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Druids Heath

  • 18-08-2011 03:31PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭


    Played there yesterday for the first time, I didn't know anything about it other than it's a well taught of course, happy to say I was really pleased with the place, a tuff test off the white tees , great greens, great variety of holes, and the index one is a superb hole, one of the strongest par 4s I have ever played, great service aswell, Druids Heath take a bow !


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,205 ✭✭✭bailey99


    was meant to be playing it on the golf trip next week I'm taking but cancelled it due to a lot of negative feedback on the site.

    Seems to be a test alright, will play it no doubt sometime in the future but will have to wait for another day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,618 ✭✭✭newport2


    While I don't think it's up there with Druid's Glen, it's a nice course.



    And I agree, the index 1 12th is a superb hole. Easily the best on the course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭sweetswing


    bailey99 wrote: »
    was meant to be playing it on the golf trip next week I'm taking but cancelled it due to a lot of negative feedback on the site.

    Seems to be a test alright, will play it no doubt sometime in the future but will have to wait for another day.

    Jesus I can't believe any true golfer would have anything bad to say about it !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭technodub


    i play druids heath quite a few times a year as my friends a member down there and i cant understand how it gets negative reviews its a cracking course not as easy on the eye as druids glen but its alot tougher. Greens are in great nick a wide variety of testing holes and quite tight in places if your wild off the tee you may bring a bag of balls! My opinion would be that the negative reviews came from poor golfers as it is quite hard and long so when things arnt goin well its not always enjoyable :D Many times i left the 18th green a broken man but that was down to my wild golf! Would recommend it to any golfer who likes a challenge if not maybe stick to dublin city or the likes were u do not get punnished for wild shots!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,681 ✭✭✭ziggy


    This post has been deleted.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭technodub


    ziggy wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    The reviews were not specifically mentioned by boards users he just said negative reviews that could be from anywere but is neither her nor there
    http://www.druidsglenresort.com/images/uploads/Druids-Heath-Scorecard.pdf
    Have u played the heath ziggy? If u find it neither hard nor long u must be some golfer!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,681 ✭✭✭ziggy


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 117 ✭✭Mr.SlumDuck


    technodub wrote: »
    i play druids heath quite a few times a year as my friends a member down there and i cant understand how it gets negative reviews its a cracking course not as easy on the eye as druids glen but its alot tougher. Greens are in great nick a wide variety of testing holes and quite tight in places if your wild off the tee you may bring a bag of balls! My opinion would be that the negative reviews came from poor golfers as it is quite hard and long so when things arnt goin well its not always enjoyable :D Many times i left the 18th green a broken man but that was down to my wild golf! Would recommend it to any golfer who likes a challenge if not maybe stick to dublin city or the likes were u do not get punnished for wild shots!

    I put up a thread here a few weeks ago about how I disliked this course.

    I think your above post is wrong. I am a good 5 handicap golfer, I dont play any of the "easy Dublin City" courses. I hit the ball about 270-290 off the tee, so length doesnt bother me.

    I found the course to be unenjoyable. I thought the greens were extremely tricky in spots, but unfairly so. I hit a 8 iron to lay up on the Par 5 2nd. I had about 190 to the water, so an 8 iron(140) should be fine. The ball bounded down the slopes until it found its way to the hazard. I had in my opinion several bad breaks, bunkers hadnt a lot of sand in them. In fact I think the course plays harder for the better golfers.

    It is hard for sure, but I judge courses on whether or not I enjoy them. In this regard it goes into the same category as the Monty Course at Carton. It is a good challenge but mostly a featureless and overly tricky course. The 12th is a stunning hole, but i struggle to recall any others that I go "wow, thats a lovely golf hole". Its ironic because Druid's Glen remains a great test of golf but keeps its aesthetics and golfers of all levels can play and enjoy the Glen.

    Course just lacks any guile and subtly in its design. Rather goes for trick greens and undulating fairways that can punish even a well hit long, straight drive.

