Which to join - Smurfit or Palmerstown?

11langer11

Debating joining one or the other of these courses and looking for some advice from anyone who has played or was/is a member of either or both.

If you had a choice, would you join the Smurfit GC or Palmerstown Stud? They are a similar distance from me and the cost is also reasonably similar.

I think my preference is for PS. I haven't played the Smurfit yet but I'm pretty certain it s a good course from what I've read. My issue with PS is the ability or more likely inability to play 4 or 5 holes after work due to the distance from most holes back to the clubhouse. The course doesn't come near it again until you come back to the 18th. The Smurfit on the other hand seems much more playable like this and you can play any number of combinations and not be too far from the clubhouse. Due to time constraints the likelihood is most of my golf in the summer would be after work evenings with only occasional weekends.

Price wise they are fairly similar, PS is a bit cheaper and more bang for buck but not by much. What would you do? I know PS is a much busier course as well, not sure if that matters much. Im pretty sure I'd join PS in a shot if the layout was better so that's what is annoying me. My main issue with Smurfit is it's probably too expensive for what it is due to the K Club name/connection.

Has anyone any experience of both as a member? The most important thins to me is value for money and course layout. Is there anything else I should looking at from a club?

Talk me into one or the other please

newport2

IMO Palmerstown wins hands down. Tough course though, much harder than Smurfit. The Smurfit course is fine, just not in the same league as the Palmer course - or Palmerstown.

ForeRight

That smurfit course is a bog. The drainage is disgraceful and I wouldn't go near it. Palmerstown everyday of the week for me.

spacecoyote

Only problem with Palmerstown is the length of the course (in particular the walks between holes) & the length of rounds

I know a couple of Boards members on here joined when they did the cheaper deal for the re-launch under the new owners.

They only stuck with it for a year though due to the length of rounds.

It is a lovely course though with a range attached, so decent facilities.

Surely you have plenty of other options within a close radius if home is in range of those 2 courses?

11langer11

Thanks for the advice, PS it is then!

There are a few other courses local alright which were fine but I didn't really like any of them like I did with PS, it was head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe I shouldn't have player PS at all and I'd be happy elsewhere!!

The long rounds are a bit of a concern alright, anything over 4.5 hours would be a problem long term with herself! Are the rounds long due to the length of the course or because it's overly busy? If it's the length then I'll just have to get a bit straighter

Thanks for advice too. Anyone got any good things to say about Smurfit?

slave1

Smurfit has always been wet towards the end of the round any time I've played it, never remember and water issues in Palmerstown

3putt

would you not try Naas just around the corner. Class course

PARlance

11langer11 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, PS it is then!

There are a few other courses local alright which were fine but I didn't really like any of them like I did with PS, it was head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe I shouldn't have player PS at all and I'd be happy elsewhere!!

The long rounds are a bit of a concern alright, anything over 4.5 hours would be a problem long term with herself! Are the rounds long due to the length of the course or because it's overly busy? If it's the length then I'll just have to get a bit straighter

Thanks for advice too. Anyone got any good things to say about Smurfit?

Kileen (not Castle) is right beside PS. I know you didn't ask.... but it seems obvious that time is an issue and PS is going to be an issue once the novelty wears off. Kileen (not Castle) is not in the same league (still nice) as PS but I would consider it a better option from what you're looking for.

Ideal for X quick holes in the evening, usually a good flow / pace of play any time I played it in Opens.

Quite a few more around there that would be better suited imo. I would be joining one of them and enjoying PS a few times a year when it suits... send herself away for the weekend, relax and enjoy it properly!

eoghan104

3putt wrote: »

would you not try Naas just around the corner. Class course

Or Kileen.

Kingswood Rover

eoghan104 wrote: »

Or Kileen.

Or Blessington Lakes we are a lovely bunch:D

morrga

ForeRight wrote: »

That smurfit course is a bog. The drainage is disgraceful and I wouldn't go near it. Palmerstown everyday of the week for me.

Not entirely true. They have spent millions laying tonnes of sand and relaying drainage pipes on some of the worst affected holes in the past couple of years. Played it end of January after weeks of heavy rain and the tee boxes, fairways and greens were in excellent nick. The walk between holes was marshy and the rough but so are most parklands at this to me of year. Couldn’t fault the condition of the parts of the course where you are meant to play golf. Excellent course and a real test of tee to green golf. Would win hands down for me over Palmerstown which is a brute of a walk and doesn’t lend itself of to 4/5 hole golf.

