Palmerstown House

GreeBo · 18-04-2013 07:36PM

jackal wrote: »

Played it a few weeks ago. The team there are clearly trying their best to keep the place going. Its not in brilliant nick, but a bit of tlc would have it fantastic again.

Many courses call themselves championship courses, but this in my opinion lives up to that kind of claim.

It is a really long, hard course. Narrow fairways mean if you have an off day with the driver it is going to be a long day. Good bit of water and some real signature holes, with semi island greens and ribbons of fairway between water. A handful of the holes are unremarkable, but there are plenty of courses with 18 of those, and a break from the difficulty is actually quite welcome. Bunkers were inconsistent, and there are plenty of them.

Main criticism of the layout is that its a long walk in general and some of the walks between holes are long. The walk back to the clubhouse from the 18th felt like a good kilometre!

The locker rooms are huge, ornate, and empty and you can see a serious amount of cash was put into the place originally.

Would play it again, and compared to a lot of run of the mill courses around its definitely worth 30-40 quid. The rack rates are a bit OTT though as the place looks a bit tatty.

I havent played it but I dont like courses that are hard mainly because they are just a long slog. I dont think thats a good course design. I can make a course hard by just making all the Par 4s 450 Yards...that doesnt make it a good course imo.

allybhoy · 18-04-2013 08:11PM

GreeBo wrote: »

I havent played it but I dont like courses that are hard mainly because they are just a long slog. I dont think thats a good course design. I can make a course hard by just making all the Par 4s 450 Yards...that doesnt make it a good course imo.

It's not hard because its long, its just hard! As someone here has said yhere are a lot of holes were your 2nd and 3rd shots have to be really really precise otherwise its splash time, Here's a pic of the 9th which is very impressive, the pic doesn't really do it justice as you cant see the elevation involved, the bunkers near the green are built into a very steep hill and the green is perched up top, it's a real slog of a hole but very rewarding if u score well

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-9.aspx

The 14th aswell is a biggie swell and every shot has to be accurate otherwise its in the lake

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-14.aspx

Its a lovely course in fairness its just a pity they have ran out of money

Benny Cake · 18-04-2013 09:10PM

Great track, could comfortably handle an irish open....

Dr_Colossus · 18-04-2013 10:29PM

allybhoy wrote: »

It's not hard because its long, its just hard! As someone here has said yhere are a lot of holes were your 2nd and 3rd shots have to be really really precise otherwise its splash time, Here's a pic of the 9th which is very impressive, the pic doesn't really do it justice as you cant see the elevation involved, the bunkers near the green are built into a very steep hill and the green is perched up top, it's a real slog of a hole but very rewarding if u score well

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-9.aspx

The 14th aswell is a biggie swell and every shot has to be accurate otherwise its in the lake

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-14.aspx

Its a lovely course in fairness its just a pity they have ran out of money

Great holes but I think the 16th is my favourite of the par 5's with the fairway narrowing to practically nothing so opting for the correct layup distance is key. Some great strategic holes on the course and as mentioned the 2nd and 4th are tough but rewarding par 4's. Playing it next week and on a fine day there's probably no where I'd rather be.

Anatom · 19-04-2013 10:02AM

It is a beautifully laid-out course and very enjoyable to play. It is hard GreeBo, but if you play well it can be very rewarding. Anyway, its simply a beautiful place to walk around, even if you're not playing well... There is a good combination of holes for the bigger hitters where, as has been said you can bash it up with your drive, but you then have to really think about your approach.

My only gripe with it is the distance between greens and tees, which can make the round a lot longer than it should be. If the ground is soft they won't let you take a buggy out except on the paths (which doesn't suit someone who will almost always shoot to the other side of the fairway from where the path is!)

I know someone mentioned the cost of fixing the bunkers a few posts ago - I was told in there last summer that they needed €70,000 just to bring them up to speed. There's no way they could afford to come up with that sort of money at the moment so hopefully this rumoured sale will come through and we'll see a decent future for the place. It deserves it.