    I am offended by the above comment as I actually had a decent round (79), but wont be rushing back and course wouldnt be in my top 20 courses in Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭sweetswing


    Maybe it's horses for courses type of thing ! I do agree higher handicaps will struggle on it , same as they do on the Monty (one of my favourite courses) , and how you play does indeed colour your opinion on a course, it does for me anyway . I played with a 10, 19, 24 handicappers yesterday , the 10 didn't play great but said he couldn't wait to get another crack at it, the19 said it was a Kip (think he lost 10 balls) the 24 said it was ok, he's not played enough courses to know the difference .
    I didn't find anything trick about it , I found it to be a good honest course, you have to make sure you have the appropriate club in your hand , the greens were fantastic , my self and the 10 hc had no problems ,but the other 2 lads had a 4 putt each and more than a few 3 putts !
    Anyway I can't wait to get back down :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 884 ✭✭✭thewobbler


    It's not an honest course.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭Tones69


    I put up a thread here a few weeks ago about how I disliked this course.

    I think your above post is wrong. I am a good 5 handicap golfer, I dont play any of the "easy Dublin City" courses. I hit the ball about 270-290 off the tee, so length doesnt bother me.

    I found the course to be unenjoyable. I thought the greens were extremely tricky in spots, but unfairly so. I hit a 8 iron to lay up on the Par 5 2nd. I had about 190 to the water, so an 8 iron(140) should be fine. The ball bounded down the slopes until it found its way to the hazard. I had in my opinion several bad breaks, bunkers hadnt a lot of sand in them. In fact I think the course plays harder for the better golfers.

    It is hard for sure, but I judge courses on whether or not I enjoy them. In this regard it goes into the same category as the Monty Course at Carton. It is a good challenge but mostly a featureless and overly tricky course. The 12th is a stunning hole, but i struggle to recall any others that I go "wow, thats a lovely golf hole". Its ironic because Druid's Glen remains a great test of golf but keeps its aesthetics and golfers of all levels can play and enjoy the Glen.

    Course just lacks any guile and subtly in its design. Rather goes for trick greens and undulating fairways that can punish even a well hit long, straight drive.

    I am offended by the above comment as I actually had a decent round (79), but wont be rushing back and course wouldnt be in my top 20 courses in Ireland.


    Friend of mine said the very same, played there 2 weeks back, hes off 4 so a good golfer, said some of the greens were just a joke


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 273 ✭✭shamco


    Tones69 wrote: »
    Friend of mine said the very same, played there 2 weeks back, hes off 4 so a good golfer, said some of the greens were just a joke

    Would have to agree I think it's an unfair golf course and tricked up in my opinon


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭technodub


    I put up a thread here a few weeks ago about how I disliked this course.

    I think your above post is wrong. I am a good 5 handicap golfer, I dont play any of the "easy Dublin City" courses. I hit the ball about 270-290 off the tee, so length doesnt bother me.

    I found the course to be unenjoyable. I thought the greens were extremely tricky in spots, but unfairly so. I hit a 8 iron to lay up on the Par 5 2nd. I had about 190 to the water, so an 8 iron(140) should be fine. The ball bounded down the slopes until it found its way to the hazard. I had in my opinion several bad breaks, bunkers hadnt a lot of sand in them. In fact I think the course plays harder for the better golfers.

    It is hard for sure, but I judge courses on whether or not I enjoy them. In this regard it goes into the same category as the Monty Course at Carton. It is a good challenge but mostly a featureless and overly tricky course. The 12th is a stunning hole, but i struggle to recall any others that I go "wow, thats a lovely golf hole". Its ironic because Druid's Glen remains a great test of golf but keeps its aesthetics and golfers of all levels can play and enjoy the Glen.

    Course just lacks any guile and subtly in its design. Rather goes for trick greens and undulating fairways that can punish even a well hit long, straight drive.

    I am offended by the above comment as I actually had a decent round (79), but wont be rushing back and course wouldnt be in my top 20 courses in Ireland.


    I apoligize to anybody i offended here looking back on it it was a stupid comment to make but generally most people who i have talked to that didnt like it found it too tough and had bad days at the office!.. I was just abit suprised as i think its quite a good course always in good nick (allthough i agree the bunkers are quite bare but the same could be said for alot of courses iv played recently) i never suggested that it would be in the top 20 in Ireland but just think its a good test for any golfer! Different strokes for different folks i suppose again apologies to any golfers offened it was a silly comment!:D


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


    I put up a thread here a few weeks ago about how I disliked this course.

    I think your above post is wrong. I am a good 5 handicap golfer, I dont play any of the "easy Dublin City" courses. I hit the ball about 270-290 off the tee, so length doesnt bother me.

