Thoughts on Golf Clubs in/close to South Dublin

Tempora · 24-07-2019 1:18pm #1

Hey,

Been playing golf for many years now but only casually, and looking to get into competitions, maintain a handicap, etc. Hoping that those of you from around here could help me out on which clubs you'd recommend. I had a read of a few threads I found by searching but they're all 1-2 years old so wanted to make sure I have up to date info. Hopefully any others looking at clubs could find this thread useful in the future as well.

A little bit about me:
I live in South Dublin (Stillorgan area) and have a car, and I'd prefer to be within 20-25 min drive of any club I join. I'm 22 years old and a student, so student rates are important to me, looking to spend under €1000/yr including any levies. I have a lot of friends that play casually so a decent value guest rate for when I want to bring them playing with me is important too. Finally would be nice to have some practice facilities like chipping practice area, range/nets, trackman, etc.

I've been looking at the following clubs:
- Killiney GC (Unknown/yr) - Very nice club and I have a few friends here but not accepting applications until October and worried I might get a bit bored with only 9 holes and not much in the way of practice facilities.
- Dun Laoghaire GC (€589/yr) - Probably my first choice but struggling to find sponsors since my friends that play there are all student members who don't have rights to propose/second.
- Powerscourt GC (Unknown/yr) - I've heard that you still have to pay green fees in Powerscourt even as a member?
- Stackstown GC (€499/yr) - Great price and no hoops to jump through for joining here worry me that there's something wrong here?
- Carrickmines GC (€1070/yr) - No student membership option and after playing here a couple of times I haven't been too impressed by the standards of the greens.
- Charlesland GC (€371/yr) - Really great price and I've heard great things about the course standards, possibly a bit too far of a drive for me.

If any of you have thoughts about the clubs above or other suggestions nearby I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

GreeBo · 24-07-2019 2:07pm

Did you look at Beechpark or Lisheen GC?

Not much to worry about with Stackstown, the other nearby clubs would be better but are more expensive and have hoops so it is what it is. Was good enough for P. Harrington!

Tempora · 24-07-2019 2:10pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Did you look at Beechpark or Lisheen GC?

Not much to worry about with Stackstown, the other nearby clubs would be better but are more expensive and have hoops so it is what it is. Was good enough for P. Harrington!

Beechpark and Lisheen are probably a bit too far out for me, extra 20 minutes round trip compared to the rest I've been looking at. Glad to hear Stackstown is decent, I'll probably head out for a round this weekend to check it out before making a final decision.

youcancallmeal · 25-07-2019 3:19pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Not much to worry about with Stackstown, the other nearby clubs would be better but are more expensive and have hoops so it is what it is. Was good enough for P. Harrington!

Yeah I'm member of Stackstown and very happy considering the price, location and facilities. You'll hear people complain it's too hilly but I enjoy the variety and challenge. As you say I'd have definitely joined the likes of the grange or castle if it they weren't mad money

eoghan104 · 25-07-2019 3:42pm

Woodbrook is lovely but not sure if they have a student rate.
Members in Powerscourt do not pay green fees unless there is some strange student deal.

TCM · 25-07-2019 3:52pm

youcancallmeal wrote:

Yeah I'm member of Stackstown and very happy considering the price, location and facilities. You'll hear people complain it's too hilly but I enjoy the variety and challenge. As you say I'd have definitely joined the likes of the grange or castle if it they weren't mad money

You enjoy the "challenge ". Just wondering what's your handicap, if I might ask.

youcancallmeal · 25-07-2019 4:13pm

TCM wrote: »

You enjoy the "challenge ". Just wondering what's your handicap, if I might ask.

Ha sorry I might have made it sound like other courses are too easy for me, I'm 21 handicap, only started playing golf regularly this year. When I say challenge I mean course management is something I really need to focus on to do well in a round. When I've had a bad round it's usually because I'm taking on silly shots and other bad course management cliches

Dtoffee · 25-07-2019 8:16pm

https://delganygolfclub.com/membership/fees-rates/

Old school club, very welcoming and great history.

