Recommend a Golf course in west of Ireland

carrick76

I've a got an American friend coming over for a week to Galway in June, he is a keen golfer.

What courses would you recommend in the West to play?
Looking to play two courses. Willing to drive 2/3 hours. Links golf is preferred.

I'm thinking Doonbeg/Lahinch and possibly Ballyconneely.

Or is it worth making the extra trek to Ballybunion/Waterville?

Which 2 courses would you guys pick?

mike12

Thats the expensive option how far would Carne be or Sligo lots of good links courses at a way cheaper price have at look the link below lots of choice I'm sure we will enjoy any of them as there aren't many bad links courses along the west coast.
http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/country4.asp?id=4

carrick76

thanks Mike, good website that

Don't want to say money is no object as it is but he has brought me to some top cousres when i visited him (Atlanta Country Club and Medinah in chicago) so kinda want to bring him to somewhere well known that he'll have heard of.

Guess i'm willing to pay extra for the experience of playing some of the top 20 on the list.

Just can't think which two to play?
If there are any specials on in these places love to hear about them

Flan45

Hi Carrick,

Green fees are a little cheaper now midweek in Doonbeg and Lehinch, both great courses. I'd give them a call and ask them what they can do for you.

shamco

Lahinch is a magnificent course. Doonbeg is ok with fantastic clubhouse and facilities. Ballybunion is great also and not that far from Doonbeg. Just get the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert and it's less than a 30min drive from there. Waterville is a long drive.

mike12

Carne is supposed to be great but is not such a big name because of its location i think have had to cancel twice from playing it now once from snow and the other high wind

nialo

Rossespoint in sligo would be worth a round. tough course but beautiful.

f22

Rosses, Enniscrone and Carne, you won't regret it.

Kevinmarkham

f22 wrote: »

Rosses, Enniscrone and Carne, you won't regret it.

Couldn't agree more. Three beauties that don't often get mentioned in the same breath as their more famous brethren. These might be a bit far away.

Ask your friend if he wants to play a new, Americanized links (Doonbeg), or whether he wants to say he played the acclaimed old course where Stewart Cink practiced before winning the British Open last year (Lahinch). That will sort our one of your rounds. Further south, Ballybunion has two excellent 18 hole courses - both worth your time. Personally, I'd play the Old courses at Ballybunion and Lahinch, and the second (Cashen) course at Ballybunion.

Ballyconeely is an interesting beast - very flat to start and then a a rumbling back 9. The pic is of the par five 14th



Photos of other courses on my flickr page

Dr_Colossus

Ballyconeely or Conemara is the only links course on the list I've played and wouldn't be a fan but I am biased as I'm more a fan of a good parkland course like Ballinrobe. Ballyconeely I think is very plain really and nothing too exciting, the drive there is probably more interesting.
How about Belmullet, have never played it but supposed to be a good links course with some great sand dunnes.

whittey

I'd go with Ballinrobe - played there last year and really liked it, only an hour from Galway city too.

Also played Ballyconneely a couple of years ago and liked it too, but if you're trying to impress with some great links courses, then I'd let some more travelled players recommend a good course.

Personally, I think Kerry is too long a drive from Galway, but Clare is close, and North Mayo or Sligo would be at the limit of your 3-hour drive.

Sionnachster

I play Carne every July for 3 days with a mate from London. Proper links test and excellent course, a real gem and worth any drive you make to get there.....

fattax

Lahinch followed by Ballybunion would be a nice trip. Rates in Ballybunion are a lot less than in prior years, give a call and see what they can do. If you have time play both courses, but if under pressure, then play the Old.

kermitpwee

I would give Ballyconeely a miss, he wont be impressed and thats coming from a fan of it. As stated Carne, Rosses and Murvagh in donegal is a good course too.

Jarzinho

So many courses to choose from - Lahinch and Doonbeg would be my pick of courses close to each other (probably about a 30 minute drive). Enniscrone and Carne (Belmullet) are 2 superb courses as well. Lahinch and Tralee would probably get my vote overall though, the best back 9 holes anywhere I've ever played at Tralee and wouldn't be too long a drive from Lahinch - just get the Killimer ferry a little outside Kilrush and another 30-40 minutes drive from there.

There is the option of Adare and Tralee or Adare and Lahinch or Adare and Doonbeg - all within about 1 hour 15 minutes of each other. Adare is one of the best, if not the best, parkland in the country and a phenomenal location as well. If your friends are just interested in links though then Lahinch and Tralee for me!

It's great to have so many great courses up and down the west coast to choose from, enjoy!

Swingguru

I would opt to drive up to Sligo, book into the Raddisson at Rosses Point for a night. Play Rosses Point that day. Out for a few pints in the Point that night (some great watering holes). Up the next morning and hit Enniscrone, then over to Carne for the night. 2 nights away and 3 of the best, truest links in world golf. I've brought a few American's over on this very trip and they still rave about it. True Irlenad. True golf. Great craic.

f22

Swingguru wrote: »

I would opt to drive up to Sligo, book into the Raddisson at Rosses Point for a night. Play Rosses Point that day. Out for a few pints in the Point that night (some great watering holes). Up the next morning and hit Enniscrone, then over to Carne for the night. 2 nights away and 3 of the best, truest links in world golf. I've brought a few American's over on this very trip and they still rave about it. True Irlenad. True golf. Great craic.

I couldn't agree more

G1032

Don't bother with BAllyconneely. Way over rated. Carne is a fantastic course. It's a pure gem.

carrick76

guys

thanks for all the replies, sounds like Carne is definitely worth checking out.

Also thinking of the Lahinch, stay overnight then Ballybunion option. Might just have to do all 3

conno16

deffo go for doonbeg before lahinch.

johnny_rambo

carrick76 wrote: »

guys

thanks for all the replies, sounds like Carne is definitely worth checking out.

Also thinking of the Lahinch, stay overnight then Ballybunion option. Might just have to do all 3

Lahinch is a must.....brilliant course.

paddy132132

GORT gc played there today and it was realy great very well kept course .. defo worth checkin out fairways(9/10) greens(8/10) views (10/10)........:rolleyes:

Kace

paddy132132 wrote: »

GORT gc played there today and it was realy great very well kept course .. defo worth checkin out fairways(9/10) greens(8/10) views (10/10)........:rolleyes:

I trust that this is 100% pure sarcasm. Gort - come on....:p

braka

The Atlantic Challenge 3 day golf tournament for amateurs (H/C 20 for men, 26 for ladies) on 12/13/14 of July is great value for those links. Prizes each day and overall. Entries taken online or ring Enniscrone 096-36297

Linksman

Lahinch and Enniscrone would get my votes. Not a fan of Doonbeg, a few holes are gimmicky.

cjfitz

Played both course at Ballybunion, Waterville (twice) and Lahinch last year. And Lahinch was the nicest. Toughest and best greens I have ever played on