    I found the course to be unenjoyable. I thought the greens were extremely tricky in spots, but unfairly so. I hit a 8 iron to lay up on the Par 5 2nd. I had about 190 to the water, so an 8 iron(140) should be fine. The ball bounded down the slopes until it found its way to the hazard. I had in my opinion several bad breaks, bunkers hadnt a lot of sand in them. In fact I think the course plays harder for the better golfers.

    It is hard for sure, but I judge courses on whether or not I enjoy them. In this regard it goes into the same category as the Monty Course at Carton. It is a good challenge but mostly a featureless and overly tricky course. The 12th is a stunning hole, but i struggle to recall any others that I go "wow, thats a lovely golf hole". Its ironic because Druid's Glen remains a great test of golf but keeps its aesthetics and golfers of all levels can play and enjoy the Glen.

    Course just lacks any guile and subtly in its design. Rather goes for trick greens and undulating fairways that can punish even a well hit long, straight drive.

    I am offended by the above comment as I actually had a decent round (79), but wont be rushing back and course wouldnt be in my top 20 courses in Ireland.


    I don't get all the negativity surrounding Druids Heath. It is a lovely golf course that is tough but fair. It is not unfairly long and is always kept in good condition. I have played this course a handful of times and have enjoyed it thoroughly each time i've played

    In relation to Mr.Slumducks comments above, I have also read your comments on the other thread in relation to Druids Heath and have the following response.

    1. At 190 yards to the water on a dry fairway and downhill, a 5 handicap golfer would usually not hit an 8 iron to lay up, especially if this 5 handicap golfer claims to hit the ball 290 yards of the tee. Furthermore, at this distance, and with it being a downhill shot, a 220 carry will give you an eagle putt and seeing as you hit it '290' then surely this is the play??

    2. Your handicap is 8 on the other thread and 5 on this thread? Are you telling porkies Mr. Slumducks??

    3. You had 5 points for the front 9 and 20 for the back nine on the other thread which suggests a best case scenario round of 91(+19) for an 8 handicapper. Yet on this thread you suggest that you had a 79. Are you telling more porkies Mr. Slumducks?

    In relation to the 'trick' greens, I believe the greens are well designed and make a golfer think of where he needs to place the ball on the green for his approach. The are also well maintained and have a fair pace. Any golfer who hits an aimless approach and is left either short sided with no chance of an up and down or left with a downhill put clearly did not think before he hit the approach or hit a poor approach shot to end up in that position.

    Finally, I would urge an reader to play Druids Heath with an open mind and not buy into all the negativity on these threads, it is a course that rewards a consistent driver of the ball with position the key and will punish those that spray it (like most good golf courses).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭technodub


    Redzah wrote: »
    I don't get all the negativity surrounding Druids Heath. It is a lovely golf course that is tough but fair. It is not unfairly long and is always kept in good condition. I have played this course a handful of times and have enjoyed it thoroughly each time i've played

    In relation to Mr.Slumducks comments above, I have also read your comments on the other thread in relation to Druids Heath and have the following response.

    1. At 190 yards to the water on a dry fairway and downhill, a 5 handicap golfer would usually not hit an 8 iron to lay up, especially if this 5 handicap golfer claims to hit the ball 290 yards of the tee. Furthermore, at this distance, and with it being a downhill shot, a 220 carry will give you an eagle putt and seeing as you hit it '290' then surely this is the play??

    2. Your handicap is 8 on the other thread and 5 on this thread? Are you telling porkies Mr. Slumducks??

    3. You had 5 points for the front 9 and 20 for the back nine on the other thread which suggests a best case scenario round of 91(+19) for an 8 handicapper. Yet on this thread you suggest that you had a 79. Are you telling more porkies Mr. Slumducks?

    In relation to the 'trick' greens, I believe the greens are well designed and make a golfer think of where he needs to place the ball on the green for his approach. The are also well maintained and have a fair pace. Any golfer who hits an aimless approach and is left either short sided with no chance of an up and down or left with a downhill put clearly did not think before he hit the approach or hit a poor approach shot to end up in that position.