Golfhead65 · 25-07-2019 9:42pm

Tempora wrote: »

Hey,

Been playing golf for many years now but only casually, and looking to get into competitions, maintain a handicap, etc. Hoping that those of you from around here could help me out on which clubs you'd recommend. I had a read of a few threads I found by searching but they're all 1-2 years old so wanted to make sure I have up to date info. Hopefully any others looking at clubs could find this thread useful in the future as well.

A little bit about me:
I live in South Dublin (Stillorgan area) and have a car, and I'd prefer to be within 20-25 min drive of any club I join. I'm 22 years old and a student, so student rates are important to me, looking to spend under €1000/yr including any levies. I have a lot of friends that play casually so a decent value guest rate for when I want to bring them playing with me is important too. Finally would be nice to have some practice facilities like chipping practice area, range/nets, trackman, etc.

I've been looking at the following clubs:
- Killiney GC (Unknown/yr) - Very nice club and I have a few friends here but not accepting applications until October and worried I might get a bit bored with only 9 holes and not much in the way of practice facilities.
- Dun Laoghaire GC (€589/yr) - Probably my first choice but struggling to find sponsors since my friends that play there are all student members who don't have rights to propose/second.
- Powerscourt GC (Unknown/yr) - I've heard that you still have to pay green fees in Powerscourt even as a member?
- Stackstown GC (€499/yr) - Great price and no hoops to jump through for joining here worry me that there's something wrong here?
- Carrickmines GC (€1070/yr) - No student membership option and after playing here a couple of times I haven't been too impressed by the standards of the greens.
- Charlesland GC (€371/yr) - Really great price and I've heard great things about the course standards, possibly a bit too far of a drive for me.

If any of you have thoughts about the clubs above or other suggestions nearby I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

Any club that wants a proposer & Seconder for you to gain membership I'd avoid like a rash, plenty of options around as you stated and other posters lists..

REFLINE1 · 26-07-2019 4:04pm

Dtoffee wrote: »

https://delganygolfclub.com/membership/fees-rates/

Old school club, very welcoming and great history.

they've a joining fee now, not shown on their website

GreeBo · 26-07-2019 7:41pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Any club that wants a proposer & Seconder for you to gain membership I'd avoid like a rash, plenty of options around as you stated and other posters lists..

Why would that be?

Clubs want to know who is joining, its not a gym.

Golfhead65 · 26-07-2019 7:51pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Why would that be?

Clubs want to know who is joining, its not a gym.

I thought we finished with that elitest type of golf club, 1 man's or woman's money is the same as anyone's...Personally if I was moving club and they wanted a proposer and Seconder I'd give them a wide berth

GreeBo · 26-07-2019 7:57pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

I thought we finished with that elitest type of golf club, 1 man's or woman's money is the same as anyone's...Personally if I was moving club and they wanted a proposer and Seconder I'd give them a wide berth

Wanting to know who is joining your club is not elitist.
Its nothing to do with money, its to do with wanting to keep the ethos of a club and to have like minded members.
As I said earlier, a golf club is a social place, its not like a gym where you turn up and keep to yourself and go home.

Also, typically in those clubs you are buying into the club, you are becoming an owner/partner, its expected that you are there for the long haul, if not for life.

If you want somewhere that will take anyone with money and not care what that person is like, then there is a market for that too, neither is wrong or right, there is no need to be judgemental or derogatory about it.

Imhof Tank · 26-07-2019 11:30pm

GreeBo wrote: »

somewhere that will take anyone with money and not care what that person is like,

no need to be judgemental or derogatory.

:rolleyes:

GreeBo · 27-07-2019 7:00am

Imhof Tank wrote: »

:rolleyes:

10/10 for thoughtful, detailed reply

Imhof Tank · 27-07-2019 10:22am

GreeBo wrote: »

10/10 for thoughtful, detailed reply

Sometimes rolleyes say more than words.

