Druids Heath

rollotomasi wrote: »

I'm a 5 day member and can choose the times i play. I head out during the week and the timesheet usually has loads of gaps. I would imagine that there is a fair amount of capacity for extra members. I don't know how busy it is at the weekend - appreciate that this is not helpful.
If the hotel has a booking for the course (which is not often), Ive been let out on Druids Glen (but this was during the week and I don't know if this is standard policy).

Don't Heath members also get preferential rates or other deals at the Glen?

We don't get preferential rates in the Glen, though we can play there free if, as does happen, the Heath is booked out for a society etc

AhHaor wrote: »

We don't get preferential rates in the Glen, though we can play there free if, as does happen, the Heath is booked out for a society etc

I'm in the heath and I never knew this. Often very hard to get out on The Glen though, especially in high season.

For existing members, the rumour that GOTD are moving en masse to the heath is a concern. We've had no communication at all from the club, except for a plea to try to recruit any GOTD members we know and to be nice to any we might bump into around the place. Lots of existing members, including myself, have not paid subs for 2017 and won't until we see how things pan out. No point signing up if we have more members than the course can take during weekend comp times.

Seve OB wrote:

I think that was the other way around

No, it was definitely presented as an attraction for potential DH members. As I recall, it was to play the Glen a few times a month at a reduced rate.

SuburbanHomeboy wrote: »

I'm in the heath and I never knew this. Often very hard to get out on The Glen though, especially in high season.

For existing members, the rumour that GOTD are moving en masse to the heath is a concern. We've had no communication at all from the club, except for a plea to try to recruit any GOTD members we know and to be nice to any we might bump into around the place. Lots of existing members, including myself, have not paid subs for 2017 and won't until we see how things pan out. No point signing up if we have more members than the course can take during weekend comp times.

Thanks for that, I am aware that a slightly different picture was painted at the GOTDs presentation. As I understand it, you have 250 male and 25 female members. The ladies section is about to hit 100 at the very least as they are getting in for €500 with full playing rights all week.

The mens section could easily attract another 100+ GOTDs members and as you rightly suspect, it will put a lot of pressure on tee times and take some time to bed in. I would expect that such a new member influx will also lead to slower rounds and that could be an issue for those of us who like a delay free round.

Lots to think about.

Dtoffee wrote: »

Thanks for that, I am aware that a slightly different picture was painted at the GOTDs presentation. As I understand it, you have 250 male and 25 female members. The ladies section is about to hit 100 at the very least as they are getting in for €500 with full playing rights all week.

The mens section could easily attract another 100+ GOTDs members and as you rightly suspect, it will put a lot of pressure on tee times and take some time to bed in. I would expect that such a new member influx will also lead to slower rounds and that could be an issue for those of us who like a delay free round.

Lots to think about.

I could very well be worrying unnecessarily but in the absence of anything from the club to address those concerns, I'll be keeping my money in my pocket. I think 100 could be accommodated but would be unsure about a number higher than that.

I have come to like the course but if I was to make a list of positives from my time as a member top of that list would be the fact that you can get out on it whenever you like. It could be Roundwood for me!

SuburbanHomeboy wrote: »

I could very well be worrying unnecessarily but in the absence of anything from the club to address those concerns, I'll be keeping my money in my pocket. I think 100 could be accommodated but would be unsure about a number higher than that.

I have come to like the course but if I was to make a list of positives from my time as a member top of that list would be the fact that you can get out on it whenever you like. It could be Roundwood for me!

From word of mouth amongst GOTDs members, DH set 150 new members as the target for all the deals on offer and that will very easily be exceeded (I would expect 200+). There was a very positive response at the presentation the other night, where 8/9 representatives from DH inc the Captain, all sang from the same hymn sheet.... touch of the Quo - whatever you want :rolleyes: When the issue of tee times was raised, it was stated that 12 noon was the last tee time at weekends, but that could be extended if the demand was there. The lenght of the course would not be an issue as you play off the greens tees most of the time ... is that true?

Whatever you want indeed. It's disappointing from my perspective that, while GOTD members are being so actively courted by The Heath, they haven't communicated with us at all.

Most comps are off the greens but not all. The medals and the majors are off the whites and they'll throw in a few others as well, much to the dismay of that part of the membership who aren't insane. (most of us, but not the ones who decide these things)Strokes off the whites when the CSS has been known to be 76 (par 71) and nobody gets 71 is insanity, but they persist with it even though people leave because the course is too tough. You've been told it will be greens only? If that ends up happening it would be a very welcome development.

The reason there is such disquiet among existing members is that a figure of 300 from GOTD is what is rumoured - I stress that this is just car park talk and could be nonsense, but as I've said the club have not provided us with any updates.

Yes, comp times are 730 to noon in summer but I can already see on the online booking system that there are bookings commencing at 1210 throughout the year ahead. So I don't know what is going to happen to those.

Id say 300 ti the Heath is a stretch,
12 or so have already gone to Powerscourt, 20-30 have gone to Delgany, 30+ have gone to Charlesland,15 or so to Bray, Id be sure Woodbrook, Old Gonna Dunlaoghaire and Others will get there few. Id say the Heath will pick around 100-120.

Seve OB wrote:

That's crazy. There should be no reason a club with lots of members can't have a sheet running till at least 4 during the summer

Unless they keep slots free for hotel guests and green fees.

Seve OB wrote: »

Yea but as a member you should have the option to play later if it suits you better. I personally would have no interest in joining a club who give hotel guests and green fees preferential room on the time sheet, especially on a Saturday

230 male members and you expect the timesheet to your self all day? I agree members should have ample time to play but there needs to be a balance. The subs of 250 members wouldn't even start to cover running cost for the place. Tee times have to be sold to make a Club sustainable. There are few clubs in the country that can afford not to sell prime time slots. You are very fortunate to be part of one.

neckedit wrote: »

230 male members and you expect the timesheet to your self all day?

Nope, that's not what I said. What I was saying is that as a member, you should have more opportunity to play in the comps and not be restricted to a morning slot so as to accommodate the general public. Morning golf does not suit everybody and if that is all that's on offer, it can turn away potential new members. It is the main reason why I have never joined Castleknock (which is on my doorstep) as a full member.

Anyway, Minigolf has answered below so at least that is something, but I only hope that is portrayed to the members in some way.

MiniGolf wrote: »

Although the competition tee times are listed from 07:30 - 1200 (or whatever times on the day), You can play and enter the competition at any time during the same day.

Seve OB wrote: »

Nope, that's not what I said. I apologiese but that's how I read it.

MiniGolf wrote: »

Its the staff in the pro-shop... as far as I know... that do the scoring. .. usually first thing next morning. . MG

Soryy to keep asking questions, but do you have a club committee with a handicap secretary, comp sec, treasurer, greens committee etc etc made up of voluntary members or is the whole show run by the Hotel and you guys just show up for golf ???

It sounds like the club is being run by the Hotel, for the hotel ..... which may not be a bad thing in itself, but its not really a club in the true sense as the members would have no say in any decisions.

We played (Blessingto lakes GC) Druids Heath in an interclub the year before last and were made feel really welcome both at a practice and at the fixture itself. We had a nice bit of scram with the guys there after the game and as a club they seemed well organized i never got the sense that the place was not a club, great day out, got beat though.