Carne Golf Links lies on the remote and rugged Mullet Peninsula, along the Wild Atlantic Way, in the North West of County Mayo. An area renowned for it’s wild and ancient landscape.
Set in magnificent, unspoilt sand dunes stretching 150m above sea level, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic across Blacksod Bay and the legendary islands of Inis Glóire and Inis Géidhe. The course features eighteen amazing holes designed by the late Eddie Hackett, and true to his philosophy for respecting the natural landscape, the tees and greens occurred naturally and very little earth moving was involved in the course construction. Carne was the last course designed by Hackett and many say it is his most challenging. When Eddie was designing Carne he always said that the most dramatic part of the dunescape at Carne should be developed into another course. Sadly he did not live to see his vision realised. It was 2013 before a further nine holes were opened on land described by Eddie Hackett as the most dramatic part of the dunescape at Carne. The Kilmore Nine, designed by Jim Engh and Ally McIntosh, was developed in line with Hacketts’ ethos of respect for the natural landscape, and they integrate seamlessly with the original Hackett course.
This natural links course has been designed
- around the impressive sand dunes,
- and overlooks Blacksod Bay
- and the wild Atlantic Ocean.
- Much of the natural landscape was used in the course with few alterations
- and the result is a pure and natural course that is joyous to play.
- Each hole is unique and presents a different test,
- and with the Atlantic Ocean greeting you on many of the holes, wind is sure to play a major factor.
Your limitations will be meet as you battle the fairways, intimidating drives and sand traps, this course will give you a run for your money, from the blind shots over the large dunes to the unseen pot bunkers, the undulating course, and then there is the incredible changes in elevation, not easy on the legs. Throughout your game you will need to pause as some creative shot-making and course decisions will have to be made.
The development of the new nine holes at Carne led to the creation of the Wild Atlantic Dunes course, which integrates the front nine holes of the Hackett 18 with the newer Kilmore Nine course It is arguably the most spectacular links course in Ireland, raw and untamed, with increased drama as the holes weave their way through the awe inspiring corners of the biggest dune system in the world.
The development of the Wild Atlantic Dunes course now gives two courses at Carne – the original Hackett 18, and the newer Wild Atlantic Dunes 18 – the courses are in play on every second day, so stay overnight in Belmullet, and play both courses over two days. An experience not to be missed.
Carne Golf Links continuously comes out on every Top 20 list of Golf Courses in Ireland with many declaring it as a Top 10 course.
For anyone who has never played Links golf before, this course is assured to draw you in and leave you wanting more, don’t be surprise if you find yourself playing again. This course is a must play during a visit to the West of Ireland, it has one of the mosat dramatic dunescapes you will ever see.