South Dublin / North Wisklow Golf Club Options

54and56

Hi all,

Apologies if this is repeating some previous threads from 2013 and 2014.

My friend and I are 15/16 H'caps and looking to see what options are available for 2016 full 7 day membership within 20 minutes drive of The Beacon Hotel on a Saturday morning.

We have an annual budget of €2,000 for membership including GUI, clubhouse levy, insurance etc etc. We will consider a modest joining fee of €2,000 to €3,000 but we're not in the market for spending €10,000 - €15,000 for places like Grange or the Castle etc.

The courses we've shortlisted are:-

- Edmonstown (Easy drive, €2,500 joining fee and €1,816 sub per annum. Heard it's a relatively flat but tricky course with narrow enough fairways. You need to think you're way round which is good in my book.)

- Stackstown (Easy drive, great value for money at €1,458 all in but very hilly, has some very slopey fairways and some crazy albeit good quality greens)

- Powerscourt (Love both courses but at €2,309 a year it's a bit too expensive and you're not a "member", you are a year to year customer so no real security of tenure.)

- Bray (Great facilities and clubhouse. Very nice holes and quality build all round but very hilly. Some of the climbs between holes are unbelievable. €1,523 a year all in.)

- Glen of the Downs (Played it a couple of times but was in deep winter when very exposed. Great clubhouse. I believe it's €1,600 a year all in and a very pleasant athmosphere.)

- Old Conna (Well established but I don't know much about it. I believe they do a year by year membership for €1,500 and full membership for a joining fee of €4,900 + €1,443 sub per annum thereafter)

- Greystones (I believe it's a very good course but don't know much about the fees. I heard it's €1,600 per annum but not sure about joining fee.)

Our priorities are:-

1. Playable all year round (or as much as is practically possible)
2. Not too hilly. This is more to do with having "fair" fairways and greens than not wanting lung and heart busting exercise.
3. Not too long a drive. If it's more than 20-25 minutes from the Beacon Hotel the spontaneous/cheeky Wed or Fri late afternoon round on a nice summer day won't happen.
4. Good diary of competitions.
5. Good pace of play. 3.5 - 4.0 hour rounds as much as possible rather than 4.0 - 4.5 or even 5.0 hour rounds. (combination of course layout, time sheet management i.e. going out in threes instead of fours, competition format, club culture etc)

Appreciate all input and please feel free to sing the praises of your own course if you are actively seeking new members.

Cheers.

First Up

A fair variety on that list so not sure what style of course or club you prefer. There's a few others within that distance range in the other direction - e.g Castlewarden, Beech Park, Palmerstown Stud, Killeen...
There's also Rathfarnham, Delgany, Woodbrook, Dun Laoghaire, Lisheen Springs and a few more that you could reach in 20-25 minutes.
Don't restrict yourself unecessarily. A couple of minutes driving more or less is not significant. Its more about what you experience when you get there.

54and56

First Up wrote: »

A fair variety on that list so not sure what style of course or club you prefer. There's a few others within that distance range in the other direction - e.g Castlewarden, Beech Park, Palmerstown Stud, Killeen...
There's also Rathfarnham, Delgany, Woodbrook, Dun Laoghaire, Lisheen Springs and a few more that you could reach in 20-25 minutes.
Don't restrict yourself unecessarily. A couple of minutes driving more or less is not significant. Its more about what you experience when you get there.

Hi First Up, thanks for the feedback.

We considered all of the clubs you mentioned and excluded them from the short list. FYI here are our reasons:-

Castlewarden - Too far and can be heavy traffic.

Beechpark - Played it a couple of times and didn't enjoy it.

Palmerstown House - Same as Castlewarden.

Killeen Castle - Superb course but too far.

Rathfarnham - Great location but would prefer Edmunstown.

Delgany - Too hilly.

Woodbrook - €10,000 joining fee.

Dun Laoghaire - Lovely course and set up. €16,000 joining fee and €2,300 a year or no joining fee and €2,840 a year. Both too expensive.

Lisheen Springs - Played it a couple of times and its nice but think there are better courses closer to us.

