Changes at Carne – the new Kilmore 9
Finally got the chance to visit Carne Golf Links again to see & play the new Kilmore 9 and fully understand the changes as they affect visitors. I have very mixed feelings, not specifically regarding the new 9 holes but more the operational policies that are in place to showcase the new 9.
Carne and the Kilmore 9 – 27 Holes, 2 courses?
The idea of an additional 9 holes at Carne has been mooted for nearly 20 years, indeed Eddie Hackett had made drawings of the potential of the even more wild dunes that surrounded his original creation. Various attempts have been made over the years to create them until finally the current Kilmore 9 opened for play in 2018.
With the opening Carne decided to have ‘two’ 18 hole courses with each course being the ‘course in play’ on alternate days.
The Hackett Links (Carne Golf Links)
The original 18 Eddie Hackett designed holes that was/is considered by many as the best golf course in Ireland. Strangely the course is now played in reverse with the stronger second nine played first — not as Eddie intended.
Played in reverse Carne loses one its most appealing aspects, the front side slowly unfolds and reveals tempting glimpses of what is to come on the extraordinary back 9. While less dramatic than the Kilmore 9, this original 9 is a fairer golfing challenge.
Two other changes worth noting, one positive one not so positive. On the positive side the 12th (now 3rd) tee has been moved (ground was opened to create a route for the Kilmore 9) so that the tee-shot is visually less intimidating than the old long-iron/wood to aiming to reach the bottom of the hill. Less thrilling is the removal of all the hole names from the scorecard, a minor irritation but sad to see such interesting names disappear.
The Kilmore 9
The Kilmore 9 showcases the wild dunes that form the landscape at Carne. Similar to the back nine at Tralee the holes are spectacular and memorable but also quirky. Great fun perhaps but over the edge as a golf test.
Hole #1 – Par 5
The first hole runs between the 1st and 10th holes of the original Hackett course. It is a very similar par-5 to the old 10th (now 1st) on that course with more crumpled terrain. This hole plays as #13 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #2 – Par 3
The first of the 3 spectacular par-3s on the Kilmore 9. 180 yards from a slightly elevated tee across what can only be described as a crater to a green surrounded by high dunes. This hole plays as #14 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #3 – Par 4
From an elevated tee the fairway tumbles down, as if through a funnel towards the green tucked beside a huge dune. This hole plays as #15 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #4 – Par 3
Facing west and therefore into the prevailing wind, this 160-yard par-3 features a double-level green protected by a cavernous bunker. This hole plays as #16 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #5 – Par 5
A 555-yard adventure into the highest dunes at Carne. The hole requires navigation (perhaps best with local guidance) as the even from the middle of the relatively narrow fairway the location of and line to the elevated green hidden behind a large mound is not clear. This hole plays as # 8 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #6 – Par 4
A steep uphill par-4 of 373 yards. The green is at the highest point of the course and provides breathtaking views. This hole plays as # 9 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #7 – Par 3
The most dramatic of the par-3’s is 229-yards across no man’s land to a wildly undulating green perched on top of the dunes. This hole plays as # 10 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #8 – Par 4
The first of the two imposing par-4’s that close the Kilmore 9. 383 yards into the prevailing wind over crumpled terrain – even more crumpled than the 18th hole. This hole plays as # 10 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Hole #9 – Par 4
An even longer par 4 at 447 yards. A slight dogleg to the right the boundary fence to the right looms and the green seems to float in the distance. This hole plays as # 11 on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
Wild Atlantic Dunes
As alluded to earlier, the Wild Atlantic Dunes course begins on the 10th of the original layout. Quite why either course starts here is baffling and it would surely be better to play the Kilmore 9 in correct order before the Hackett back 9.
Even more confusing is the subsequent routing – after 7 holes of the original back 9 the Wild Atlantic Dunes 8th is the 5th hole of the Kilmore 9. First time players will not notice but many of those who played Carne many times before will be slightly disoriented, nearly lost, on the fairway of this baffling par-5.
Having returned to the clubhouse on the Kilmore 9th/Wild Atlantic 12th the Wild Atlantic continues with holes 1-4 of the Kilmore 9 before completing the course (as Eddie Hackett intended) with the 17th and 18th of the old layout.
Course Booking Policy
Carne now alternate the Hackett Links with the Wild Atlantic Dunes course, each taking its turn as ‘course of the day’. One possible explanation for the routing is that when WAD is in play staff can dissuade golfers from playing the Hackett links, pointing to the potential traffic conflicts when playing the back 9 of the original links.
I have always suggested that golfers, having made the journey to Belmullet, should play Carne twice. For now if Carne is being played once we will always suggest, as far as possible, a day when the Hackett links is in play. Playing both links cannot be a bad idea, personally I feel short changed that I cannot play the original course the original way around on consecutive days.
Carne v Hackett Links v Wild Atlantic Dunes v Kilmore 9
As early as 2013, when the Kilmore 9 was first played in anger, a Mr. Tom Sheehan posted a comment in Kevin Markham’s blog.
It would be a shame if they made the main course the back nine along with the new 9. The first hole at Carne is one of my favorite holes in golf. You stand on the tee, wind in your face, looking at the dunes and wondering, “what is going on here?”. After you hit your first shot – hopefully a solid one – you wander down the fairway and get a sense of the dunes and what Mr. Hackett, a genius, was thinking. The front nine is pure bliss the perfect appetizer for the dramatics of the back nine. On the front you get subtle clues and lessons of what awaits you on the back. One shouldn’t mess with perfection.
Thankfully the ‘main course’ is not the Wild Atlantic Dunes some there is some relief in that. In my opinion:
- The original Hackett layout was and is the best golf course in Ireland, did I see the word ‘perfection’ mentioned?
- The Kilmore 9 is an interesting and fun 9 holes, a very worthwhile afternoon 9 while in between rounds on the Hackett layout
- For those that like their adrenalin rush I don’t see the issue in offering a choice of first hole, the original layout or Kilmore 9 plus Eddie’s back 9, especially on quiet days
- We can live with playing the Hackett links, even if it’s the wrong way around (see the comment above)
- The Wild Atlantic Dunes layout just feels wrong – but as a friend of mine says, the Hackett Links is like a favourite woolly blanket to me.
For now our Irish golf travel form does not also include the Wild Atlantic Dunes course but send your enquiry and tell us which you would prefer.