FixdePitchmark · 19-04-2013 10:25AM

No wonder they are in trouble with bunkers - See hole 10.

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-10.aspx

Anatom · 19-04-2013 10:34AM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

No wonder they are in trouble with bunkers - See hole 10.

http://www.palmerstownhouse.com/golf/The-Course/Course-Guide/Hole-10.aspx

Yeah, that's a class hole in fairness - have managed par there a couple of times. The green is much bigger than it looks there but the sand does draw the eye alright....

I must get out there soon.

BTW - it would be a great place for a Boards outing - good location, good pricing. Its only let-down is the lack of food. We'd have to go across the road to the Johnstown Inn for that (The food there is pretty good mind you, although moving even a short distance might break up the "party" so-to-speak).

FixdePitchmark · 19-04-2013 10:39AM

Anatom wrote: »

Yeah, that's a class hole in fairness - have managed par there a couple of times. The green is much bigger than it looks there but the sand does draw the eye alright....

I must get out there soon.

BTW - it would be a great place for a Boards outing - good location, good pricing. Its only let-down is the lack of food. We'd have to go across the road to the Johnstown Inn for that (The food there is pretty good mind you, although moving even a short distance might break up the "party" so-to-speak).

It looks class - but there is so much value - can a course with issues be even considered. The idea of no sand in some bunkers is just a joke to me.

charlieIRL · 19-04-2013 10:43AM

Very tough par 3, very hard to hit the green with all the bunkers around it, they are very intimidating.
I tried to picture the hole without them and take my shot - still hit a bunker though!!

charlieIRL · 19-04-2013 10:43AM

Anatom wrote: »

Yeah, that's a class hole in fairness - have managed par there a couple of times. The green is much bigger than it looks there but the sand does draw the eye alright....

I must get out there soon.

BTW - it would be a great place for a Boards outing - good location, good pricing. Its only let-down is the lack of food. We'd have to go across the road to the Johnstown Inn for that (The food there is pretty good mind you, although moving even a short distance might break up the "party" so-to-speak).

we played there last year - took 5 1/2 hourse to go around it!!

ssbob · 19-04-2013 10:46AM

charlieIRL wrote: »

we played there last year - took 5 1/2 hourse to go around it!!

Ya was a great course to play even thoguh conditions underfoot were not that great......personally had 18pts walking into that 10th and scratched to start a run of poor holes to finish with 28 on the day.

Would love to play it in top class condition.

PARlance · 19-04-2013 10:47AM

Anatom wrote: »

Yeah, that's a class hole in fairness - have managed par there a couple of times. The green is much bigger than it looks there but the sand does draw the eye alright....

I must get out there soon.

BTW - it would be a great place for a Boards outing - good location, good pricing. Its only let-down is the lack of food. We'd have to go across the road to the Johnstown Inn for that (The food there is pretty good mind you, although moving even a short distance might break up the "party" so-to-speak).

There was a boards outing there last year... I was partially there.

I don't know if it's the best course for an outing, especially a boards outing with people travelling distances more so than other societies.

I think our round took 5 and a half hours, having to go somewhere else for food (even if it is close by) takes up another chunk of time that you wouldn't have to do in most courses, combine that with lads having to do a round trip to Cork and you're looking at a very very long day.

Go to a Stag the night before and it's an even longer day...

FixdePitchmark · 19-04-2013 10:50AM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

There was a boards outing there last year... I was partially there.

I don't know if it's the best course for an outing, especially a boards outing with people travelling distances more so than other societies.

I think our round took 5 and a half hours, having to go somewhere else for food (even if it is close by) takes up another chunk of time that you wouldn't have to do in most courses, combine that with lads having to do a round trip to Cork and you're looking at a very very long day.

Go to a Stag the night before and it's an even longer day...

Fair play turning up after a Stag

charlieIRL · 19-04-2013 10:54AM

Was a long day alright but that wouldn't put me off playing it again.
Had 31 points myself after a load of scratches on the day with 34 taking the win.

