Golf in Dublin.

joyceee84 · 28-01-2019 5:10pm #1

Hi there,first time poster.

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for golf clubs around dublin city , preferably a short commute , that are both a good test and open to new members without being extortionate? (I know thats probably going to be a long shot)

I'm a 4 hcapper that is just after moving up and am itching to get back playing in the next few week's!

Cheers!

dar_cool · 28-01-2019 5:15pm

What side of the city are you living on ?

joyceee84 · 28-01-2019 5:16pm

dar_cool wrote: »

What side of the city are you living on ?

South... Ballsbridge area...

ThunderCat · 28-01-2019 5:40pm

Have you a car or are you going to be relying on public transport?

joyceee84 · 28-01-2019 5:43pm

ThunderCat wrote: »

Have you a car or are you going to be relying on public transport?

Ideally public transport..

First Up · 28-01-2019 7:44pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Ideally public transport..

Public transport limits you a bit but Bray and Charlesland are accessible or close to bus/train routes.

joyceee84 · 28-01-2019 8:21pm

First Up wrote: »

Public transport limits you a bit but Bray and Charlesland are accessible or close to bus/train routes.[/quope]

Cheers for that . I'll have a look at them for sure , itching to get out (probably not this week judging by the forecast) ðŸ™ˆ

GreeBo · 29-01-2019 2:27pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Hi there,first time poster.

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for golf clubs around dublin city , preferably a short commute , that are both a good test and open to new members without being extortionate? (I know thats probably going to be a long shot)

I'm a 4 hcapper that is just after moving up and am itching to get back playing in the next few week's!

Cheers!

Luas would get you pretty close to Milltown, but the extortionate bit of your post might be an issue!

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 2:36pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Luas would get you pretty close to Milltown, but the extortionate bit of your post might be an issue!

Yeah I've been looking at there , Elm Park and Castle golf clubs websites the last day or so and none of them seem to be on the lookout for members or particularly welcoming to outsiders? Is there a sort of closed shop up here?

First Up · 29-01-2019 2:38pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Yeah I've been looking at there , Elm Park and Castle golf clubs websites the last day or so and none of them seem to be on the lookout for members or particularly welcoming to outsiders? Is there a sort of closed shop up here?

No, but there's a long waiting list. People put their kids' names down at birth.

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 2:42pm

First Up wrote: »

No, but there's a long waiting list. People put their kids' names down at birth.

Ah i see..Thats fair enough..Its a pity too as it seems like bar going down to wicklow there isnt much else on the south of the city and the commute north is pretty awkward..

First Up · 29-01-2019 2:52pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Ah i see..Thats fair enough..Its a pity too as it seems like bar going down to wicklow there isnt much else on the south of the city and the commute north is pretty awkward..

You are very limited if using public transport. The Stepaside 9 hole is reachable by bus but golf courses don't tend to be very close to the road. If you are prepared to use taxis you have a much wider choice.

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 2:55pm

First Up wrote: »

You are very limited if using public transport. The Stepaside 9 hole is reachable by bus but golf courses don't tend to be very close to the road. If you are prepared to use taxis you have a much wider choice.

Yeah i know , its definitely not an ideal situation , contemplating leaving my clubs at a club and cycling to it altogether!

spacecoyote · 29-01-2019 2:59pm

There is a bus route that runs through Grange Castle business park which would get you pretty close to the club I imagine.

Membership won't set you back too much either, but not sure if the course would meet your needs.

Similarly, you could get a luas/69 bus out as far as Saggart which gets you pretty close to the doors on City West.

Again, not too expensive for membership, but might do the job.

Must be a route that gets reasonably close to Edmondstown too

Ronney · 29-01-2019 2:59pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Ah i see..Thats fair enough..Its a pity too as it seems like bar going down to wicklow there isnt much else on the south of the city and the commute north is pretty awkward..

Yea all the clubs round that area (Castle, Milltown, Grange, Elm Park) would have waiting lists of a few years to join. You would also be looking at a joining fee of €10,000 - €20,000. Iy you were a + H/C male or a low single figure female you might find the waiting list a bit shorter if you could add to their senior cup team.

Worth inquiring bout Social/Pavillion membership in the above. You essentially join as just a club house member and pay a guest fee every time you play. Not cheap but probably better than the Huge joining fee.

Not sure how accessible they are for you but you might find something cheaper round Rathfarnam/Stackstown/Edmonstown.

Golfnow have tee times for Clontarf which isnt too far on the Dart.

