Palmerstown House

Dealerz · 16-05-2014 01:03PM

gorfield wrote: »

I played in Palmerstown last Sunday, and ive been lucky enough to play some amazing golf courses over the years, Bethpage Black off the back tees was the most difficult..... Until last Sunday.
The shortest iron i hit to any par 3/4 was a 7iron and im not short.....
I played my best golf of the year and scrambled my way to a gross 73, delighted!!!
Any 24hcap that could manage 8 pars and a gross 88 that day in this conditions on a 7100yd tour standard golf course is nothing short of a joke.
Im not questioning his honesty, im sure he shot the score he shot.
In my honest opinion considering css was 76, his true hcap is circa 12/13.

Well played yourself, with that score, I'd say you will be off single figures yourself in no time.

Anatom · 16-05-2014 02:11PM

gorfield wrote: »

I played in Palmerstown last Sunday, and ive been lucky enough to play some amazing golf courses over the years, Bethpage Black off the back tees was the most difficult..... Until last Sunday.
The shortest iron i hit to any par 3/4 was a 7iron and im not short.....
I played my best golf of the year and scrambled my way to a gross 73, delighted!!!
Any 24hcap that could manage 8 pars and a gross 88 that day in this conditions on a 7100yd tour standard golf course is nothing short of a joke.
Im not questioning his honesty, im sure he shot the score he shot.
In my honest opinion considering css was 76, his true hcap is circa 12/13.

And did I see that you won best gross? Well done in those conditions!!

Good luck to the chap who won. I haven't played with him yet, but any inspiration that I can get I'll take in the future!!

I didn't get to play in that competition, but I did nip out a couple of nights earlier for seven holes. I'm off 19.2 at the moment and playing rubbish golf generally - I don't get much time to play, let alone practice - but that evening I managed to par the 1st, 3rd and 4th (on my second time) with a double on the 5th and two balls in the water on the 4th on my first time around (I played 1-5 and then the 4th again on the "way home" for those who know the layout).

Now, that's just me messing around on my own and probably won't be repeated this weekend but even so, eight pars in one round for someone who's getting lessons and putting time into his game isn't unreasonable - even if the conditions aren't ideal.

Course conditions in PH are OK as has been said, but they're a damn sight better than they were a month ago and its great to see the work being done - especially to the bunkers. I don't know how many greenkeeping staff there are there, but they're working away hard and good luck to them! The club committees and pro-shop staff are working extremely hard too, running camps etc. for the kids over Easter for example, and generally being very accomodating and professional. They've come a seriously long way in about eight months, and deserve an enormous amount of credit...

Am really looking forward to playing it more this summer.

charlieIRL · 16-05-2014 09:10PM

Dealerz wrote: »

Well played yourself, with that score, I'd say you will be off single figures yourself in no time.

Gorfield is off a + handicap as far as I can remember!

FixdePitchmark · 16-05-2014 10:06PM

Dealerz wrote: »

Well played yourself, with that score, I'd say you will be off single figures yourself in no time.

pinkdoubleeagle · 17-05-2014 07:06AM

Interested in who this guy is. Obviously can't disclose it but a guy from Palmerston of 18 romped home in the open singles yesterday with easily the best score of the week.

Milkers · 17-05-2014 11:46AM

What tee boxes do they play from in the comps?

pauldoo · 17-05-2014 01:18PM

Milkers wrote: »

What tee boxes do they play from in the comps?

Middle tees last few weeks, had been front tees during winter

levitronix · 17-05-2014 06:34PM

gorfield wrote: »

I played in Palmerstown last Sunday, and ive been lucky enough to play some amazing golf courses over the years, Bethpage Black off the back tees was the most difficult..... Until last Sunday.
The shortest iron i hit to any par 3/4 was a 7iron and im not short.....
I played my best golf of the year and scrambled my way to a gross 73, delighted!!!
Any 24hcap that could manage 8 pars and a gross 88 that day in this conditions on a 7100yd tour standard golf course is nothing short of a joke.
Im not questioning his honesty, im sure he shot the score he shot.
In my honest opinion considering css was 76, his true hcap is circa 12/13.