Myself and a few lads from here tried to play it earlier in the year and we had to quit after 9 holes cause it started snowing!!

pauldoo · 29-05-2013 04:07PM

Played here on Monday, was in great shape. Guy in the shop told me it was officially sold on Monday to the 2 brothers mentioned earlier, and they will be doing annual memberships for a grand

If its through i will be all over this, class course

Felexicon · 29-05-2013 06:54PM

pauldoo wrote: »

Played here on Monday, was in great shape. Guy in the shop told me it was officially sold on Monday to the 2 brothers mentioned earlier, and they will be doing annual memberships for a grand

If its through i will be all over this, class course

How much was the round if you don't mind me asking?

Also what kind of condition was the course in?

ciaran1982 · 29-05-2013 08:07PM

I really hope that's the case at 1k it would be fantastic assuming the clubhouse reopenes properly

I had heard the same rumor but the Sunday Independent reported two weeks ago that the comer brothers had decided not to purchase it in a piece they did on Nama properties
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/irish-tycoons-back-buying-property-but-only-in-the-capital-29259799.html

PVincent · 29-05-2013 08:17PM

If it is 1k to join the queues will be out the door. We played there two weeks ago and they were already taking names on a sheet . Fantastic course but it is a tiring walk. I don't play much golf but if I did I would be very happy to play there every week

pauldoo · 29-05-2013 08:55PM

Felexicon wrote: »

How much was the round if you don't mind me asking?

Also what kind of condition was the course in?

Was 35-in great condition. Played a few months ago and they had no sand in the bunkers,not the case this time. Bunkers/greens/fairways all in great shape

Anatom · 30-05-2013 09:52AM

Good to hear! I love playing there and I'm delighted to see the bunkers have been sorted out...

A grand a year would be great value as well, as long as the clubhouse facilities are restored. How that will work in the short-to-medium term I don't know, as it will surely take quite a while for membership to build and for the green fee revenue from visitors to take off again. The way the clubhouse was built suggests to me it will take a lot of money to maintain...

JoeCole26 · 30-05-2013 06:23PM

I rang them at lunch and the guy in the Pro shop said, nothing yet, but expects something in the next few weeks and you should see a big marketing drive.

They may have an introductory offer for the rest of the year, and then increase it for the beginning of 2014, but again hes not sure.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

ForeRight · 05-06-2013 02:26PM

Available at 12:30 tomorrow for €17 if anyone is interested with the good weather.

I'd play myself but I'm doing daddy day care all day

http://www.golfnow.ie/ireland/tee-times/hot-deals/details?TID=149742796&OEID=1787091062

GreeBo · 05-06-2013 06:40PM

I can't see how a grand a year is going to enable it to survive, unless they are looking for North of a thousand members or something.

spacecoyote · 05-06-2013 09:31PM

GreeBo wrote: »

I can't see how a grand a year is going to enable it to survive, unless they are looking for North of a thousand members or something.

Yeah given the amount of land there would have to have a serious number of members to be able to maintain the place. And if you've that number of members a lot will probably be pretty disgruntled trying to get on a time sheet

John Divney · 16-06-2013 03:21PM

Played here twice in the past weeks, Brought my Dad out yesterday for Fathers Day, the course is in great nick, they have really done great work on it this year.

Hopefully it's off the NAMA books and becomes a going concern again.

gordongekko · 16-06-2013 03:27PM

It was in the paper today that the comer brothers have purchased it

Jimdagym · 16-06-2013 03:55PM

cmontes1 wrote: »

It's nothing more than a red top rag in disguise.

I have literally no idea what this means

WHIP IT! · 16-06-2013 04:05PM

Anyone know what day(s) Palmerstown House have Opens on, Lads?

Benny Cake · 16-06-2013 04:07PM

Jimdagym wrote: »

I have literally no idea what this means

A quick look at his past posts might provide the answer...

pauldoo · 20-07-2013 11:39AM

Got an email saying they are taking members, €1250 for the rest of 2013 and all of 2014

Palmerstown House

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