Craddockstown Golf Club

the lawman

Looking at this course for our new home in 2017 and was wondering if anyone had any opinions/reviews they'd like to share?

Timesheets, state of course in winter, club atmosphere that kind of things.

Thanks!

Eoinyh

Rathcore????

the lawman

Eoinyh wrote: »

Rathcore????

Just keeping myself honest!

inthe

the lawman wrote: »

Looking at this course for our new home in 2017 and was wondering if anyone had any opinions/reviews they'd like to share?

Timesheets, state of course in winter, club atmosphere that kind of things.

Thanks!

I see Rathcore mentioned here, what a course, a tough challenging course, I try and play it a few times a year. Played it a week or so ago and greens were class. I digress though, my bud is a member in craddockstown and loves it. I only play it once / twice a year if even and always enjoy it. If I'd to choose between the two it would be rathcore all day long but if you're a member there and finding it too hard it's probably time to move on

First Up

inthe wrote:

I see Rathcore mentioned here, what a course, a tough challenging course, I try and play it a few times a year. Played it a week or so ago and greens were class. I digress though, my bud is a member in craddockstown and loves it. I only play it once / twice a year if even and always enjoy it. If I'd to choose between the two it would be rathcore all day long but if you're a member there and finding it too hard it's probably time to move on

Craddockstown is a decent enough course. I've only played it as a visitor but it seems a nice club.

Rathcore is OK too but it could use better drainage.

inthe

First Up wrote: »

Craddockstown is a decent enough course. I've only played it as a visitor but it seems a nice club.

Rathcore is OK too but it could use better drainage.

Hello Firstup,

Agree with you there, it was still winter rules when I last played rathcore even though there was a few good drying days. Plenty of decent options out there now for a lad to move between clubs and see how he gets on. I think the best golf course is always the one nearest you.

Haven't been a member anywhere in a while so like others on this forum you want to see what's out there. But for me personally it would come down to the course.

First Up

inthe wrote:

Haven't been a member anywhere in a while so like others on this forum you want to see what's out there. But for me personally it would come down to the course.

Also worth checking into club finances. But I agree convenience is very important.

Halfprice

Where are you based Lawman?

the lawman

Halfprice wrote: »

Where are you based Lawman?

I'm based in Clane.

the lawman

inthe wrote: »

I see Rathcore mentioned here, what a course, a tough challenging course, I try and play it a few times a year. Played it a week or so ago and greens were class. I digress though, my bud is a member in craddockstown and loves it. I only play it once / twice a year if even and always enjoy it. If I'd to choose between the two it would be rathcore all day long but if you're a member there and finding it too hard it's probably time to move on

It's not too hard for me (my poor ego). I'm just looking around and seeing whats out there really.

First Up

the lawman wrote: »

I'm based in Clane.

Plenty of good options nearby so. You have Millicent almost next door and Killeen, Palmerstown Stud, Naas, Castelwarden and Beech Park within easy reach.

Nice position to be in!

the lawman

It is indeed and we've looked at them all based on certain criteria. Craddockstown is looking very good at the moment. have to play it now over the next few weeks to refresh the memory.

Haven't played Beech Pack yet, how would that compare to Crads?

First Up

the lawman wrote:

Haven't played Beech Pack yet, how would that compare to Crads?

I think I prefer Craddockstown but opinions may differ. All the courses around "the plains of Kildare" are succeptible to wet weather so drainage is an issue. I would make that a serious factor and I'd recommend seeing how they are after a wet spell, especially if you plan on playing much winter golf.

Halfprice

Also have Newbridge, Curragh and Dunmurry

the lawman

Halfprice wrote: »

Also have Newbridge, Curragh and Dunmurry

I like Dunmurry but its a good spin really. Other two never played but again maybe a bit too far.

WHIP IT!

the lawman wrote: »

I'm based in Clane.

Would have thought Millicent was a great option, no?

Good track, generally in very good nick and excellent drainage.

Eoinyh

If I lived in clane, it would be Millicent all day, just for convinience,all courses mentioned bar palmerstown and rathcore are on the same level, run of the mill parklands nothing special,

Eoinyh

If I lived in clane, it would be Millicent all day, just for convinience,all courses mentioned bar palmerstown and rathcore are on the same level, run of the mill parklands nothing special,

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

Donkeygonads

Kilcock golf club is another option ... Excellent greens and good value.

the lawman

All great shouts thanks. I've played pretty much all those courses and while they are all nice course in good nick I'm not up for joining any of them.

