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Top 100 Courses 2017 - Golf Digest Ireland

135

Comments

  • #62
    PARlance
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,577 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    Webbs wrote: »
    Agree Carne should be higher than it is. The remote location being its only downfall and am sure relates to its position not being higher.

    16euro for a round is amazing. Couldnt see anything like that when I looked on their website

    I spotted it on facebook a few weeks ago but that said, I checked their page and couldn't see anything. It must have been a facebook friend that mentioned it their own post. Don't hold me to it for the time being, I'll see if I can find the post.


  • #63
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    FixdePitchmark wrote: »
    I know Old Head is up because of views - but the coastal holes are great holes too imo.

    Some of the internal holes are very poor.

    I think that's the point. Everyone (rightly) raves about the ones over the cliffs etc. but some of it is very ordinary. The attempted "exclusive" atmosphere is off-putting as well.


  • #64
    Loire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭Loire


    Played Druids Glen a half dozen times. Wouldn't know how to rate a course properly but it's my favourite parkland course in any case. Those par 3s are magical.

    Played Rosses Point in the past 6 months too and the changes they are making to the course look really good, esp the par 5 3rd.


  • #65
    bmay529
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭bmay529


    PARlance wrote: »
    If Carne / Belmullet is one of the 48 to be played you can get out in their mid-week open for €16.....might cost you €150 in fuel getting there though.

    Some value for a Top 20 course and if it wasn't so isolated, it would be in the Top 10 (easily) imo. Tbh the new 18 rivals RCD for me, and Carne certainly has the better finish of the two.

    Does anyone (mainly directed at Kevin & Ally) know if the new 9 are open and being used frequently?

    Played the Atlantic challenge last year which included Carne but also Enniscrone and Rosses, both fine courses I had played before. Unfortunately there was a very strong wind with heavy rain on the day we played Carne so a very difficult day and will leave the rest to your imagination. Going to play the challenge again this year so hopefully weather will be better for our day in Carne


  • #66
    Kevinmarkham
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,052 ✭✭✭Kevinmarkham


    Ally McIntosh wrote: »
    Have to say I'm not so enamoured with the idea of Adare being Fazioed. I'm sure it will look beautiful although there's something a little disappointing about the only genuine Robert Trent Jones course in the country being ploughed under.

    That said, I haven't seen the work in person nor even in photos. It could be excellent so keen to hear about the changes and how it's shaping up.

    I see GolfGorfield has added a response to this one, Ally. One American designer for another! And now another Trent Jones is working on Skellig Bay/Hog's Head.

    An American friend emailed me the other day (as a result of an investment in golf article I wrote) saying he hoped that Irish courses didn't become over-Americanised... and that we had several already. I guess that's what I'm waiting to see at Adare. There will be a fascination with it from an Irish golfer's point of view but are we heading down the route where it's just an American course in Ireland.

    Not sure if anyone remembers this scathing article by American Bruce Selcraig about the K Club hosting the Ryder Cup and the fact that the Palmer course was just an American parkland... and not a very good one at that. Is there a risk the Fazio Adare course follows?
    morrga wrote: »
    Grapvine rumours or reliable sources?

    I know the Mods don't like rumours so I can't/won't list the specifics of the green fees I've heard about. Safe to say, though, that it'll put the course well out of reach of 90% of Irish golfers.
    PARlance wrote: »
    Does anyone (mainly directed at Kevin & Ally) know if the new 9 are open and being used frequently?

    Ally can answer that better than I, but they were just about open at last year's Atlantic Coast Challenge. The issue is the extra funds required to maintain the 9 holes properly. That said, it would be criminal to lose those holes. They are magnificent and the biggest adrenaline rush (for a golfer) on this island.


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  • #67
    tayto lover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 56,719 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    It would be interesting to know how many of these courses are in great condition all year round.
    Is this only based on summer golf when the courses are at their best?
    I know a courses on that list where players are only allowed 5 clubs and are give a little mat for their ball when going out to play now. It's like a bog.


  • #68
    Redzah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 913 ✭✭✭Redzah


    Kevinmarkham wrote: »
    I see GolfGorfield has added a response to this one, Ally. One American designer for another! And now another Trent Jones is working on Skellig Bay/Hog's Head.

