Connemara Golf Links

Connemara Golf Links was formed in 1973, built by renowned Irish architect Eddie Hackett. Now a 27-hole club, it is often regarded as the best course in the province of Connacht, hosting the Irish Amateur Championship in 2013.

Coming to Connemara feels like an adventure, from the scenic drive west past the famous Twelve Bens mountain range to passing the remote village of Ballyconneelly, you feel like you have arrived at the edge of the world as you gaze out west across the peninsula from the course.

As well as a wonderfully challenging links course golfers will also find a modern clubhouse with a restaurant serving food throughout the day as well as a well-stocked pro-shop and good practice facilities.

Connemara Championship Golf Links Course overview

Connemara is widely regarded as one of the world’s most difficult links courses, with Tom Watson once remarking “A true championship links, the back 9 are spectacular”.

Offering 27-holes, this remote layout differs to many other links across Ireland in that it is designed on a flat piece of land that has no sand dunes. Whilst this provides stunning coastal views it does mean that golfers have zero protection from the elements which adds to the test.

The three sets of 9-holes are named A, B & C with A&B the classic routing which provides golfers with a par-72, measuring 6666-yards from the members tees.

Another unique feature of Connemara is the lunar landscape like terrain with the course littered with craggy, rocky outcrops that must be safely negotiated.

Signature Holes

The par-3 13th is often regarded as the signature hole. At 210-yards it requires a long approach to a raised green. It is also at this point on the course that the lunar landscape kicks in, with golfers having to negotiate craggy outcrops from here on in.

Did You Know?

The town of Ballyconneely where Connemara Golf Links is located is famous for its breeding of the Connemary Pony.