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote:

Killeen Castle - Superb course but too far.

I was referring to Killeen near Naas but that also falls outside your (rather restricted) radius.
I wouldn't agree with your ratings of some of the courses but anyway you have lots of choice.

Russman

Something else to consider is do you intend to play both days at weekends ?

I'm not a member of any of those mentioned but I believe in Edmondstown its one competition over the weekend so you can only play on one of the days.

Also you want year round golf, I've been told that in the winter in Stackstown you play off a little mat you carry round with you. Not 100% sure if that's true or not to be honest but a few people have said it to me. Might be worth checking out in advance though.

Also check out how busy or not the timesheets are. I know of some people who have left our place to join somewhere else only to find they can't get out or they're 15th reserve and need to wait for an e-mail during the week with a cancellation at some random time. Some places allow you to book a full line on the sheet, others only allow one slot so you're never sure who you'll be playing with, personally speaking that would be a deal breaker for me, I don't want to pay x amount a year for my leisure pursuit and not have the privilege of playing with my friends most of the time.

With an annual budget of €2k and prepared to pay a small joining fee if necessary, you have an endless choice of clubs really. Also don't necessarily believe the stated or advertised joining fees with some higher profile clubs, I suspect some of the €12k, 14k, 16k amounts are quite moveable if you have a cheque ready to go, especially if there are two of you !

Sample as many as you can over the next few months would be my advice. Playing somewhere in the winter will show you it at its worst which might be a good thing.

PARlance

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies if this is repeating some previous threads from 2013 and 2014.

My friend and I are 15/16 H'caps and looking to see what options are available for 2016 full 7 day membership within 20 minutes drive of The Beacon Hotel on a Saturday morning.

We have an annual budget of €2,000 for membership including GUI, clubhouse levy, insurance etc etc. We will consider a modest joining fee of €2,000 to €3,000 but we're not in the market for spending €10,000 - €15,000 for places like Grange or the Castle etc.

- Powerscourt (Love both courses but at €2,309 a year it's a bit too expensive and you're not a "member", you are a year to year customer so no real security of tenure.)
.

If you love both courses in Powerscourt then it's an easy decision imo. If you factor in the no joining fee, then your coming in below your overall budget for the next 5 years or so. Personally, with work etc, I wouldn't be looking too far past a 5 year period when joining a club. Not until I'm well settled in an area and that's a while down the road.
Security of tenure is an odd one, you don't get any real security of tenure in any of the others. A joining fee doesn't automatically give you it, if the club is financially healthy then that would be enough for me.

CMOTDibbler

PARlance wrote: »

Security of tenure is an odd one, you don't get any real security of tenure in any of the others. A joining fee doesn't automatically give you it, if the club is financially healthy then that would be enough for me.

In fact a joining fee would be a negative with regard to security of tenure in my book. If the club folds, you've lost your joining fee and your golf course.

My first choice would always be a club with no joining fee. You've no guarantee of anything other than being down a sizeable wedge and all it does is tie you to the club even if it turns out that you don't like it.

First Up

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

In fact a joining fee would be a negative with regard to security of tenure in my book. If the club folds, you've lost your joining fee and your golf course.

My first choice would always be a club with no joining fee. You've no guarantee of anything other than being down a sizeable wedge and all it does is tie you to the club even if it turns out that you don't like it.

Or a club sufficiently well established to make the chances of it folding pretty remote. I'd have no problem or concerns paying an entrance fee to a member owned club like Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Castle and the like. The entrance fee gets you a share in the business as well as making a contribution to all the work and money that made them what they are.

A club still needs the income to balance the books, so if they are not getting joining fees, they need to get it from annual subscriptions or other income like green fees and societies and that is a very competitive business. Fair enough if you are happy to hop from club to club if the old one folds, or you see a better deal somewhere else. But every club needs the resources to be sustainable and maintain standards. You get what you pay for.

CMOTDibbler

First Up wrote: »

Or a club sufficiently well established to make the chances of it folding pretty remote. I'd have no problem or concerns paying an entrance fee to a member owned club like Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Castle and the like. The entrance fee gets you a share in the business as well as making a contribution to all the work and money that made them what they are.

