Top 10 courses in Cork

big_drive

1. Cork

2. Fota

3. Douglas

4. Lee Valley 

5. Monkstown 

6. Castlemartyr 

7. Muskerry 

8. Mallow 

9. Bandon 

10. Fermoy

Wonder what people's opinion are on the top 10 courses in Cork . Obviously opinions differ on these things. I didn't consider Old Head, only Golf Ireland affiliated clubs. Fermoy & Bantry probably the 2 I struggled with leaving out.

Would love to hear others opinions

leesidegolfer

I'd go something like

1. Cork

2. Fota

3. Castlemartyr

4. Monkstown

5. Douglas

6. Muskerry

7. Lee Valley

8. Kinsale

9. Bandon

10. Mallow

For the last few spots there's nothing between the likes of Mallow, Fermoy, Cobh, Macroom, Blarney, Bantry, Kanturk. Some offer great value in relation to their membership fees.

slave1

I'd put Fota first, I just think the finish in Cork is poor whereas Fota has the conditioning and variety throughout, Fota has the X factor a little more than Cork, tight between those two though

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123799068#Comment_123799068

Think they are easily the 2 best in Cork. Overall for a big county the quality is poor. Kerry for example despite being smaller has Tralee, Ballybunion, Killarney, Waterville, Dooks, Ceann Sibeal.

FixdePitchmark

I know Cork people can't ever accept a criticism of their republic - but for a county that is stunning (admittedly) and has such a great history in sport. Every other county in munster might have better golf. You might just have an edge on Limerick - but is close.

MayoSalmon

Surely Old Head is number 1?!

bobster453

Whats wrong with Cobh?

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123801341#Comment_123801341

Not much, it's a bit hilly and open. But it's come on a lot and improved

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123800777#Comment_123800777

Not for me. Even if including old Head id still rate Cork as better

Break80

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123800758#Comment_123800758

Agree 100% . Nearest links courses would be East coast or Kerry for example, but you have lots of local courses that would never make favourite top 10's. Good, honest member run courses which would be a community hub as well.

I love that kind of vibe and try play them when I can.

FixdePitchmark

Old Head should 100 % be on list

CalamariFritti

Old Head should be on the list, too. IMO its a stunning course in the best condition I've ever seen any course, but I can see how it would not be 'cos it's not really attainable to play there as a regular Joe.

€475 green fee, 2026 is €500, €100 caddy mandatory? No open comps ever. I mean who does that?

I got in back to back during covid years for €130 no caddy. Even at that it would be a once in a year thing for me.

Like Adare and a few others it's once off corporate freebies or such for most people if ever. I know people to be millionaires who'd say they wouldnt pay that. I defny wouldnt. It's a tourists, mostly yanks thing.

big_drive

That's exactly the reason I didn't include Old Head in my list. Obviously it's a great course but it's not accessible to the average golfer. I'll bet most people living below in kinsale have ever even got an opportunity to play there

Miley Byrne

If you were rating the top 10 in Limerick would you exclude Adare for the same reason? Or Portmarnock in Dublin?

CalamariFritti

I suppose you can only rate the courses you've played.

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123802508#Comment_123802508

Portmarnock is affiliated to golf Ireland and has 1,300 members. So id include that.

Adare is affiliated too with 140 members

Dbu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058423995/top-10-courses-in-cork

Played Monkstown a few weeks ago, was in very poor nick, greens ok, but everywhere else was poor

there was preferred lies for the PGA event…in August

MayoSalmon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123802402#Comment_123802402

You rated Cork better which it's obviously just not

big_drive

Deleted

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123803824#Comment_123803824

To me it is

leesidegolfer

I'd say Old Head is the best in terms of a one off golfing experience, the views , etc. But in terms of a club to play week in week out Cork is miles ahead.

MayoSalmon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123805763#Comment_123805763

And if you could play Old Head week in and week out it would be miles ahead…bizarre arguments in here.

Original OP is basically dismissing the course off the top 10 list because they can't play it.