Golfers will find themselves in the midst of peaceful isolation at Belmullet Golf Club. Though it might feel as if it’s perched on the edge of the world, Belmullet Golf Club is actually located on the Atlantic coast of County Mayo, in an area known as the Belmullet Peninsula.
The Belmullet Peninsula is about as far west as you can go on Ireland’s mainland, which explains the remote surroundings. Interestingly enough, the links course located there was originally developed as a way to increase tourism to the region. However, those who have played the course know that it’s something far greater than that.
The course at Belmullet Golf Club is known as the Carne Golf Links. It was the last course designed by Eddie Hackett and is thought by many to be the culmination of his life’s work. Hackett himself agreed, citing both Carne and Waterville as his “greatest architectural achievements.”
While designing the Carne Golf Links, Hackett “let the land dictate play.” What he was left with is a links course that’s so natural, you’d think it had been there forever. In actuality though, Carne has only been around since the first nine opened in 1992, with the back nine opening the following year.
The back nine is often considered the highlight of this 6,700-yard par 72. The holes are more extreme than the front nine in every way, bringing intrepid players past sand dunes so high they seem to touch the clouds. Visit between spring to late autumn if possible, as that’s when Carne is painted with the colors of harebells, sea holly, and wild thyme.