A club still needs the income to balance the books, so if they are not getting joining fees, they need to get it from annual subscriptions or other income like green fees and societies and that is a very competitive business. Fair enough if you are happy to hop from club to club if the old one folds, or you see a better deal somewhere else. But every club needs the resources to be sustainable and maintain standards. You get what you pay for.

I did say 'first choice'

Clearly there are other factors which you have outlined very well, but joining a club is as much a financial decision as anything else. A lot of clubs have folded and left their members with nothing to show for their investment. I wasn't suggesting club hopping, just that having a choice and being able to exercise that choice without constraint would be a factor in making the decision to join a club.

First Up

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

I did say 'first choice'

Clearly there are other factors which you have outlined very well, but joining a club is as much a financial decision as anything else. A lot of clubs have folded and left their members with nothing to show for their investment. I wasn't suggesting club hopping, just that having a choice and being able to exercise that choice without constraint would be a factor in making the decision to join a club.

Of course it is good for the golfer to able to join a club without stumping up for an entrance fee and of course it is good for the golfer if s/he can walk away without losing if the club folds (or if their preferences/circumstances change.)

But it takes two to tango and unless clubs have an income stream that allows them operate, then you end up either with a sub standard facility, or having to find a new club.

But yes, the current environment (while it lasts) allows people make easier club choices and hopefully it is encouraging more people to join clubs.

54and56

PARlance wrote: »

If you love both courses in Powerscourt then it's an easy decision imo. If you factor in the no joining fee, then your coming in below your overall budget for the next 5 years or so. Personally, with work etc, I wouldn't be looking too far past a 5 year period when joining a club. Not until I'm well settled in an area and that's a while down the road.

We're both very well settled into our houses with kids in local schools etc so very little chance we'll be moving anywhere, at least until retirement which is circa 20 years away. We're looking to join somewhere where we can stay long term.

PARlance wrote: »

Security of tenure is an odd one, you don't get any real security of tenure in any of the others. A joining fee doesn't automatically give you it, if the club is financially healthy then that would be enough for me.

I'm not worried about security of tenure from the perspective of the club going bust I'm looking at it from the perspective of having the annual sub for year to year members being pushed up and up and/or the number of year to year memberships being reduced to make room for people who want to pay a large joining fee to become "full members". My main concern is that after 2-3 years in Powerscourt we'd be squeezed out.

54and56

First Up wrote: »

I was referring to Killeen near Naas but that also falls outside your (rather restricted) radius.

We've defined it as 20 to max 25 minutes so that we can juggle family commitments and the ability to quickly head out for a round on a sunny evening if possible. Anything beyond that kind of timeframe turns a round of golf into a 6.0/6.5 hour activity and that's not a runner for us e.g. 35 minutes drive to get there 30 minutes before tee time to get organised, warm up etc plus 4.5 hours for the round on busy competition days (particularly if going out in 4's) followed by 15 minutes to input your card, get all the gear back in the car and then 35 minutes home.

We'd rather pay a bit more and play a slightly lower quality close to home course on a frequent basis (we often play Wed afternoons, Sat morning and Sun afternoon competitions in Summer) than join a lower cost or better quality course further from home and not play as much. Hope that makes sense!!

First Up wrote: »

I wouldn't agree with your ratings of some of the courses but anyway you have lots of choice.

I doubt any two people would agree on the ratings of a list of golf courses. Opinions are very personal after all!!

54and56

Russman wrote: »

Something else to consider is do you intend to play both days at weekends ?

I'm not a member of any of those mentioned but I believe in Edmondstown its one competition over the weekend so you can only play on one of the days.

Thanks for the alert. Yes in Summer we'd frequently play a Wed afternoon open and either one or two competitions Sat and Sun. Anything which restricted that would be a problem for us.

Russman wrote: »

Also you want year round golf, I've been told that in the winter in Stackstown you play off a little mat you carry round with you. Not 100% sure if that's true or not to be honest but a few people have said it to me. Might be worth checking out in advance though.