Crads at the current time is one we need to play and see how we go. Beech Park and Castle Warden would be next.

pauldoo

I've been a member of millicent, Palmerstown and naas

Millicent
Pros; Great drainage, only snow and frost will stop play, some great holes, always space on the timesheet.

Cons
Always found they didn't cut the greens tight enough, when I was there they never had food to sports in the club house, if you wanted to play Sunday comp after about 11am you would have no one else down on the timesheet.

Palmerstown
Pros
Beat course in the area, class greens, class holes and top class club house and practice area
Cons
Long rounds, normally a good five hours, busy timesheet, some absolute bandits playing there, you want to shoot over 45 points to win, lack of a club atmosphere

Naas
Pros
Club atmosphere, they are investing a load of money and changing some of the holes

Cons
Busy timesheet, the greens annoy me, never seem to have a flat putt, some of the greens are too severe, and they use temps in winter which really bug me

Seve OB

Donkeygonads wrote: »

Kilcock golf club is another option ... Excellent greens and good value.

Hmmmmm. I don't like it. I also said that before and got an earbashing, so I recently paid another visit.

There are some nice holes, but it does have a big field sort of feel to the place which does nothing for me. A good few holes are quite similar to each other, so much so, we played the same hole twice at one stage and were hitting our seconds before we even realised! Very soggy underfoot, ball picked up mud on pretty much every shot and we hadn't really had a bad patch of weather.

Greens were poor IMO. Very soft, very hairy and slow. They looked nice and rolled true, but the probably hadn't been cut in close to a week. Also, the work buggies had obviously been driving straight across a good number of the greens and left their mark.... what is that all about?

We played in a Friday open and apart from us teeing off at about 2pm, there was a 4ball and a 3 ball ahead of us, and maybe 2 groups way behind us. Place was dead. not a good sign for any golf club IMO.

fullback3

why leave Rathcore? In my opinion it is one of the best course in Leinster

First Up

fullback3 wrote: »

why leave Rathcore? In my opinion it is one of the best course in Leinster

Nice in summer. Not so in Winter or after heavy rain.

fullback3

To be honest not to many courses can hold heavy rain

First Up

fullback3 wrote: »

To be honest not to many courses can hold heavy rain

Some a lot better than others.

the lawman

fullback3 wrote: »

why leave Rathcore? In my opinion it is one of the best course in Leinster

We haven't decided fully what we are doing next year, just getting some research done on a few places.

Might not be leaving at all but if we do we'd like to find a decent home!

Seve OB

fullback3 wrote: »

why leave Rathcore? In my opinion it is one of the best course in Leinster

Ah well it is good, nice and I certainly would find it hard to fault the place, but to say it is one of the best courses in Leinster.............. hmmmmm well

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

pinkdoubleeagle

Have you thought about Lucan?

the lawman

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

Have you thought about Lucan?

We have indeed although I think the fees and also being tied into paying entrance fees over a few years put us off a bit. The very busy time sheet (a member told us) probably tipped it over the edge towards a no.

Open to hearing a different view though.

pinkdoubleeagle

the lawman wrote: »

We have indeed although I think the fees and also being tied into paying entrance fees over a few years put us off a bit. The very busy time sheet (a member told us) probably tipped it over the edge towards a no.

Open to hearing a different view though.

There is an entrance fee that can be spread over the 10 years.

However, The annual sub of €950 is probably the lowest you will get anywhere in the vicinity...

Timesheets are busy only on saturday's but no problem getting a game unless you are tied to a particular time before 11. Sundays are no problem at all.

There is also opens on every Tuesday and a Members Comps on Wednesdays where there are no problems with timesheets

Great Inter Club and Social scene that will rival any club IMHO

bovrilbottom

First Up wrote: »

I think I prefer Craddockstown but opinions may differ. All the courses around "the plains of Kildare" are succeptible to wet weather so drainage is an issue. I would make that a serious factor and I'd recommend seeing how they are after a wet spell, especially if you plan on playing much winter golf.