Weekends would be tricky to get out as most of the above clubs would have large numbers playing in the weekly comps 200+

Do you drive and just dont have a car? if so look at Gocar. Rent for a few hours to go off and play

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 3:04pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

There is a bus route that runs through Grange Castle business park which would get you pretty close to the club I imagine.

Membership won't set you back too much either, but not sure if the course would meet your needs.

Similarly, you could get a luas/69 bus out as far as Saggart which gets you pretty close to the doors on City West.

Again, not too expensive for membership, but might do the job.

Thanks for that!
Never even looked at Citywest but if its manageable that could be a decent shout.. Grange looks like an unusual set up with the par being 68 and having the 6 extra holes..

First Up · 29-01-2019 3:05pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Yeah i know , its definitely not an ideal situation , contemplating leaving my clubs at a club and cycling to it altogether!

Don't think club storage is very widely available. You could find yourself cycling a long way.

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 3:08pm

First Up wrote: »

Don't think club storage is very widely available. You could find yourself cycling a long way.

Oh really? Back home most places had lockers for them , was always handy.. I'd be a bit of a sight with the bag on my back going across the city!

Joe_ Public · 29-01-2019 3:32pm

Back in the day without a car I remember taking the dart a few times to play in woodbrook. Very doable though iirc was still a fair walk from the station (20-25 minutes). Probably a bus stop closer but carrying clubs on a bus just a step too far for me. Haven’t played it in years but a decent course and fair enough test for a 4 handicapper I would think.

First Up · 29-01-2019 3:35pm

Joe_ Public wrote:

Back in the day without a car I remember taking the dart a few times to play in woodbrook. Very doable though iirc was still a fair walk from the station (20-25 minutes). Probably a bus stop closer but carrying clubs on a bus just a step too far for me. Havenâ€™t played it in years but a decent course and fair enough test for a 4 handicapper I would think.

Pretty sure there's a bus that stops outside Woodbrook. A par 5 walk from there to the clubhouse!

Joe_ Public · 29-01-2019 3:43pm

First Up wrote: »

Pretty sure there's a bus that stops outside Woodbrook. A par 5 walk from there to the clubhouse!

Yes I’m sure your right. The 145 goes from city centre on that route I think so that would seem very viable to me.

londonred · 29-01-2019 3:56pm

Portmarnock Hotel Links is about 20min walk from Dart or €6 in a taxi , there is a few upcoming comps in link below , course is in excellent condition at the moment .

https://www.portmarnock.com/open-events.html

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 3:59pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Back in the day without a car I remember taking the dart a few times to play in woodbrook. Very doable though iirc was still a fair walk from the station (20-25 minutes). Probably a bus stop closer but carrying clubs on a bus just a step too far for me. Haven’t played it in years but a decent course and fair enough test for a 4 handicapper I would think.

Thats excellent , thanks for that , never heard of Woodbrook to be honest , just took a quick look online and it looks viable and a tough little track!

spacecoyote · 29-01-2019 4:03pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Thanks for that!
Never even looked at Citywest but if its manageable that could be a decent shout.. Grange looks like an unusual set up with the par being 68 and having the 6 extra holes..

Think you might have slightly crossed wires on that. Pretty sure City West is par 68/69 (used to be 71/72 but they shortened the course years ago)

Grange Castle is a par 72. There is an extra 7 hole course in the back alright, which are old holes from the course when it was originally opened

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 4:04pm

londonred wrote: »

Portmarnock Hotel Links is about 20min walk from Dart or €6 in a taxi , there is a few upcoming comps in link below , course is in excellent condition at the moment .

https://www.portmarnock.com/open-events.html

Looks like great value for sure,could be a bit of a rude awakening for my first round of the year and second in 3 months though!

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 4:10pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

Think you might have slightly crossed wires on that. Pretty sure City West is par 68/69 (used to be 71/72 but they shortened the course years ago)

Grange Castle is a par 72. There is an extra 7 hole course in the back alright, which are old holes from the course when it was originally opened

You're spot on there , i was looking at "Grange" not "Grange Castle" golf club.. Looks lovely but like alot of them a bit awkward to get to it seems... Might have to put getting a car ahead of membership!

Joe_ Public · 29-01-2019 4:10pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Thats excellent , thanks for that , never heard of Woodbrook to be honest , just took a quick look online and it looks viable and a tough little track!

No worries. It’s a course with a bit of history, having hosted the first irish Open of the modern era, sometime in 1970s. A parkland course with a linksy vibe to a lot of it, can get very windy when you turn onto the stretch of coastal holes, but lovely on a fine day.

