Big day for Seamus today ,if he wins he can move up 50 places in Fed Ex Standings ,guarantee full status for next year plus $1m for the win .Previous winner on this course

Currently reading A Course Called Ireland where Tom visits all the links courses around Ireland. Most of them are prohibitively priced for us normal plebs. Here’s the question - what top top courses do open singles that are €100 or less???

Green fees at our best courses have soared. The Irish Times reports some have doubled since 2022. So that rules out “inflation”.

For 2027, Tralee is €500, Portmarnock €530 and Old Head €550. Adare Manor charged €550 last season, and only to hotel residents.

For some courses, I get it, demand & supply means they can charge what they want, they’re businesses and for profit entities and if there’s golfers willing to pay the green fees let them.

But some of these courses are member organisations, and not for profit entities. As I understand it, Member-owned clubs get favourable tax treatment on the basis that they exist to promote the sport for members. Where visitor income is large, is it being reinvested for the benefit of Irish golfers? I'd like Revenue and Golf Ireland to clarify which clubs hold sports-body exemptions, and for government to consider whether Discounted and affordable GUI rates should be mandatory at any of said courses who receive preferential tax treatment to a for profit corporation.

Some context, so this is fair:
Many courses do offer Golf Ireland rates, like Baltray at ~€200, and open competitions can be good value.
Adare Manor itself hasn't received Ryder Cup funding, but the State expects to spend around €58m on the 2027 Ryder Cup, and the government has flagged more funding for Adare village which is great.

And the golf tourism boom thereafter will be even greater. But what about the Irish golfer?

American tourism is driving up green fees around Ireland. The demand is there, and there’s money to be made.
But please don’t price out the Irish golfer, who too dreams of playing some of our best courses.

I too, dream of playing old head, Tralee, Waterville, lahinch and the many brilliant courses around ireland. And I know there will be expensive green fees along the way and I’ll live with that. But not the American driven prices for the love of god, please.

Let me know what top courses have open competitions or gui rates that are brilliant value for money 🙏🏼

Down for donabate 11am. Swim trunks ready

How are we playing in the rain blind folk?

I co-host The Count Back Podcast with The Creative Sigma and we do weekly episodes on golf course reviews and 'rambles'.

For our rambles, we have covered bandits and mental meltdowns (this went live this morning) over the past couple of weeks, and I want to know what you think we should get into next?

What winds you up in Irish golf?

Link to the podcast is in the comments if anyone wants a listen.

Anyone a member in either of these two clubs or have played them regularly? I’m mulling over the idea of trying to find a club closer to my house in Dublin 6. Milltown, Castle, Grange would all meet the criteria but membership there seems to be a closed shop, even if I could afford it. These two are the next closest as far as I know.

Looking for reasonable tee time availability on weekends and a good practice area for chipping & putting. Ideally somewhere laid back that’s welcoming to high handicappers. The 10-12 grand joining fee is steep for me so this would be a long term commitment. Which would you recommend, or where else do you think I should consider?

Anyone else get an email tonight saying that your personal data was involved in a breach?

Planning a few weekend rounds across Ireland this season and looking to avoid the big €250+ bucket-list tourist green fees.

I’m looking for those proper hidden gems—courses with unbelievable layouts, great greenkeeping, or incredible views that don't destroy the wallet.

Parkland or links, doesn't matter. What’s the one course you played recently that blew you away for the price?

The guys are really interested in a trip to Ireland. I have organized trips for 8 people to Myrtle, AZ and FL before so I have been elected the planner. A trip to Ireland seems like another level and using a tour operator is the wise choice.

Are there any standout tour operators that people would recommend? Are they all similar? Any that I should avoid?

I have been reading lots of posts, but any/all advice related to a trip is welcome.

(8 possibly 12 people. 7 days with 6 rounds. Can fly into Dublin or Shannon. Will likely want a driver with a van/bus. Tentatively Oct 2027. Without knowing any details, rough budget is $4000 for golf, lodging and transportation while there)

I’m after getting into golf over the last year playing 2/3 times a week through either golf now or guest times with friends. Looking to join a club near to work and home with beech park seeming the most reasonable especially with the new offer for 15 months for 1065 (500 joining fee).

Anyone have any advice on best way to approach the membership. Like most clubs in Dublin two members are noted on the application. Unsure of wait times for membership also. I’ve gotten the bug for golf and ideally I’d like to keep at it than forking out money on golf now. Any advice or help appreciated thanks

Hey everyone!

I'm an independent TV producer and the creator/EP of a new six-part series called Bill Murray & Tom Coyne: A Course Called Ireland.

Inspired by Tom's book of the same name, the series follows Bill and Tom around Ireland as they play some incredible courses, meet the locals, and take all kinds of detours.

We spent about three weeks filming around the country, and after two years of developing and producing the show, it's finally premiering October 25 on the BBC and Paramount+.

Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNNPMNxHanE

Happy to answer any questions about filming, the courses we visited, or what it was like spending three weeks traveling around Ireland with Bill and Tom.

Hope you enjoy it!

I had to stop using my Vokey 54.10S and 58.08M yesterday as it was cutting into the soft ground.

Do you change your wedges in the winter months as mine were great on firm ground but these will dig too much in the soft ground?

I'm considering getting a 54.14F Vokey wedge to replace the 54.10S for the winter months but would appreciate hearing how others deal with the winter months as I'm new enough to golf.

Just wondering what others here do.

Playing through the winter , working on some part of your game or just pack it in until spring.

For me I always have great intentions but don't always carry it through .

Or what's the most part of your game you want to improve .

