Ireland's Top 100 Golf Courses 2016 - Golf Digest Ireland

Galway Golf Club's 14th

[For the 2017 Top 100 Irish Golf Course Ranking, click HERE.]

[December 2015]
The new Top 100 rankings from Golf Digest Ireland (GDI) are out today. There's a new 'judging panel' which has undoubtedly resulted in some of the changes, but there are still some surprises.

Consider that last year's ranking was a screw up. The independent panel's ranking was altered by the magazine's

Golf Open Weeks Ireland: Batch 3

Views over the 1st green on Ballyliffin Glashedy... to the
rock of the same name.

We’re at the peak time for Golf Open Weeks, here in Ireland. And it is rich pickings over the next month or two. The most difficult aspect of all that choice is deciding where to go, and when. Links and parkland… they’re both there, so get the calendar out and see what takes your fancy… because there is some serious value out there.

Here’s a list of 12 clubs from around the country to get you started:

Ballyliffin, Baltinglass, Beech Park, Co. Sligo, Enniscrone, Farnham Estate, The Heritage, Kirkistown Castle, Malone, Portumna, Whitehead, Wicklow.

Posters and details are shown below, in date order.

Macreddin Golf Club Ablaze With Gorse

Approach to 12

Are words even necessary? Here are some photos taken last week of the Paul McGinley designed Macreddin outside Aughrim in Co. Wicklow. A beautiful course, in superb condition, and a green fee of just 20-40 euro. More photos below...

On Sunday 18th May, Macreddin is holding its Junior (4-9) & Intermediate (10-18) Scratch Cups. Booking available online or by calling 0402 36999. If these photos don’t inspire you to get out and play this excellent course, then reconsider golf! Green fee is a snip at €25... and buggies are allowed.

Ireland's Top Ten Hidden Golf Courses (Parkland) - No. 1

The par three 11th

Perhaps the hardest part of creating this list was deciding what comprised a ‘hidden gem’... a Fairway Less Travelled. 

Can Carne still be called hidden? Can Concra Wood or Bunclody or even Headfort? Both Connemara and Dooks don’t make the mainstream, but does that qualify them for this list? What about Carlow? It is one of our greatest parkland classics but it seems to have been forgotten in the melee of glamorous newer courses.

Irish Golf Courses: Inside The Ropes Standings (7)

Seven Irish Golf Courses have been visited to date, as part of the Inside The Ropes project. This is how they stand...

Golf Course	Rating  (out of 30)	Value for Money (out of 30)	TOTAL  (out of 60)
Carne	25	27	52
Macreddin	25.5	26	51.5
Druid’s Glen	26	24	50
Mount Juliet	27	21	48
The Island	27.5	20	47.5
Dun Laoghaire	24	21	45
Greystones	22.5	22.5	45

Thanks to all the golfers who have participated so far. There are plenty more to come (340+ courses to go!), including some big names around the country.

If you want to find out what I think of these courses, pick up a copy of Hooked (links on the sidebar) and see if you agree with my assessment.

Macreddin Tee Shot Video

[Video of Graham teeing-off on the par five 13th at Macreddin]

I've been trying to post video to Blogger for several weeks and now seem to have mastered it... but only by using my laptop and not the main PC.

Did I mention I hate computers.

Inside The Ropes - Macreddin

Perhaps it’s the time of year, or the way the weather patterns have favoured Ireland’s greenkeepers, but there’s a lot of talk about how good greens are at the moment. Black Bush, Lucan and Wicklow were all mentioned while we played at Macreddin, and recent visits to Dun Laoghaire and Druid’s Heath have revealed similarly pristine surfaces… and Macreddin was no different. Considering the pounding that they have taken recently from the rain, they were perfect.

Macreddin is the third course to be reviewed for ‘Inside the Ropes’ and Paul McGinley’s course rarely gets the recognition it deserves… which is a shame because there are perfect golf holes here and some thrilling challenges.

The three lads who were going to decide how perfect and how thrilling were Derick (9 handicap), David (13) and Graham (6).

[Photo: The Inside The Ropes Macreddin ‘Panel’ on Macreddin's 18th green]

Q. What had you heard about the course before you arrived?

Derick: Very little. Paul McGinley was involved with the design. I looked at their website before arriving and the course looked tight and difficult.

Graham: High standard – a very hilly, quality course.

