Connemara has three nine hole loops, A, B, and C. The A+B loops are the original course, whereas C was added later. All three loops end at the clubhouse, so you can play them in any combination.
The wind is a major factor at Connemara since the course is wide open to the Atlantic and there are no costal dunes for shelter. When we arrived we faced 14 m/s winds from the prevailing southwest direction, which the lady in the pro shop referred to as “a breeze”. On the C track you will see a lot of sand blown up from the beach, especially on holes one and two.
Connemara A+B is a wonderful traditional links course. In spite of being right by the coast, it is not played through dunes, but instead on short links grass. It has wide open fairways, and not too punishing rough, with very few places for you ball to get lost. Being fairly flat, the major obstacles are the wind and the pot bunkers sprinkled around the fairways and greens. The first nine are not particularly long, but again, don’t choose your weapons by referring to the score card; the effective length of each hole changes daily with the wind. A good example of this is the slight dogleg left first hole, quite a challenge at 350 m if the wind is not with you.
On the second nine, the B loop, the course starts climbing a bit in to a hilly, craggy, lunar landscape. The first big challenge here is the 190 m par three 13th holes, with the tee shot over a valley to a gently sloping green. It is easy to fail here with the wind in your face.
The 14th tee is located at one of the highest spots on the course. From here you have a view of the entire course, and if you turn around, also the surrounding very harsh landscape. You definitely get a sense that winters can be rough here. From the 14th tee you can also see the Twelve Bens.
Apart from the fantastic view, another trademark of the back nine are the elevated tees and greens featured on most of the holes. Great examples are the excellent green areas on the 14th, 15th, 17th, and 18th. My favorite green is the 15th, with a partially blind shot to the well protected green. A hole you need a few rounds to figure out.
| Connemara Championship Links (A+B Course) Information | |
|---|---|
| Number of holes | 18 |
| Greenfee, 1 (low) - 5 (high) | 4 |
| Course Availability | Open to Public |
| Course Type | Links |
| Course Designer | Eddie Hackett |
| Year Opened | 1973 |
| Website | www.connemaragolflinks.com |