When i saw the post upthread from someone saying stay away from clubs requiring proposers and seconders i said to myself how long before Greebo comes along with a snarky dig.

Do you not see the irony of you complaining about others judging the traditional clubs while simultaneously looking down your nose at the newer clubs' joining policies?

First Up · 27-07-2019 12:24pm

Imhof Tank wrote:

Do you not see the irony of you complaining about others judging the traditional clubs while simultaneously looking down your nose at the newer clubs' joining policies?

I think he was looking down his nose at someone who thinks golf club membership is just about money.

Mantis Toboggan · 27-07-2019 2:01pm

I get the idea of having to do an interview/meeting the captain before joining but having to be proposed and seconded by existing members just to join a golf club is old hat. Of the clubs I joined over the years I didn't know any of the existing members. I think it's a method of keeping membership numbers down.

It's something I never understood. Who do they think is trying to join the club. Maybe they think because they're an unknown that they'll start digging up trees and tearing down the clubhouse? People just want to play golf.

Tempora · 27-07-2019 2:09pm

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

I get the idea of having to do an interview/meeting the captain before joining but having to be proposed and seconded by existing members just to join a golf club is old hat. Of the clubs I joined over the years I didn't know any of the existing members. I think it's a method of keeping membership numbers down.

It's something I never understood. Who do they think is trying to join the club. Maybe they think because they're an unknown that they'll start digging up trees and tearing down the clubhouse? People just want to play golf.

Clearly to keep the filthy lower classes who don't repair their pitch marks away. :P

GreeBo · 27-07-2019 7:23pm

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

I get the idea of having to do an interview/meeting the captain before joining but having to be proposed and seconded by existing members just to join a golf club is old hat. Of the clubs I joined over the years I didn't know any of the existing members. I think it's a method of keeping membership numbers down.

It's something I never understood. Who do they think is trying to join the club. Maybe they think because they're an unknown that they'll start digging up trees and tearing down the clubhouse? People just want to play golf.

If, as a club, you had the choice between two people for 1 space, do you choose the friend/family of an existing member or the stranger?

If your club has a large volume of applicants then interviews are not feasible...you need some way to reduce the numbers, especially if it's for a couple of places.
Btw, what club wants to keep the numbers artificially low?

Imhof Tank wrote: »

Sometimes rolleyes say more than words.

When i saw the post upthread from someone saying stay away from clubs requiring proposers and seconders i said to myself how long before Greebo comes along with a snarky dig.

Do you not see the irony of you complaining about others judging the traditional clubs while simultaneously looking down your nose at the newer clubs' joining policies?

I'd be obliged if you could show where I was snarky in my post?
I gave a detailed reply with points showing why clubs do this, you gave an emoji.

I'm not looking down my nose at any club thanks, I clearly said neither approach is wrong not right.

Perhaps you could learn to use your words to help others understand what it is you are trying to say? Yunno, like a conversation?

54and56 · 27-07-2019 10:34pm

Would be nice if the thread got back on track to help the OP choose a club that suits his needs, budget and criteria.

Stackstown is great value and well run. It's not everyone's cup of tea but if you're looking for somewhere to start off with a nice friendly membership only 15 minutes drive from Stillorgan you won't go too far wrong and if you want to move in a few years you can without losing a joining fee. I play it several times a year with friends (they do an open each Sunday) and always enjoy it. The slopes on both fairways and greens can be frustrating but some course management and imagination will be rewarded.

Powerscourt is superb in my opinion and the variety of both courses is a treat. It's exceptionally well run and is just a pleasure to play, particularly the East course IMHO.

Dun Laoghaire is also very good and will be adding a 4th 9 to create 2 X 18's in due course so might represent the best log term value for money given your age.