David: Scenic, very hilly, exciting… in NAMA.

It is a common misconception that Macreddin is in NAMA. It’s not. It was in administration for a while which is why plenty of people think it’s owned by the ‘pipple’ as Enda would say. It has been under new ownership for over a year, and the club is adding things on all the time. The buggy paths were added last year, and showers went in this year, with more work being done.

[Photo: Having birdied the 1st, David takes the honour on the par five 2nd]

Q. What are your overall impressions of Macreddin?

Derick: Long and nice track. I think they have done a splendid job with the land. I would next like to walk it, but it was a pleasure to play with buggies. The course held up well for the amount of rain we have had lately. Overall a more than positive experience.

Graham: Excellent setting, very demanding. A real test.

David: Beautiful, really enjoyed the round. Some cracking drives and second shots. Ballycreen Brook makes some nice appearances.

It has reached a point that most people take a buggy (€20 each) because of a couple of hikes: from the 9th green to the 10th tee is a long walk past the clubhouse and the hotel, and the walk from the 18th green is almost as long. There’s also the small matter of the climb up the par five 15th, which would sap the energy of most golfers. The downside is that buggies do detract from the round – you simply don’t get the same feeling for the course when you have to stay on the buggy paths. It’s not as if Macreddin can do anything about this, so you have to decide whether you went to expend the final ounces of energy climbing 15. At least it’s all downhill from the 16th tee.

[Photo: The short par four 6th begs for big drive]

Q. As this is a relatively new course – what did you think of the design? What really stood out for you?

Derick: Design is really good. Holes on the back 9 look a lot more mature than their age. The greens were excellent with lovely views.

Graham: Design is stunning, although a little hilly, but course more than makes up for it. Each hole feels exclusive. Greens are flawless.

David: Each hole really holds its own and they’re nicely secluded. They built the course nicely around the forest.

Q. Are there any negatives – either on or off the course? If so, what are they and what would you suggest to fix them?

Derick: Showers and changing rooms could do with some attention.

Graham: Clubhouse. On-course signage could be better.

David: Long hikes between some holes – but no solution to that. No decent clubhouse. There were very few people on the course, so no great buzz.

The clubhouse remains a series of green portakabin-type structures. There’s the reception and small shop in one, and then the changing facilities for men and women. It’s not fancy by any means – hopefully the money will be there in the future for a modest clubhouse. It would certainly add to the experience.

[Photo: Graham tees off on the par four 12th, the best 12th hole in Ireland (IMHO)]

Q.  What did you find particularly tough about the course?

Derick: Some of the lies in the rough were very tough, and one or two greens were hard to read. It can also feel very long in places.

Graham: Driving needs to be accurate. The rough is very penal. Would not like to walk it every week!

David: Drives. You need to be long on a lot of tight par fours.

[Photo: Derick finds tough rough up in the trees on the 2nd hole]

Q. What’s the best Irish course you’ve played to date, and how did Macreddin compare?

Derick: Druid’s Glen. Macreddin is not as mature, but it’s similar in a lot of ways – it has a very similar finish, and possibly a bit more difficult in areas.

Graham: The European Club. Macreddin is a totally different course, but it would fayre very well with its high standard of greens, fairways etc., and stunning views.

David: Concra Wood, with its forest and Lough Muckno. Changes in elevation are similar.

[Photo: the stunning approach to the par four 16th. You’re at the top of the course and this is one of Macreddin’s toughest holes]

Q. How easy was it to find?

Derick: Very easy

Graham: Very easy

David: Pretty difficult despite google map and print-out of directions. Ended up using the phone.

An interesting disparity!

Q. Would you come back with friends?

Derick: Yes

Graham: Definitely, and will do very soon.

David: Yes, some friends would love it here but no more than once a year!

 [Photo: the guys on the 11th green, with much of the back nine beyond]

Q. Your rating out of 10?

Derick: 8

Graham: 9

David: 8.5

Total: 25.5

Q. Value for money out of 10?

Derick : 8

Graham: 10

David: 8 (In fairness, they can’t go much lower)

Total: 26

[Photo: David tees off on the par three 17th. He fluffed it and then put the next shot six inches from the hole. One of the more interesting pars of the day.]

