Enniscrone Golf Club - Dunes Course

Enniscrone was the pleasant surprise of the trip. After playing here, I think any SW Ireland itinerary should make every effort to include Enniscrone and Carne or you are depriving yourself from what I can only describe as a most soulful golf experience. Most Americans intrinsically don’t like blind shots and 35-mph winds, but they’re missing out. Much like those tour buses that venture no further north than Doonbeg.

This was my third time playing this course and its always enjoyable. I have played about 70 links courses in the U.K, and it ranks in my top five. Great topography, high dunes, challenging layouts, good view of the North Atlantic Ocean. Wildlife on the course included a small fox who had been fed too many times by golfers. Large undulation changes, expansive views, blind shots, deep fescue, awe inspiring tee shots.

I had heard of Enniscrone and heard that it was great, but was not expecting it to be heads and shoulders above every other course on our trip.

Right out of the gate, the first hole is amazing - a dogleg right and up the hill with the green carved nicely out of a dune. It continues to get better from there. Mostly, everything is right in front of you, but I love the way that it flows within the dunes and doesn't feel forced. They layout was molded magnificently into the land.

It also helped that the people there were so accommodating and helpful. They were thrilled that we were there and rolled out the red carpet for us. It was also sweet that a nice female American member saw us on the tee sheet and made it a point to come greet us on the 18th green after our round.

A great, great golf experience.

Frankly I didn’t know much about Enniscrone, but it quickly became – by far – my favorite course on our trip. From the approach into the first green until the final putt, the course is an absolute treat, with a clever blend of long and short and quirky holes, dramatic mounding and incredible conditioning. We were showed around by a member, and he helped us out on a few of the early holes that had blind tee shots. Despite many holes being framed by massive dunes, it wasn’t a terribly hard walk, either. Can’t recommend this place enough. Seriously. Go.

You can pay a fortune to play links golf on the wonderful wild and windy West Coast of Ireland either in Co Mayo or Co Sligo. Enniscrone is a true gem, so much better value than the more illustrious courses in this area.
So many holes where you cant see where you are going, nor for that matter see other holes and other golfers.
Oh to be a member here !!!

Enniscrone is EVERYTHING you want and love about Irish golf. Awesome layout, beautiful setting and locale. Tough but fair layout, pick your tees carefully as the wind can/will make several holes very challenging. YES, challenge yourself, but don't beat your game up! Enjoy the views - they are a'plenty! Shop staff very, very friendly and the restaurant and bar are the perfect ending to your Irish Golfing Day!

Fantastic condition. I'd recommend this course to everyone!

I arrived early at the course with my with and young son to have lunch before my round. The welcome we received was super and made us feel relaxed immediately (even the Lady Captain came over to say hello!). After lunch I meet my caddy Mick and we walked to the first tee discussing tactics; "I'm here to have fun" I said. "Right you are" was his reply. As I stood on the first I felt a little underwhelmed and it was certainly one of the least interesting tee shots I've ever faced. This quickly faded as I rounded the corner to hit my second shot. I was meet with an absolute masterpiece of a green carved into the dunes. From here on I was in love. This is an exceptional course which leads you through a myriad of sand dunes and affords you the odd moment to stand and reflect on the beauty of the surrounding area. The course is not easy and requires committed, well thought out shots but offers so much reward if executed correctly. If playing this course for the first time a caddy is an absolute must. I had an excellent caddy for the day who guided me round expertly. This course should be on the list of all golfers seeking a true links experience.

Some challenge for all players.

Enniscrone is set, mostly, through large dunes that rise along either side of the fairways, resulting in many blind shots and holes that twist and turn along the Irish sea. An incredible setting for pictures, Enniscrone is a challenge for all levels of golfers, and yet, wonderfully walkable. The only downside to Enniscrone are the stretch of holes on the front nine that are very pedestrian. It felt as though you went the wrong way and ended up playing a few holes from Enniscrone's sister course instead. Alas, the back-nine stretch through the dunes and along the water are undeniably amazing, and some of the best in the Northwest of Ireland.

This is a tough beast set next to the holiday town of Enniscrone. Set mostly among massive dunes next to the ocean, the course is full of blind shots and twisting holes to drive you crazy. If you miss the fairway you’ll be in the thickest, most ball hungry rough on the island – damp grass and moss abound; you could step on your ball and not find it. It’s not for the meek or wild driving. From Holes 5-8, you get a break as it runs parallel to the Scurmore 9 hole course – flat and relatively dune free. The remaining holes have you weaving around the dunes. Holes 11-13 I called crazy corner – a scary par 3 and two blind tee shots on dog leg par 4s. Holes 15-18 are great. Get your best pic from the 17th tee box looking back at 16, send it to your golf buddies, they will swear at you.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Enniscrone. It was my favorite course on my first trip to Ireland in 2003. I wrote about the club in 2006 for Links Magazine, one of my first big breaks as a golf writer. And returning in 2015 with the Heroes to Ireland - a group of disabled American war veterans - only elevated its status. We caught it on a relatively calm day with the sun shining: What a magical experience. The dunes of the back nine rise like four-story buildings, framing scenic holes along the water. The only things that keep Enniscrone from being more highly regarded in the world are a series of holes on the front nine along flat ground outside the dunes, and its remote location in the northwest of Ireland. It's a place worth seeking out.

Have read that the greens were among the best in Ireland. How true...we played Carne the day before in the rain and then enjoyed good weather at Enniscrone...practice putting before you go!!!