Eoinyh

Kingswood Rover wrote: »

Or Blessington Lakes we are a lovely bunch:D

Yeah you could join for the €150 distance membership and play the opens in PS or the K club

Sorry I mean buy ur handicap for €150

11langer11

Naas isn't really an option. Have played it and it's a nice course alright but much too busy. I believe they have 600 or so members?

Millicent in Clane or Killeen would be the most likely options after Palmerstown. Palmerstown is more expensive than both but imo is better value for money and much better course.

Haven't played Killeen yet so don't know what it's like. Millicent is ok, nothing to write home about. I played it after PS and found it very bland in comparison. I think I might play Killeen and Millicent again and see what they are like compared to each other.

Outside of these options everything else is too far away

spacecoyote

11langer11 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, PS it is then!

There are a few other courses local alright which were fine but I didn't really like any of them like I did with PS, it was head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe I shouldn't have player PS at all and I'd be happy elsewhere!!

The long rounds are a bit of a concern alright, anything over 4.5 hours would be a problem long term with herself! Are the rounds long due to the length of the course or because it's overly busy? If it's the length then I'll just have to get a bit straighter

Thanks for advice too. Anyone got any good things to say about Smurfit?

Generally speaking my understanding is 4.5hours plus on competition weekends & 5 hours plus on medal days.

Mostly down to length of course & amount of land to cover. But contributed to also because of members struggling to get around the place.

One guy told me about playing medal rounds with members who couldn't reach the fairways off the tee on some holes

What area are you living in?

benny79

Its like driving a Ferrari and then getting in a BMW, we would all love the Ferrari but not really practical for everyday life... If you ask me Id be looking at Naas, Millicent, Killeen, Craddockstown or Castlewarden.

eoghan104

Kileen is a bit of a hidden gem for me. Played it a lot and the back nine especially is superb and a good challenge.

Other aspects which may or may not be important to you;

Strong membership
Good interclub teams
Good junior section
Nice food

Raisins

Palmerstown is a huge course, boom development that maybe is not a great club to be a member. You should consider whether you want to play after work and whether you want somewhere you'll get to know members where you can tip around. Joining Palmerstown would be like making Coppers your local pub.

oconnorjnr

Im a member of Palmerstown since it reopened and I cant recommend it highly enough. Course and practice facilities top class, members very friendly and welcoming.
It's no problem playing a few holes in the evening...1-4 for example...5 min walk back to car park or 10,11,12,15,18 another option...7min walk from 9th green/10th tee.
If you're interested in inter club golf we're really getting properly organised this year aswell,lots of great work being done.

Anyway good luck with your decision...Naas and Killeen would also be great courses to be a member.

zep

ForeRight wrote: »

That smurfit course is a bog. The drainage is disgraceful and I wouldn't go near it. Palmerstown everyday of the week for me.

As a Smurfit member i must say That's down right false information to be providing. A lot of money has been spent in the past 2 years on drainage and it's quite obvious in that respect. Course is much dryer than it used to be, and money is still being spent further improving drainage.
I played PS twice last year March and Sept and in my opinion it was much wetter than Smurfit.

Op There are plenty of options for a quick 4/5 holes in the evenings, so this provides great variety.
I believe it's very difficult to get weekend slots in PS as it's busier than the Smurfit.
if you are interested in getting out to experience the Smurfit Pm me and I'd happily take you out at member guest rates.

ForeRight

I've played it twice in the last year and it was dry weather and the fairways were still awful. A fine course set up but still a bit to go to sort out the drainage imo.

zep

ForeRight wrote: »

I've played it twice in the last year and it was dry weather and the fairways were still awful. A fine course set up but still a bit to go to sort out the drainage imo.

All entitled to our own opinions but, Potentially you played during drainage works as other than that the fairways were in excellent condition, very dry and plenty of run. Hole 6 is still being worked on so yes that fairway is not great at the moment. No issues with any other fairways. As a member I'm going to be a little biased obviously, hence I offered to take the Op out to aid his decision.

fullstop

ForeRight wrote: »

I've played it twice in the last year and it was dry weather and the fairways were still awful. A fine course set up but still a bit to go to sort out the drainage imo.