Macreddin Photos

Other 'Inside The Ropes' Courses:

Druid’s Glen

Dun Laoghaire 

Easter at Macreddin

[Photo: views over the 6th and the 8th from the 3rd green]

I had plans to launch into a ‘what golf are you playing this Easter?’ and then extol the virtues of visiting Macreddin Golf Club on Sunday 8th, since the Macreddin Village Food Market is kicking off again at the Brooklodge Hotel in Aughrim.

I mean, think about it! You bring your other half… and even your family… and you leave them to explore the market, all that organic food, live jazz, a great bite to eat… and you go off and play a superb golf course. Quid pro quo. You’ll even get to wave to your family as you sail by in your buggy on the way to the 10th tee. Hey, it’s Easter Sunday – it’s all about family.

[Photo: approach to the 18th green]

Yes, that was my plan… until I discovered that the Food Market was last Sunday, and not this Sunday.

So, I’m scuppered… but if you’re looking for somewhere to play this Easter weekend, be sure to consider Macreddin. Let’s forget that it’s a quality course, designed by Paul McGinley… in a beautiful Wicklow-wooded-valley-distant-views-and-picture-perfect-river location… with some of the best holes in the country (try the 5th and the 12th). No, let’s look at the green fees, which are at a special price for the weekend.

A fourball will cost you exactly €80 – so €20 per person. For an extra tenner each you can get a buggy, which is probably recommended. And if you don’t have a four, it will work out at €25 each… hardly an enormous increase when you consider that for twice the price you can play courses half as good.

And if you don’t choose to play Macreddin… well, wherever you end up playing this weekend, I hope you enjoy it.

By the way, the Macreddin market is on the first Sunday of every month.

Macreddin Misunderstanding

[Photo: approach to the par five 8th with the Wicklow Mountains beyond]

It was announced just before Christmas that Macreddin Club plc had been put into liquidation. This caused a flurry of concern over the future of Macreddin Golf Club, one of Ireland's most under-rated golf courses... however, there is a distinct difference between the two entities. Macreddin Club plc ceased to be involved with the club back in 2010, and the golf club itself has been thriving ever since.

A phone call to David Lee, who manages the course, resulted in him making the following statement on Boards.ie:

The company that operated the golf course up to and including receivership (Until Nov 2010), Macreddin Club Public Limited Company has been liquidated. We have been operated by a new entity since. This liquidation does not affect the Golf Course, the status of current members or our plans for growth going forward in any way. We would like to thank everybody who supported the club in 2011 and look forward to seeing you back on the fairways in 2012.

[Photo: approach to the par four 18th]

Macreddin on the Boards

[Valley/Mountain views from the 5th green]

The Boards golf society is up and running. A year or two ago, some people tried to set one up but nothing came of it. This year, thanks to increased interest and, I suspect, great value green fees, the number of golfers willing to play has soared. A certain ‘Keano A Legend’ deserves the credit for getting the group kick-started and the first outing was to Dundrum Golf Club in Co. Tipperary a few weeks back.

The second was yesterday, to Macreddin in Co. Wicklow. The numbers playing almost tipped 30, and I imagine we were all fairly hacked off when we arrived in Macreddin's car park… after leaving Dublin or, in my case, Wexford, the sunshine had given way to some nasty rain. Quite literally, as I turned off the engine the rain started. Inside the clubhouse (a set of portakabins) I had a word with David about that. He shrugged and said he’d see what he could do. David Lee is the young man now managing the place and he is an active Boards contributor, offering some exceptional green fee rates to get out on Macreddin on a Saturday… a €15 green fee is remarkable (even for a group rate) or, for an extra tenner, you can share a buggy.

Two lads – Sternpeak and DubTom – went out first in a buggy, and David and myself were due to follow. We were joined by Peter, and just as we prepared to tee off the rain stopped. Sure, it returned briefly on the 2nd, but thereafter we had a beautiful day, which matched the course. Macreddin endured the highest level of two-day rainfall all Summer on the previous two days, and you could feel it underfoot from time to time – but, under such circumstances, the course was in superb condition and the greens were true and smooth. Add to that the popularity of the course, which is packed every weekend (value and quality!), and the resulting wear and tear that fairways, putting surfaces and tee boxes endure, is practically invisible (a few tee boxes aside). You quickly appreciate the volume of effort that goes into the place.

In terms of upkeep, an honourable mention should be given to the crows who seem to enjoy nothing more than digging up the surfaces to depths of three inches – I’m sure we all saw the crow-hole on the 11th green.