Yes, I believe you are correct on that. Far from ideal!!

Russman wrote: »

Also check out how busy or not the timesheets are. I know of some people who have left our place to join somewhere else only to find they can't get out or they're 15th reserve and need to wait for an e-mail during the week with a cancellation at some random time. Some places allow you to book a full line on the sheet, others only allow one slot so you're never sure who you'll be playing with, personally speaking that would be a deal breaker for me, I don't want to pay x amount a year for my leisure pursuit and not have the privilege of playing with my friends most of the time.

That wouldn't be a deal breaker for us at all. My experience using the BRS booking system (most popular system with clubs) is that it's quite rare where you can't book a full line made up of your fellow member friends but even if you can't we're not joined at the hip and frequently go out separately for loads of different reasons. I think it's a positive thing that you get to play with other random members. It prevents little cliques or clubs within clubs being formed and encourages a much richer social interaction. Sometimes it can be a disaster if you end up with a slow player or just someone you have nothing in common with but in my own experience I've had far more positive than negative experiences when the line I am on is filled out with randomers.

Russman wrote: »

Sample as many as you can over the next few months would be my advice. Playing somewhere in the winter will show you it at its worst which might be a good thing.

Great advice. I think we'll shortlist a few and go play them over the next 6-8 weeks.

Ronney

I'd say go with Powerscourt. The two courses is a nice bonus. Means you can always get guests out on a Saturday. It wouldn't be too far from the Beacon and there is never any traffic on the back road via kilternan.

As far as financial stability is concerned I would say its been round long enough not to be a worry. There two courses and the hotel I would imagine generate a reasonable level of Society/Guest Green Fees.

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

We've defined it as 20 to max 25 minutes so that we can juggle family commitments and the ability to quickly head out for a round on a sunny evening if possible. Anything beyond that kind of timeframe turns a round of golf into a 6.0/6.5 hour activity and that's not a runner for us e.g. 35 minutes drive to get there 30 minutes before tee time to get organised, warm up etc plus 4.5 hours for the round on busy competition days (particularly if going out in 4's) followed by 15 minutes to input your card, get all the gear back in the car and then 35 minutes home.

We'd rather pay a bit more and play a slightly lower quality close to home course on a frequent basis (we often play Wed afternoons, Sat morning and Sun afternoon competitions in Summer) than join a lower cost or better quality course further from home and not play as much. Hope that makes sense!!

I doubt any two people would agree on the ratings of a list of golf courses. Opinions are very personal after all!!

The two closest to you are Foxrock and Carrickmines but I'd imagine memberships are hard to come by. Same would be the case with Milltown and Elm Park.

Of the others, I'd say Old Conna or Glen of the Downs might be a decent compromise between price, quality and access.

54and56

Ronney wrote: »

I'd say go with Powerscourt. The two courses is a nice bonus. Means you can always get guests out on a Saturday. It wouldn't be too far from the Beacon and there is never any traffic on the back road via kilternan.

As far as financial stability is concerned I would say its been round long enough not to be a worry. There two courses and the hotel I would imagine generate a reasonable level of Society/Guest Green Fees.

I really do love Powerscourt. I love the whole set up and I think both courses offer high quality golf, more variety than anywhere else and they aren't too far away as you point out as there's usually very little traffic if you go via Stepaside.

It's not their financial weakness I'm concerned about, it's quite the opposite. I'm concerned that the year to year membership will be pushed up and up over the coming years or phased out all together to make room for people willing to pay €10,000 or €15,000 joining fee's (a la Dun Laoghaire) leaving us to find another course as those sort of joining fee's wouldn't be viable for us.

54and56

First Up wrote: »

The two closest to you are Foxrock and Carrickmines but I'd imagine memberships are hard to come by. Same would be the case with Milltown and Elm Park.

Not interested in 9 hole courses and I believe Milltown still charge a hefty (I've heard €20,000) joining fee so don't think they are runners.

First Up wrote: »

Of the others, I'd say Old Conna or Glen of the Downs might be a decent compromise between price, quality and access.

