Irish Golfer Magazine Top 100 Golf Courses

ShivasIrons

Here's the latest top 100 rankings from Irish Golfer Magazine


http://digital.irishgolfer.ie/i/1065125-january-2019 , pages 71 onwards


There's a lot of talking points in this one, for example RCD is 5th in the country yet some have it as the best in the world! Another is Old Head, some of the courses ahead of it include Fota, Slieve Russell, Killeen Castle, Royal Dublin, do you know anyone travelling to Ireland to play golf who says any on those are must plays on their list? Yet, how many say Old Head is a must play?



The fall of Ballybunion seems short sighted too, the dry summer is the reason given for the drop, surely unusual events should be ignored in long term rankings?


Finally, the position of Carton House - Montgomery is just too high, it's not very good at all.

spacecoyote

Haven't had a proper run through it yet, but had a few posts up on twitter hit my feed with people giving out about Concra Wood only being at 59 on the list, given it was a EuroPro Tour event host, etc...

Rikand

And how much money did Fota, Slieve Russell, Killeen and RCD spend on advertising with Irish Golfer over the past 12 months

slave1

Isn't it great we can have serious contention for 100 courses given the size of our island.

thewobbler

A few things here.

If courses weren’t subject to a review based on their current/recent conditions, then there would be no point in an annual ranking.

RCD has been overrated for years. It’s an outstanding golf experience, but on repeat visits a) it’s not as much fun as golf should be, b) holes 14-17 are weak. No other course gets a 100% ranking for 14 holes, and nor should RCD.

Concra is fine golf course. But it has some pretty crap holes too - 7, 9, 15, 18 - which its exponents always want to overlook. From my perspective, every hole at Luttelstown and Slieve Russel is better than those 4 holes. Neither has Concra’s views, but they might (not definitely) actually be better courses.

Hosting a Euro Pro event shouldn’t be a marker of anything. I’ve played half a dozen tour courses in Europe that wouldn’t come close to making the top 50 in Ireland.

Advertising money might decide minor placing but it’s never going to promote a major jump. Journalists and experts might just dig their heels in more than you imagine.

Mentioned before, but Ireland doesn’t need a top 100. We have too few courses to reward basically 1 in 3, when the difference between number 60 and 110 would be minimal to none. It needs a top 50, with clubs fighting tooth and nail to get into it.

downthemiddle

Top nine hole course in the country after the members saved the place from extinction this time last year.

davegilly

Played Palmerstown House today. Long and tough but fabulous. I can't believe there are 69 better courses than it in Ireland??

I wouldn't have put O'Meara at Carton House ahead of it for one??

Golfhead65

downthemiddle wrote: »

Top nine hole course in the country after the members saved the place from extinction this time last year.

Have to agree, this 9 hole course Blessington lakes should not only be recognised as the best 9 hole course in the country but as 1 of the best courses in the country..There is a bit of a look down your nose situation with this as " it's only a 9 hole course" but I'd challenge anybody pro to low amateur to break par there...Well done lads on keeping it going

Golfhead65

BTW..before the forum police get on about promotion...I'm not a member in BL

Eoinyh

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Have to agree, this 9 hole course Blessington lakes should not only be recognised as the best 9 hole course in the country but as 1 of the best courses in the country..There is a bit of a look down your nose situation with this as " it's only a 9 hole course" but I'd challenge anybody pro to low amateur to break par there...Well done lads on keeping it going

Yeah one of the best in the country for a GUI card for €150 to play in opens. That's about it

downthemiddle

Eoinyh wrote: »

Yeah one of the best in the country for a GUI card for €150 to play in opens. That's about it

Eoinyh wrote: »

Would not call this a good deal, below avarage course, you'd be better spending a few more euros than the €525 an get a 18 hole course

You were wrong last time Eoiny and you are wrong again.

Eoinyh

downthemiddle wrote: »

You were wrong last time Eoiny and you are wrong again.