    Finally, I would urge an reader to play Druids Heath with an open mind and not buy into all the negativity on these threads, it is a course that rewards a consistent driver of the ball with position the key and will punish those that spray it (like most good golf courses).

    well said redzah! didnt read the other comments that were not in the post so i wont comment on that but fully agree with you about the course! I play it once a month on average and thourghly enjoy it each time its a tough test for the amateur golfer !:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 dublinbhoy62


    I was invited down to Druid's Heath yesterday by a fellow Boards member as he was saying it was a cracking course and I have to say I came home wanting to play this course again. Personally I have to say I enjoyed it more than Druid's Glen as It does require you to be accurate off the tee as well as thinking about the fairway bunkers which come into play a lot. I play off 9 and my troubles started when i reached the greens,I hit most fairways and greens in regulation but still three putted as I found it hard to convince myself of the suttle breaks on the greens. I will definitely be returning to the Heath again and can't believe that some boards members are giving out about the course, maybe if i lost half a dozen balls or so I might say the course was crap. Thank you Druid's Heath for a great day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭LostPassword


    I've only played it once and scored okay - if I remember 33 points off 15. My only real gripe was the compacted and coarse sand in the bunkers. Combined with the raised sloping greens, this made normal bunker shots almost impossible. The greens and their surrounds were also generally tricky - lots of hazards to roll off and into. This makes them a good test, but a tricky test if you've never played there before and don't know how they break - always difficult to judge from 150 yards away.


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


    I've only played it once and scored okay - if I remember 33 points off 15. My only real gripe was the compacted and coarse sand in the bunkers. Combined with the raised sloping greens, this made normal bunker shots almost impossible. The greens and their surrounds were also generally tricky - lots of hazards to roll off and into. This makes them a good test, but a tricky test if you've never played there before and don't know how they break - always difficult to judge from 150 yards away.

    I think you have a fair point about the bunkers which need to be sorted but this is not a major issue and should not result in some of negative comments this golf course has received.

    In relation to the approach to the greens, firstly short of the pin will almost always leave you with an uphill putt and secondly, just don't miss the green on the side of the flag, its standard advice really but its crazy how many people will comment negativily on how tricky a green is if they miss it on the short side and are left with an impossible flop shot onto a downhill slope with 2 yards of green to work with, all good golf courses will punish you for greedy approach shot that goes wrong and druids heath is no different!!!!

    The greens and their surrounds are shaped very well on this course and don't generally allow for a sculled shot to run up beside the pin as would happen on a lesser course


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 117 ✭✭Mr.SlumDuck


    Redzah wrote: »
    I don't get all the negativity surrounding Druids Heath. It is a lovely golf course that is tough but fair. It is not unfairly long and is always kept in good condition. I have played this course a handful of times and have enjoyed it thoroughly each time i've played

    In relation to Mr.Slumducks comments above, I have also read your comments on the other thread in relation to Druids Heath and have the following response.

    1. At 190 yards to the water on a dry fairway and downhill, a 5 handicap golfer would usually not hit an 8 iron to lay up, especially if this 5 handicap golfer claims to hit the ball 290 yards of the tee. Furthermore, at this distance, and with it being a downhill shot, a 220 carry will give you an eagle putt and seeing as you hit it '290' then surely this is the play??

    2. Your handicap is 8 on the other thread and 5 on this thread? Are you telling porkies Mr. Slumducks??

    3. You had 5 points for the front 9 and 20 for the back nine on the other thread which suggests a best case scenario round of 91(+19) for an 8 handicapper. Yet on this thread you suggest that you had a 79. Are you telling more porkies Mr. Slumducks?

    In relation to the 'trick' greens, I believe the greens are well designed and make a golfer think of where he needs to place the ball on the green for his approach. The are also well maintained and have a fair pace. Any golfer who hits an aimless approach and is left either short sided with no chance of an up and down or left with a downhill put clearly did not think before he hit the approach or hit a poor approach shot to end up in that position.

    Finally, I would urge an reader to play Druids Heath with an open mind and not buy into all the negativity on these threads, it is a course that rewards a consistent driver of the ball with position the key and will punish those that spray it (like most good golf courses).

    Wow, only after seeing this now. Not sure why the personal attack on me. I was giving my opinion of Druids Heath.

    No Im not telling any porkies. I have played the course twice in the last couple of weeks. I am officially a 5 handicap(GUI). I achieved that handicap in my mid teens and then gave up golf for about 7 years. I am now in my mid twenties and getting back into golf. I can hit it well but I'm not playing to 5 right now. I like to gamble and play a fair few cash golf games. One of which was at Druids Heath. I was playing of 8 in this particular match(which was about right over a good sample of games played). And yes I did shoot about a 90 there! Dont really know what that has to do with it. I also went back to play and shot79! Dont really care if you believe this but one thing and the only thing that matters is that I didnt really like the course.