I'm 100% in agreement with you on this and possibly Edmonstown if there aren't restrictions on how often you can play as a full 7 day member.

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

I really do love Powerscourt. I love the whole set up and I think both courses offer high quality golf, more variety than anywhere else and they aren't too far away as you point out as there's usually very little traffic if you go via Stepaside.

It's not their financial weakness I'm concerned about, it's quite the opposite. I'm concerned that the year to year membership will be pushed up and up over the coming years or phased out all together to make room for people willing to pay €10,000 or €15,000 joining fee's (a la Dun Laoghaire) leaving us to find another course as those sort of joining fee's wouldn't be viable for us.

Why do you see that as a bigger risk in Powerscourt than anywhere else? If you like it that much and it ticks the other boxes, why not join? If they hike up the prices you can always move. I don't see the golf market in Ireland improving to the extent that joining fees will be widely re-introduced; we still have too many courses and not enough new young golfers to replace those phasing out of the game.

Ronney

Is that offer with powerscourt basically to rent/lease a membership? As far as I know you can buy memberships that are transferable/sellable but not sure of the price.

It does have this little benefit (carton wouldn't be much more than 30mins for a change of scenery)

"Reciprocal Agreements with other clubs
A Member can play for €25 and his/her guest can play at reciprocal club’s member guest rate

Carton House
The Heritage
Mount Juliet
Mount Wolseley
Waterford Castle
Lough Erne – a Member can play for STG £35."

CMOTDibbler

First Up wrote: »

Why do you see that as a bigger risk in Powerscourt than anywhere else? If you like it that much and it ticks the other boxes, why not join? If they hike up the prices you can always move. I don't see the golf market in Ireland improving to the extent that joining fees will be widely re-introduced; we still have too many courses and not enough new young golfers to replace those phasing out of the game.

Would joining fees apply to existing members? I know clubs can ask for member 'debentures' and other such fund raising mechanisms but I always thought a joining fee was just what it said on the tin.

Kingswood Rover

Carrickmines is another option, old established club, under a grand per annum AFAIK. There is an air of mystery about the place that has always fascinated me.

First Up

CMOTDibbler wrote:

Would joining fees apply to existing members? I know clubs can ask for member 'debentures' and other such fund raising mechanisms but I always thought a joining fee was just what it said on the tin.

They wouldn't. The OP was worried that joining fees might be back in vogue if he had to leave Powerscourt in a couple of years and join somewhere else.

54and56

First Up wrote: »

Why do you see that as a bigger risk in Powerscourt than anywhere else?

Because it is a profit motivated commercial operation whereas the likes of Edmonstown, Old Conna and Greystones are member owned and IMHO less likely to hike annual subs or get rid of existing members to make room for new members willing to pay large joining fees.

First Up wrote: »

If you like it that much and it ticks the other boxes, why not join? If they hike up the prices you can always move.

Because I don't want to move again. I want to find a club I can get involved in and support for the long term including introducing my son etc when the time is right.

First Up wrote: »

I don't see the golf market in Ireland improving to the extent that joining fees will be widely re-introduced; we still have too many courses and not enough new young golfers to replace those phasing out of the game.

You might be right and I may be mis-pricing the risk. Only time will tell.

54and56

Ronney wrote: »

Is that offer with powerscourt basically to rent/lease a membership? As far as I know you can buy memberships that are transferable/sellable but not sure of the price.

It does have this little benefit (carton wouldn't be much more than 30mins for a change of scenery)

"Reciprocal Agreements with other clubs
A Member can play for €25 and his/her guest can play at reciprocal club’s member guest rate

Carton House
The Heritage
Mount Juliet
Mount Wolseley
Waterford Castle
Lough Erne – a Member can play for STG £35."

Stop making Powerscourt more attractive!!!

54and56

Kingswood Rover wrote: »

Carrickmines is another option, old established club, under a grand per annum AFAIK. There is an air of mystery about the place that has always fascinated me.

You're right but it's a 9 hole course and for that reason alone I'm not interested.