    An American friend emailed me the other day (as a result of an investment in golf article I wrote) saying he hoped that Irish courses didn't become over-Americanised... and that we had several already. I guess that's what I'm waiting to see at Adare. There will be a fascination with it from an Irish golfer's point of view but are we heading down the route where it's just an American course in Ireland.

    Not sure if anyone remembers this scathing article by American Bruce Selcraig about the K Club hosting the Ryder Cup and the fact that the Palmer course was just an American parkland... and not a very good one at that. Is there a risk the Fazio Adare course follows?



    I know the Mods don't like rumours so I can't/won't list the specifics of the green fees I've heard about. Safe to say, though, that it'll put the course well out of reach of 90% of Irish golfers.



    Ally can answer that better than I, but they were just about open at last year's Atlantic Coast Challenge. The issue is the extra funds required to maintain the 9 holes properly. That said, it would be criminal to lose those holes. They are magnificent and the biggest adrenaline rush (for a golfer) on this island.

    Yeah, Im somewhat in the know about Adare and although I haven't walked it yet so I'd be interested in any further comments on the changes that gorfield has, I believe that changes are all improvements to existing holes as opposed to creating new holes. They have basically dug up and replanted the whole course (greens, fairways, teeboxes, bunkers) as well as significant investments on subair green systems.

    It'll be immense as they are taking an already spectacular course, making subtle improvements and it'll be the best maintained course in Ireland.

    In terms of exclusivity, only time will tell. The new owners are local (no need to name who it is) and generally are quite active in the local community but it is a business and they will want their return. Therefore I believe that there will be a balance somewhere in between a. what it was before the investment and b. out of reach for the public.


  • #69
    Redzah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 913 ✭✭✭Redzah


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Can't understand what Old Head and Doonbeg are doing so high up in those rankings. Old Head has great views but the course itself is not great. Doonbeg is deeply average.

    I suspect a lot of it has to do with marketing spend, rather than course quality.

    Have you played Doonbeg recently? They made some significant changes all for the better. I played it last weekend and its very good. The greens were all re layed in the last couple of years so are very slow but they will speed them up from this summer onwards


  • #70
    Paulzx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,088 ✭✭✭Paulzx


    Kevinmarkham wrote: »

    Not sure if anyone remembers this scathing article by American Bruce Selcraig about the K Club hosting the Ryder Cup and the fact that the Palmer course was just an American parkland... and not a very good one at that. Is there a risk the Fazio Adare course follows?


    .

    Personally i've never "got" the K Club or Carton house. The courses just don't do anything for me. I've had much more enjoyment playing the likes of Headfort Old or Naas than either.

    And it's not that I have an issue with the more hyped courses. I loved The European Club, Ballybunion, Druids Glen and Portmarnock Links. There is some sort of vibe about these courses when you're there that i just don't get in the K Club despite a Ryder cup having been played there


  • #71
    NapoleonInRags
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭NapoleonInRags


    Surprised that the Curragh is not on the list....a far better course imo than the likes of Dundalk.


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  • #72
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    NapoleonInRags wrote: »
    Surprised that the Curragh is not on the list....a far better course imo than the likes of Dundalk.

    Especially if you like sheep.


  • #73
    SuprSi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,001 ✭✭✭SuprSi


    NapoleonInRags wrote: »
    Surprised that the Curragh is not on the list....a far better course imo than the likes of Dundalk.

    I was just chatting with my Dad (who's a member/ex-captain there) about this and can't understand it, even how it's not ahead of the likes of Naas. They made some changes a few years ago to stop players having to cross the road and the newer holes are all excellent, and a real challenge too. I guess I may be slightly biased but I'm just surprised it's not up there somewhere.


  • #74
    Paulzx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,088 ✭✭✭Paulzx


    First Up wrote: »
    Especially if you like sheep.

    It's getting them to like you that's difficult


  • #75
    doublecross
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 266 ✭✭doublecross


    Redzah wrote: »
    Yeah, Im somewhat in the know about Adare and although I haven't walked it yet so I'd be interested in any further comments on the changes that gorfield has, I believe that changes are all improvements to existing holes as opposed to creating new holes. They have basically dug up and replanted the whole course (greens, fairways, teeboxes, bunkers) as well as significant investments on subair green systems.