[Photo: the par three 4th has to be one of the best par threes in the country]

“They’re called leatherjackets,” David informed us, although I suspect he wanted to call them something far less polite. “They’re after Daddy-Longlegs eggs. They walk around until they feel the heat beneath their feet and then they start digging.”

You learn something new every day!

David obviously knows the course, as do I, but Peter didn’t, so it was interesting watching his reaction to what I reckon are the best holes – like the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 13th, and then the run for home from the 15th. He enjoyed all of them, and I imagine the 3rd will live long in the memory after a perfect drive, a better second and a sweet three footer for birdie. He plays off 14.

[Photo: the short but exquisite par four 6th]

A few comments should be made about Macreddin: it is a long track, made all the longer by the walks between 9 and 10, and then from 18 back to the clubhouse/car park. Peter was pulling his clubs and I thought we’d lost him when he disappeared on the walk to the 10th. We drove around in the buggy, searching, and finally found him… suspiciously close to the pub. The back nine is hilly in places (the par five 15th really knocks the breath out of you) and it is widely accepted that you need a buggy to get around the course. Personally, I don’t think you get a true feel for a course unless you walk it – it gives you a far greater appreciation for the design, the flow and rhythm of the course, and the challenges you face.

David reckons that 90% of golfers take buggies, and on a busy weekend they are all the more important as rounds can be lengthy affairs – we came in just shy of five hours. That’s not only a reflection on the course length, it also reflects the challenges you face if you don’t play straight golf. This is no easy course, but it is most definitely a thrill to play.

For those who were paying attention, the mounds and shapes created during course construction mirror the mounds and shapes of the hills around you. And if you didn’t notice them, then that proves just how effective they are.

[The steeply downhill approach to the par four 16th - one of the toughest par fours on the course... David almost made it]

After the round, five of us decamped to the pub that is part of Macreddin village next door, where we enjoyed a post-round analysis, and a burger and a pint for a tenner… another deal that David arranged.

You see, this is something I banged on about recently: a lot of the guys and girls running our golf clubs are old-school in their thinking. They do a perfectly good job, marketing through the same old channels, but in this day and age there needs to be a bit more ‘pushing the envelope’… and David is doing that rather well – as the Boards outing demonstrates. Find your target market, treat them right and inspire repeat business.

[Photo: the attractive approach to the par four 18th]

More and more clubs are on Facebook and Twitter, but it still comes down to how well you use the social media we enjoy today. Macreddin is hitting the nail on the head. And long may it continue for a club that has come through receivership and is now truly back in business.

It was a great day out, on a fantastic course… and a quick mention must be made of the efforts of two of our group who travelled up from Cork for the day. Lads, we admire your dedication.

Roll on the next outing.

http://www.facebook.com/macreddingc

Best 18 Holes in Ireland: Hole 4

Hole 4 Old Head of Kinsale Par 4 415 yards. ‘The Razor’s Edge’

In terms of its location, there is no better golf club to drive to than the Old Head of Kinsale. It feels like you’re driving out to the tip of the world. I’ve already mentioned Hole 2, but the 4th is probably the most mesmerising (12 comes a close 2nd) because of its aspect, the dogleg that curls across the clifftop and the lighthouse behind the green. The tee box sits on the cliff top, 300 feet up, and a golfing buddy of mine who has vertigo had an unsettling time when he played there. If you have a caddie, chances are he’ll be telling you about the wreckage of the Lusitania as you leave the tee.

[Photo: green to tee at Mitchelstown]

There are three other holes that stand out, and Mitchelstown’s par four particularly caught my eye. There are two things about it: the three or four pine trees on the left of the fairway, by the old wall, that mark the kink in the fairway – it waggles like a shake of the hips – and, secondly, the green location, under tall trees and over a deceptively broad river.

[Photo: Clandeboye's tee shot]

Clandeboye’s (Dufferin) 4th is Index 1. It is a tight and tricky dogleg that requires guile (aka a three iron) off the tee, and a brave approach to another attractively located green (old wall behind, trees all around).

[Photo: Clandeboye approach]

Macreddin’s 4th is a par three. It is unrivalled in Ireland for distance, and by that I mean in terms of the drop from the tee to the green. It is far, far below you and watching the ball fly high and then drop, endlessly, past fields and farms and sheep to the green below is a thrilling sight.