Win a fourball - Nominate your under rated golf courses here!

Wichita Lineman

Right, so I am going to take a survey of the boards.ie golfing fraternity and create a slightly alternative list to Golf Digests Top 100. What I want is for people to nominate any golf clubs they feel are under rated and you can nominate 1 course or 10 courses I really dont mind. Each nomination counts as 1 vote irrespective of whether it is first or last in your list.

While I'm looking to unearth hidden gems and give recognition to decent but unsung clubs entry is open to all courses, even ones in the Top 100 :P sure I'll even allow NAMA votes :eek:

Entries will close at midnight on Sunday 8th December and the list will be published here some time on Monday 9th.

For every 'genuine' entry I will put all names in a hat and give a fourball in Moate to whoever gets pulled out.

PARlance

Hi Andy,


1. Moate
2. Moate



9. Moate
10. Moate

Nice idea in fairness. My lunchtime is sorted.

Wichita Lineman

Moate takes an early lead

charlieIRL

My 5 favourite courses in no particular order:

Mount Wolseley
Tullamore
Esker Hills
Moate
Naas

spacecoyote

Dunmurry Springs
The Heritage
Headfort New
Luttrelstown

ssbob

This is my current top 10 of courses I have played:
Adare
Old Head
Killarney
Mount Juliet
Heritage
Palmerstown
Cork GC
Dromoland
Dundrum
Lee Valley

Wichita Lineman

While I cant win the fourball (obviously) I am voting for Moate, Athy, Kilcock, Heritage, Dungarvan and West Waterford as they are all courses I really enjoy playing but (Heritage aside) do not really get mentioned in established lists. As you can see I'm a parkland fan

Up the underdog!!

PARlance

My four are

Wicklow GC: really think that's underrated, one of the best opening tee shots around and it doesn't disappoint as you continue. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/8905920522/in/set-72157621756925483/

Corballis: You might be taking you're life into your own hands some days but it's worth it, really nice links and definitely underrated maybe due to it being a public course. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/72157621893813660/

Mulranny: A 9 hole course so it will never qualify for most lists, an beauty of a little links course. Some real quirks, it's not often you have to open a gate to get onto each green. (If you have a look at Kevins pics you'll see why the greens need to be protected)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/72157624844532155/

Carne: Haven't played it yet but com'on Mayo

Arsenium

New Forest.

I always enjoy playing it, although I havent been there in a long time. Right from when you arrive at the gates it just gives you a good "golf" feeling. Cant describe it any better than that. Cold showers leave a bit of a bad taste though :-(

leonards

Balbriggan

Macker1

Killeen
Naas
Esker Hills
Balbriggan
Royal Tara
Kilcock
Dunmurray Springs
Castlewarden

Kevinmarkham

Andy Dunne11 wrote: »

Right, so I am going to take a survey of the boards.ie golfing fraternity and create a slightly alternative list to Golf Digests Top 100. What I want is for people to nominate any golf clubs they feel are under rated and you can nominate 1 course or 10 courses I really dont mind. Each nomination counts as 1 vote irrespective of whether it is first or last in your list.

[/B]

Andy, You beat me to it by 11 minutes! Jammy.

I'm doing a top 10 links and parkland hidden gems list at the moment. Maybe I'll change the name from hidden gems to 'most under-rated'.

I saw your list of five - one of those is on my list (not Moate I am sorry to say)... but can I just ask a question... Dungarvan? Really?

thoscon

Rathcore
Bit biased but can't believe it not in the top 100 list

Wichita Lineman

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Andy, You beat me to it by 11 minutes! Jammy.

I'm doing a top 10 links and parkland hidden gems list at the moment. Maybe I'll change the name from hidden gems to 'most under-rated'.

I saw your list of five - one of those is on my list (not Moate I am sorry to say)... but can I just ask a question... Dungarvan? Really?

