Balcarrick golf club

Dealerz · 10-10-2011 10:06AM #1

Hi
First time poster! Thinking of joining Balcarrick next year! I have been playing societies for the last couple of years! Any members on here could tell me what they think? Is it good value for the course? Is getting a booking at the weekends difficult? Does the fee include any bar levy?

Thanks

markst33 · 10-10-2011 09:02PM

I have been a member of balcarrick golf club for about 15 years. The course unlike a lot of others is on a solid footing financially thanks to the great work of successive committees over the last number of years.

The course itself is in great condition and an investment of a million euros was made in it a few years ago which has really paid off.

We never use winter greens, instead we just go to 13 hole competitions in the winter. You will always get a slot on the timesheet and should u choose to join u will find the members most welcoming.

Finally the yearly fee has been reduced to about 1200. You might want to check that as i may have quoted too much. But it represents great value for money in a very challenging course. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

Mark.

Blockbuster · 10-10-2011 11:28PM

Balcarrick Golf Club is great value, as mark stated the annual sub is about €1150 to €1200, there is no entry fee, there is no bar levy, the finances are very good as consecutive committees have managed the finances really well. The club uses an online booking system for the timesheet and it is very fair method in place, the timesheet is only made available in the clubhouse on the sat/sun for the following weekend, it is then made available on 1 minute past midnight on mondays for on-line users. The course is a fair challenge for all golfers, there is always a spot available and the proshop staff will usually deal with cancellations on the day will ensure you are accomodated, i been a member since 1991 and I would recommend the you take the plunge, good luck with your decision and good golfing wherever you go.....the Blockbuster

time42play · 11-10-2011 07:04AM

OH joined this year and likes it there. He's never failed to get a weekend tee time yet!

Dealerz · 11-10-2011 08:00AM

Thanks for the replies lads! The timesheet was a big concern for me and the other two lads joining. I think we will give give it a go in 2012
Thanks

paulie1968 · 11-10-2011 09:16AM

Hi,

I joined the club last year, with almost the same set of concerns as you have now. The club is very good value (1,150 pa subs), with no entry fee and no bar levy. This can be paid over 6/7 months I think. This is excellent value compared to some the the "pay and play" / proprietor / local authority "clubs". These clubs are obviously not owned by the members, and, crucially for you, have very restricted access to timesheets at weekends. For example, they may only run one members comp for a restricted number of hours on either a Saturday or Sunday at the weekend, but never both. Balcarrick on the other hand, has a full fixture list... with a good variety of comps all year, across both weekend days, with plenty of access, particularly in the afternoon. The club house is reassuringly modest, the finances well run, the course in great condition, and a great new pro in this year as well. I looked at all comparable courses before I joined here...this is easily the best value around. Oh, and they're a nice friendly bunch as well. Hope this helps.

stringy · 11-10-2011 09:23AM

Blockbuster wrote: »

The club uses an online booking system for the timesheet and it is very fair method in place, the timesheet is only made available in the clubhouse on the sat/sun for the following weekend, it is then made available on 1 minute past midnight on mondays for on-line users.

Sorry this is off topic, but surely this isn't a fair method, if those who are in the club on a Sat/Sun get priority over those who can't make it physically to the clubhouse? Would it not be more equitable to make the timesheet available online for everybody at the one time as many other golf clubs do? e.g. the Friday evening before the following weekend.

AldilaMan · 11-10-2011 09:37AM

stringy wrote: »

Sorry this is off topic, but surely this isn't a fair method, if those who are in the club on a Sat/Sun get priority over those who can't make it physically to the clubhouse? Would it not be more equitable to make the timesheet available online for everybody at the one time as many other golf clubs do? e.g. the Friday evening before the following weekend.

I agree. It's one thing that puts me off Balcarrick. It's similar to how the old manual timeshet worked. You would have guys arriving to the club to get their name down for the following week and before you know it all the early slots are gone. I prefer the finger on the buzzer method at 12 miday on friday.

PhilipMarlowe · 11-10-2011 10:07AM

paulie1968 wrote: »

Hi,

I joined the club last year, with almost the same set of concerns as you have now. The club is very good value (1,150 pa subs), with no entry fee and no bar levy. This can be paid over 6/7 months I think. This is excellent value compared to some the the "pay and play" / proprietor / local authority "clubs". These clubs are obviously not owned by the members, and, crucially for you, have very restricted access to timesheets at weekends. For example, they may only run one members comp for a restricted number of hours on either a Saturday or Sunday at the weekend, but never both. Balcarrick on the other hand, has a full fixture list... with a good variety of comps all year, across both weekend days, with plenty of access, particularly in the afternoon. The club house is reassuringly modest, the finances well run, the course in great condition, and a great new pro in this year as well. I looked at all comparable courses before I joined here...this is easily the best value around. Oh, and they're a nice friendly bunch as well. Hope this helps.

