You can’t get more west in Europe and play golf than this. Connemara Championship Links is just barely hanging on.

As you drive in to Connemara, already several miles short of the course it looks like you could just get out of the car and start playing just about anywhere. This must be how golf got started, the landscape just teases you to get a club out and start hitting at balls (or rocks, as it may have been in the early days).

We you approach the course, the landscape is still the same craggy, rocky grassland, with the exception of some greens and bunkers added. It seems that another 500 holes could easily be built here.

The legendary Eddie Hackett designed the original 18 holes, and the course opened in June of 1973. It has quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest links in all of Ireland, and plays host to the longest running Pro-Am in Ireland, as well as the Irish Amateur Championships in 2013.

The clubhouse

The clubhouse sits on a knoll near the road and the beach, with grand views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the course. It is a full service establishment (as it should be, you are many miles from the nearest golf course), with a well-stocked pro shop and a nice restaurant and bar. Not to mention friendly people. Some of the friendliest, down to earth people you’ll find anywhere. Be sure to hang out in the bar to swap stories.