There's more if you keep looking there. One mans weed is another's flower.WEED. Yes I maybe wrong,the distance membership could be gone up to €200

Golfhead65

Eoinyh wrote: »

Yeah one of the best in the country for a GUI card for €150 to play in opens. That's about it

Don't undersell it Downthemiddle, for about 700 euro if I'm not mistaken..you would have a top 100 course (if powers that be) recognize a 9 hole course as such ,on the outskirts of Dublin ..Top notch if you ask me..look forward to playing it again in 2019

downthemiddle

You seem confused.

Eoinyh wrote: »

Forget about them the blessed lakes 15 minutes from the M50, 25 from dunboyne,super track

Eoinyh

downthemiddle wrote: »

You seem confused.

Some say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, I personally like it. I wasn't wrong,€150 still to buy your handicap.

downthemiddle

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Don't undersell it Downthemiddle, for about 700 euro if I'm not mistaken..you would have a top 100 course (if powers that be) recognize a 9 hole course as such ,on the outskirts of Dublin ..Top notch if you ask me..look forward to playing it again in 2019

It isn't my intention to make this thread about my club. We are proud of everything we have achieved this year. Being recognised as the best 9 hole course in the country is further vindication of all the good work the members are doing. We believe that we offer genuine value for anyone who wants to play our course and people are welcome to come along and play and judge for themselves.

Rackstar

downthemiddle wrote: »

You were wrong last time Eoiny and you are wrong again.

downthemiddle wrote: »

You seem confused.

Time for a rereg eoinyh :D:D

Eoinyh

downthemiddle wrote: »

It isn't my intention to make this thread about my club. We are proud of everything we have achieved this year. Being recognised as the best 9 hole course in the country is further vindication of all the good work the members are doing. We believe that we offer genuine value for anyone who wants to play our course and people are welcome to come along and play and judge for themselves.

I didn't know you were a member and have nothing against BL as a club, by all accounts it sounds like there is a great club atmosphere there.I have a problem with people coming on here and as I would see it,falsely promoting BL as some sort of amazing 9 hole course that is a must play.It is not. Iv said it here before an il say it again Cruit Island 9 hole bucket list course. In fact take any of the top 100 courses back or front 9s on there own, they are all better than BL 9 holes. As for Ivan Morris rating, it only carries weight if you agree with him. Maybe some people just want him to be right

Golfhead65

downthemiddle wrote: »

Top nine hole course in the country after the members saved the place from extinction this time last year.

Just looking at 2019 interclub draws and after last year's omission it's great to see you back in this year and no doubt causing a few upsets like Junior cup in 16 or 17 in Castlewarden not sure quite the year ..Looking forward to doing battle and meeting up with a few old rivals again..as I said before Fair play to you all there..

HighLine

*Takes a quick glance... sees Druids Glen at 39... throws magazine for recycling*

Kingswood Rover

i was susprised at Tulfarris being so high but in fairness to the owners they have invested quite a lot in the course and it was a picture post card during that Pro event they hosted during the summer. Just on the 9 hole thing i noticed that they mentioned Mulranny in the bubbling under catergory and it being i think the only 9 holer to get a mention. Nice course but not a patch on any in Ivan Morris's top 15. Carrickmines is a lovely course, Foxrock and Kiliney also magic. I hear good things about St Helens bay near Belfast but of Course the Blessed Nine is just heaven.

billy3sheets

Corballis making Top 100 is a bit of a stretch, especially if current condition is taken into account. I played it in November and the fairways were in dreadful condition. Partly due to the drought which killed off all of the grass but also full of divots which had not been repaired. Had to have placing and then difficult to find a decent bit of grass within the allowed 6 inches. Light rough was full of divots too but no placing there meant some horrible lies with no relief.

Ollieboy

billy3sheets wrote: »

Corballis making Top 100 is a bit of a stretch, especially if current condition is taken into account. I played it in November and the fairways were in dreadful condition. Partly due to the drought which killed off all of the grass but also full of divots which had not been repaired. Had to have placing and then difficult to find a decent bit of grass within the allowed 6 inches. Light rough was full of divots too but no placing there meant some horrible lies with no relief.

