Change in cost to play top 25 courses

I was clearing out some old emails this morning and came across this article from the Irish Independent in January 2011. Its interesting because the journalist is almost claiming that what you were paying – only just over eighteen months ago - could be considered good value at the time...

http://www.independent.ie/sport/golf/thats-what-it-would-cost-you-to-play-the-top-25-courses-in-the-country-26617582.html
That’s what it would cost you to play the top 25 courses in the country

Liam Kelly – 26 January 2011
If you wanted to play the top 25 courses in the country in 2011, as voted by 'Golf Digest Ireland' in their recent 'Top 100 courses' feature, how much would it cost?


I'm talking peak season at the rack rates. And the answer is: €3,128, which is an average of €125 per course.


What would you get for that outlay? Well, multi-bragging rights for a start. How many people go out and play the top 25 courses in the country in a calendar year? And what a golf experience you would enjoy.

You'd be playing on internationally renowned courses, most of them links which annually attract golfers from all over the globe, and all of these venues boast reputations that stand up to comparison with the best in the world. There is also the attraction of the Ryder Cup 2006 venue, the Palmer Course at the K Club, to add to the lustre of the offering in the top 25.

Looking at the green fees as set out for this year by the top 25 clubs, two aspects strike me as fascinating: firstly, so many are still quoting fees well in excess of the €100 mark, and secondly, you could manage to play all these courses for sums way below the rack rates.

Leading the way on pricing is the K Club, which has a €295 premium tariff for the Palmer Course. Also up there is Royal Co Down at £180 (€209), Portmarnock €180, Royal Portrush £140 (€162), the European Club €180, Ballybunion (Old) €180, Waterville €170, Tralee €180, Lahinch €125, and Adare €125.



I wonder where they are now? The only one I can see that has changed is Waterville - I got out there recently for €60, and they said the peak fee was €75.

So, the question is, have these green fees dropped as considerably as we think, or are some courses still holding out for the big money they used to get (or at least close to the big money they used to get)?