Carne Golf Links
Belmullet, County Mayo
Architect – Eddie Hackett
Date Founded – 1925
Type Of Course – Classic Links
Course Length – 6690 yards
No. of holes – 18
Par – 72
Carne was the last links golf course designed by the late Eddie Hackett and is now believed by many who have played there to be his greatest challenge. Carne is one of those finest golf courses to have opened in recent years and it can only be described as a hidden gem. Situated on the west coast of Ireland, Carne lies in the splendid sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay, the legendary Inis Geidhe and Inis Gluaire Islands and dramatic Achill. Affording little disturbance to the natural and unspoiled environment that surrounds it, Carne is “everything you could ever ask for from the 1st tee to the 18th green” – James W. Finnegan, author of the Emerald Fairways and Foam Flecked Seas.
Enniscrone Golf Club
Enniscrone, County Sligo
Architect – Eddie Hackett / Donald Steele
Date Founded – 1918
Type of Course – Links
Course Length – 6228m. (6877 yards)
No. of holes – 27
Par – 73
Enniscrone is one of Ireland’s finest links golf courses — set beside the picturesque seaside town of Enniscrone and alongside the scenic splendour of Killala Bay with the Ox Mountains forming the backdrop. This championship venue provides golfers with the ultimate golf vacation experience – dramatic dunesland, an inspired design concept, superb greens all year round and breathtaking views. Originally designed by the great Eddie Hackett – Enniscrone’s reputation as a top class venue has been embellished with the addition of six new holes threading the path through the mountainous dunes. The new holes, expertly designed by the famous course architect, Donald Steele add an exciting dimension to the 27 hole championship layout. The biggest sandhill on the course is beside the par-5 14th fairway and is called Cnoc na gCorp – “The hill of the Corpses” – because it allegedly contains the bodies of vanquished Viking invaders from many centuries ago. If you are looking for links golf in Ireland, then Enniscrone will not disappoint.
Lahinch Golf Club (Old)
Lahinch, County Clare
Architects – Officers of the “The Black Watch” regiment / Dr. A McKenzie (1927)
Date Founded – 1893
Course Type – Links
Length – 6950 yards
No. of holes – 18
Par – 72
Lahinch, with its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways and rolling greens is the perfect natural golfing terrain – a true Links! The combination of bracing air and wind from the sea is one of the enduring attractions for golfers who ply their skills on two magnificent championship courses – the Old Course measuring 6950 yards and the Castle Course, measuring 5556 yards. The original course design work by old Tom Morris was later improved upon by Alistar MacKenzie. The feature holes include the long 5th known as the “Klondyke”, with a completely blind second shot over a dune that straddles the fairway . This hole is followed by the “Dell”, the 156 yards par three 6th, that requires another blind shot to reach the green.
Dooks Golf Club
Glenbeigh, County Kerry
Architects – Martin Hawtree
Date Founded – 1889
Course Type – Links
Length – 6,586 yards
No. of holes – 18
Par – 71
Dooks Golf Club — A Truly Traditional Experience – Golf has been played in Dooks since 1889 and so is the oldest Golf Club in Kerry and one of the oldest in Ireland. In 2002 Dooks Golf Club engaged the services of renowned links architect Mr. Martin Hawtree to enhance the layout of this visually stunning seaside gem. Its gentle, rolling, sandy fairways looking out at breathtaking views of Dingle Bay. The McGillycuddy Reeks – Ireland’s highest mountains – serve up a splendid backdrop to a golf experience not to be missed. If you want a real taste of traditional links golf at its very best, Dooks presents a convincing case.
Ballybunion Old
Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
Date Founded – 1893
Architect – Tom Simpson
Course Type – Links
Length – 5707 metres (6241 yards)
No. of holes – 36
Par – 71
Ballybunion Golf Club — Undoubtedly, one of the finest links courses. It is consistently ranked one of the world’s top ten courses. Wild and intimidating, but stunningly beautiful on the Atlantic coastline of North Kerry — renowned for its grassy dunes and the contours of both fairways and greens — you are sure to remember many of these fine holes. Ballybunion Old course – features a graveyard by the first tee. Local tradition holds it is a warning to golfers who breeze through the first five holes. You will soon come face to face with the ever challenging 6th, the devilish 8th, the daunting par four 11th — perched right on the seaside clifftop among the dunes. To finish your round, you will have to play through the tricky 15th, which some have called down-right sinister. “Having played the Old Course in Ballybunion many times since my first visit in 1981, I am now of the opinion it is one of the best and most beautiful tests of links golf anywhere in the world.” – Tom Watson
Killarney Golf Club
Killarney, County Kerry
Architects – Eddie Hackett, Dr. W. O’Sullivan
Date Founded – 1893
Course Type – Parkland
Length – 7123 yards
No. of holes – 18
Par – 72
Killarney lakes and high mountain range provide an imposing backdrop to this Championship course. Killeen– the jewel in the crown, re-opened in 2006 offering even more challenging golf to long hitters, with water features on nearly every hole and fast greens. Nick Faldo, on winning the first of his two successive Irish Opens in 1991, was one of only three players to finish under par. That was before the changes in 2006, which now provide an even tougher challenge. Good practice facilities are available at the club should you need to sharpen your game before you take on your choice of Course.
