a very important part of it. I am a firm believer that in whatever you do, you have to take yourself seriously and commit to the task ahead. In golf, to me, it means becoming an official member, participate in club competitions, perfecting my game, and lowering my handicap. As much as I play golf for the amusement of it, I am very determined to play to reach the comfort levels and consistency of a scratch player within 3-4 years.

Seve OB

theboycanwrite wrote: »

I realize that as well, however, getting an official handicap is part of the journey and in my eyes a very important part of it. I am a firm believer that in whatever you do, you have to take yourself seriously and commit to the task ahead. In golf, to me, it means becoming an official member, participate in club competitions, perfecting my game, and lowering my handicap. As much as I play golf for the amusement of it, I am very determined to play to reach the comfort levels and consistency of a scratch player within 3-4 years.

Now that will be an achievement and a half. wanting a handicap of 30 but aiming to be scratch in 3-4 years. Best of luck and let us all know the secret

theboycanwrite

stevieob wrote: »

Now that will be an achievement and a half. wanting a handicap of 30 but aiming to be scratch in 3-4 years. Best of luck and let us all know the secret

Aim for the stars and you might make it as far as to the rooftops, right?
I know I have a long road ahead of me and I know that people may be laughing at my naivity but my dad went from a complete novice to a 5 hcp golfer in 5 years. I aim to beat the old man to it.

cack_handed

A previous poster mentioned Sillogue Park and I would endorse that. Played it quite a bit a few years ago, remember it being cheap and more than adequate for the moderate to high handicapper. Would put it on a par with a place like Grange Castle on the other side of the city, a public course with some decent holes and some ordinary ones but overall not such bad value

theboycanwrite

Nice! Thank you. I have looked at Grange Castle a bit. The course looks alright on the pictures I have seen and I plan on playing it once I move up to Dublin, so hopefully in beginning August.

cack_handed

No worries. Actually it's some time since I played Grange Castle and i'm sure it's had an upgrade, but always remember being happy with the deal on offer. Little bit out of the way, though, so would have to be a taxi job if no transport

dk1982

Hi. Although it mightnt be the most convenient for you location wise, theres good value at the moment in City West on a pay as you play membership basis (€15 a round and full access to club competitions). Im joining this weekend until the end of 2015. Here are the quotes I was given until the end of this year and until the end of next year...

The rates are as follows for pay as you play membership:

Remainder 2014
€150 annual subscription
€26 GUI charge
€10 club levy

€186 Total


Remainder 2014 & 2015

€375 subscription
€46 GUI charge
€20 Club Levy

€441 Total

Seve OB

City West is not really up to much, personally I wouldn't bother with it.