100% agree, how can Corballis be ranked and when it's ranked its ranked before North West which is a proper full 18 hold course and only €15 to play. Corballis is a fine pay and play but that's it. Also Knightbrook missing, the list is a joke and the Island and Co Louth both before the two Ballyliffen courses... Wow.

I think they need new people to rank the courses.

FixdePitchmark

Ollieboy wrote: »

100% agree, how can Corballis be ranked and when it's ranked its ranked before North West which is a proper full 18 hold course and only €15 to play. Corballis is a fine pay and play but that's it. Also Knightbrook missing, the list is a joke and the Island and Co Louth both before the two Ballyliffen courses... Wow.

I think they need new people to rank the courses.

I think I played a part in getting Corballis in there :D

I love Corballis - but would not consider it a full course. So would not consider it for the list.

I haven't played the courses in Ballyliffin -

But from playing the other courses you mentioned - Co Louth and The Island are top of the range. The Island in my opinion is the best course on the full east coast.

Knightsbrook - I wasn't too impressed with, a bad Christy O'Connor hotel course and a swamp when I played there.

davegilly

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I think I played a part in getting Corballis in there :D

I love Corballis - but would not consider it a full course. So would not consider it for the list.

I haven't played the courses in Ballyliffin -

But from playing the other courses you mentioned - Co Louth and The Island are top of the range. The Island in my opinion is the best course on the full east coast.

Knightsbrook - I wasn't too impressed with, a bad Christy O'Connor hotel course and a swamp when I played there.

Do you know how Palmerstown ended up so low?

FixdePitchmark

davegilly wrote: »

Do you know how Palmerstown ended up so low?

I can't say - But , I've played Palmerstown House once - and it isn't a particularly memorable course.
It relies on being very very hard and over use of silly bunkers and water

From a playability perspective it is just comically difficult and that is not what the majority of golfers are going to like. The total length of the course including between greens and tee boxes are going to make it a long day.

At the end of the day it is a course designed for buggies - it is a holiday course over manufactured.

It seems a bit low alright - but if you said to me do you want to play Tullamore or Palmerston tomorrow - I'd be off to Offaly and drive past there.

prawnsambo

For those who like lists, here are the top 100:

slave1

91/100 so feel I can comment....

No Hogs Head?
Can't argue too much with top 5 (apart from Adare), mine would be Portrush as #1 anyhow with Lahinch second
Links dominate and rightly so
Doonbeg greens are not top 50, they should be considerably better after three years, look at how the new holes in Portrush are bedded in, you would not know they were so fresh whereas you can still see the sowing lines in DB
The Ballyliffens should be closer together, the Old greens are better but the Glashedy fairways are smoother and they are a great compliment of old and newer links
Glad to see Old Head down the list a bit, overrated IMHO
Castlerock will ascend in coming years
I'd have Rosapenna Sandy higher and Old lower
I'd have Ballybunion Cashen much higher, it's an adventure of variety
I'd have Concra higher, Christy has made some wonderful courses
Ardglass is a crime that low
Farnham has been in brutal condition for years now, does not belong in the Top 100
Corballis is nice but not Top 100
Clandeboye and Esker Hills always remind me of each other and Clandeboye is a way superior track IMHO
Dingle is nice and all that but very repetitive
New Adare at #3 and ahead of RCD, that loses a lot of list credibility IMHO

Golfgraffix

slave1 wrote: »

New Adare at #3 and ahead of RCD, that loses a lot of list credibility IMHO

I would have no problem with that. I think Adare is marginally better than RCD as a course and way ahead as an experience.

Seve OB

Corballis in a top 100 list!
=
Joke.

First Up

Are the courses judged when at their best or is it across a range of seasons/weather conditions?

There are courses on that list that might be grand in high summer but don't handle wet weather very well - poor drainage etc.

