Wild Atlantic Dunes at Carne Golf Course

Carne Golf Links, etched into the wild northwest coast of County Mayo, stands as proof that exceptional golf can emerge from seemingly inhospitable terrain. This raw, untamed landscape – once deemed unsuitable for anything but grazing sheep – now cradles two distinct 18-hole layouts: the original Hackett course and the more recent Wild Atlantic Dunes.

Designed by the late Eddie Hackett and later enhanced by Ally McIntosh, Carne’s original course, opened in the early 1990s, presents a classic links experience. The fairways carve their way through towering dunes, demanding inventive shotmaking and a keen understanding of the ever-present coastal winds. It's a thinking golfer's course, where strategy often trumps raw power. However, it's the Wild Atlantic Dunes course, completed in 2018 by Jim Engh, that has truly captured the imagination of modern players. Engh masterfully amplified the drama of the landscape, creating exhilarating drives over plunging ravines and approaches to wildly contoured greens that are a joy to play. The course boasts blind shots over mammoth dunes that reward bravery and imagination. It favors players who embrace the natural challenges and aren’t afraid to take a risk.

Carne's isolation is part of its allure. Situated in the Gaelic speaking region of Belmullet, it attracts those seeking a genuine escape from the hustle of everyday life. It's a place where the only sounds are the crashing waves, the cries of seabirds, and the satisfying thwack of a well-struck golf shot. Here the members and guests recount lore of legendary rounds and heroic shots over pints in the clubhouse afterward. The club embraces its remote locale, offering not just golf but an immersion into the rugged beauty and rich culture of the region. And if you are lucky enough to be invited, be sure to order the homemade brown bread – it’s a local institution and the perfect complement to the breathtaking views.