Paulie, you registered in March 2007 and waited for this thread for the right moment to jump in to boards.ie with your thoughts.
What makes someone register on a site and wait over 4 and a half years to make their first post? Just "curious" like...

Dealerz · 11-10-2011 10:54AM

Ah right- so I need you ignore that post- even though it addressed my specific concerns! Thanks philip

AldilaMan · 11-10-2011 11:39AM

Dealerz wrote: »

Ah right- so I need you ignore that post- even though it addressed my specific concerns! Thanks philip

It may have addressed your specific concerns but would that post not lack some credibility (vested interest and all that !). I'd be with Philip on this one.

f22 · 11-10-2011 12:14PM

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

Paulie, you registered in March 2007 and waited for this thread for the right moment to jump in to boards.ie with your thoughts.
What makes someone register on a site and wait over 4 and a half years to make their first post? Just "curious" like...

You may have to wait 4.5 years for a reply though!

ThunderCat · 11-10-2011 12:39PM

paulie1968 wrote: »

Hi,

I joined the club last year, with almost the same set of concerns as you have now. The club is very good value (1,150 pa subs), with no entry fee and no bar levy. This can be paid over 6/7 months I think. This is excellent value compared to some the the "pay and play" / proprietor / local authority "clubs".

€1150 per annum for Balcarrick is not very good value no-matter what way you try and pretty it up.

veetwin · 11-10-2011 02:35PM

ThunderCat wrote: »

€1150 per annum for Balcarrick is not very good value no-matter what way you try and pretty it up.

Why not? Is there better value nearby?

Also considering joining but this timesheet business is kind of turning me off..Would also prefer if it went online at the same time for everyone. Nice course though having played in a few opens there during the summer and always got a great welcome.

lettuce97 · 11-10-2011 02:40PM

veetwin wrote: »

Why not? Is there better value nearby?

Also considering joining but this timesheet business is kind of turning me off..Would also prefer if it went online at the same time for everyone. Nice course though having played in a few opens there during the summer and always got a great welcome.

Have to agree with veetwin, seems like good value to me. Around 20% cheaper than most clubs around that area as far as I can tell. I'd love to hear if there's better value around as I'm a member in one of the nearby clubs but would consider moving at that (or better) value.

ThunderCat · 11-10-2011 03:13PM

veetwin wrote: »

Why not? Is there better value nearby?

Actually, I take it back. I was under the impression that other courses in the area were charging less than Balcarrick but seemingly not.

AldilaMan · 11-10-2011 03:23PM

lettuce97 wrote: »

Have to agree with veetwin, seems like good value to me. Around 20% cheaper than most clubs around that area as far as I can tell. I'd love to hear if there's better value around as I'm a member in one of the nearby clubs but would consider moving at that (or better) value.

If you're comparing Balcarrick to Roganstown then stay put for the €300 extra. Roganstown is far superior IMO unless there's something negative going on that you could tell us about.

lettuce97 · 11-10-2011 03:53PM

AldilaMan wrote: »

If you're comparing Balcarrick to Roganstown then stay put for the €300 extra. Roganstown is far superior IMO unless there's something negative going on that you could tell us about.

Where did I mention Roganstown - were you doing a bit of digging?!!

Nothing negative going on that I know of, but while I'd agree that Roganstown is the nicest course in the area (that I've played anyway), it's definitely missing out on the club feel due to lack of a dedicated clubhouse. That's my (and one or two others I've spoken to) opinion anyway.

DoctaDee · 11-10-2011 04:31PM

lettuce97 wrote: »

Where did I mention Roganstown - were you doing a bit of digging?!!

Nothing negative going on that I know of, but while I'd agree that Roganstown is the nicest course in the area (that I've played anyway), it's definitely missing out on the club feel due to lack of a dedicated clubhouse. That's my (and one or two others I've spoken to) opinion anyway.

Playing Roganstown this weekend - always look forward to it, think it's a smashing course. But agree totally with the post-round atmosphere ... yer as liable to fall into the middle of a wedding reception which knocks the buzz out of the golf post-mortem... on the upside - bridemaids :rolleyes:

I'd rank Roganstown as the top parkland course in North Dublin ... again the rumour mill has the financial situation as a bit iffy

AldilaMan · 11-10-2011 04:40PM

lettuce97 wrote: »

Where did I mention Roganstown - were you doing a bit of digging?!!