54and56

First Up wrote: »

They wouldn't. The OP was worried that joining fees might be back in vogue if he had to leave Powerscourt in a couple of years and join somewhere else.

No, I'm I'm worried they would reduce the number of year to year memberships (or price them so high people are forced out) in order to make space for members who want to join and are willing to pay large joining fees.

Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid but the paranoid survive!!!

newport2

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

No, I'm I'm worried they would reduce the number of year to year memberships (or price them so high people are forced out) in order to make space for members who want to join and are willing to pay large joining fees.

Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid but the paranoid survive!!!

I'm a member in Powerscourt. If you join you are a full member. The only difference is that only those who paid an entry fee in the club can be captain, those who didn't can't. Apart from that all members have the same rights and pay the same yearly subs. They may reintroduce a joining fee at some point, but that doesn't mean anyone will be made leave.

Like you say, Edmondstown is 2.5k joining fee, 5 years ago it was 20k. All members still have the same rights though.

CMOTDibbler

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

No, I'm I'm worried they would reduce the number of year to year memberships (or price them so high people are forced out) in order to make space for members who want to join and are willing to pay large joining fees.

Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid but the paranoid survive!!!

That could happen in any club. There are no guarantees. That said, why should it be a concern? You're not getting married to it.

Dtoffee

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

You're not getting married to it.

No, this is a much more important committment

morrga

[/QUOTE] I'm 100% in agreement with you on this and possibly Edmonstown if there aren't restrictions on how often you can play as a full 7 day member.[/quote]
Add your reply here.

Edmondstown is one of the worst and most over rated golf courses I have played. Tight with holes on top of each other, very bland and could easily be mistaken for a public course.

morrga

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

[QUOTE=Ronney;98009550

As far as financial stability is concerned I would say its been round long enough not to be a worry. There two courses and the hotel I would imagine generate a reasonable level of Society/Guest Green Fees.

It's not their financial weakness I'm concerned about, it's quite the opposite. I'm concerned that the year to year membership will be pushed up and up over the coming years or phased out all together to make room for people willing to pay 10,000 or 15,000 joining fee's (a la Dun Laoghaire) leaving us to find another course as those sort of joining fee's wouldn't be viable for us.[/quote]
Add your reply here.

The days of signing on fees won't return, too many clubs not enough players to share around to allow this type of economics work again!

Dtoffee

I used to play Edmondstown regularly years ago, but the course was changed and not for the better. Its still an OK course, but not even close to being worth the money they are asking.

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote:

Because it is a profit motivated commercial operation whereas the likes of Edmonstown, Old Conna and Greystones are member owned and IMHO less likely to hike annual subs or get rid of existing members to make room for new members willing to pay large joining fees.

That assumes they don't or won't have the spare capacity to absorb new members. Given the current and projected numbers playing the game, that is most unlikely.

But it is a facility tailored towards the higher end of the market and prices will reflect that.

My main reservation about Powerscourt would be what I sense is the weak "club" ethos, although some members may want to challenge that perception.

vickers209

Would wicklow town be an option? You could do it in 25 30 minutes outside peak traffic times

Russman

Dtoffee wrote: »

I used to play Edmondstown regularly years ago, but the course was changed and not for the better. Its still an OK course, but not even close to being worth the money they are asking.

Agree with this. The main attraction they have now is location. The front nine is still very good, but the re-jig of the back nine is poor at best (it still needs to be played though, in fairness). I thought I was the only one who preferred the old layout !

Op, a couple of others you haven't mentioned in both directions, Charlesland, Newlands, Slade Valley, Naas. Ranging from cheap as chips @ €600 annual sub up to €5k joining fee & €1,650 sub.

If I was in your situation with that amount of money to spend, I don't want to insult anyone by saying this but, I'd chance my arm and walk into Grange and offer them €3k from each of you to join and see what they say.

