Take the rough with the smooth

Ballyliffin Golf Club

COUNTY DONEGAL

Keeping focused on the new course at Ballyliffin. And Gerry (inset) who also runs a driving range nearby Ballyliffin is such an intriguing spot that sixtime major champion Nick Faldo used to visit it before the British Open Championship and was once so smitten with the place he tried to buy it, on the cheap, according to locals.

“I remember when Faldo first came here in the early nineties,” says 49-year-old assistant greenkeeper Gerry Grant, who has been at the club for 14 years. “Before Faldo came, we didn’t get many visitors from abroad. He’s certainly done a lot for business around here.”

Ballyliffin comprises a remarkable 36 holes that meander through the most beguiling of links land. Tom Craddock’s Old Links course boasts a glorious natural terrain, while the new Glashedy Links, designed by Pat Ruddy, is fashioned around the incredible dunes, and is notorious for its peatrivetted bunkers.

People in these parts don’t come more Irish than ruddy-faced Gerry, who in addition to keeping the two courses in top-notch condition, also runs a nearby driving range. Gerry operates an honesty system, so if he’s not around, and you want to warm up, just pop the money (€3 per basket of balls) in the jar inside his quirky caravan. You can’t miss it.
TEL: +353 (0)74 937 8100, WWW.BALLYLIFFINGOLFCLUB.COM. WEEKDAY, €75/€80 PER PERSON. WEEKENDS, €80/€90.

Enniscrone Golf Club

COUNTY SLIGO

Mondays at Enniscrone are no ordinary Mondays. Believe it or not, they are reserved for Priests’ Day, with clergy coming from all over Mayo and Sligo to compete. Priest and club member Brendan Hoban says: “My weekends are usually a busy time, but I really look forward to my Monday day off. Playing golf here isn’t just about getting away to relax, it’s about coming to a place where it’s easy to commune with God, who has so obviously had a role in creating this beautiful terrain.”

“Of course, it’s also about taking a few euros from those who imagine their golf is better than it is,” he chuckles.

But when it comes to worshipping the course yourself, one hole that will etch itself in the memory is the mountainous 350-yard, par-four 13th, called The Burrows. It is like teeing off the summit of Everest, with a green nestled down at base camp below.
TEL: +353 (0)963 6297, WWW.ENNISCRONEGOLF.COM WEEKDAY, €60 PER PERSON. WEEKEND, €75.

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