Portmarnock links (not same as old portmarnock to be clear) is an excellent shout too.

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 4:14pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

No worries. It’s a course with a bit of history, having hosted the first irish Open of the modern era, sometime in 1970s. A parkland course with a linksy vibe to a lot of it, can get very windy when you turn onto the stretch of coastal holes, but lovely on a fine day.

Portmarnock links (not same as old portmarnock to be clear) is an excellent shout too.

Yeah both look very appealing... Might do a test run with the carry bag on the bus to woodbrook and see how that goes in the next few days and then chance portmarnock links next week... Thanks again for the info!

Joe_ Public · 29-01-2019 4:18pm

Best of luck. Grange Castle is or was a public course I think. Long time since played it but always thought it was very reasonable in terms of cost and quality of course.

First Up · 29-01-2019 4:29pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Thats excellent , thanks for that , never heard of Woodbrook to be honest , just took a quick look online and it looks viable and a tough little track!

It hosted the Irish Open for a few years back in the day!

joyceee84 · 29-01-2019 4:37pm

First Up wrote: »

It hosted the Irish Open for a few years back in the day!

Yeah I'd say its no picnic when the wind blows even a little!

GreeBo · 29-01-2019 5:05pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

You're spot on there , i was looking at "Grange" not "Grange Castle" golf club.. Looks lovely but like alot of them a bit awkward to get to it seems... Might have to put getting a car ahead of membership!

FWIW Grange has gone the other way and is Par 71 with 6 extra holes.

gypsy79 · 01-02-2019 6:07pm

Clontarf has lockers for clubs. Tight course and been in great nick when I been there

First Up · 01-02-2019 6:12pm

gypsy79 wrote:

Clontarf has lockers for clubs. Tight course and been in great nick when I been there

Certainly accessible on public transport - and open for membership. A bit too quirky for my taste but it ticks several boxes.

bmay529 · 01-02-2019 7:08pm

If public transport is required courses around Dublin that would come to mind are Elm Park, Killiney, Castle, Grange, Woodbrook, Clontarf, Royal Dublin, Hermitage, Castleknock

First Up · 01-02-2019 7:32pm

bmay529 wrote:

If public transport is required courses around Dublin that would come to mind are Elm Park, Killiney, Castle, Grange, Woodbrook, Clontarf, Royal Dublin, Hermitage, Castleknock

I think cost and membership availability are also factors for the OP.

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 1:46pm

Thanks again for all the advice folks.. Have pretty much narrowed it down to the Rathfarnham area as i'll be working nearby. Does anyone have any thoughts on Grange , Kilmashogue , Stackstown or Castle golf clubs? Course condition and general feel of the places...

Dublin72 · 22-02-2019 7:41pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Thanks again for all the advice folks.. Have pretty much narrowed it down to the Rathfarnham area as i'll be working nearby. Does anyone have any thoughts on Grange , Kilmashogue , Stackstown or Castle golf clubs? Course condition and general feel of the places...

Grange and Castle are two fantastic mature parkland courses always in great condition. I would prefer the Castle but little in it. Both have a hefty joining fee at about €15k. You may have to wait to get in, networking in the bar, interview etc.

I am a member of Stackstown and a really good course always in good condition. Greens are really good, great club atmosphere and inter club comps. A little hilly in parts (9 and 18) but the extent of this is generally overstated. No entrance fee at the moment.

Haven't played Kilmashogue in nearly 20 years so not in a position to comment. Was a nine hole course when I played it.

spacecoyote · 22-02-2019 7:47pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Thanks again for all the advice folks.. Have pretty much narrowed it down to the Rathfarnham area as i'll be working nearby. Does anyone have any thoughts on Grange , Kilmashogue , Stackstown or Castle golf clubs? Course condition and general feel of the places...

The general consensus on Stackstown is usually that it's very hilly & you'll have very few flat lies.

Edmondstown is relatively close to those clubs too, so could be worth a look for you. It's a nice little parkland course, but maybe not with the prestige of some of the ones you're looking at above

Dublin72 · 22-02-2019 8:28pm

spacecoyote wrote: »

The general consensus on Stackstown is usually that it's very hilly & you'll have very few flat lies.

Edmondstown is relatively close to those clubs too, so could be worth a look for you. It's a nice little parkland course, but maybe not with the prestige of some of the ones you're looking at above

Edmondstown is a nice track too. Not as good as Grange or Castle but the joining fee is more modest, Maybe €5k ish but you would need to phone to check.
There is also Rathfarnham close by. Again a good track with 18 holes now. I think there may be an modest entrance fee but you would need to check.