Tempora · 28-07-2019 6:45pm

Played Powerscourt today with a friend who's a member and wow, great course. Really liked the driving range off grass + the great practice facilities for pitching/chipping. The only downside is that I'm not sure I'd be able to play any type of competitions on the course for a number of months due to my current standard of play. It's quite a challenging course and those bunkers are absolutely lethal on some of the holes.

54and56 · 28-07-2019 7:47pm

Tempora wrote: »

Played Powerscourt today with a friend who's a member and wow, great course. Really liked the driving range off grass + the great practice facilities for pitching/chipping. The only downside is that I'm not sure I'd be able to play any type of competitions on the course for a number of months due to my current standard of play. It's quite a challenging course and those bunkers are absolutely lethal on some of the holes.

Which course did you play, East or West?

Joining a golf course is (should) be a long term decision so I wouldn't worry about your ability to compete on the course(s) in the short term. If you're handicap goes out a little due to you having to learn each course c'est la vie. It'll come in again once you've played each of them a few times.

Personally I love Powerscourt. The only other course I enjoy playing more within striking distance of South Dublin is Druids Glen. That's not to say there aren't better courses in the same distance range, it's just my personal preference.

Tempora · 28-07-2019 9:00pm

54&56 wrote: »

Which course did you play, East or West?

Joining a golf course is (should) be a long term decision so I wouldn't worry about your ability to compete on the course(s) in the short term. If you're handicap goes out a little due to you having to learn each course c'est la vie. It'll come in again once you've played each of them a few times.

Personally I love Powerscourt. The only other course I enjoy playing more within striking distance of South Dublin is Druids Glen. That's not to say there aren't better courses in the same distance range, it's just my personal preference.

West, really was a great experience. Quite a walk as well, started to wish I'd grabbed at least a trolley after I got past the 12th haha.

54and56 · 28-07-2019 10:57pm

Tempora wrote: »

West, really was a great experience. Quite a walk as well, started to wish I'd grabbed at least a trolley after I got past the 12th haha.

It's 14-18 which are challenging if you're carrying on the West course.

Glad you enjoyed it.

East is an easier carry and a more enjoyable (still challenging) course IMHO. Even if you've had a terrible first 15 holes, 16 -18 are amazing, particularly 17.

You should get your friend to get you out on the East before you make your final decision.

Tempora · 29-07-2019 11:44am

Rang Powerscourt up to ask a few questions about membership but unfortunately it turns out they're not willing to pro-rate membership mid-year so I'd have to either pay full price to get the 5 months remaining this year or wait until January 2020.

GolfNut33 · 29-07-2019 2:13pm

Tempora wrote: »

Rang Powerscourt up to ask a few questions about membership but unfortunately it turns out they're not willing to pro-rate membership mid-year so I'd have to either pay full price to get the 5 months remaining this year or wait until January 2020.

That doesn't make business sense at all. Surly its a no brainer. What have they got to lose?

54and56 · 29-07-2019 2:24pm

GolfNut33 wrote: »

That doesn't make business sense at all. Surly its a no brainer. What have they got to lose?

I don't disagree and think it's an Admin simplification legacy issue.

54and56 · 07-08-2019 10:35am

Tempora wrote: »

Hey,

Been playing golf for many years now but only casually, and looking to get into competitions, maintain a handicap, etc. Hoping that those of you from around here could help me out on which clubs you'd recommend.

So Tempora, did you take the plunge?

Tempora · 10-08-2019 7:30pm

54&56 wrote: »

So Tempora, did you take the plunge?

Played almost all the courses on my list now except DL+Stackstown. Tee time tomorrow at 4pm at Stackstown and then I'll be joining either Charlesland or Stackstown on Monday.

Tempora · 12-08-2019 1:29pm

Played Stackstown yesterday and really enjoyed the course and everything about the place. It's a well designed course and I did find it quite challenging in terms of course management Went ahead and gave them a ring today and it's official, I'm now a member! Next up: shooting under 95!

youcancallmeal · 12-08-2019 4:33pm

Tempora wrote: »

Played Stackstown yesterday and really enjoyed the course and everything about the place. It's a well designed course and I did find it quite challenging in terms of course management Went ahead and gave them a ring today and it's official, I'm now a member! Next up: shooting under 95!

