With Atlantic breakers pounding the shore within sight and hearing of many courses and the wind adding its own perplexities, the challenge offered by the likes of Connemara, Enniscrone and County Sligo (Rosses Point) can admittedly be difficult, but the joy of golf here is always exhilerating, and the scenery will always make your rounds memorable.


Carne Golf Club - West Ireland
Sand Dunes, Hills and Unforgettable Scenery

Carne Golf Links is the host course to the Belmullet Golf Club. The Carne is Eddie Hackett's last design and many say it is his proudest achievement. One aspect every golfer comments on is the scenery.

The Carne is laid out entirely on sand dunes and some of those reach heights of 70 feet or more. Located on the Erris Peninsula, the course overlooks the Blacksod Bay, the Inis Geidhe, the Inis Gluaire islands, and the Achill.

The valleys resulting from dunes, the abundance of trees, isolated fairways, and pristine coastline all result in a sense of wonder. The course and its natural terrain are truly one of a kind and will stand forever as possibly the best course Eddie Hackett ever created.

Hackett left instructions regarding Carne and Waterville, "It took nature thousands of years to create this and I don't want bulldozers to destroy it. Don't change anything after I've gone or I will turn in my grave."

Carne Golf Links is a course that cannot be ignored by golf connoisseurs. However it is important to note that this course is not only a test of golf ability, but also physically challenging. Professional Golf Writer Alan B. Nichols wrote, 'The hilliest course I have ever played, it exhausted me with its unending climbs.'

A truly spectacular golf course in a wild and beautiful setting, with views of the Mayo coast towards Achill Island, Carne will truly make your West Ireland Golfing trip a memorable one.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Carne Golf Club, West Ireland, today.


Connemara Golf Club - West Ireland
A Hidden Gem Not To Be Missed

The Connemara Golf Club is proud to host one of the few authentic links courses in the world. Their course is linked to the sea and actually built completely on beach sand. Eddie Hackett is credited with designing the original 18-hole course which opened in 1973. Connemara added another 9 holes in 2001.

Because of its remote location many golfers have not traveled to the course, but it is considered a hidden gem by many golfers. Peter Alliss, golf writer and commentator, stated, "If there were a course like this on the west coast of England, it would surely host the British Open."

There is no doubt that the Connemara is a demanding course and the back nine presents the biggest challenge. Although the golfer can view the Atlantic Ocean and the Connemara Mountains on either side of the course, the focus typically remains on golf.

The sand hills are not as high or as frequent as some other more popular courses, but this makes the course enjoyable. In addition, the roughs are maintained at a ball-finding length.

The Connemara Golf Club has hosted minor Irish Championships and hopes to soon host a world class event. A new set of 9 holes is currently being constructed by the sea. This set will join the current back nine to create a new, thrilling venue. With this addition golfers will soon be able to enjoy 36 holes of golf.

The Connemara Golf Club offers an enjoyable, yet skill-testing game. The scenery is splendid and golfers walk away happy after a pleasurable game of golf. Connemara, The Hidden Gem , is not a course to miss when visiting Ireland.

Dominated by the Twelve Bens of Connemara, which rise inland from the course, this is a championship course of charm and quality, with the final six holes, in particular, likely to linger in the memory.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Connemara Golf Club, West Ireland, today.


County Sligo Golf Club - West Ireland

A regular venue of the West of Ireland Championship since 1923, Rosses Point, as the locals call it, is a scenic course with magnificent coastal and mountain views. Designed by Colt and Alison in 1894, Tom Watson, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen have all played here.

The course offers a great test of golf, especially from the 10th through the 15th, and the 17th and 18th holes are two of the best finishing holes to be had anywhere.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the County Sligo Golf Club, West Ireland, today.


Enniscrone Golf Club - West Ireland
The Single Most Difficult Course In All Of Ireland?

Enniscrone Golf Club was established in 1918. Since then there have been many revisions and updates to the course, with a major overhaul completed in 1974 when Eddie Hackett was hired to extend the original nine holes to an 18-hole course.

Hackett stated, 'A pleasing feature is the variety.' As well as holes in the open flatland, there will be those ranging through the sand dunes with the occasional dog-leg adding to the attraction." Mr. Hackett created his vision and Enniscrone became a course that continues to be well respected.

Some say the changes created one of the most dramatic transformations any course has ever encountered. The course contains massive dunes, humps, roughs, hollows, fast greens, and a view of the most beautiful beach in the world, the Moy Estuary.

The holes are integrated within the mountainous dunes and Hackett did very little to change the Lord's creation. Locals believe the course is the single most difficult in all of Ireland.

Enniscrone hosted the Irish Close Championship in 1993 and the West of Ireland Championship from 1997 to 1999. As with most courses, changes were needed over time. In the late 1990's Donald Steele was hired to design six new holes among the towering dunes. His job was complete by 2001 and the new holes replaced weaker ones.

Since then, Enniscrone became the championship links course it is today and is considered one of the top courses in Ireland. You will leave Enniscrone Golf Club with memories of one of the best golf courses you have ever encountered.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Enniscrone Golf Club, West Ireland, today.