Ronney

If I was in your situation with that amount of money to spend, I don't want to insult anyone by saying this but, I'd chance my arm and walk into Grange and offer them €3k from each of you to join and see what they say.[/QUOTE]


Id say they would fall off their seats laughing! The likes of Grange, Castle, Milltown and Elm Park have no trouble attracting members due to their location. Their budgets would depend a significant amount on those joining fees as they dont really look to attract much green fees from visitors due to lack of time sheet space because of their sizable membership numbers.

d2ww

newport2 wrote: »

I'm a member in Powerscourt. If you join you are a full member. The only difference is that only those who paid an entry fee in the club can be captain, those who didn't can't. Apart from that all members have the same rights and pay the same yearly subs. They may reintroduce a joining fee at some point, but that doesn't mean anyone will be made leave.

Like you say, Edmondstown is 2.5k joining fee, 5 years ago it was 20k. All members still have the same rights though.

I was there for 4 years, and understood that I was sub-leasing a membership on a year to year basis only. I'm fairly sure that like Luttrellstown, there was a stipulation of the development that membership would be quite limited to provide teetimes for foreign tourists.
I would agree that it lacks the clubhouse "feel" that you get in proper members courses.
However, what you do get is great teetime availability. I never had to call ahead to play a casual 9 holes, I could nearly always get out.

Russman

Ronney wrote: »

If I was in your situation with that amount of money to spend, I don't want to insult anyone by saying this but, I'd chance my arm and walk into Grange and offer them €3k from each of you to join and see what they say.

Id say they would fall off their seats laughing! The likes of Grange, Castle, Milltown and Elm Park have no trouble attracting members due to their location. Their budgets would depend a significant amount on those joining fees as they dont really look to attract much green fees from visitors due to lack of time sheet space because of their sizable membership numbers.[/QUOTE]

They may well do, but I think you might be surprised.

CMOTDibbler

Have you looked at City West? Membership is only €660 and it should be well within your driving time from The Beacon. I've not played it myself, but it has two courses and it's quite short.

MiniGolf

Another option/options are Druids Glen and/or Druids Heath. No joining fee in either and if you join Druids Glen (circa €2250 p.a.) you get playing rights in Druids Heath. Afaik they have playing agreements with other clubs -Adare Manor springs to mind. If you didn't want to pay so much you can join Druids Heath for around €1350. Gym membership is another €150 ish for either. Don't quote me on exact figures but I think they are fairly close. I know a lot of people don't like DH but it improved my game massively over the couple of years I was a member. Hoping to go back next year.

Mantis Toboggan

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Have you looked at City West? Membership is only €660 and it should be well within your driving time from The Beacon. I've not played it myself, but it has two courses and it's quite short.

Only the one course there these days, and while it's great value for money and in superb nic there's better longer courses available for the sort of money the op is looking to spend. Op have you looked at Druids heath?

CMOTDibbler

MiniGolf wrote: »

Another option/options are Druids Glen and/or Druids Heath. No joining fee in either and if you join Druids Glen (circa €2250 p.a.) you get playing rights in Druids Heath. Afaik they have playing agreements with other clubs -Adare Manor springs to mind. If you didn't want to pay so much you can join Druids Heath for around €1350. Gym membership is another €150 ish for either. Don't quote me on exact figures but I think they are fairly close. I know a lot of people don't like DH but it improved my game massively over the couple of years I was a member. Hoping to go back next year.

They'd be close enough to the twenty minutes from The Beacon as well. Granted that's assuming light traffic, but that would be a factor no matter which direction you're going from Sandyford.

According to Google maps it's 26 minutes, so that's out

54and56

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

They'd be close enough to the twenty minutes from The Beacon as well. Granted that's assuming light traffic, but that would be a factor no matter which direction you're going from Sandyford.

According to Google maps it's 26 minutes, so that's out

Google maps respects the speed limit too rigidly

54and56

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Only the one course there these days, and while it's great value for money and in superb nic there's better longer courses available for the sort of money the op is looking to spend. Op have you looked at Druids heath?

No, haven't really considered DH. I think if I wanted to drive that far I'd try and get into Druids Glen but I didn't think they were open for new members just paying annual subs. I thought there was a significant joining fee??