Kevin, courses make it on to various lists for various reasons and apart from the quirky 2nd hole with the wierd dogleg to the green I like Dungarvan. I suppose the fact that I am always on holidays down there when I play it with my son - usually in August - is a factor and the fact that I had my first ever eagle there earlier this year also helps.

Wichita Lineman

thoscon wrote: »

Rathcore
Bit biased but can't believe it not in the top 100 list

I'm sure there wasnt a single solitary biased vote in the Golf Digest list :rolleyes: but even the most biased of biased votes are welcome here

cgh

The courses I've really been impressed with this year are,

1. Hermatige
2. The Curragh
3. Gowran Park
4. Corballis
5. Beaverstown
6. Portarlington
7. Adare
8. Killeen
9. Craddockstown
10. The Heath ( I love the sheep )

some nice golf there

alxmorgan

I'm going to name my top ten purely based on how much I enjoyed playing them and/or would like to play them again:

1. Adare
2. Castlemartyr
3. Druids Glen
4. Slieve Russell
5. Dromoland
6. Killarney Killeen
7. Esker Hills
8. Portumna
9. Ougtherard (sic?)
10. New Forest

Dr_Colossus

Beechpark (especially the back nine) deserves a mention.
Always enjoy playing Oughterard and always in good condition.
Ballinrobe is pure class and well deserving of the best parkland in Connaught so surprised to not see it further up the top 100 list.
Although on the list always enjoy playing Beaverstown, great greens.
Curragh also is a lot more challenging and scenic than you'd expect.

Wichita Lineman

Some very interesting nominations so far including 27 courses I've never played. Despite a bright start Moate is slipping down so come on Moate fans dont let me down ;-)

slave1

If it's under rated Andy then I can't believe that Macreddin has not been mentioned, it's not in the recent Golf Digest Top 100 which is inexplicable as it has to be top 30 at least of the parklands of Ireland.
My sole nomination is Macreddin.

rollotomasi

Naas
Tulfarris

Wichita Lineman

slave1 wrote: »

If it's under rated Andy then I can't believe that Macreddin has not been mentioned, it's not in the recent Golf Digest Top 100 which is inexplicable as it has to be top 30 at least of the parklands of Ireland.
My sole nomination is Macreddin.

First vote for Macreddin, I've never played it myself. Heard it's a bit of a brute length wise.

golfwallah

10 most under-rated clubs I’ve played on the whole Island of Ireland (as opposed to the top 10):

1. Hermitage
2. Greystones
3. Esker Hills
4. Lisburn
5. Portmarnock Links
6. Greencastle
7. Balcarrick
8. Corballis
9. Blainroe
10. Hollystown

Fescue

Portumna and Carne are the two most underated courses I have played. Both are wonderful places to be.

golfwallah

Fescue wrote: »

Portumna and Carne are the two most underated courses I have played. Both are wonderful places to be.

I wouldn't have thought that Carne was under-rated: http://www.carnegolflinks.com/awards.html

Played it quite a few times, always enjoyed it, but you need good climbing skills if you hit a few shots offline.

Never played Portumna!

Fescue

golfwallah wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought that Carne was under-rated: http://www.carnegolflinks.com/awards.html

Played it quite a few times, always enjoyed it, but you need good climbing skills if you hit a few shots offline.

Never played Portumna!

Portumna is beautiful.

I didn't realise Carne had received so many awards but that doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that a course of such appeal isn't in the Golf Digest top 10 in Ireland. So for me its underated although I see your point.

indabunka

In no particular order

The Curragh
Castlerock
Carlow
Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
Baltray
Tullamore
Mullingar
Ballybunion (Old)
Tramore
Dundalk

PARlance

slave1 wrote: »

If it's under rated Andy then I can't believe that Macreddin has not been mentioned, it's not in the recent Golf Digest Top 100 which is inexplicable as it has to be top 30 at least of the parklands of Ireland.
My sole nomination is Macreddin.