    It'll be immense as they are taking an already spectacular course, making subtle improvements and it'll be the best maintained course in Ireland.

    In terms of exclusivity, only time will tell. The new owners are local (no need to name who it is) and generally are quite active in the local community but it is a business and they will want their return. Therefore I believe that there will be a balance somewhere in between a. what it was before the investment and b. out of reach for the public.

    Here are a couple of pics I took of the work in Adare last year. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100050519&postcount=1050

    From what I could see the layout looks the same but each hole has been completely redone (new mature trees planted and new green complexes)


  • #76
    Kingswood Rover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Kingswood Rover


    SuprSi wrote: »
    I was just chatting with my Dad (who's a member/ex-captain there) about this and can't understand it, even how it's not ahead of the likes of Naas. They made some changes a few years ago to stop players having to cross the road and the newer holes are all excellent, and a real challenge too. I guess I may be slightly biased but I'm just surprised it's not up there somewhere.
    .
    Closest course to me, its super and the sheep have been fenced off for about 5 years now, the only thing that can let it down at times are the greens but some really lovely holes.


  • #77
    slave1
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,873 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Isn't it great than an island of this size with this population can

    a. have a top 100
    b. such quality at the lower rankings

    it's great, we the golfers benefit

    Public Profile active ads for slave1



  • #78
    FixdePitchmark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 23,012 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    NapoleonInRags wrote: »
    Surprised that the Curragh is not on the list....a far better course imo than the likes of Dundalk.

    Good spot.

    I'd put the Curragh miles ahead of many of the courses there - near middle.
    Should Greenore be on there too - maybe on lower end.

    Of the Links I have played.

    Would put The Island and Enniscrone ahead of Portmarnock Old. But I know Links is even more subjective.


  • #79
    charlieIRL
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 7,059 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    Kingswood Rover wrote: »
    .
    Closest course to me, its super and the sheep have been fenced off for about 5 years now, the only thing that can let it down at times are the greens but some really lovely holes.

    I've only played the Curragh twice but loved it. Great variety of holes.


  • #80
    morrga
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 553 ✭✭✭morrga


    Redzah wrote: »

    In terms of exclusivity, only time will tell. The new owners are local (no need to name who it is) and generally are quite active in the local community but it is a business and they will want their return. Therefore I believe that there will be a balance somewhere in between a. what it was before the investment and b. out of reach for the public.

    If they were looking for a return on investment then not sure why they paid €30 million for the place when the price tag was €25 million. Anyway fingers crossed they can make their money back with extortionate prices in the hotel and not necessarily on the golf course :D


  • #81
    morrga
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 553 ✭✭✭morrga


    Kevinmarkham wrote: »

    An American friend emailed me the other day (as a result of an investment in golf article I wrote) saying he hoped that Irish courses didn't become over-Americanised... and that we had several already. I guess that's what I'm waiting to see at Adare. There will be a fascination with it from an Irish golfer's point of view but are we heading down the route where it's just an American course in Ireland.

    A golf course. If it's not a links course it's a parkland. If it's a parkland it has greenery, lakes and trees. What's wrong with making it as beautiful as can be and a picturesque landscape? Irelands attraction in general to the outside world is our stunning land and scenery. We can't just limit ourselves to been reknowned for a host of stunning links courses.

    If Americans don't want us showcasing parklands, let that be their prerogative, not ours.


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  • #82
    wellpastit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭wellpastit


    Kingswood Rover wrote: »
    .
    Closest course to me, its super and the sheep have been fenced off for about 5 years now, the only thing that can let it down at times are the greens but some really lovely holes.

    Play the Curragh usually twice a year or so and never really found the greens poor. Really hard to read though , I remember going OK in an open and having a birdie putt on 15 to a back right position, I played for about 2 feet of break right to left ball broke about 5 feet the other way, 3 putted end of comp for me.