    You are right in your last paragraph. The course becomes alot more manageable the second time you play it, and as a result more enjoyable. You certainly do have to plan your way around and play to certain parts of the fairways/greens. The first time I played it, I didnt strike the ball poorly but shot about a 90 as I said. I made a triple off the 1st for example where I hit it over the left hand side bunker. I thought this was a good line. Ended up playing 3 off the tee. Needless to say I didnt make that mistake the second time I played.

    I dont think a personal attack makes a difference to the opinions posted here and elsewhere that the course is not that enjoyable and has a "tricky" nature to it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,982 ✭✭✭Russman


    IMO its a very decent course, probably not as good as some people make out but not as bad either. I think its more a tough course than an "enjoyable" one. In fact its a really tough course now that I think about it !:)

    One thing I definitely disagree on is the description of the 12th as a great hole, in my opinion its a stupid golf hole, and the 13th isn't much better - just in my own opinion of course.

    16 good holes and 2 other ones ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 884 ✭✭✭thewobbler


    Redzah, you are much too personal, defensive and pious in your opinions about Druids Heath to be taken seriously.

    So quick are you to lash out, I doubt if you're capable of a rational discusson on the merits of the course.

    Above all things else, golf should be fun. We all have different measures of this, but your take on it seems to be that fun comes from achieving absolute perfection; anything else deserves 40 lashes.

    Very few courses attain universal approval, but the better ones don't split opinion - they form it. There is more than enough negative feedback on this thread to indicate that Druids Heath is, at best, a flawed layout. Digging your heels in and shouting denial doesn't help its cause.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 757 ✭✭✭MiniGolf


    I played Druids Heath today for only the second time. Played off the whites with a view to making my final decision whether to join or not.
    I loved it :D
    A number of other factors contributed to my final decision..
    1. Convenience.... It is less than 5 minutes from home ;)
    2. Driving range, practice bunker and greens. (Nice to be able to hit off grass)
    3. Practice holes x 3..... Super spot to practice your shots from real fairways, rough, fringes, bunkers etc. (Although is is a bit neglected at the moment (per head greenkeeper) they plan to do a big job on it over the winter.)

    I agree with the sentiments on this thread re the bunkers - a bit bare - still didn't prevent me getting out of them first time - but as a 20 Hcp I had no problems with the greens.
    Yes it is a long course off the whites but I could manage it without too much trouble (Apart from the trouble I got myself into :eek:)
    If you hit it straight and a decent distance it should not be too difficult ;)

    Oh yes..... I did join :D:D:D


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


    thewobbler wrote: »
    Redzah, you are much too personal, defensive and pious in your opinions about Druids Heath to be taken seriously.

    So quick are you to lash out, I doubt if you're capable of a rational discusson on the merits of the course.

    Above all things else, golf should be fun. We all have different measures of this, but your take on it seems to be that fun comes from achieving absolute perfection; anything else deserves 40 lashes.

    Very few courses attain universal approval, but the better ones don't split opinion - they form it. There is more than enough negative feedback on this thread to indicate that Druids Heath is, at best, a flawed layout. Digging your heels in and shouting denial doesn't help its cause.

    Wobbler, I saw many inconsistencies in The Slumducks two posts which were less than 1 week apart and I decided to challenge him on this. It also appears from his posts that his lack of course knowledge effected his opinion greatly as it was his first time playing the course, i.e. going left on 1 and in water on 2.

    As a 2 handicap golfer with a couple of senior cup and barton shield medals in the locker, I believe I deserve to be taken seriously and I am perfectly able to have a rational discussion on the course.

    I also believe that we can also have a rational discussion without you consulting your thesaurus or referring to your soundings poetry book as you appear to in the last paragraph.

    Many of the better courses both split and form opinion and the fact that there is many opinions on these courses suggest that it is a popular venue. There are numerous examples of courses that split opinion in ireland but are generally accepted to be good golf courses. A prime example would be Doonbeg in Co.Clare. This course has split opinions since it was formed 10 years ago due to it being a newer links which challenges the old guard of lahinch, ballybunion etc. and has unusual features which split opinion. However, this is widely regarded as a fantastic golf course even though it may split opinion as well as form it.

