Golf clubs using fried and tested methods to attract members back into swing
ecent months have not been conducive to golf. Even links courses have been assaulted by the constant flow of storms across our shores. It’s led to some serious cases of cabin fever as even the hardiest of golfers find themselves faced with ‘Course Closed’ notices.
There is, however, some semblance of spring in the air, so the question many of us are asking is: what do golf clubs have waiting for eager golfers, when the weather finally allows us to hit the GO button?
Will it be a free pint after your round? Four green fees for the price of three? A weekly open event? A golf and steak combo? Or something a little bit different?
Clubs employ many initiatives at this time of year in an attempt to lure golfers onto their fairways. And, as many golfers will confirm, the right incentive at the right time can make all the difference. Here are some of the offers you’ll encounter in the weeks and months ahead.
The craving for a round of golf with food is hardly new, but it is still an effective ploy used by many, especially during the colder months. Golf with breakfast… a scone, a stew, a steak dinner, with or without a drink. Clubs use these offers to keep fairways busy and ‘bums on seats’ in the clubhouse. The idea of hot food after 18 holes on a chilly day is usually enough to warm the heart of any golfer.
The golf and food package may be society-oriented, but that’s not to say smaller groups can’t benefit, too.
If you’re a fourball looking for this type of deal, the most obvious recommendation is to phone up and ask when booking. Plenty of clubs franchise their catering out to a separate entity, so don’t assume golf and meal deals are always available.
West Waterford have revised their golf-and-food deals recently, offering three separate packages, from golf and a €10 restaurant voucher to golf, main course, dessert and coffee. Green fees cost €20 to €35 and any number of golfers can play on this peaceful and enchanting Eddie Hackett-designed course.
“The packages are designed to suit different groups,” says Austin Spratt, the club’s director of golf.
“They’re proving successful as a lot of groups want the full package of golf and food.”
At Dromoland Castle, golfers can enjoy golf and a steak dinner for €68, Monday to Thursday. This is one of Ireland’s top parklands which makes the fee a highly appealing one.
Elsewhere, in Cork, the tree-lined Charleville offers golf with food for €25, Monday to Thursday, and a weekend golf with breakfast deal for €30.
Another popular initiative is the weekly Open (Singles or team)… not to be confused with Open Weeks. Almost every club runs a weekly Open, typically between April and autumn, and the heavily discounted green fees allow visitors to experience different golf courses while also competing for a prize. Some local clubs even coordinate with each other so that golfers can play in a different Open at a different course each day; golfers have been known to organise holidays around them.
The water-laced Ballykisteen Golf Club is running a Monday Madness event which costs just €15 to enter. The format will vary from week to week to keep things interesting.
“It’s a brand new initiative,” says head pro, Marian Riordan. “We thought we’d try something different and have team events in two, three and four person formats.”
The Tipperary club also hosts an Open Singles every Wednesday, for €15.
Esker Hills, that wonderfully tossing parkland adventure in Co Offaly, runs four-person team events every month between October and April, with the two top monthly qualifiers going forward to a May final. Entry fees are €20-€25 per person. The club also runs a Thursday Open Singles for €20.
A similar team event is being run at Newcastle West, with the best monthly team going through to a May final. The Grand Final prize is €2,000. Entry is €20 per person.
Castlebar’s Thursday Open Singles start in April, for €20. Shannon also kicks off its Wednesday Open Singles in April, with green fees costing €20 before noon, and €25 after that. West Waterford’s Wednesday Open Singles begin after Easter, with golf costing a mere €15. The Dungarvan-based club also runs a ladies event on the first Thursday of every month, priced €12. Charleville’s weekly Tuesday Open Singles costs €15, or €25 including a meal.
New Forest, in Co Westmeath, has a Friday Open running until October, for €20. The club is also running a four-person team event on Mondays and Tuesdays between May and August for €80.
From the middle of April until September, Macroom will hold a weekly Thursday Open for just €15. Sponsored by Nevada Bob’s, the winner of each event will go forward to a grand final on September 15. The prize has yet to be determined… but last year’s first prize was a full set of Callaway clubs.
And then there are the Bank Holiday Open events. There will be rich pickings this Easter as open events will run at many courses across all four days. Team events are particularly popular but the world — or Ireland — is your oyster. Try Bunclody, Newcastle West, Connemara, Adare Manor, Blarney, Limerick, or Carton House, for starters, call around or use the Golfnet.ie website to find something that works for you. Events come in all shapes and sizes and many of the team events are mixed.
It is not easy finding novel ideas that work… which may explain why most clubs focus on the tried and tested promotions rather than “thinking outside the box”. It is a shame, because something new or different tends to increase interest and attract visitors. But, as one general manager put it, “if you find a new idea that works, I’ll buy it off you.” The research for this article has not been exhaustive, but of the 40 clubs or so contacted, those offering something extra or different are as follows:
This spring/summer, Ballykisteen is offering a weekend four ball for €100, which is a €20 saving. It may not have all the razzmatazz of a ‘big’ offer, but as this is valid for weekend golf it deserves a mention… and that €20 buys everyone a pint afterwards.
New Forest is doing something similar with a four ball weekend special costing €120… a hefty saving of €60.
If you’re lucky enough to have a famous golfing son, why not take advantage… Esker Hills is running a special four-day ‘From Esker Hills To Augusta’ event celebrating Shane Lowry’s appearance at the Masters.
Between April 7 and 10, this open singles costs €30 and includes lunch. Many of the prizes will be signed by Shane.
“We’ve found that golfers are just as excited about playing the fairways made famous by Shane Lowry, as we are that our young member of 10 years ago is now striding the fairways of Augusta National,” says Ray Molloy, one of the club’s directors.
Another Major-focused promotion comes from Fota Island. For each of the four Majors, Fota is offering discounted green fees (€50, tbc). While not a competition, this is an opportunity to play one of Ireland’s top parklands for a reduced rate.
A special menu, themed on the Major in question, will also be available in one of the smartest and most comfortable clubhouses in Ireland. In addition, each golfer will be assigned a professional competing in the major and if their man wins, the golfer receives a prize.
Dromoland Castle will be running a Sunday special throughout the spring/summer. Golfers can play the course after 12pm for a price of €50. That’s a saving of €60.
Unfortunately, an intriguing team competition at Thurles GC finishes this Saturday, March 26. This four-person team event is V-Par, with the winners picking up €500.
The V-Par format may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is something you don’t often see in open events. This element of being different can single a course out as somewhere to visit. Then again, just as some clubs don’t want to think outside the box, so some golfers don’t want to step outside it, either.
One thing is for sure — there is plenty of choice as the main golfing season streaks into view.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