I was going to mention Macreddin but I said I wouldn't because most people I know rate it very highly.
So it's getting a "non mention" in protest to Golf Digest

Mr. Larson

PARlance wrote: »

I was going to mention Macreddin but I said I wouldn't because most people I know rate it very highly.
So it's getting a "non mention" in protest to Golf Digest

+1 for Macreddin based on it not being top 100. Especially when I see somewhere like Blainroe in top 100.

ForeRight

Has anyone said Woodenbridge?
Fantastic course and an amazing walk on a sunny day through the valley

slave1

Andy Dunne11 wrote: »

..Heard it's a bit of a brute length wise...

I'm like you and play Moate mostly, I arose at 5.30 drove from Athlone to play Macreddin and then Tulfarris and walked both, pushing my trolly for the final 9 and was fine for the drive home and next day, I think to truly appreciate Macreddin it should be walked, truly a walk not spoiled.
Get there next year, you will not regret the effort.

pcasso

Cruit Island is a great little nine hole links that is hugely enhanced by the breathtaking scenery on view for the player.
It rarely if ever seems to get a mention in dispatches

Ben1977

My pick would be Dundrum Co. Tipp, some beautiful holes everyone very different.

irishgolfer

My top ten is going to be based on courses not listed in any of the top 30 lists, and courses that hold opens at reasonable prices..ie 25 euro and under

In no particular order

Dundalk
Douglas
Connamara
Ardglass
Strandhill
Royal Tara
Naas
Corrstown (In particular the orchard nine)
Thurles
Royal Tara

chalkie 501

Macroom,
not a course you hear much about,
play in the scratch cup there every year and always enjoy it,
the front 9 is the original course,mature,tree-lined and very undulating,while it is short its difficult to score well on it.
the back 9 is much more modern,more bunkers and water hazards,again not long but never easy to score well.The greens are all small so even hitting short irons into them makes hitting G.I.R. a challenge.I always find the course in excellent shape and always a nice atmosphere in the clubhouse.
I've often thought if i wasn't a member in Killarney where would i play,i think Macroom would probably be my choice:)

Dublin Spur

royal tara

Dr_Colossus

golfwallah wrote: »

10 most under-rated clubs I’ve played on the whole Island of Ireland (as opposed to the top 10):

1. Hermitage
2. Greystones
3. Esker Hills
4. Lisburn
5. Portmarnock Links
6. Greencastle
7. Balcarrick
8. Corballis
9. Blainroe
10. Hollystown

Have only played 5, 9 and 10.
I think Portmarnock Links over rated, surprised to see it so high up the list. It's a fine course with some lovely holes, especially the finishing stretch but I wouldn't have placed it so high up.
Blainroe is nice with some quirky holes and beautiful scenery but think it's about fair ranking wise.
Hollystown has a lot going for it and I should be biased as I'm a member but it's greens are consistently shocking and severely let it down.

I'd second someone's previous vote for Wicklow, underrated course and quite tricky and even if playing badly there are always great views to admire.

golfwallah

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Have only played 5, 9 and 10.
I think Portmarnock Links over rated, surprised to see it so high up the list. It's a fine course with some lovely holes, especially the finishing stretch but I wouldn't have placed it so high up.
Blainroe is nice with some quirky holes and beautiful scenery but think it's about fair ranking wise.
Hollystown has a lot going for it and I should be biased as I'm a member but it's greens are cocsistently shocking and severely let it down.

I'd second someone's previous vote for Wicklow, underrated course and quite tricky and even if playing badly there are always great views to admire.

Have also recently played courses like the European, K Club (both courses), The Heritage, Dundalk, Carne, Connemara, Rosses Point, Ballyliffin, Roganstown, Northwest (Buncrana), The Island, Malahide, Killeen, Glen of the Downs, but wouldn’t be inclined to describe them as under-rated.

Haven’t yet played Moate, but will put it on my list for next year to see what all the hoo-ha is about.