If they are ranked on how they play in June it might be interesting but I wouldn't decide where to play in late October on it.

mjsc1970

Ive played more than half those courses and very much enjoyed most over the years.

One or two though I wouldn't thank ye for a free game on though.

Personally, I don't take any notice of rankings. I know what I like. I've paid good money to play on some and their condition didn't match the green fee. That's disappointing. On others I've been more than surprised of the quality versus the green fee.

I think the rankings also take clubhouse facilities, accessibility etc also in to account.

I agree Corballis probably not in 100, but for value, convenience, and all year round playable, with good - v good putting surfaces, it's great value for money. In my opinion. But that's just my opinion, same as how that list came about. Opinions.

CalamariFritti

I feel its very much links biased. There are links courses highish on that list that I played and I must say - they were alright. Then there are parklands on that list fairly down that I would rate much higher than the aforementioned links courses. Maybe its my bias, I like links golf, but I don't love it.

A funny one is my home club. Tramore used to be in the low 50s a couple of years ago, its now 93. Now I dont know what Tramore should be. It's good, but it's not a top course. My point is - it hasn't really changed much. If anything the greens have been as good the last coupe of years as they've ever been. You'd wonder what makes it 40 places less good now.

JohnnyFlash

Tralee that high is always a mystery to me, but there you go.

Portumna at No. 50 is a lovely little golf course. It won’t trouble the low handicapper, but is one of the finest examples of an old-style rural parkland course you’ll find. Surrounded by a forest park, it has the feel of some of the Celtic tiger courses at a fraction of the cost. We had a great society day out there this year.

dar_cool

Im a big Corballis fan but its not a top 100 course. Although hole 3 is one of my favourite holes on this Island. It has everything. Beach view. Massive dunes and its 400+ yards.
I really need to get out and play more of the top 50!!

Ally McIntosh

There seems to be a lot of comments along the lines of “Corballis is a great little course but it’s not Top-100 material”.

Is it purely down to its length and conditioning?

One of the reasons it is there is to show that an excellent golf course does not need to be long nor does it need to have an enormous operating budget in order to provide a huge amount of fun. Given that time and cost are killing the game, we should be celebrating these kind of courses. If I had my way, Mulranny and Cruit Island would have been there too.

Isn’t it more worthy than yet another mediocre 90’s built course stretched to 7,200 yards over heavy, uninteresting bog?

Golfhead65

Does anyone know if the top 100 listed courses is purely for 18 holers I stand corrected but I don't notice any 9 holers on it.Surely Blessington Lakes would have to be on it if it's been voted as best 9 hole in the country and that was after it was played along with other 9 holers for the best part of 3 years to judge playability and conditioning at different times of the year..if it was down to these it would be right up there, Again it's just an opinion .

prawnsambo

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Does anyone know if the top 100 listed courses is purely for 18 holers I stand corrected but I don't notice any 9 holers on it.Surely Blessington Lakes would have to be on it if it's been voted as best 9 hole in the country and that was after it was played along with other 9 holers for the best part of 3 years to judge playability and conditioning at different times of the year..if it was down to these it would be right up there, Again it's just an opinion .

Just 18 hole courses. They have a separate one for 9 hole courses. Click on the link in the OP and go to page 78 and you'll find it there.

Golfhead65

prawnsambo wrote: »

Just 18 hole courses. They have a separate one for 9 hole courses. Click on the link in the OP and go to page 78 and you'll find it there.

Good man I see it there but an overall best courses in Ireland should be undertaken as a matter of balance as there are a few 9 holers there worth a mention..Castlegregory is an absolute gem of a course and maybe it might be worth a Friday game before the society's Captains day in 2019

prawnsambo

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Good man I see it there but an overall best courses in Ireland should be undertaken as a matter of balance as there are a few 9 holers there worth a mention..Castlegregory is an absolute gem of a course and maybe it might be worth a Friday game before the society's Captains day in 2019

I think it would be a bit unfair on nine hole courses to be included. If courses are being marked down for facilities, club houses etc. nine less holes would probably put them at the bottom of the list.

