Best Course in Mayo?

jj72

My choice is Carne (Belmullet)...Fantastic layout and hopefully the new 9 will be just as tough.. So what are your choices???

NFH

jj72 wrote: »

My choice is Carne (Belmullet)...Fantastic layout and hopefully the new 9 will be just as tough.. So what are your choices???

Wait, when you say "new 9", what do you mean. Is the 9th under constuction? I was thinking of playing there soon but not if construction is goin on.

jj72

they are setting up a new 9 holes out there. as far as i know its only marked up etc...not really any heavy construction goin on. but the plans are in place....now thats only as far as i know...i coud be completely wrong

scrubber72

The 9 in carne will be class. Walked them a few months ago and some will be unreal, dont know what holes are what but at the moment you would not know there is any construction going on. When your up there next time stand on the back tee of 17 and to your right you can see a fairway going between some of the biggest dunes you ever saw.
As regards the best in Mayo its my favorite followed by Enniscrone as links go then Westport and Ballinrobe

ThunderCat

scrubber72 wrote: »

As regards the best in Mayo its my favorite followed by Enniscrone as links go then Westport and Ballinrobe

I think Enniscrone is in Co.Sligo scrubber72. Very close to the mayo border but sligo all the same as far as I know.

scrubber72

sorry your right thunder forgot. And this is from a galway man giving mayo credit for something that sligo has oops;)

Brockagh

I'm a member of Carne (Belmullet).

They have a new nine laid out, but it will be a couple of years before they are done, because of the current economic climate.

A guy called Jim Engh, a very famous course architect, joined the club because he loved it so much. He offered to design the new nine for free, or maybe a very small fee. Anyway, I beleive the committee got involved and there were several changes to the routing.

I have only seen a few of the new holes. They look great.

It's a hard walk.

Brockagh

Westport is the only other good course I can think of. Is Mulranny in Mayo?

I haven't played many other courses in Mayo.

scrubber72

mulranney is in mayo brockagh just down the road about 30 miles on the way to Achill . 9 hole if memory is correct.

Brockagh

scrubber72 wrote: »

mulranney is in mayo brockagh just down the road about 30 miles on the way to Achill . 9 hole if memory is correct.

I passed it and it looked nice. I like the links, particularly.

The people who are really into their golf course architecture don't rate Carne that highly. Or at least it gets a mixed response. I love the place.

I prefer Enniscrone as a golf course, personally. Just mentioning it as it was brought up earlier.

Kevinmarkham

Brockagh wrote: »

I'm a member of Carne (Belmullet).

Anyway, I beleive the committee got involved and there were several changes to the routing.

Typical. Committees can be a huge pain in the backside when it comes to course architecture. I liked Ronan Rafferty's point yesterday, in the Irish Times, about how some courses think putting the tee box back 40 yards is the way to solve problems, rather than letting a real architect solve the problem of modern technology (and the longer game).

Mulranny is a quirky hoot of a 9 hole course. The last time I was there they still had electric fences around the greens and sheep mowing the fairways. Beautiful location, too. I rented clubs and got a grotty collection that included a 3 wood (circa 1930), a 3 iron, a putter and five wedges. They obviously thought I was Phil Mickelson.

As for Carne's design not appealing to purists - who cares! The course is the most thrilling you will play in this country, and it's one of the most natural. That's why I'm going back there next year.

Brockagh

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

As for Carne's design not appealing to purists - who cares! The course is the most thrilling you will play in this country, and it's one of the most natural. That's why I'm going back there next year.

You're right, of course. I don't care what people think about the courses I like. I should really have said that it divides the purists, rather than they al don't like it.

jj72

I have to say Mayo does have a lot of courses but not many are at a very high standard. Take Carne and Westport and Ballinrobe out of the equation and there isnt really anything much left

Kevinmarkham

jj72 wrote: »

I have to say Mayo does have a lot of courses but not many are at a very high standard. Take Carne and Westport and Ballinrobe out of the equation and there isnt really anything much left

In fact, from an 18 hole perspective, you're left with only Ballina, Castlebar and Claremorris.

Paud.....

mayo has alot of good courses 18 and 9 holes
you have Carne, Ballina, Castlebar, Westport, Claremorris, Ballinrobe which are all good 18 hole courses......and then there is Achill, Mulranny, Ballyhaunis, Swinford and these are tricky enough 9 hole courses......yeah carne is adding another 9 holes to the course......it is kinda on hold atm due to financial difficultys i have heard.......just wondering if you have ever played there what is your best round?....mine is a 74 off the White (medal) tees!!;)

jj72

Ya i ve played there but only managed to play to my handicap (5) once. Conditions always seem to be brutal down there....but even on a calm day its a tough track.

As regards the 9 hole courses i would agree that they are tricky but they are of very poor standard. Anyone played the par 3 in Balla?....tough course too!