Was this off the back tee's, love the course myself have a 74 off the middle tee's

Carpo86 · 17-05-2014 06:49PM

Course in very good condition this morning, I have to say. Greens rolling very true and clearly a lot of maintenance work done on bunkers and fairways this week. The weather didn't hurt either

harpsman · 18-05-2014 08:33PM

shamco wrote: »

Hard to believe he only took up golf last year and improved enough that he can shoot 8 pars and a gross 88 in horrendous conditions on a difficult golf course.

I know somebody who took up golf in late 20s and was off about 1 or 2 within 3 years so Id say that is possible

pauldoo · 18-05-2014 09:15PM

will be interested to see what scores come in from the team comp today.

Was scramble, pick the best drive of 3, everyone plays from there with 1 score to count, and all 3 scores to count on the 18th.

Guy in the shop said you need to average 3 a hole to win. We had 47 points after 17, 3 of us made ****e of 18 and ended with only 49

Judging by what is going on lately would be thinking 65 or so will win this

paternoster1 · 18-05-2014 09:56PM

never played course before..thinking about playing singles on wednesday...what's the css roughly on a wed?

I see many are saying the course could be in better nick..what are the greens like?

Thanks

dar_cool · 18-05-2014 09:58PM

Course is in good shape, played Saturday in a society, greens were good, bit bobbly but good. not much sand in the bunkers but there not that bad, fairways have alot of weeds and divots but are grand.

FixdePitchmark · 18-05-2014 10:30PM

dar_cool wrote: »

Course is in good shape, played Saturday in a society, greens were good, bit bobbly but good. not much sand in the bunkers but there not that bad, fairways have alot of weeds and divots but are grand.

Not exactly a description people would ever have imagined for Palmerstown.

It looked like a course that was one of the best in the county at one stage.

Carpo86 · 18-05-2014 11:26PM

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Not exactly a description people would ever have imagined for Palmerstown.

It looked like a course that was one of the best in the county at one stage.

It still has a 'top' design, hence why it is still very enjoyable to place. The sheer size of the place means that if you wanted it looking immaculate all over you would have to employ about 100 green keepers. To do that of course you would have to charge a membership sub/entrance fee that would allow that to happen. This is hardly realistic considering the current economic climate.

The compromise they have reached whereby they are charging a 'competitively' priced sub while still keeping the place in good enough shape that it's still a very enjoyable/challenging round is a good one in my view.

I accept that I may be somewhat biased as I do enjoy playing it and I would not be able to afford to be a member if it was charging a 'premium' membership fee but I think the approach they have taken (and remember that they are still only at an early stage in the work they are doing on the course) is a sensible one.

FixdePitchmark · 18-05-2014 11:40PM

Yes Carpo - maybe sensible - but , for me - It is actually harder to go to a top design course and it not in top condition. I'd honestly rather play a lesser course in top condition. And - I do love the course there.

BTW - I don't think you would need 100 - maybe 8 or 9 ?

How many do they have ?

Carpo86 · 18-05-2014 11:46PM

I suppose for me it depends on what is 'top condition'. For me it is certainly important for the greens to be rolling true, for the bunkers to be playable and for the fairways to be cut properly and divots filled in etc. For me all of that is in place in Palmerstown at the moment with the exception of the bunkers when there is significant rain (there is a long term solution being put in place for it but not something that is solvable in the short term).

For me though the aesthetics of the place (here I am referring to weed growth for instance) are a 'nice to have' but not a deal breaker. I appreciate that is a personal view though and not one everyone has to share.

fullstop · 19-05-2014 12:22AM

paternoster1 wrote: »

never played course before..thinking about playing singles on wednesday...what's the css roughly on a wed?

I see many are saying the course could be in better nick..what are the greens like?

Thanks

played it a few weeks ago and the greens were awful. Slow and bumpy.

Anatom · 19-05-2014 11:45AM

They'd just been treated a few weeks earlier in fairness...

pauldoo · 19-05-2014 01:20PM

greens were quality yesterday-not very far of being top class again

Anatom · 19-05-2014 01:49PM

pauldoo wrote: »

greens were quality yesterday-not very far of being top class again

Might get out some evening this week to test them out so...