Send me a PM if you're looking for someone to play a round and sign your card for getting your handicap. You can play in the competitions as well for this purpose, just tell them in the pro-shop to refund your entry fee to your account.

54and56 · 12-08-2019 4:53pm

Tempora wrote: »

Played Stackstown yesterday and really enjoyed the course and everything about the place. It's a well designed course and I did find it quite challenging in terms of course management Went ahead and gave them a ring today and it's official, I'm now a member! Next up: shooting under 95!

As Harrington says "It's a great place to play golf!", you will enjoy your time there.

Anthony is a great pro for lessons and they have a wonderful Trackman facility so lessons are very interactive, informative and fun.

Enjoy it and make the most of what's left of the summer!!

Seve OB · 12-08-2019 9:37pm

I hear a lot of lads give out about stackstown. I suppose it tends to be slightly older lads, maybe unfit guys.
I like the course. It’s tough going, as you say it demands good course management. Lots of hills, but unlike some hilly courses it is routed well and you rarely find an unfair lie. For example the index 1 in charlesland, think its the 14th hole. A great hole in many respects, but an absolutely ridiculous fairway. A ball down the center will 9 time out of 10 run off to the right rough..... actually probably the same if you play it down the left. And every time I’ve played it you are always left with the ball so far below your feet you’d want an extra foot on your shaft! Some people might say that’s no big deal, but you just have to see the hole to realise how daft it is. You don’t get that with the hills in stackstown.
It will keep you fit if you play it regular, you will learn good course discipline and how to take your medicine. Nice clubhouse, good grub and any member I’ve ever known from up there has always been most welcoming.
Welcome to golf club membership, enjoy and keep us posted.

54and56 · 14-08-2019 9:06am

Seve OB wrote: »

I hear a lot of lads give out about stackstown. I suppose it tends to be slightly older lads, maybe unfit guys.
I like the course. It’s tough going, as you say it demands good course management. Lots of hills, but unlike some hilly courses it is routed well and you rarely find an unfair lie. For example the index 1 in charlesland, think its the 14th hole. A great hole in many respects, but an absolutely ridiculous fairway. A ball down the center will 9 time out of 10 run off to the right rough..... actually probably the same if you play it down the left. And every time I’ve played it you are always left with the ball so far below your feet you’d want an extra foot on your shaft! Some people might say that’s no big deal, but you just have to see the hole to realise how daft it is. You don’t get that with the hills in stackstown.
It will keep you fit if you play it regular, you will learn good course discipline and how to take your medicine. Nice clubhouse, good grub and any member I’ve ever known from up there has always been most welcoming.
Welcome to golf club membership, enjoy and keep us posted.

Agree with all your post bar the highlighted pieces. There are several holes in Stackstown where no matter how good your drive is you can end up with a very unfair or difficult lie.

- 4th - low index par 4 but you basically have to aim for the first cut of rough to the left of the fairway to have any chance of holding the fairway. Drive one down the middle of the fairway or even the very left of the fairway and the bounce and run will see you in the rough on the right down by the wall.

- 9th - tough par 4 but similar to the 4th, a drive up the middle of the fairway often results in a lie in the rough on the right behind or in the trees.

- 15th - low index par 4 but again you have to aim to the very left of the fairway to have any chance of avoiding the ball kicking right into the trees down by the bell.

- 18th - very score-able par 5 which isn't quite as punitive as the three above but you need to keep your drive to the very left towards the electric pylon if you are to avoid it running down to the trees on the right or out onto the 16th fairway.

newindublin · 14-08-2019 10:52am

I am planning to move to the south side(Terenure) in the next month or so and am starting to think about a membership again. I am mostly looking at Grange Castle, and I am curious if there are any members who can comment on the club?

