Golf Staycation

OffalyMedic wrote: »

In the current climate it looks like our only holiday over the summer will be staycation so with that in mind where are the best stay and plays in Ireland

Off too of my head a couple are
Faithlegg
Druids Glen/ Heath
Knightsbrook
Mount Wosley
Mount Juliet
The Heritage

Fota, castlemartyr also.

Kerry, we tend to stay in Scott’s in town center, it’s great value.

And loads of good quality courses to pick from at wide range of prices.

I rate that location over all the others you mentioned for range of courses, quality of accommodation and nightlife after golf.

Rosapenna the winner for me.

Slieve Russell a worthy parkland choice.

Farnham Estate worth consideration too, especially with Co Cavan backing onto the estate.

But if you consider just how gargantuan sone of the aforementioned estates are, you should probably allow:

Royal County Down and Slieve Donard Hotel (Maybe a 5 iron)

Woodenbridge GC and Woodenbridge Hotel (a downhill 9 iron)

Rosses Point and Yeats Hotel (you could probably run a putt across the road and down the car park)

Ballyliffin GC and Ballyliffin Lodge. Okay this is more like a par 3 followed by a long par 5. But they are basically neighbours.

Ballybunion / Lahinch.. you get the added bonus of the nice beaches and towns also.

Tulfarris have a great setup with golf lodges, course, range etc class spot close to Dublin

Lough Erne probably deserves a shout too, 2 courses as well.

Have not played there before myself but I do have a stay & play planned for right after they open up again.

I'd like to do a couple of days somewhere for a hold staycation too. I'll be picking someplace with a couple of courses nearby as opposed to having a course on site. So Donegal / sligo would be the first choices. But if it suits people to go closer, somewhere in the Midlands. You'll have tullamore, esker hills, athlone, Glasson, the heritage all a short drive away.

Is mullingar supposed to be a nice course too? And I've heard portarlington and birr are decent, but not amazing.

newindublin wrote: »

Good think I am playing the Faldo course then!

If you’re looking a second course, Enniskillen is nicer than Castle Hume. Not top drawer, but enjoyable.

If you don’t mind a half hour spin, Slieve Russell is a much better accompaniment

I’m probably going to play the Lough Erne & Links Challenge in July. Bit of a staycation in Donegal at the same time.

thewobbler wrote: »

If you’re looking a second course, Enniskillen is nicer than Castle Hume. Not top drawer, but enjoyable.

If you don’t mind a half hour spin, Slieve Russell is a much better accompaniment

Played Slieve Russell several years ago with a friend who is a member, it is a superb course. Look forward to getting back again!

OffalyMedic wrote: »

Going to go away 2nd week in July just overnight. Down to Faithlegg or Tulfarris. Any reason to choose one over the other

Have been to both for weddings in 2019. Faithlegg the far superior accomodation, great rooms and food and jack medes pub nearby which is great. Tulfarris looks fine from the outside but the rooms/breakfast really poor. Tulfarris superior golf course but not by a whole lot IMO.

OffalyMedic wrote: »

Going to go away 2nd week in July just overnight. Down to Faithlegg or Tulfarris. Any reason to choose one over the other

newindublin wrote: »

Played both. Tulfarris is the FAR superior course. Did not stay at the hotel there so I can't say how the accommodation was (looks nice from the outside?)

I did stay at Faithlegg and it was...meh. Would not return.

dk1982 wrote: »

Have been to both for weddings in 2019. Faithlegg the far superior accomodation, great rooms and food and jack medes pub nearby which is great. Tulfarris looks fine from the outside but the rooms/breakfast really poor. Tulfarris superior golf course but not by a whole lot IMO.

been a while now since i stayed in either of them but recollection is same as dk, faithlegg was nicer accommodation. course in tulferris probably better, but not much in it.

incidentally you mentioned mount woolsely earlier, don't go there. stayed last Halloween, service was shocking, and it is far from the standard it set when it was a prime location 20 years ago.

if i were you, pick faithlegg out of them two options... they used to do a deal to play 3 courses, including MJ and Waterford Castle.

but if you want a treat, a one stop shop for a don't leave the premises type of weekend, got to Mount Juliet.... Hunters Yard rooms are a bit cheaper but 5 star quality. The Manor house, just luxury and worth at least a try once time. eat a fancy dinner in the lady helen one of the nights. you deserve a treat, this is about as good as they come.

I looked at something similar up around Carne/Enniscrone but the cost was prohibitive

The golf society I'm involved with goes away once a year for 3 nights and 2 rounds of golf. Have to say Fota Island set up is top notch, from the options on the course to the club house and hotel facilities. Great value too.

Our last trip was to Farnham Estate in September. The course is a challenge with some difficult holes but unfortunately the drainage is a mess and your basically playing on a bog at times. Kind of ruined the weekend for us. One plus is Cavan town is only down the road so was a great option for pints later on as the hotel set up didn't really tailor for golf societies.

Bunclody is another option if still open. Fantastic course and the town is on the door step for food and drink.