Busy Dublin northside courses update

jcb1986 · 09-08-2025 04:38PM #1

This thread has been done to death but not sure if some of the courses have been mentioned since COVID.

I'm interested in joining a club where I can get out near first on timesheet for weekend comps and a club that are liberal enough re playing a few holes in the evening or first thing in morning, both midweek. Have a 5 month old and 2 year old and work 9-5 Monday to Friday, so would need to be on parent duty most of the weekend.

Elmgreen is my closest but I have read a few neggy reviews of rammed weekend timesheets. My question is: is it still the case that Elmgreen is v hard to get out early on the weekend timesheet or has the golf buzz from COVID worn off? A few bad reviews of Carr golf mgmt too.

Other options I've enjoyed in the past are St Margarets and Castleknock, but not as convenient for me for a casual few holes.

For Petes Sake · 11-08-2025 08:30AM

Deer Park in Howth might be a good bit out of your way but it always has space. Not a member there but I've never had any trouble booking a tee time, especially in the evening.

swededmonkey · 11-08-2025 08:57AM

Deer park is relatively easy to get on the timesheet even during members competition on a sunday.

On a side note, the new greenkeeper there is slowly improving the general aesthetic of the course and is looking much better than it has been for a long time

soverybored1878 · 11-08-2025 09:06AM

Roganstown is definitely an option for you. I'm a member and have never had any issue getting out at any point, whether that be weekend or early morning weekday. Not too far beyond St Margaret's.

Greengrass53 · 11-08-2025 09:21AM

Stay home and look after your children. You'll be glad in ten years time.

@Greengrass53 Stick to OP please, this is not a parenting forum. If you have nothing positive to contribute then simply do not post to this thread

FixdePitchmark · 11-08-2025 11:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712868#Comment_123712868

This a joke....

slave1 · 11-08-2025 02:53PM

Hope so

jcb1986 · 11-08-2025 08:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712743#Comment_123712743

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712812#Comment_123712812

Thanks both, I see they do 6:30am tee times, haven't seen that anywhere bar St Mags for weekend comps. I'll sound picky here but I need to be time efficient and Howth is 35-40mins from me in Ashtown, lot of courses closer.

Must check it out some time tho, played the p&p there years ago, great views

jcb1986 · 11-08-2025 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712840#Comment_123712840

Thanks, played it a couple of times before, lovely course. Do you know what the earliest times they do in the Summer? Seeing 7am on the booking platform but potentially they do earlier for members?

jcb1986 · 11-08-2025 08:25PM

Tiny bit further than I would like but do any of you know the going rates in The Island at the moment?, no reply when I reached out. Or is it a very closed shop?

bakerbhoy · 11-08-2025 08:44PM

Tourist is over 300..

Don't know about any GI rate…

jcb1986 · 11-08-2025 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714760#Comment_123714760

Sorry, meant membership, hello money and annual sub, not really publicised to be fair.

finglashoop · 11-08-2025 08:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714652#Comment_123714652

If your in ashtown and time is an issue. Elmgreen will be fine.

Corballis for free too.

Greengrass53 · 11-08-2025 10:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123713168#Comment_123713168

Nope

swededmonkey · 12-08-2025 07:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714716#Comment_123714716

The last time in enquired about 6 years ago, the hello money was c.10k. I can only expect that's gone up since

bakerbhoy · 12-08-2025 11:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714768#Comment_123714768

Sorry.

I know a member and can ask if you wish..

soverybored1878 · 12-08-2025 11:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714664#Comment_123714664

I am definitely not a morning person so I couldn't possibly comment. But I know there are groups that do head out earlier than that. I'm not sure it's allowed (insurance reasons apparently) but the whole place is very laid back so I'm sure it wouldn't be a mega issue if you were out slightly earlier.

soverybored1878 · 12-08-2025 11:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123714716#Comment_123714716

Owner of the company I work for is a member and he told me it was 12k entrance fee and 1750 annual membership but this was the last time they took on members so assuming a little while ago now.

They are currently only taking on lady memberships.

bakerbhoy · 12-08-2025 01:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123715973#Comment_123715973

13k...2k annual..

Interview to be passed...

Restricted places available...

FixdePitchmark · 12-08-2025 02:17PM

The Island is nothing like profile of club this poster is looking for.

The Island is extremely hard , a longer round and not exactly suitable for a 6 hole run around..it is also very expensive..

I'd say just look at course closest to you and work off that ...

jcb1986 · 12-08-2025 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123716661#Comment_123716661

Thanks for that, good to know it's not good for a quick run-around, wouldn't have thought so to be fair. Was just enquiring as I would hope (maybe in vain) to join one of the big 3 links in Dublin in the coming years. Island wouldn't be way off my ability but possibly at the moment as just getting back into competitive golf after a good few years out, sure St Mags is on my shortlist and that isn't a cake walk either.

jcb1986 · 12-08-2025 06:07PM

Thanks, what I expected, sub is reasonable tbf when the investor-owned courses like Portmarnock hotel, Luttrelstown and Killeen castle are at the 3k mark, no hello money with them mind.

antimatterx · 21-08-2025 12:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123716537#Comment_123716537

An interview. Jesus Christ 😂

Dr Turk Turkelton · 21-08-2025 06:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123717346#Comment_123717346

There is 5k hello money in Killeen Castle

patob · 22-08-2025 07:19PM

In same situation here, intend to join a new club after a few years out if it, narrowed it down to Corrstown, St Mgts & Castleknock, trying to get bit more info before deciding.

jcb1986 · 22-08-2025 10:27PM

Played Ardglass today in Down for the first time, what a course, my wife being from Belfast and its reciprocal deal with Royal Tara makes me very tempted to join the latter, but 30-40 mins on the road from Dublin just isn't the best use of time.

So much cheaper than Dublin courses for membership though, however would need to test it out, know nothing about it.

slave1 · 23-08-2025 08:29AM

It’s a 27 hole and on the tighter side of things, very mature trees

Busy Dublin northside courses update

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