Nothing negative going on that I know of, but while I'd agree that Roganstown is the nicest course in the area (that I've played anyway), it's definitely missing out on the club feel due to lack of a dedicated clubhouse. That's my (and one or two others I've spoken to) opinion anyway.

lettuce97 wrote: »

Thanks for the great welcome all - totally in line with what I've experienced at the club, incredibly welcoming. Lovely course too. Hopefully plenty of practice and I'll be ready to meet a few of you at the competitions!

It didn't take much digging really

I do agree that the lack of a real clubhouse atmosphere is the only negative about Roganstown.

lettuce97 · 11-10-2011 04:45PM

AldilaMan wrote: »

It didn't take much digging really

I do agree that the lack of a real clubhouse atmosphere is the only negative about Roganstown.

Hah, fair enough - I'll have to be a bit more prolific in my posting to make things harder to find!

It's a shame that there is the lack of club feel, I've found the members really friendly on the course but the vast majority are "car-park" members because of it.

Anyway the thread's been slightly highjacked, so to get it back on track - do people find Balcarrick good/bad/indifferent on the clubhouse side of things? Does it still resemble a portacabin??

Dealerz · 11-10-2011 08:07PM

I don't mind a modest clubhouse, once there's a shower/bar/sambo. You can't drink and drive anyways so what's the point of a big swanky clubhouse these days?

My only concern is that semi manual timesheet issue that seems to be in operation at balcarrick because the course is nice and whether the extra say 300 for a "proper" brs system in Roganstown is worth it

Blockbuster · 11-10-2011 09:56PM

The timesheet issue is debated every year at AGM, every member has a say and a vote, it is about 52% in favour of this method, of that approx 1/3 can vote either way, so a change to have the timesheet released at the same time to everyone is possible, remember, the members are a good bunch and are willing to change things if the majority want it. I'm easy about it, don't let this put you off joining......Balcarrick use the BRS System since 2008 and its very successful, even though you cannot book online at weekends, you can still see the timesheet remotely.......not that its any good to you, but change is possible...........the Blockbuster

mrnevin · 12-10-2011 10:04AM

Hey , I joined Balcarrick (in April) for the following reasons.......
1) I am from Dublin 9 area, I wanted to join somewhere within 20 mins from my house (only out the N1) that was not mad busy.
2) It is very well maintained all year round.
3) Yes the timesheet can fill up quickly BUT only the early morning slots seem to go quickly... You will always get a game if you dont mind teeing off after 10 ish ....which suits me grand.
4) A visitor that plays with a member only has to pay €10 ! Great value for money.
5) Everyone has been very welcoming. Steve in the pro shop is very accomodating and friendly and you will always have a bit of banter with him before you play...
6) I find it a challenging course, mainly because it can often be very windy which totally changes your club selection ... Playing off 15 and prone to hitting the balll very high (and right) I find this tough ! .... Water can come into play on about 14 / 18 holes...
7) The greens are great ! A credit to those who work there ....

I did alot of research when joining and although Balcarrick was not the cheapest I did feel it was the best quality course ... I Was the the Max of my budget when joining and if you dont mind spenting another couple of hundred euro you would have a wider choice but for what I payed I feel I got good value for money...
Hope this helps .....

Dealerz · 12-10-2011 10:44AM

Thanks mrnevin, some good info there

billyhead · 12-10-2011 11:16AM

I was alos thinking of joining the club for next year once the membership expires in the current club I play at the end of December. Perhaps if we have enough lads posting here that join we could organise weekly 4 balls etc.

Dealerz · 12-10-2011 11:25AM

Sounds good. There are two possibly three of us looking at Balcarrick as a club to join next year!

billyhead · 12-10-2011 03:45PM

Dealerz wrote: »

Sounds good. There are two possibly three of us looking at Balcarrick as a club to join next year!

Good stuff. I am 90% certain I will join the club next year.

heinze · 12-10-2011 11:32PM

Thinking of joining aswell next year due to job moving to dublin.

I played the course over 6 years ago with a relation thats a member and found the course a good test (even before the large investment being mentioned)
I found everyone i met in the clubhouse pretty sound and good banter in there after every round.

I'll give it a go again in the next few weeks to see how things have improved.
A weekly fourball would be good craic too with a few boardsies come next feb.

AD333 · 11-11-2011 05:28PM

Over the last few years i've played with a work society but am hoping to play more regularly next year. Looking to join a club in the North side ...Did any of you go ahead and join Balcarrick?

billyhead · 11-11-2011 06:58PM

AD333 wrote: »

Over the last few years i've played with a work society but am hoping to play more regularly next year. Looking to join a club in the North side ...Did any of you go ahead and join Balcarrick?

Hi,

I am planning to join next year. It would be good if a few more lads posted here that are thinking of joining for the new year so we could arrange weekly 3 or 4 balls

Balcarrick golf club

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