First Up · 22-02-2019 9:04pm

Castle is by far the best of those but almost impossible to get in.

Grange next best but also a long wait.

Edmonstown is the best combination of quality/value/availability of those four but Rathfarnham is worth a look.

I don't like Stackstown at all. Hilly and some downright silly holes. But Harrington learned the game there so what do I know.

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 9:30pm

Dublin72 wrote: »

Grange and Castle are two fantastic mature parkland courses always in great condition. I would prefer the Castle but little in it. Both have a hefty joining fee at about €15k. You may have to wait to get in, networking in the bar, interview etc.

I am a member of Stackstown and a really good course always in good condition. Greens are really good, great club atmosphere and inter club comps. A little hilly in parts (9 and 18) but the extent of this is generally overstated. No entrance fee at the moment.

Haven't played Kilmashogue in nearly 20 years so not in a position to comment. Was a nine hole course when I played it.

Cheer's for that. I'm actually planning on getting out in Stackstown next week to have a look as it seems like really good value for the location and style of course..

What are practice facilities like if you don't mind me asking?

GreeBo · 22-02-2019 9:35pm

What age group would you be in and would you be playing interclub, junior cup etc?

Makes it easier to join tbh

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 9:35pm

First Up wrote: »

Castle is by far the best of those but almost impossible to get in.

Grange next best but also a long wait.

Edmonstown is the best combination of quality/value/availability of those four but Rathfarnham is worth a look.

I don't like Stackstown at all. Hilly and some downright silly holes. But Harrington learned the game there so what do I know.

Appreciate the input , Edmonstown does look like a nice spot but the 5k joining fee is a bit hefty.. Finding it hard to come to terms with the fees up here when you can join the likes of Galway Bay back home for under 1k and with no fee!

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 9:38pm

GreeBo wrote: »

What age group would you be in and would you be playing interclub, junior cup etc?

Makes it easier to join tbh

Yeah i was kind of hoping the 0-5 hcap and 30-35 age profile will play to my advantage but rang castle golf club today and they just straight up said no new members passed the 31st of Jan.

GreeBo · 22-02-2019 9:49pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Yeah i was kind of hoping the 0-5 hcap and 30-35 age profile will play to my advantage but rang castle golf club today and they just straight up said no new members passed the 31st of Jan.

Yeah you might have just missed the boat tbh.
Think it's the same story in grange. New pavilions are taken every month though, so that might interest you?
Limited playing rights but your sub gets taken off your joining fee and you get unlimited access to practice areas and the extra 6 holes when not in play.

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 9:58pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Yeah you might have just missed the boat tbh.
Think it's the same story in grange. New pavilions are taken every month though, so that might interest you?
Limited playing rights but your sub gets taken off your joining fee and you get unlimited access to practice areas and the extra 6 holes when not in play.

Yeah i'd rather have full playing rights if i can manage it somewhere but if not i suppose its always an option.

First Up · 22-02-2019 9:59pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Appreciate the input , Edmonstown does look like a nice spot but the 5k joining fee is a bit hefty.. Finding it hard to come to terms with the fees up here when you can join the likes of Galway Bay back home for under 1k and with no fee!

Well you wouldn't be going to Galway Bay by public transport. There's lots of good courses with no joining fee close to Dublin but if you insist on taking the bus you are making it hard for yourself.

joyceee84 · 22-02-2019 10:09pm

First Up wrote: »

Well you wouldn't be going to Galway Bay by public transport. There's lots of good courses with no joining fee close to Dublin but if you insist on taking the bus you are making it hard for yourself.

Fair point. Is there anywhere else i haven't seen mentioned on the southern edge of the city that you would recommend. I'll be based near leopardstown for work and plan on commuting from there in the evenings so thought rathfarnham area was best suited?

First Up · 22-02-2019 10:13pm

joyceee84 wrote:

Fair point. Is there anywhere else i haven't seen mentioned on the southern edge of the city that you would recommend. I'll be based near leopardstown for work and plan on commuting from there in the evenings so thought rathfarnham area was best suited?

Leapardstown Racecourse.

GreeBo · 22-02-2019 10:22pm

joyceee84 wrote: »

Yeah i'd rather have full playing rights if i can manage it somewhere but if not i suppose its always an option.

Well i was thinking you could build up to that but still get the benefit of golf/ practice after work.

Golf in Dublin.

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