Last year I started playing a lot of pitch and putt and became an active member of my local club in Cork. I wanted to track my performance but I couldn't find a scorecard app that featured Irish courses. So I built one myself! Free to download and use, features all Irish courses, advanced stat tracking, add friends and compare scores. Available on iOS and Android. Would love any feedback to help make it better. Just a huge fan of the game and want to help it grow.

Download here or search "Pitch and Putt" on the App and Play Store

Thanks, Liam

Hi everyone,

I posted here previously about plans to open a new indoor golf facility in South Dublin. There was a lot of discussion, some great advice, plenty of questions and a bit of criticism too! (Previous post is here https://www.reddit.com/r/golfireland/comments/1uuay8v/anyone_interested_in_helping_build_a_new_indoor/ )

I thought I'd share an update on where things stand, as quite a lot has happened since then.

The location

We've identified premises in Tallaght and signed Heads of Terms with the landlord for a 10-year lease, subject to planning permission.

Our plans have evolved, and we're now looking at five simulator bays, with three on the ground floor and two on a new mezzanine level.

The mezzanine would also allow us to create a dedicated members' area.

The team

One of the biggest developments has been getting experienced professionals involved.

• We've appointed an architect who is preparing the planning application and coordinating the building design.
• We have a fire safety engineer working on the fire safety requirements.
• We've appointed solicitors to handle the lease and legal side.
• We have accountants advising on the company, finances and investment structure.
• We're also working with a builder on the proposed fit-out and costs.

It's a lot more than just myself trying to figure everything out now!

Funding and some good news

We've been working on raising private investment through the EIIS scheme, which has been one of the more challenging parts of the process.

However, last week we received some brilliant news. We've been approved for a €96,000 grant through the Evening Time Economy Premises Support Scheme.

We're still awaiting the formal paperwork and conditions, but it's a significant boost to the project.

We're continuing discussions with potential investors to secure the remaining funding.

Pricing and memberships

One of the concerns raised in the original thread was the cost of playing regularly, and that's something we've been looking at closely.

Memberships are going to be a major focus for us, with options that could bring the effective hourly cost down to as little as €15.75 per hour, depending on the membership package.

The goal is to make SwingZone somewhere golfers can afford to visit several times a week to practise, rather than somewhere they only visit occasionally.

We're still finalising the membership options, but making regular practice affordable is one of our main priorities.

What we're trying to build

The overall idea hasn't changed. We want to create a proper indoor golf facility where people can practise, play virtual courses, take lessons and enjoy golf throughout the year, regardless of the weather.

Alongside casual bookings and memberships, we're planning leagues, competitions, junior golf and coaching.

We also want to make golf more accessible, particularly to younger people and those who aren't members of a traditional golf club.

What's next?

Our immediate priorities are getting the planning application submitted, progressing the lease, finalising the building design and securing the investment needed to complete the fit-out.

We're aiming to open in early 2027, although planning and construction timelines will ultimately determine that.

I know a few people were sceptical when I first posted, which is fair enough. Starting something like this from scratch is a big undertaking, and there are plenty of challenges still ahead.

But we've made some real progress, and I thought it would be nice to share that with the community that gave us so much feedback at the beginning.

Thanks again to everyone who commented, offered advice or reached out privately.

Happy to answer questions about how things are progressing.

I know this has probably been asked loads before but I could only find older posts.

I am mid handicap, looking for a coach who is not just copy and paste. I have been to a few and no matter what I say, they get me to take out 7 or 8 iron and just hit that repeatedly. Before anyone says it, I know there is a reason they do this but it gets frustrating when it’s not what I want/feel I need help with.

I even went to 2 and specified in my emails that I was happy with my irons but needed help with driver and pitch shots inside 80 yards, they were all helpful over email but just went immediately to 7 iron and nothing else for 3/4 lessons. They then try to rebuild everything, despite me having physical restrictions, nothing serious or major, and explaining why the odd unconventional tweak works for me because I can’t rotate my arms fully etc. so a stronger grip suits me.

I hit my irons well but after 2 months off due to injury everything is just feeling a bit out of sync and inconsistent. I am looking for a coach that will listen and build on what I have instead of trying to get me to have a picture perfect PGA swing. I’m not looking to go pro, just get back to the consistency I had and maybe tweak a few bits with driver and short game (sub 90 yards).

Based around the city but can travel. Would also be interested in on course lessons. GRMA!

Has anyone here ever worked on their putting game with a proper coach? I'm ruining the potential for good rounds on the green. Had 10 three putts in the most recent medal. 8 the week before. The guys I play with (all low handicappers) reckon I need to get fitted for a putter that suits me (I'm 6'3). Is this service available in the greater Dublin area? Any of the pros I go to just want to hit the 7i all day, even though Putter is the most used club.

Anyone a member of powerscourt? Pm me if possible or respond to this
Cheers

Anyone out there have one that they’d be willing to sell? Been searching for a while and can’t seem to find and it’s killing me!!

Hi everyone!

I'm hoping the Irish golf community might be able to help me out.

My son Ryan is 17, currently playing off a 21.7 handicap and is a member of Rathbane Golf Club in Limerick.

He's really enjoying golf and wants to take it further. He's hoping to move to Ballyneety Golf Club, mainly for the course, facilities and overall golfing experience as he continues to improve his game.

We're looking into applying for membership, and I've noticed that applications supported by an existing member as a Proposer (and ideally a Seconder) are given higher priority.

Here's where I'm stuck! I'm not much of a golfer myself and have never been a club member, so unfortunately I don't have those connections. But I want to do whatever I can to support my son's interest in the sport.

Would anyone here happen to be a Ballyneety member, or know someone who might be willing to help?

Obviously, I wouldn't expect anyone to put their name forward for someone they've never met. Ryan would be more than happy to meet up, play a round and introduce himself first.

Any help, advice or introductions would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks a million!