ForeRight · 19-05-2014 03:54PM

Played it today.

Greens were fabulous. Rolling beautiful and fast.

Bunkers in ****e as expected and lots of casual water after the bad nights weather.

willabur · 19-05-2014 04:12PM

played the course a few weeks ago, gonna sound like a broken record but it played very well with the exception of the bunkers which were very difficult to play

First Up · 19-05-2014 05:22PM

willabur wrote: »

played the course a few weeks ago, gonna sound like a broken record but it played very well with the exception of the bunkers which were very difficult to play

Has anyone (the committee would be good) asked the owners what is happening with the bunkers? It sounds like its the only real problem but it really does need to be sorted. Its a cracking course and deserves to be in good condition. Fixing bunkers isn't cheap but it isn't rocket science either.

Carpo86 · 19-05-2014 05:24PM

First Up wrote: »

Has anyone (the committee would be good) asked the owners what is happening with the bunkers? It sounds like its the only real problem but it really does need to be sorted. Its a cracking course and deserves to be in good condition. Fixing bunkers isn't cheap but it isn't rocket science either.

I understand there is a long term plan in place to fix all of the bunkers. Someone may be able to provide more detail than this. If not, I'll be down later in the week so will ask then.

Benny Cake · 06-07-2014 12:40PM

Played here yesterday.
Course is in "ok" condition, placing on the fairways as they have been scarified. Rake and place in the bunkers (which are like a rock) Greens were immaculate.
Its one of my favourite courses but we had the misfortune of being out behind a society who knew as much about golf course etiquette as a donkey knows about politics. 6 hours ten minutes for the 18 holes, which for me is a new record.... Course ranger nowhere to be seen. I would struggle to go back tbh unless playing early in the morning.

alxmorgan · 06-07-2014 12:52PM

Benny Cake wrote: »

Played here yesterday.
Course is in "ok" condition, placing on the fairways as they have been scarified. Rake and place in the bunkers (which are like a rock) Greens were immaculate.
Its one of my favourite courses but we had the misfortune of being out behind a society who knew as much about golf course etiquette as a donkey kinows about politics. 6 hours ten minutes for the 18 holes, which for me is a new record.... Course ranger nowhere to be seen. I would struggle to go back tbh unless playing early in the morning.

Oh my sweet jebus.....I reckon you'd have a case for mental distress after that !!

fullstop · 06-07-2014 02:48PM

Benny Cake wrote: »

Played here yesterday.
Course is in "ok" condition, placing on the fairways as they have been scarified. Rake and place in the bunkers (which are like a rock) Greens were immaculate.
Its one of my favourite courses but we had the misfortune of being out behind a society who knew as much about golf course etiquette as a donkey knows about politics. 6 hours ten minutes for the 18 holes, which for me is a new record.... Course ranger nowhere to be seen. I would struggle to go back tbh unless playing early in the morning.

Rake and place in the middle of summer? Thought the bunkers had been sorted?

GolfingGod · 06-07-2014 03:08PM

fullstop wrote: »

Rake and place in the middle of summer? Thought the bunkers had been sorted?

Some have been redone completely but alot to do as NAMA didn't spend a penny on them for a few years. Will be next year before their all fixed I reckon. Sure they are a hazard so best not to be in them in the first place

First Up · 06-07-2014 05:08PM

Benny Cake wrote: »

Played here yesterday.
Course is in "ok" condition, placing on the fairways as they have been scarified. Rake and place in the bunkers (which are like a rock) Greens were immaculate.
Its one of my favourite courses but we had the misfortune of being out behind a society who knew as much about golf course etiquette as a donkey knows about politics. 6 hours ten minutes for the 18 holes, which for me is a new record.... Course ranger nowhere to be seen. I would struggle to go back tbh unless playing early in the morning.

Six hours? Good grief. I hope you lodged some sort of protest. I know clubs need to generate income but surely not at any price. If that's the sort of thing that can be expected, the bunkers are the least of their worries.

Palmerstown House

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