List of 9 hole courses in Ireland

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Glenlo Abbey
Never played it mind but think it's currently undergoing works.

I'm back from Galway today and was talking about the golf situation up there with various people - as you do when you're on a golf course - Glenlo Abbey may be about to get cut in half by a road that's being planned.

Ally McIntosh wrote: »

Thanks all,

This may not be as easy as I had hoped as there are a number of courses here that I have not the faintest idea about. I guess I'm going to try and generate a final list of about 20 that are genuinely worthy and then see if I can take it from there. Any help appreciated.

Kevin - perhaps you need to get on the road again so you can write an addendum to the next revision of Hooked.

Ally, I gave a list to Linton some time back (a year maybe).

Always wanted to add Borris, Mulranny and Cruit Island to the book, plus a few others... maybe it'll happen

carnsoreboxer wrote: »

In my opinion the best of them all is Cruit but was told of another hidden gem yesterday which I'd love to play

http://www.connemaraislesgolf.com

Heard this may have just gone. Lovely location and a couple of great holes but not maintained to a high standard.

Montgolfier wrote: »

Technically thats an 18 hole because of the extra tee boxes. Reality its a 9 hole.

I got fooled by this a couple of times on my travels - Clogher Valley most notably. If there are nine holes and eighteen tee boxes, it's still nine holes... I tend to find the word 'holes' is the giveaway.

When I look at the list on the GUI site I realise that I have played a good few of them. It's handy to get out for 9 holes rather than 18 5 hours out of a day is too long IMHO.

Anyhows heres a list of ones I have played and comments:

Ballinscorney - Parkland, just the far side of the M50, an okay course, but on the side of a hill, so all holes have a predominant slope. Nothing special apart from the fact that its handy to Dublin. Good club atmosphere when I was there. AFAIK it's privately owned and the club have a lease.

Carrickmines - parkland close to M50, the land is the way God left it. Easy to get a timeslot early on Sunday morning, when its casual tee times. Clubhouse a bit stuffy and old-fashioned, it's a matter of some pride that the club can't prepare hot food on the premises. Green fees a bit pricey for what is a plain enough track. The holes are nothing spectacular, but a good view of the M50 if that is your thing...

Glencullen - nice parkland, near to Johnny Fox's, it's privately owned. there are a few nice holes with tricky shots needed. Distant views of Dublin Bay from the 4th or 5th I think. Lots of hill-climbing. Usually not too busy even on weeknights, I don't know what it's like on the weekends. Johnny Foxes good a bite to eat or a pint before heading home.

Killiney - Nice parklands, very mature, lovely clubhouse. Some very long holes. They could get a few more holes in TBH. €25 for 9 holes from what I remember, good value. Great grub afterwards in the bar, here again the crowd is not the friendliest, like most private clubs.

Cruit Island - links course with the sea on both sides. I was staying close to this, looks like a lovely course, friendly crowd. Raging I didn't play it but I didn't have clubs etc. Daniel O'Donnell reputedly had a house bordering the course but sold it some time back. The course has some lovely ( but deadly=-looking ) greens that undulate like mad, I'd say a nightmare to putt on. I had a good look because the road goes right through the course.

Glengariff - parklands course, a few very plain holes, and a few spectacular ones, good view of the sea, in a lovely part of West Cork. Friendly crowd in the clubhouse, very handy to the village to slip out for a few holes.

Sutton - links course, close to Dublin city, very tight course, but man is it tricky. Some great holes, a few plainers ones but each of them is interesting in it's own right. Bottomless rough, lakes, the sea, wind, FFS! A real challenge, very smart clubhouse, crowd a bit stand-offish but I'd definately play it again it I got a chance.

Ardfert, Co.Kerry. Nice little course.