Carne Golf Links:
Founded 1992
18 holes, 6119 yards
Par 72
Carne Golf Links in North Mayo lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean near the town of Belmullet.
Carne Golf Links Facilities
Bar, restaurant
Carne Golf Links Awards & Recommendations:
#7 in Top 100 Courses in Ireland & UK – top100golfcourses.co.uk
“But for those willing to search out and discover what can only be called one of Ireland’s last true hidden gems….Carne will reward them handsomely. ”
David Brice of Golf International
Have you played Carne Golf Links?
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Carne Golf Links Video:
By far the most fantastic links on the west coast and safe to say one of Ireland best.
No Fuss No Frill and great value with a nice tasty meal afterwards.
Be wary of the back nine particularly the 17th, dunes, dunes and more dunes.
Definately worth the trek and to beat the lads on a links- a true challenge.!!!
Colin Joy
I have seen and played many golf courses world wide but when someone asks me my favorite, its always Carne. I played it for the first time when it first opened and the greens were not good and there was very little grass on the fairways but I did not care cause every time I turned a corner I was amazed by the dramatic Links land in front of me. A group of us make the pilgrimage every two years for the weekend of the Ryder Cup and I plan to make that pilgrimage till the day I can’t no more.
Its a wonderful creation and I can’t wait to see the new 9. Great people to match the best course of them all.
Jamie Gibson
My favorite Irish golf links bar none. A truly fun golf experience. The course was so enjoyable that I wasn’t even bothered by the fact that the 40 mph winds were making mincemeat of my golf shots. I can’t wait to go back and play this course again. Also, the people there treated my group terrifically, just an amazing experience all around.
Agree wholeheartedly with Dan, Jamie and Colin. It is my favorite out of all I have played in Ireland. It has the most natural, understated but intense layout and the folks there are great.
We played the course in 2006 in a driving and blowing gale and rain for the first 9 holes. Half the group quit and went for pints in the clubhouse. Phil, Stewie and I played the back 9 and the rain stopped on 10 and by the time we were off the 11th the sun was shining brightly. Those back 9 holes are the best I have ever played. The boys in clubhouse missed the best course of our tour of NW Ireland. I can’t wait to go back to Mayo and play Carne.
Although its been some time since I last travelled the 100 miles from Galway to Belmullet my memories of Carne Golf Links will never diminish. Without a doubt the most underrated golf course in the country.
From its towering dunes to the Atlantic ocean lapping against the 14th tee, its a truly majestic setting. Situated on the outskirts of Belmullet on the extreme north west of Mayo a subdued clubhouse greets you and all that is to be seen of the course is but a few fleeting glimpses of holes 1, 9, 10 and 18.
After a wonderfully warm welcome by bar staff we set out (with heads that were best left on their pillows after a nights drinking) to what seemed a fairly simple start par 4 dogleg right to a hidden green from the tee.
The 2nd a par 3 to a blind green could be hit with anything from an 8 iron to a driver depending on wind direction. I should know, i played both on different occasions.
No.3 a par 4 from a lofted tee lays out a view of the town Belmullet in the distance and a fairway that looks like someone buried a thousand beach balls under there are so many undulations.
No.4 is a par 5 with OOB all down the left and dunes that should you manage to send you ball over leave no idea of direction to the green. 5 is a par 4 slight double dog leg left then right to a green recessed into and above in a dune.
6 another par 4 is all about driving long and down the right , should you stay left the green will be totally hidden behind dunes. Hole no7 is one of the toughest par 3 I have ever played. A green is some 50/60 feet above you and only about 10 yards deep but 60 wide. Anything short and it will be back at you feet. Anything long and you will have a nightmare chip downhill. Pot bunkers also protect this round wrecker of a hole.
The par 4 8th is begun behind the 7th green from a vaulted tee down onto a seemingly vast fairway but dont be fooled as postition down the right side is the only option to a 2 level green that must feel claustrophobic due to the dunes on 3 sides guarding it.
The 9th par 4 brings you back to clubhouse and from a low lying fairway to a plateau green that requires an extra club (or 2).
All that I have described to you thus far holds no comparison to what I am about to say about what I believe is the greatest back 9 holes on this island.
The 10th is a par 5 hitting over a ridge( whenever I play this hole I always tell my playing partners not to look up as they walk until they are over the hill), your second shot is to a green that is surrounded by an enoromous dune. Its an image that still makes the hairs on my arms stand up. Now the fun truly begins.
Whilst walking to the 11th keep looking down until you reach the tee and ask for oxygen as the view that awaits will take your breath away. A par4 that doesnt require a driver off the tee to a landing area some 100 feet below then a sharp turn right to a green only a flick away but dont be fooled its still a tough up and down should your second be offline.
12 another short par 4 but going right to left is a hole that truly describes the madness of the designer Eddie Hackett a green were you can only see the tip of the flag and anything short will either return to your feet or even behind you.
The 13th par 5 takes you out to the farthest point in Carne. OOB all down the right and tall grasses and heather on the left its 3 good shots to a green were if the wind blows and it always blows will be difficult to hold.
The par 3 14th is a gem among jewels. With the Atlantic ocean to your right and waves crashing against cliffs in the distance its almost a senorary overload. This is my nirvana, my Valhalla, my most cherished spot on this course not cause I holed my tee shot and to be honest I dont know if I even parred it but the setting is truly awesome as some of the Americans would say.
I would try and decribe it but to be honest I just wouldn`t do it justice. Just remember if you have the pleasure of playing here DONT GO LONG ; )
Its at this point where sadly my heart starts to sink. Not because the course loses it appeal or class its because I know I have only 4 holes left.
15 is a par 4 that will have your calves aching as you cllmb again to a sky touching green. Pot bunker at the back of the green so dont go long.
16 is a par 3 to a green that is so far below you that you would think you tee shot will never land.
17 is regarded as the designers finest art work and boy is it a brute, a par 4 index 1 that must be played from the back tee to a fairway that should you stray off either side you may as well say bye bye to the ball. The kidney shaped greens is above you again (thank ed) and must be hit cause otherwise right your way below it and left the tall grass will shallow any chance of playing a shot.
The final hole is a par 5 dogleg left around another massive dune and an approach shot over a valley that if you go into will seem like just another kick to your already battered body.
Carne is a very special place with a very special aura that will stay in your mind and heart for a very very long time.
Now if only I could pick those 6 numbers that would allow me to move there and play it for the rest of my life…….
Played Carne last week and it exceeded all the reviews. Great lay out and the views are spectacular. You really need to play it at least twice.
Its so good I would skip a playing different course to try it again knowing some of the quirks. We had a group banquet afterward and the meal was amazing…seafood chowder and lamb shank.
Carne makes a West Coast swing of Ireland a must do trip. It represents everything many more publized establishments claim to represent….A true natural links. From the first right thru to 18 there is narry a weak hole. Each has character plus Fantastic dunes and spectacular views. It was well worth the trip and a return is in short order. And more holes are forthcoming….Can’t wait.
Can’t believe the Americans almost came back today in the Ryder Cup. They had no business being there at the end after getting squashed in Sunday’s session.