  • #83
    tayto lover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 56,719 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    slave1 wrote: »
    Isn't it great than an island of this size with this population can

    a. have a top 100
    b. such quality at the lower rankings

    it's great, we the golfers benefit
    Totally agree.
    Where I live I have a choice of - Greenore, Dundalk, Mannin Castle, Nuremore, Ardee, Seapoint, Baltray, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel all within 30 mins drive and all great courses. Although I always prefer my own club, Greenore for the lovely variety of holes and the class scenery.


  • #84
    nebraska132
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭nebraska132


    tayto lover wrote: »
    Totally agree.
    Where I live I have a choice of - Greenore, Dundalk, Mannin Castle, Nuremore, Ardee, Seapoint, Baltray, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel all within 30 mins drive and all great courses. Although I always prefer my own club, Greenore for the lovely variety of holes and the class scenery.

    What's Dundalk like during winter months - played it for the first time last summer and just wondered about drainage/heavy ground under foot in winter?


  • #85
    tayto lover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 56,719 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    nebraska132 wrote: »
    What's Dundalk like during winter months - played it for the first time last summer and just wondered about drainage/heavy ground under foot in winter?


    Lovely in summer but very poor in winter.
    The members are currently only allowed 5 clubs and have to take a little mat with them to play the ball of. Very boggy. Poor drainage.


  • #86
    nebraska132
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭nebraska132


    tayto lover wrote: »
    Lovely in summer but very poor in winter.
    The members are currently only allowed 5 clubs and have to take a little mat with them to play the ball of. Very boggy. Poor drainage.

    Thanks! That's what I suspected. Looking to do a couple of the courses around there next month, have played baltray/ seapoint already. What would you suggest?


  • #87
    tayto lover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 56,719 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    nebraska132 wrote: »
    Thanks! That's what I suspected. Looking to do a couple of the courses around there next month, have played baltray/ seapoint already. What would you suggest?


    Greenore is playable with full greens all year round. Putting in a new 18th green at the moment. Open in March.
    Ardee is nice but can be damp in areas if there's heavy rain.
    Warrenpoint is nice anytime.
    Kilkeel can be boggy after heavy rain. Likewise Mannan Castle where some of the holes can be closed.

    I'd play Greenore and Ardee if I was you.


  • #88
    thewobbler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭thewobbler


    nebraska132 wrote: »
    tayto lover wrote: »
    Lovely in summer but very poor in winter.
    The members are currently only allowed 5 clubs and have to take a little mat with them to play the ball of. Very boggy. Poor drainage.

    Thanks! That's what I suspected. Looking to do a couple of the courses around there next month, have played baltray/ seapoint already. What would you suggest?


    Head for Concra Wood.

    Greenore is good but my experience is you will be playing from the side of fairways til the end of February. Which isn't golf.

    Concra'a sheer length can make it brutish if it empties for a week, but all in all I think it's one of the more playable winter courses I've come across.


  • #89
    dball
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,935 ✭✭✭dball


    bmay529 wrote: »
    Played 52 so far with Lahinch, Tralee and Dingle on my hit list for 2017 so if anyone can advise best way to play these courses without forking out €150+ for the privilege!!! Best course I played this year was Enniscrone, always nice to go back there.


    A little over the €150 - but at €160 you can play 3 courses in the south West:
    Dingle is available on this pass but not tralee or Lahinch

    I hope this helps (someone) a little: http://swinggolfireland.com/the-shamrock-pass/


  • #90
    tayto lover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 56,719 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    thewobbler wrote: »
    Head for Concra Wood.

    Greenore is good but my experience is you will be playing from the side of fairways til the end of February. Which isn't golf.

    Concra'a sheer length can make it brutish if it empties for a week, but all in all I think it's one of the more playable winter courses I've come across.
    Concra is great IF it's dry. It can get boggy too and it's a very long course with hills which makes it hard on the legs. Buggies are not allowed out when it's soft too.
    Great in summer but quite long and sticky in winter. A slog tbh.


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  • #91
    bmay529
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭bmay529


    dball wrote: »
    A little over the €150 - but at €160 you can play 3 courses in the south West:
    Dingle is available on this pass but not tralee or Lahinch

    I hope this helps (someone) a little: http://swinggolfireland.com/the-shamrock-pass/

    Thanks. I am aware of this but have played Mahoneys and Dooks, both good courses, a few times


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