I still like to travel around the country and play a variety of clubs as well as play Society golf as well, so the pay & play membership seems like a good flexible option to have a membership but also play other courses regularly.

Golfhead65 · 14-08-2019 4:03pm

newindublin wrote: »

I am planning to move to the south side(Terenure) in the next month or so and am starting to think about a membership again. I am mostly looking at Grange Castle, and I am curious if there are any members who can comment on the club?

I still like to travel around the country and play a variety of clubs as well as play Society golf as well, so the pay & play membership seems like a good flexible option to have a membership but also play other courses regularly.

You cant beat Blessington Lakes for Pay&Play membership but even if you join Full it's only around the 600 euro.Golfnut is member there,I'm sure he'll give you a game there to try it out, Talk to him at Carlow or contact him through here, you won't be dissapointed

spacecoyote · 14-08-2019 6:50pm

newindublin wrote: »

I am planning to move to the south side(Terenure) in the next month or so and am starting to think about a membership again. I am mostly looking at Grange Castle, and I am curious if there are any members who can comment on the club?

I still like to travel around the country and play a variety of clubs as well as play Society golf as well, so the pay & play membership seems like a good flexible option to have a membership but also play other courses regularly.

You wont go far wrong in Grange Castle. They've put in a range of sorts as far as I know (have to hit your own balls though). Decent sized putting green.

Have the old 7 holes at the back too for those shorter evenings (though I think they might charge the pay&play members for them)

I was a pay&play member there for a couple of years. It's well run & has a strong membership. From memory, Saturday tee times can be a bit tight as they tend to have societies out from late morning into the early afternoon. Usually no issues on Sunday.

If you were playing week in week out there, it runs out if value as a pay&play option, but if you wont be playing massive amounts of golf there then it would be a good option for you & is very accessible from terenure direction.

Citywest also do a pay&play option which you might consider. Its basically the same distance as grange castle

jclack · 14-08-2019 7:40pm

Are there any issues getting out on stackstown timesheet?

youcancallmeal · 14-08-2019 9:11pm

jclack wrote: »

Are there any issues getting out on stackstown timesheet?

I've don't know how it compares to other clubs but generally it's fine depending on when you like to play. The more popular times will fill up within a couple of hours of going live. Tee times go live at 7pm on Thursday the week before.

Seve OB · 14-08-2019 10:04pm

54&56 wrote: »

Agree with all your post bar the highlighted pieces. There are several holes in Stackstown where no matter how good your drive is you can end up with a very unfair or difficult lie.

- 4th - low index par 4 but you basically have to aim for the first cut of rough to the left of the fairway to have any chance of holding the fairway. Drive one down the middle of the fairway or even the very left of the fairway and the bounce and run will see you in the rough on the right down by the wall.

- 9th - tough par 4 but similar to the 4th, a drive up the middle of the fairway often results in a lie in the rough on the right behind or in the trees.

- 15th - low index par 4 but again you have to aim to the very left of the fairway to have any chance of avoiding the ball kicking right into the trees down by the bell.

- 18th - very score-able par 5 which isn't quite as punitive as the three above but you need to keep your drive to the very left towards the electric pylon if you are to avoid it running down to the trees on the right or out onto the 16th fairway.

isn't that called course management?

54and56 · 14-08-2019 10:12pm

Seve OB wrote: »

isn't that called course management?

No, not for me. If due to the slope of a fairway you have little hope of holding the fairway regardless of how good your drive is then for most golfers it's lottery not skill or management.

Mr Mister · 14-08-2019 10:15pm

I've been thinking of taking the plunge next year with a golf membership and Stackstown ticks a lot of boxes from a location (work in Sandyford, live in Dundrum) and ease of entry point of view, so great to hear you've had a positive experience there and have gone ahead with the membership. I haven't actually played it myself so will need to get up there for a round to check it out but sounds like a very welcoming place. I presume Saturday is comp day?