I'd agree with this. Played it a couple of times, both in the summer and it was very soft and wet. Also remember going to the European open and them having to suspend play and shorten the 18th to a par 3/4.

neckedit

fullstop wrote: »

I'd agree with this. Played it a couple of times, both in the summer and it was very soft and wet. Also remember going to the European open and them having to suspend play and shorten the 18th to a par 3/4.

Was the European not played on The Palmer?

Are both these courses not very soft?

fullstop

neckedit wrote: »

Was the European not played on The Palmer?

Are both these courses not very soft?

It was until the Smurfit was built then they alternated it a couple of times.

zep

neckedit wrote: »

Was the European not played on The Palmer?

Are both these courses not very soft?

The Smurfit Course hosted the European Open on three occasions, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
And contrary to comments here it is in excellent condition with money being pumped in to ensure it stays that way/improves.
@fullstop, when did you last play it as it was immaculate all last year (especially summer)
Article which explains some works over the last couple of years:
https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/sport/232913/smurfit-course-an-entirely-different-experience.html

First Up

Does Smurfit membership include some preferential access to the Palmer? Think I recall that being the case.

neckedit

fullstop wrote: »

It was until the Smurfit was built then they alternated it a couple of times.

wow... totally missed that. fair play.

fullstop

zep wrote: »

The Smurfit Course hosted the European Open on three occasions, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
And contrary to comments here it is in excellent condition with money being pumped in to ensure it stays that way/improves.
@fullstop, when did you last play it as it was immaculate all last year (especially summer)
Article which explains some works over the last couple of years:
https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/sport/232913/smurfit-course-an-entirely-different-experience.html

It's a couple of years since I played it last, just wan't in the condition I'd expect of a course like that.
I'm not paying to access that article!

neckedit

zep wrote: »

The Smurfit Course hosted the European Open on three occasions, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
And contrary to comments here it is in excellent condition with money being pumped in to ensure it stays that way/improves.
@fullstop, when did you last play it as it was immaculate all last year (especially summer)
Article which explains some works over the last couple of years:
https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/sport/232913/smurfit-course-an-entirely-different-experience.html

I played it 2 last year.... thought it was a bit soft too.

FYI The link you shared is to a paid page for the Leinster Leader....

zep

fullstop wrote: »

It's a couple of years since I played it last, just wan't in the condition I'd expect of a course like that.
I'm not paying to access that article!

Ooops sorry about that, if you view code for the page you can see the article ðŸ‘.
I live close to it and played it many times over the years, I'd agree with your statement going back a couple years. It was very soft and not what it should have been. Thankfully they have realized that now and are investing heavily in getting it back to where it belongs.

zep

First Up wrote: »

Does Smurfit membership include some preferential access to the Palmer? Think I recall that being the case.

Not really sure on that tbh. I do intend to find out this year ðŸ˜

zep

Maybe the boards society will put it on for next year and let people form their own opinion of condition:)

zep

Here is the text from the article.

Smurfit course ... an entirely different experience
The clubhouse at the Smurfit Course at The K Club
When one thinks of the K Club, understandably, one automatically thinks of the Palmer course, home of the Ryder Cup in 2006, the venue for last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and numerous European Opens.

However sister course to the Palmer is the Smurfit Course, and while also designed by the Palmer Course Design Company, the designers were given a very specific brief when they sat down to begin their work on the K Club’s second course.

The philosophy in developing the Smurfit course was to ensure that “a comparison with the existing Palmer Ryder Cup Course would be difficult and that golfers experience would be completely different.”

And the designers certainly fulfilled their brief.

While a lot of cash was poured into the Palmer Course for last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and what an overwhelming success that turned out to be with Rory McIlroy winning with those two magnificent shots on the 16 and 18 holes, the second being awarded the shot of 2016, major money is now being pumped into the Smurfit Course to bring it back up to the highest standard imaginable.

Of course the Smurfit Course, while possibly over shadowed by its more prestigious sister course due to its association with The Ryder Cup, nevertheless the Smurfit is regarded in it's own right as a course right up there with the best of them, it hosted the European Open on three occasions, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Retief Goosen winning in 2004, who just two weeks previously had won the US Open; Stephen Dodds won in 2006 while Colin Montgomerie triumphed in 2006.