    I believe the weakest holes in druids heath are in fact their 2 signiture holes 12 and 13. I beleive 12 is a stupid hole that can be a bit of a lottery both off the tee and with the approach shot and 13 needs to be either lengthened (to provide a tougher test with the tee shot) or shortened (to allow the aggressive golfer to take on the green from the tee). Aside from the above I believe all the other 16 holes are well thought out and provide the average golfer with both enjoyment and a stern test.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68 ✭✭shaviebeby


    Played there on many occasions. Caddied for David Lynn on Taylor Made's 25th anniversary golf celebration. Clarke, Goosen, Garcia were a few names that played. We hung around with them at the end in the clubhouse and the opinion (their opinion) was that the course was a slog and not enjoyable. Multiple major winners there!! McDowell won with 2 under!!....On a nice day it's enjoyable, but being so open the wind tends to always play.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭sweetswing


    thewobbler wrote: »
    It's not an honest course.

    Why do you say this ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭sweetswing


    Russman wrote: »
    IMO its a very decent course, probably not as good as some people make out but not as bad either. I think its more a tough course than an "enjoyable" one. In fact its a really tough course now that I think about it !:)

    One thing I definitely disagree on is the description of the 12th as a great hole, in my opinion its a stupid golf hole, and the 13th isn't much better - just in my own opinion of course.

    16 good holes and 2 other ones ;)

    I love to hear why you think the 12th is a stupid hole ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,618 ✭✭✭newport2


    sweetswing wrote: »
    thewobbler wrote: »
    It's not an honest course.

    Why do you say this ?

    Some terrible lies?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,982 ✭✭✭Russman


    sweetswing wrote: »
    I love to hear why you think the 12th is a stupid hole ?

    I just don't think its right for the lie of the land, its like you can hit a good tee shot, but not too good. Its not really any one thing with it, I just don't see it as a good hole - an extremely tough hole to par, obviously, but it doesn't do it for me. Its probably a better hole in the winter.
    Just my opinion of course, if people think its a great hole, thats fair enough too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,509 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Played Druids Heath yesterday and have to admit that I wasnt too impressed :(

    Firstly the look of the place has gone down hill drastically since I played Druids Glen about 4 years ago. Lots of overgrown areas and the "planted signs" were missing and covered in ivy, not a great first impression. Also nearly every bunker that I was in or near had grass/weeds growing in them, thats crazy for a course of this "level".

    As for the course itself: we ended up playing off the whites as there were 3 other beginners/high handicappers and it was blowing a gale.
    I found the general layout of the course to be good, some nicely shaped holes with some interesting approach shots.
    However I did find that some of the holes were pretty much impossible for a high handicapper. e.g. if you have two shots on a hole you should be able to hit 2 layups and then go for the green. You cannot do that on 12 or 13 without a lot of luck.

    To be honest I thought the greens were silly. Not a single flat putt on the course from what I remember. I have no problem with fast greens, I actually prefer them, but you cannot have fast greens that are not flat anywhere. It was actually impossible to leave the ball within 6 feet, and that was in the lashing rain.

    Put it this way, I wouldnt go back.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 PadBol


    I played Druids Heath yesterday. It is about the 8th golf course I have played in the last 4 weeks as I am assessing various qualifying ones for membership. And I have to say that I am staggered at some of the negative comments about this course. It is a beautiful course that is challenging. The fairways are in general bowl shaped so that if you hit the fairway you are less likely to bound off into the rough. The greens are nothing short of spectacular, really fast and many quite sloped. They are NOT tricky, the slopes are obvious and capable of putting. That said I did 3 putt 7 times but that is more related to me being not a great putter, and also the fact that many of the greens are massive and you can be on the green but 30-40 feet from the pin.

    2 things I totally agree with:

    1. It is the type of course that you need to play a few times to get accustomed to it and the greens. It requires more round management than any other course I have played but I think that is a really great thing.
    2. The quality of the sand in the bunkers is not great and needs to be sorted out . I also had 7 sand shots - that may seem a lot but I would reckon it may be close to average for a person playing the course for the first time. I swear there are same holes where there may well be more sand than grass!

    Your final shot on to the green in many holes requires a really good pitch due to the high number of protective bunkers and fast greens, but once again I think that is a good way for a golf course to be.

    Finally, no question but I am joining. Absolutely fell in love with it!


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