All the best with the membership and might end up seeing you there if I can sell the idea in at home!

54and56 · 14-08-2019 10:19pm

Mr Mister wrote: »

I've been thinking of taking the plunge next year with a golf membership and Stackstown ticks a lot of boxes from a location (work in Sandyford, live in Dundrum) and ease of entry point of view, so great to hear you've had a positive experience there and have gone ahead with the membership. I haven't actually played it myself so will need to get up there for a round to check it out but sounds like a very welcoming place. I presume Saturday is comp day?

All the best with the membership and might end up seeing you there if I can sell the idea in at home!

Yes, Sat is members only comps. Opens for everyone on a Sunday when it's much quieter and great value.

Seve OB · 14-08-2019 11:15pm

54&56 wrote: »

No, not for me. If due to the slope of a fairway you have little hope of holding the fairway regardless of how good your drive is then for most golfers it's lottery not skill or management.

you are arguing the same point i made about the index 1 in charlesland and i totally agree with your reasoning. but i disagree with you that stackstown is unfair and this can't be avoided, but maybe i just don't know the course as well as you do.

i just don't find the course as unfair as you make it out and. re the 9th & 18th, i don't think the ball bounces off the right side of those fairways that much. perhaps you fade the ball a lot which would result in it kicking further right than a straight shot would?

for me i can drive the 15th, but it is a risk reward shot where i need to aim left, hope for the right bounce over the blind hill. but the clever course management shot is an iron off the tee to the top of the hill.i think it is quite easy to find the fairway there and it will only leave a short flick to the green.

the 4th being downhill i agree with you does kick to the right, but again ive found the fairway lots down the left side, centre and right and its been rare that ever run off the right into the rough with good shots. i've also been out on the next fairway (7th i think) and in actual fact, the rough down the left side isn't a bad place to be anytime ive played there, not that thick, nearly will always be able to get a shot at the green (unless behind a tree of course, but there aren't many of them)

Tempora · 15-08-2019 7:52pm

Played for the third time today now and I have a couple of thoughts on Stackstown as a new member:

1. I'm going to have to start using some sort of fly repellent because today for the first 6 holes I had a cloud of flies following my head around the course. You think the guy talking during your back swing is distracting? Try a fly buzzing into your ear right as you're about to make contact with the ball. You might think I'm exaggerating but it actually had me pretty annoyed and considering walking off and I'm usually a very calm golfer regardless of how terrible I'm playing.
2. I agree that the bounces on the course can be very unforgiving. For a high handicapper like me I actually don't consider this a big problem because I don't find being in the short rough to really be something that interferes with my score, and landing on the fairway is more luck than skill for most of my drives anyway. I can see how it might annoy a low handicapper who attacks fairways.

Really enjoying my membership so far anyway, possibly going to play in my first competition on Sunday.

54and56 · 15-08-2019 9:41pm

Seve OB wrote: »

you are arguing the same point i made about the index 1 in charlesland and i totally agree with your reasoning. but i disagree with you that stackstown is unfair and this can't be avoided, but maybe i just don't know the course as well as you do.

i just don't find the course as unfair as you make it out and. re the 9th & 18th, i don't think the ball bounces off the right side of those fairways that much. perhaps you fade the ball a lot which would result in it kicking further right than a straight shot would?

I don't fade actually but anyone with a fade is in even trickier trouble!! I guess course management could mean you just need to draw the ball on those holes but I don't know many golfers who are low single handicappers who can step up and fade or draw a drive on demand.

In fairness the 18th would the least "unfair" of the 4 holes I listed and if it was the only such hole on the course it would probably be over looked as a bit of a quirk but it's not.

Seve OB wrote: »

for me i can drive the 15th, but it is a risk reward shot where i need to aim left, hope for the right bounce over the blind hill. but the clever course management shot is an iron off the tee to the top of the hill.i think it is quite easy to find the fairway there and it will only leave a short flick to the green.

