Carne - Enniscrone - Rosses Pt

conno16

how would ye rate the above three courses in comparison to each other
carne seems to be well-rated on here - how does it fare versus the others
good value for money green-fee wise at all 3 (as opposed to the east coast)

Sandwich

All 3 are super courses.
Carne is great fun. Verging on Xtreem Golf, if you like your sand dunes high and roller coaster peaks and valleys this is for you. But, at the risk of being a bit harsh, a little bit too much so to be a championship course if you are looking for something that tests and rewards the best golfers.
Enniscrone and Rosses are both championship. Enniscrone jumped to that level when it opened its new hols and did away with the few weak, flat holes. Excellent mix of links hole styles. Rosses is more traditional. Less flashily spectacular for the middle handicapper like myself. But still recognisably fine, and is a fare and testing track for good golfers. Rosses pricier but compared with others in the country, really not extreme. Enniscrone and Carne; no two ways about it - great golfing value.

Overall, would probably go for Enniscrone if I could only play one myself, but without doubt, all three are super golf courses. Lucky corner of the country.

Miley Byrne

Cheers Sandwich, I'm playing Enniscrone on the 17th in an Open singles. I haven't played any golf in that part of the country yet so I'm looking forward to it. It's well worth the €25 so I take it!!!!!

conno16

normal green fees for each of those courses is approx 50/55 quid

just goes to prove what a rip off golf is in general across leinster IMO

Kevinmarkham

denisoc16 wrote: »

Cheers Sandwich, I'm playing Enniscrone on the 17th in an Open singles. I haven't played any golf in that part of the country yet so I'm looking forward to it. It's well worth the €25 so I take it!!!!!

€25 is a steal, an absolute steal of a green fee.

Friends went up there and played Rosses Point and Strandhill. The comment I got back was that Enniscrone had too many blind shots for them. Hole 2 is a spectacular blind drive, and your second could be blind too.

But holes 12 and 13 are unbelievable. On 12, be sure to hit at what you can see - go too far and you're stymied. It's a short enough hole so don't be greedy. The same applies to 13, which loops down to your right.

You'll have a cracking time.

In answer to Conno16's question, I don't think it's easy to compare them. They're all very different but they do have one thing in common - value for money.

ThunderCat

Ive only played rosses point on that list so I cant compare them but i highly recommend rosses point. Its location is fantastic and it has it all really. The start and finish of the round is the most exillerating in my opinion as these holes see big elevation changes compared to the middle holes that play generally over level ground. But all 18 holes are superb and challenging. The drive at the 5th hole is prob the most thrilling tee shot you will ever hit (see pic) and the 16th, 17th and 18th provide the best finish of any golf course ive ever played.
All that aside ive heard great great things about Carne and Enniscrone and im looking forward to playing them sometime soon.

Johnny_Fontane

I'd agree with the value - its astonishing considering what you're playing. But the welcome that you get at these courses, the friendliness of the staff is really second to none. They are genuinely interested in hoping you have a good time (unlike so many courses out there).

I'd rate Carne and Enniscrone in similar standings. The first few holes at Carne are weakish but the second nine really is spectacular. Enniscrone is definitely more balanced but doesnt have the sheer beauty and remoteness of Carne.

They are the greatest tests of golf though and remarkably rewarding if you play well.

Kevinmarkham

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

But the welcome that you get at these courses, the friendliness of the staff is really second to none. They are genuinely interested in hoping you have a good time (unlike so many courses out there).

Took my dad to Carne for his 75th birthday and played 2 days in a row. There were photos up in the pro shop of the attractive young lady (who was taking the green fees) with Hugh Grant and various other personalities. Huge smile on her in every photograph (mind you, I couldn't see Hugh Grant's hand in that particular photo), but we couldn't crack a smile out of her either day and she was monosyllabic. I guess we just weren't famous enough.

Other than that, couldn't agree with you more, Johnny

conno16

ThunderCat wrote: »

The drive at the 5th hole is prob the most thrilling tee shot you will ever hit (see pic)

thundercat, dont mean to be too critical but that hole looks a bit bland to me
may as well just climb up a tall ladder and smack ur ball down a fairly straightforward fairway
i've heard its a pretty good course tho so will judge for myself when i get down there

ThunderCat

conno16 wrote: »

thundercat, dont mean to be too critical but that hole looks a bit bland to me
may as well just climb up a tall ladder and smack ur ball down a fairly straightforward fairway
i've heard its a pretty good course tho so will judge for myself when i get down there

Each to their own Conno but I will say that the picture doesnt do the hole justice and im sure you'll change your mind when you are standing on the tee box. You'll enjoy the course anyway. Good luck.

PhilipMarlowe

Have to agree on the photo... was expecting it to look more thrilling (like the 10th at Sunningdale Old course)!
I too haven't played in the north west and am looking forward to getting the chance sometime soon...

dvemail

I have played all three over the last two years.
I think Carne is probably the most spectacular of the lot with the high dunes, although Enniscrone comes close through the middle of the round.
I prefer Rosses Point the most as it was in such good condition and the grounds were mature as the layout of the course hasnt really been changed in an age.
I enjoyed Enniscrone despite the gael winds that were blowing but there are just too many blind shots on the new holes which i felt took a lot of the fun away from playing the course, as if you are not playing with a member you have to guesse where to hit your tee shots.

Kevinmarkham

I think the thing about the tee box and drive on the 5th at Co. Sligo, is the sheer amazement at the vista that greets you when you walk up onto the tee. The drive itself is glorious, with a big drop to the fairway below, but it's how the whole thing hits your senses that makes it so special.

I've got a couple of photos of my own, but they can never do the hole justice.

Come along next April and find out for yourself.

BeeSee

carne gets my vote every time. if that course was on the other side of the country green fee's would be well over €100. worth keepin an eye out for offers there, would not disappoint

f22

Played all three on a couple of occasions, tied in with a stop off in Westport. Three amazing golf courses that you can't help but enjoy. With the changes they've made I'd put Enniscrone as number 1, but not by much.

In terms of price there are some good deals east coast now if you ask, Royal Dublin e75, Portmarnock links e40 etc.

Portmarnock Links at that price stands up against the best value I have seen this Summer.

pressurecooker

Played all 3 a couple of times over the past few years, and all 3 are excellent in their own way, as other posters have mentioned...

Carne, for its ruggedness and remoteness.
Enniscrone, for the challenge.
Rosses Point for it's simple elegance.

If I could play only one, I pick Rosses Point, although it's probably the most expensive of the 3, but still good value.

If playing Carne, visit Westport also.....

Sandwich

pressurecooker wrote: »

If playing Carne, visit Westport also.....

I wouldnt go too far out of your way tho. Very disappointing compared to the other 3 being discussed, even as a parkland course - wide open, fairly dull holes in the main. 8th, 15th and 18th are fine though. Not that its bad, but amazed at the regard it seems to be held in by the GUI and the number of big championships it has had. Maybe I'm just missing something.