Smurfit Course Membership

mike12

Got the golf weekly emagizine and saw a membership offer for the Smurfit course designed by Arnold Palmer. Presume this isn't the Ryder cup course.
€1500 for the year includes a free junior membership, 8 green fees, complimentry use of the driving range and practice facilities plus 8 vouchers for buggies. Seems like a cracking offer for anyone close to the place. Not sure if the link will work.
http://digital.golfingweekly.ie/i/374467

morrga

Indeed it may seem like a good offer but the Smurfit is a poor second to the Palmer course and the number of open competitions, groupon deals suggest the course is really struggling to attract the numbers.

Add in the fact that the course has very poor drainage facilities, winter golf is often in a quagmire and no fun at all. I played it on the August bank holiday weekend and even then it couldnt handle the rain that fell.

Killeen down the road would be a far more viable alternaitve. There is also the option of the Hibernian club which is a pay and play deal based out of the Smurfit course.

slave1

morrga wrote: »

Indeed it may seem like a good offer but the Smurfit is a poor second to the Palmer course and the number of open competitions, groupon deals suggest the course is really struggling to attract the numbers.

Add in the fact that the course has very poor drainage facilities, winter golf is often in a quagmire and no fun at all. I played it on the August bank holiday weekend and even then it couldnt handle the rain that fell.

Killeen down the road would be a far more viable alternaitve. There is also the option of the Hibernian club which is a pay and play deal based out of the Smurfit course.

Hard to compare to the Palmer, most courses would be second but in any case I agree with the drainage, a number of holes are wet until high summer which is mad considering it was built from scratch, I played it last Sept during not too wet a time and the 18th fairway was like an ice rink with the trolly over spinning it's wheels

mike12

Suppose it is 7 or 8 years since i played the course so have no idea on the condition. Didn't know it got so wet.

Domo1982

It can get wet for sure. I always like the course - Nice finishing run of holes.

Never seems to be anyone up there though. Not sure if that has changed with the new membership options

I think the opening holes on the Palmer let it down

Dayor Knight

Played it last Sunday with Hibernian Club. Very good condition, but can be soggy in places at times, alright.

morrga

Dayor Knight wrote: »

Played it last Sunday with Hibernian Club. Very good condition, but can be soggy in places at times, alright.

How much per round is it under Hibernian? Do ye have many outings/comps per year?

Penalty

How would people rate the smurfit course versus Palmerstown House?

If you had the choice which you would play?

Domo1982

Penalty wrote: »

How would people rate the smurfit course versus Palmerstown House?

If you had the choice which you would play?

Palmerstown all day - one of the best parkland layouts in the country in my opinion

morrga

I would just about say the Smurfit because of the last 6 finishing holes. Both savage courses.

Tin_Cup

Does anyone know if they offer monthly payment options?/

morrga

Tin_Cup wrote: »

Does anyone know if they offer monthly payment options?/

The Smurfit course has struggled in recent years is I would think any payment plan you propose would be acceptable. Best thing to so is give them a call.

Dayor Knight

morrga wrote: »

How much per round is it under Hibernian? Do ye have many outings/comps per year?

Sorry, missed that question. Usually 40 to 45 Euro depending on time of year, plus competition fee of 5. Competition every Sunday morning.

Tones69

Domo1982 wrote: »

Palmerstown all day - one of the best parkland layouts in the country in my opinion

But also VERY wet in winter, close to unplayable at times. Beaut of a course mind you, must go back

Dr_Colossus

Tones69 wrote: »

But also VERY wet in winter, close to unplayable at times. Beaut of a course mind you, must go back

+1 Palmerstown is one of my favourite courses but played itself and Headfort New on two consecutive days in April this year and Palmerstown was akin to a swamp and my impression of the place went severely downhill. Headfort New greens were slow but otherwise the course was enjoyable but Palmerdtown was quite frankly shocking and should have been closed, never mind having visitors paying for an open competition squelching around the course looking for plugged balls.

Never played the Smurfit course so can't comment regarding that.