I generally can't but have driven the 15th a couple of times but each time it was more of a grip it and rip it type shot as the conditions suited i.e. wind behind right to left etc. I don't disagree that the prudent shot is to tip an iron to the top of the hill leaving yourself about (IIRC) 160 yards downhill to the green which is also another bugbear of mine on that hole as it slopes towards the back so anything rolling on the the green or not dropping almost vertical can and often does roll off the back and you can easily end up against the wall.

Seve OB wrote: »

the 4th being downhill i agree with you does kick to the right, but again ive found the fairway lots down the left side, centre and right and its been rare that ever run off the right into the rough with good shots. i've also been out on the next fairway (7th i think) and in actual fact, the rough down the left side isn't a bad place to be anytime ive played there, not that thick, nearly will always be able to get a shot at the green (unless behind a tree of course, but there aren't many of them)

Again don't disagree with most of your point other than the highlighted piece. I too have either found the left rough which is generally a good enough lie unless you're blocked out by one of the trees or the fairway when I drive down the left but my experience is that it's rare to drive down the middle or right and not end up in the rough on the right which depending on time of year etc can range from not too bad to pretty bad. The fairway to the right BTW is the 5th which for the first 50 yards is shared with the 8th.

I just don't think you should have to be aiming for the left rough on any hole in order to avoid running down into the rough on the right. It's kind of manageable if you're accurate but what's the point in having fairways if holding them depends on a bounce in the left rough?

Maybe my view is skewed by the course having beaten me into submission :-(

54and56 · 15-08-2019 9:44pm

Tempora wrote: »

Played for the third time today now and I have a couple of thoughts on Stackstown as a new member:

1. I'm going to have to start using some sort of fly repellent because today for the first 6 holes I had a cloud of flies following my head around the course. You think the guy talking during your back swing is distracting? Try a fly buzzing into your ear right as you're about to make contact with the ball. You might think I'm exaggerating but it actually had me pretty annoyed and considering walking off and I'm usually a very calm golfer regardless of how terrible I'm playing.
2. I agree that the bounces on the course can be very unforgiving. For a high handicapper like me I actually don't consider this a big problem because I don't find being in the short rough to really be something that interferes with my score, and landing on the fairway is more luck than skill for most of my drives anyway. I can see how it might annoy a low handicapper who attacks fairways.

Really enjoying my membership so far anyway, possibly going to play in my first competition on Sunday.

If it's any consolation I don't recall the problem lasting for more than a few weeks each year and of course it very much depends on the weather etc also.

newport2 · 16-08-2019 11:34am

Tempora wrote: »

Played for the third time today now and I have a couple of thoughts on Stackstown as a new member:

1. I'm going to have to start using some sort of fly repellent because today for the first 6 holes I had a cloud of flies following my head around the course. You think the guy talking during your back swing is distracting? Try a fly buzzing into your ear right as you're about to make contact with the ball. You might think I'm exaggerating but it actually had me pretty annoyed and considering walking off and I'm usually a very calm golfer regardless of how terrible I'm playing.

I experienced that last night playing elsewhere in a place that doesn't usually have many flies, so it's probably not down to Stackstown GC, just current conditions

newindublin · 16-08-2019 12:03pm

Bug Zapper

I got one of these for the "buggy" days or when you get a big horse fly following you around on the course. It is incredibly satisfying, sometimes even more than the golf depending on the day...

newindublin · 19-08-2019 10:36am

Played Grange Castle on Saturday, it seems like a good fit for me. The course fits my eye, enough challenge and slopes to be interesting but not so difficult as to punish my higher handicap. The extra 7 holes seem like they would be great to pop out for some golf after work when there is light for it.

The clubhouse leaves a fair bit to be desired, but I never found myself spending a lot of time in the clubhouse at my last club, so not a big issue for me.

Thoughts on Golf Clubs in/close to South Dublin

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