CMOTDibbler

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Google maps respects the speed limit too rigidly

I've driven that route a lot and I suspect you're right

Just the last bit through Newtownmountkennedy would be slowish, but it's all motorway driving from The Beacon.

Depending on traffic of course, but it would seem to be a very viable option for you and clearly there are two great courses there.

CMOTDibbler

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

No, haven't really considered DH. I think if I wanted to drive that far I'd try and get into Druids Glen but I didn't think they were open for new members just paying annual subs. I thought there was a significant joining fee??

Looked it up there and Druids Glen is €2,600 with no joining fee. Druids Heath is €1,350 also with no joining fee.

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/golf-memebership/druids-glen/

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/golf-memebership/druids-heath/

newport2

d2ww wrote: »

I was there for 4 years, and understood that I was sub-leasing a membership on a year to year basis only. I'm fairly sure that like Luttrellstown, there was a stipulation of the development that membership would be quite limited to provide teetimes for foreign tourists.
I would agree that it lacks the clubhouse "feel" that you get in proper members courses.
However, what you do get is great teetime availability. I never had to call ahead to play a casual 9 holes, I could nearly always get out.

There is an option to sub-lease, my mate used to do it years ago. A member who was abroad. But they waived the entry fees fairly recently, so now leasing makes no sense any more. Just join yourself. 850 full members now, which is fine for 2 courses. Never had problem with tee-times.

The only foreign tourists I see there are from the hotel across the road. Aside from that they really target the corporate market more so than the tourist one.

54and56

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Looked it up there and Druids Glen is €2,600 with no joining fee. Druids Heath is €1,350 also with no joining fee.

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/golf-memebership/druids-glen/

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/golf-memebership/druids-heath/

Thanks. I had looked but didn't find that info ref DG.

I wonder could the offer of "Druids Glen Couples Golf Membership - €3,900 per annum (No Joining Fees)" be applied to my mate and I if we join together for as long as both of us remain members? How is a "couple" defined in these PC times? Would a "couple" of mates qualify??

CMOTDibbler

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Thanks. I had looked but didn't find that info ref DG.

I wonder could the offer of "Druids Glen Couples Golf Membership - €3,900 per annum (No Joining Fees)" be applied to my mate and I if we join together for as long as both of us remain members? How is a "couple" defined in these PC times? Would a "couple" of mates qualify??

I suppose the two of you could get married alright though I suspect your wives might be upset. Brings a new meaning to 'Golf Widow'

Paulzx

Who would have thought that the result of the marraige referendum would lead to cheaper golf fees?


Although I don't think Panti Bliss will be allowed on the practice green in those high heels and the "committee" will go mad when she..errr he tries to use the ladies jax in the clubhouse

CMOTDibbler

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Thanks. I had looked but didn't find that info ref DG.

I wonder could the offer of "Druids Glen Couples Golf Membership - €3,900 per annum (No Joining Fees)" be applied to my mate and I if we join together for as long as both of us remain members? How is a "couple" defined in these PC times? Would a "couple" of mates qualify??

If your budget could stretch to Druids Glen, I think that would represent the best value because you get playing rights for Druids Heath as well. The opposite is not true (joining Druids Heath does not give you any benefits for playing Druids Glen). You also get free midweek golf at Adare Manor.

Joining either of them gets you a 30% discount on Spa treatments (a great selling point for the OH ).

It also has full greens all year which is a positive. It's near the sea which should reduce the incidence of frost. Some of the courses you listed in the OP don't have this: Lisheen Springs only has 12 or 13 in the winter for example.

Driving distance has to be in the ballpark. The only traffic bottleneck is the M11 Bray bypass which can be slow heading south at rush hour, but for a sneaky 4pm bail out on a sunny day, you won't be held up and it's plain sailing all the way. It's about 28km, 22 of which are on 'motorway' .

IMO it would be between Powerscourt and Druids Glen, but DG would shade it for me because of the better winter weather. Powerscourt is over 500ft above sea level which puts it into the snow line in winter and would make it highly susceptible to frost. DG is much lower, close to the sea and a lot less hilly.