Mantis Toboggan

Surprised ballinrobe didn't get in.

Golfhead65

prawnsambo wrote: »

I think it would be a bit unfair on nine hole courses to be included. If courses are being marked down for facilities, club houses etc. nine less holes would probably put them at the bottom of the list.

Surely The Golf Course should be the only consideration, if it's about clubhouses with Mercs outside it's a bit unfair to the ordinary down to earth clubs where everybody knows everybody and fees are not exclusive to the rich

prawnsambo

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Surely The Golf Course should be the only consideration, if it's about clubhouses with Mercs outside it's a bit unfair to the ordinary down to earth clubs where everybody knows everybody and fees are not exclusive to the rich

Well if you read the criteria, those are things that are taken into account. Albeit only 10% of the score for facilities. The criteria are:


Course design and layout: 35%
Quality of test/playability: 25%
Condition and presentation: 20%
Club facilities and visitor experience: 10%
Visual appeal: 10%


A 9 hole course would suffer against an 18 hole course in those criteria imo. And there's no need for the Mercs and 'rich' comment imo.

Golfhead65

prawnsambo wrote: »

Well if you read the criteria, those are things that are taken into account. Albeit only 10% of the score for facilities. The criteria are:


Course design and layout: 35%
Quality of test/playability: 25%
Condition and presentation: 20%
Club facilities and visitor experience: 10%
Visual appeal: 10%


A 9 hole course would suffer against an 18 hole course in those criteria imo. And there's no need for the Mercs and 'rich' comment imo.

Touchy Touchy, I called it as it is

prawnsambo

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Touchy Touchy, I called it as it is

Really? What exactly does that mean in relation to this topic?

And if anyone's being touchy, it's you on being called on your unnecessary comment. Seriously mate, I did your leg work for you and this is the response?

Golfhead65

prawnsambo wrote: »

Really? What exactly does that mean in relation to this topic?

And if anyone's being touchy, it's you on being called on your unnecessary comment. Seriously mate, I did your leg work for you and this is the response?

Jaysus I didnt think you wanted an argument,you're more touchy than I thought .probably best to get into your Merc or BMW or whatever you drive and calm down. I only made an honest comment about 9 hole courses being left out, I didn't need to be quoted rules and regulations on how courses are ranked.if I play a good course I don't need to know that they have big f--off club houses for me to go back,it's what it's like tee to green and all in between ...last comment

prawnsambo

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Jaysus I didnt think you wanted an argument,you're more touchy than I thought .probably best to get into your Merc or BMW or whatever you drive and calm down. I only made an honest comment about 9 hole courses being left out, I didn't need to be quoted rules and regulations on how courses are ranked.if I play a good course I don't need to know that they have big f--off club houses for me to go back,it's what it's like tee to green and all in between ...last comment

Enough of the personal comments. Seriously mate, cop yourself on. And for the record I own none of those cars you think disqualifies my opinion. Nor afaik does anyone in my club.


You asked questions that I took the time to look up and answer for you. And instead of thanks, I get abuse. Yeah, Touchy. That's the word. Do you blame me?

Seve OB

Ally McIntosh wrote: »

There seems to be a lot of comments along the lines of “Corballis is a great little course but it’s not Top-100 material”.

Is it purely down to its length and conditioning?

One of the reasons it is there is to show that an excellent golf course does not need to be long nor does it need to have an enormous operating budget in order to provide a huge amount of fun. Given that time and cost are killing the game, we should be celebrating these kind of courses. If I had my way, Mulranny and Cruit Island would have been there too.

Isn’t it more worthy than yet another mediocre 90’s built course stretched to 7,200 yards over heavy, uninteresting bog?

You see the thing is Ive played corballis quite a lot and I kinda like it. So I feel I'm well placed to make the argument here as to why it's inclusion is a joke.

But are you really telling me it is a better course than faithlegg, naas and the Curragh? I ask specifically those because they are the only 3 courses below it on the list which I have played and all them are way ahead of corballis.