As regards Hollystown, I played it twice this year (inter-club). It’s not fantastic, but it is good value for money, unpretentious, and better value, Euro for Euro than many of the more expensive places I’ve played (hence it is under-rated, in my view).

FixdePitchmark

Corballis
Strandhill
The Heath
Portarlington
Balbriggan
Wicklow
Woodenbridge
Arklow
West Waterford
Mccreddin ( But just can't walk it)
Greenore
New Ross
Courtown
Glasson

(sorry too many)

I'd play all them for the rest of my life and - most are under 30 quid. Some near 20.

bobwilliams

Beech Park and Courtown,and have no connection with either course.

Wichita Lineman

irishgolfer wrote: »

My top ten is going to be based on courses not listed in any of the top 30 lists, and courses that hold opens at reasonable prices..ie 25 euro and under

In no particular order

Dundalk
Douglas
Connamara
Ardglass
Strandhill
Royal Tara
Naas
Corrstown (In particular the orchard nine)
Thurles
Royal Tara

Royal Tara, so good he named it twice

PARlance

Andy Dunne11 wrote: »

Royal Tara, so good he named it twice

27 holes, maybe he's counting 2 of the 18's :cool:

Played quite a bit in Royal Tara, really nice course but I played it at the start of my golfing days so not a lot of good memories.

alxmorgan

PARlance wrote: »

27 holes, maybe he's counting 2 of the 18's :cool:

Played quite a bit in Royal Tara, really nice course but I played it at the start of my golfing days so not a lot of good memories.

One thing I always look forward to is playing a course I haven't played in years to see how it goes now that I've improved*

(* improvement not guaranteed under our warranty )

LinksLad

Ballina.

A course improved beyond all measure. According to members it's all down to a new head greenkeeper.

PARlance

alxmorgan wrote: »

One thing I always look forward to is playing a course I haven't played in years to see how it goes now that I've improved*

(* improvement not guaranteed under our warranty )

I look forward to be able to look forward to that day

thewobbler

I've mentioned it on boards a few times previously, but Lisburn is one of those courses that always manages to fly off the radar, yet is a wonderful parkland, with a bit of everything and 3-4 spectacularly good holes.

It's a better course than Belvoir (which always makes the top 50 or these rankings) and is up there with Clandeboye (which is always in the 60s).

Staying up north, and there's a number of courses I've played - Shandon Park, Knock, Dunmurry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Spa, Tandragee, Armagh - which are every bit as good and sometimes better than the likes of Westport, Headfort Old or Dundalk (and I'm only speaking about courses towards the tail end of the 100 that I've played). Which does make me think that a spot on the Top 100 is a bit like a spot on the Irish Rugby team; once you get your foot through the door, it takes something monumental to get dislodged.

I know it's been said before, but I'd happily play any of Ireland's top 200 courses any day of the week. Well, apart from Druids Heath.

Wichita Lineman

79 different golf courses have been nominated at least once so far which is really interesting and shows what a diverse group of golfers we are. Keep them coming.

leonards

Greenore is a nice course also... Great views...

mike12

Enniscrone
Nairn and portnoo
Ballinrobe
Galway Bay
Headford new
Strandhill
Roganstown
Castle Dargan
Greeneore
Ardglass
New forrest
St. Margarets
Balbriggan
Claremorris

searay

In no particular order:

Ballybunion cashen - good to see it rising in the rankings this year. Very different from the old course but many brilliant and varied holes.

Headfort new - great course with competitive green fees.

Rathcore - another good challenge that doesn't cost the earth.

Portarlington - great choice by the boards commitee for our second outing this year. I'd prefer it to the nearby heritage.

Esker hills - the driest course in the midlands. Could be combined with Tullamore for a 36 hole outing.

Naas - really well maintained and a super back 9.

Portumna - some great holes through the forest

Gowran park - well worth a spin if you're in kilkenny

Concra Wood - great holes, great scenery and great exercise if you walk it.

plumber77

Newcastlewest
Portarlington
Tullamore
Roscrea
Portumna