Hi Firstup,

Yeah I think I have managed to play most of them over the last few years, all very similar parkland courses, nothing much to choose between them. I never got a chance to play rathcore until this year and was looking forward to it after hearing from a few different people that it brought something different to the table. Having finally got a bit of free time I teed it up in Rathcore, I think it was middle Sunday in July, we got an early enough tee time, which was surprising considering that there was probably a members comp on. Glad to say what I heard was correct, it's a lovely course, not your typical inland course, very natural, similar to dunmurry maybe and boy did I go through the golf balls. The only negative was there a full kit genius out in one of the earlier fourballs, complete with the compulsory 10 practice swings and pro like preshot routines, that was holding the whole place up. I digress, but it did have an impact on enjoying course, all that waiting around. That aside I can't wait to try it again. From what I can remember greens and fairways were good and anybody I met there was friendly. It's so long since I played craddockstown that it would be unfair to compare. But at the end of the day it's down to the individual and what he wants and when he wants to play their golf.

the lawman

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

There is an entrance fee that can be spread over the 10 years.

However, The annual sub of €950 is probably the lowest you will get anywhere in the vicinity...

Timesheets are busy only on saturday's but no problem getting a game unless you are tied to a particular time before 11. Sundays are no problem at all.

There is also opens on every Tuesday and a Members Comps on Wednesdays where there are no problems with timesheets

Great Inter Club and Social scene that will rival any club IMHO

Thanks pink.

That's very interesting indeed about the Sunday sheet and not what we were told.

Another question if you don't mind: What is the entrance fee and what is the circumstance if you leave after 3 years for example?

pinkdoubleeagle

It's 4k over 10 years.

So the yearly payments are €400 entrance fee on top of your €950 sub.

There is also a bar and restaurant levy of €250

You can leave at any time and are not tied down to completing the 10 years

the lawman

So in short the annual 'payment' is 950 + 250 + 400 = 1600 and if you leave after 5 years you don't owe 2K?

pinkdoubleeagle

That's it

If you want to meet up for a few holes and a pint, pm me. will be happy to show you around

the lawman

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

That's it

If you want to meet up for a few holes and a pint, pm me. will be happy to show you around

Most kind pink thanks very much. I'll be chatting to my guys later about this now.

Seve OB

Sounds like a great deal for Lucan, very cheap if you ask me even including the joining fee, considering it is easily one of the better courses mentioned in this thread.

A no brainer surely!

the lawman

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

That's it

If you want to meet up for a few holes and a pint, pm me. will be happy to show you around

How many members are there currently pink?

Eoinyh

Seve OB wrote: »

Sounds like a great deal for Lucan, very cheap if you ask me even including the joining fee, considering it is easily one of the better courses mentioned in this thread.

A no brainer surely!

I would not be putting Lucan in a higher class that what was mentioned in this thread, let's put it into perspective, front nine- not bad, but far from special,mostly built on the side of a hill, very,very weak par 3, back 9- average at best, very,very disappointing index 1, good finishing hole. Greens excellent condition for parts of the summer, I'm sure they have temp greens in the winter, common knowledge that time sheet is a nightmare for the most common tee times,
If living in surrounding area good choice, living in clane rathcore, palmerstown, beech park, curragh, moyvalley better courses
Millicent just as good, in fact I would say Millicent has more memorable holes than Lucan

WHIP IT!

Eoinyh wrote: »

I would not be putting Lucan in a higher class that what was mentioned in this thread, let's put it into perspective, front nine- not bad, but far from special,mostly built on the side of a hill, very,very weak par 3, back 9- average at best, very,very disappointing index 1, good finishing hole. Greens excellent condition for parts of the summer, I'm sure they have temp greens in the winter, common knowledge that time sheet is a nightmare for the most common tee times,
If living in surrounding area good choice, living in clane rathcore, palmerstown, beech park, curragh, moyvalley better courses
Millicent just as good, in fact I would say Millicent has more memorable holes than Lucan

Of course, it's all opinions, but I would have to agree that Millicent is a far superior course than Lucan... then again, I'd happily play either in the morning if there was a round going!

clown2brown

Eoinyh wrote: »

I would not be putting Lucan in a higher class that what was mentioned in this thread, let's put it into perspective, front nine- not bad, but far from special,mostly built on the side of a hill, very,very weak par 3, back 9- average at best, very,very disappointing index 1, good finishing hole. Greens excellent condition for parts of the summer, I'm sure they have temp greens in the winter, common knowledge that time sheet is a nightmare for the most common tee times,
If living in surrounding area good choice, living in clane rathcore, palmerstown, beech park, curragh, moyvalley better courses
Millicent just as good, in fact I would say Millicent has more memorable holes than Lucan

Couldn't have put it better myself! Don't know how people put up with the noise from the airport across the road during the tiger years. The 4th (par 3) is nonsensical. Skipped it during a round as I couldn't find the tee! Back nine is enough to put you to sleep, very boring.