And I have also met you and been on your panel in previous years so I do recall scoring factors. One reason you gave for Castleknock not making the list was danger. Corballis is a far more dangerous course than castleknock. Then there is the off the course experience. Sure they have done their clubhouse up but I would hardly call it a clubhouse, can't get grub, closed more often than not when you are finished your game in winter months so no chance of going for a shower. Enjoyment..... Front 9 is very enjoyable, some cracking holes, some poor. Back 9 is brutal. As for the big field with 15 &16, well quite possibly the worst 2 holes in the country. There is not even one real par 5 on the course. Sure short is OK, but not every bloody hole.

more often than not because it is a cheap game of golf the place if full of hackers and it takes forever to get around the place. It's a course that should take 3 hours to play, max. Most of the times I've played it it has been 4.5 avg. That's not enjoyable.

Give Carr golf their dues, since they took it over the conditioning of the course has improved immensely but there are plenty of other courses out there in way better nic.

As for your last comment about including it rather than a bland 90s beast, well that's got nothing to do with it surely. Each course is scored and the best scores should make it into the list, bland and boring will score low, but so should short, dangerous and unwelcoming. (staff are very welcoming but the Shop clubhouse etc is just not going to make the yanks say to their mates, wow what a place, you must go there). And it is not a very challenging course.

Now tell me why it ranks above Greystones, Portarlington, Blainroe and Castleknock, because they are just 4 courses which are streets ahead of it.

slave1

Ally McIntosh wrote: »

There seems to be a lot of comments along the lines of “Corballis is a great little course but it’s not Top-100 material”.

Is it purely down to its length and conditioning?

One of the reasons it is there is to show that an excellent golf course does not need to be long nor does it need to have an enormous operating budget in order to provide a huge amount of fun. Given that time and cost are killing the game, we should be celebrating these kind of courses. If I had my way, Mulranny and Cruit Island would have been there too.

Isn’t it more worthy than yet another mediocre 90’s built course stretched to 7,200 yards over heavy, uninteresting bog?

I don't think it's Top 100 because in the times I've played it I used the same clubs over and over and whomever decided it was a good idea to criss cross the 15th/16th like that needs their head examined as they are the two most bland holes on the course and you can just blast your drive onto either fairway without consequence.
Was nice to play it once but on subsequent plays it was just too boring, drive/iron, rinse and repeat.

Kevinmarkham

I have to admit, I'm fascinated by the focus on Corballis and whether it's Top 100 material or not. I've wanted Corballis to be included in Top 100s for a long time. There are brilliant and natural elements to the links that make it shine. The par threes, the par four 3rd, the short par fours where you can go for big drives if you feel brave. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect everyone who has left their opinion on here... as a member of the panel, my opinion is that Corballis deserves its place in the top 100. And about time too. I also wanted Mulranny in there but it wasn't to be.

For those who have talked about the Corballis 15/16 'field/cross-over' issue... fair enough. That may be a problem and that is taken into consideration in the rating process but there are other factors that lift it above those two holes.

Corballis aside, there has been criticism on here of the rankings and that's no great surprise. Any ranking will receive a barrage of comments but, put simply, there were eight people on the panel (Ally is one; I'm another) and we have courses that we agree on and courses where we disagree. That's the nature of opinions and experience. Five years ago I was on here laughing at the Golf Digest Ireland rankings so it's no surprise that people take issue with this ranking. Which, by the way, is only Irish Golfer's second annual Top 100. Last year there were 6 people on the panel... this year there were 8.And that, in part, explains some of the swings in the rankings.
K

Kingswood Rover

With the greatest of respect Kevin, Mulranny, no way should it be in the top 100 using the criteria outlined previously and i love the place and played it several times over the years. Barbed wire around the greens reminds me of football grounds in the seventies and eighties. Now if keeping a club and course open against all odds and Global Warming was a part of the marking regime then Mulranny would be imo in the top 10.