Over the last while the Smurfit Course has come in for special treatment by course staff as The K Club Director of Golf, Sharon Smurfit, explains.

“In 2016 alone drainage works were carried out on eight holes, over an area of some 3,000m; over seeding of fairways improved grass composition; 1,000 tonnes of sand to top dress fairways, 300 tonnes of bunker sand applied, amongst many, many other improvement works.”

And these improvement works are continuing as we go into 2017 with additional drainage work; additional top dressing to fairways; various new and improved signage, seating, and much more.

Sharon Smurfit who has been Director of Golf now for four years at The K Club insists “that while most of our US visitors come initially to play The Palmer Course, once they have experienced The Smurfit, they, more times than not, insist on playing it a second and a third time, such is the experience they have enjoyed.”

There are many, what can only be described as ‘special holes’ on the Smurfit Course including the 3rd (Kingfisher Realm); the 4th (Heron Pond); 8th (Swallow Quarry) 16th (Little Grebe Dive); 17th (Otter’s Holt) and of course the 18th with the tag of Swan Island.

Such is the growing popularity of The Smurfit Course that membership is now available exclusively for The Smurfit Club alone and it is proving very popular.

The Smurfit Club has its own committee, including Captain and Lady Captain and club officers.

A very active social membership with many and varied functions held throughout the year. Membership of the Smurfit Club is €1,550 for gents (including all levies) while there is presently an introductory offer for ladies of €950.

The Smurfit Course is a very popular venue for both societies and green fees, also, insists Sharon Smurfit.

“We get a lot of societies playing year in and year out, a lot of repeat bookings, especially from rugby and GAA groups; it is very good value and there are various packages to suit all groups.”

Weddings have become a very popular venue at the Smurfit complex with the Legacy Suite capable of seating up to 450 guests and is also a very popular venue for various conferences and functions, small and large.

So while most golfers instantly think of the Palmer Course when The K Club is mentioned, there is no doubt that the designers of the Smurfit Course certainly fulfilled their mandate to design a course that would offer golfers a completely different experience and this they undoubtedly did.

A gem of a course, just waiting to be experienced.

Irishdaywalker

The Smurfit Course is another fine course, I believe it suffers from where it is located, by that I mean, if the Smurfit Course was located 3 miles down the road from the Palmer Course then people would rave about the course, when players go to The K Club they want to play the Palmer and see the Smurfit as the second course, okay it is the second course at The K Club but still holds its own with both carton courses and certainly PS. I know members of both courses, and from what I gather it can be difficult to get your name on the timesheet at PS. That may have changed. To great options to be fare, but boils down to what you are willing to play and value for money!

Penalty

Is there any more recent comparisons on the 2 courses here. I’m thinking of joining either SMurfit course (Straffan club) or Palmerstown.

Palmerstown is closer but I’m concerned on the comments about the length of a round and distance between holes etc, I have played before a number of years ago but that was in a buggy.

Also what is the atmosphere in the clubhouse like - while I won’t be spending too much time it would be good to drop in to the clubhouse for a host time after the round etc.

As a new member not knowing anyone can you comment on the welcomeness of either club?

Any current insight would be great.

Thanks

searay

Penalty wrote: »

Is there any more recent comparisons on the 2 courses here. I’m thinking of joining either SMurfit course (Straffan club) or Palmerstown.

Palmerstown is closer but I’m concerned on the comments about the length of a round and distance between holes etc, I have played before a number of years ago but that was in a buggy.

Also what is the atmosphere in the clubhouse like - while I won’t be spending too much time it would be good to drop in to the clubhouse for a host time after the round etc.

As a new member not knowing anyone can you comment on the welcomeness of either club?

Any current insight would be great.

Thanks

If I lived in that area, I’d try to join Naas. It’s a great course and as a members club should be easier to find playing partners.

Golfgorfield

searay wrote: »

If I lived in that area, I’d try to join Naas. It’s a great course and as a members club should be easier to find playing partners.

Good luck getting on the timesheets, huge membership numbers.


Palmerstown is extremely relaxed as a club, in 8 years as a member its never been crowded, always easy to get out to play, and they have and are investing heavily into the course, new 10th hole just finished and 2 more to be modified along with a new Trackman range and academy.