Header photo courtesy of North West GC
We suppose it had to happen eventually. This is the third year in a row we have played golf on the Wild Atlantic Way and hadn’t really experienced anything other than a breeze or light winds. We can safely say that this time, we are getting the full experience with winds gusting up to 35-40 mph. Just a normal links day then….
North West Golf Club
Nestled at the foot of the Inishowen Peninsula and hugging the shores of Lough Swilly, North West Golf Club in County Donegal is one of Ireland’s most authentic and underrated links experiences. Known to many as “The St. Andrews of Ireland,” this traditional layout offers a raw, unfiltered taste of classic links golf, shaped by the wind, the weather, and the land.
Founded in 1891, North West is one of Ireland’s oldest golf clubs, steeped in history and charm. This is a course shaped by time, tide, and some of Ireland’s most respected golf minds. Originally laid out by Charles Thompson, the Portrush professional, it was later refined by the legendary Eddie Hackett and more recently enhanced by Pat Ruddy — one of Ireland’s foremost course architects and an honorary member of the club.
Perched on the rugged Donegal coastline, the layout has always been at the mercy of the weather. Coastal erosion has steadily reshaped the land, with some holes lost to the sea over the decades. In the 1980s, sea defences were introduced to preserve this natural links canvas, and today the 18-hole course plays across 90 acres of pure golfing terrain — raw, beautiful, and ever-evolving.
Laid Back Charm
The moment you arrive, there’s a warm, unpretentious atmosphere that feels refreshingly removed from the commercial polish of more well-known resorts. The clubhouse overlooks the bay and the opening holes, with views stretching across the Swilly toward the hills of Fanad. There’s a timeless quality to the setting — sheep graze in the distance, the sea breeze carries across the fairways, and the landscape is completely unspoiled.
The course itself plays almost 6,400 yards from the back tees, but don’t let the yardage fool you. When the wind blows — you’ll use every club in the bag and need every ounce of imagination. As always, play from the tees that suit your game. We chose to play from the back tees, although on reflection, in a wind of this strength maybe we should have played the tees further forward..
Blown Away on the Front Nine
We have chosen to feature three holes on the front nine and three on the back nine. Holes 3, 5 and 8 were all playing into the wind and were extremely challenging.
The par 3 third hole
The third is a 164 yard par 3. The green is raised so any shot near the edge of the green is liable to run off. There’s out of bounds on the right so you naturally aim for the left side of the green. Our well struck 5 iron never got within 20 yards of the putting surface. This would be a recurring theme on the holes into the wind.
Sally’s is Stunning
The par 4 fifth hole
The 5th hole known as “Sally’s” takes you to the furthest point away from the clubhouse. It’s a cracking par 4 of 417 yards with the Swilly up the right side. Our Sunday Best driver and 3 wood left us 25 yards short however a 7 iron bump and run shot got us within 6 feet of the hole. A chance at a oar which we failed to convert….
After playing the 6th and 7th downwind, we turned back into the wind and faced with par 3 of 139 yards, the 8th hole, known as “Piffler”
The raised green on the 8th
The 8th hole runs parallel to the road hence the need for nets on the left. The green is long and narrow so accuracy is key here to make a par. We went with 7 iron which blew up into the wind and didn’t even make the front of the green 105 yards away. Another hole where we failed to get up and down. On the 9th, the same 7 iron went 215 yards downwind. Tough conditions.
The Signature Hole
The 11th hole, “Doctors Folly” Photo courtesy of North West GC
We have selected the 11th, 14th and 16th holes to feature from the back nine holes. At 373 yards, the 11th is not the longest par 4 but again it was into the wind. The water on the right is not really in play but adds drama visually to the hole. The ideal line off the tee is the centre of the clubhouse, the left side of the fairway. We hit a good drive up the left which left us 148 yards slightly uphill to the centre of the green. Again, a solid 5 iron got us to the putting surface but 30 yards short of the pin which was near the back of the green. This time we managed to two putt for a welcome par.
The approach to the 14th hole
The 14th is a classic links hole. Although it’s only 365 yards, into the wind it felt closer to 465 yards. A solid drive left us 160 out, 5 iron was never going to be enough club so we went down the shaft on a 5 wood. Unfortunately, it went left of the green. A decent chip to 8 feet followed but we missed the putt for a bogey. Not the first nor the last on a difficult day.
“Fairy” is a Devil in Disguise
92 yards into the wind, what are you hitting?
The 16th hole “Fairy” is really short at only 92 yards. However, the green is long but narrow and slopes from left to right. The challenge in the wind is keeping it on the green. There are bunkers left and right with run offs everywhere. Such is the slope that even if you hold the green, two putts are not guaranteed. Par 3’s don’t have to be long to be difficult.
Even though we played North West in a strong wind, we thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of playing there. The course was in excellent condition and the greens were fantastic. It truly was an authentic links challenge, we just don’t want to be playing in those condition every week.
In Our Opinion
One of the real joys of North West is how fair and playable it is for all skill levels. There are few forced carries, and the routing makes it walkable and enjoyable even in tough conditions. Yet for the skilled player, it offers subtle strategic puzzles and plenty of scoring opportunities — if you’re brave enough to take them on.
North West Golf Club may not boast the international reputation of some of its Donegal neighbours, but for the purist, it’s an essential stop. This is real links golf, with character, charm, and heritage in spades. For anyone travelling the Wild Atlantic Way or planning a Donegal golf trip, North West Golf Club delivers a rich, memorable, and affordable golfing experience — one that lingers long after the last putt drops.
Thank You
A massive thank you to Brian McElhinney, the PGA Professional at North West for hosting us. Brian is a quiet spoken and unassuming gentleman and although he would never mention it, if you look around his pro shop, you might just spot a photo of a young Brian, winning the (British) Amateur Championship in 2005. That win meant that Brian played in the 2005 Open Championship at St.Andrews, when Tiger won. In 2006, he played in The Masters, the year Phil Mickelson won. Not that he would mention those feats either. Sorry Brian.
Where to Stay
The Inishowen Gateway Hotel Photo courtesy of the hotel
Less than a mile from North West Golf Club is the Inishowen Gateway Hotel. The hotel overlooks the Buncrana Golf Course, which is Ireland’s oldest 9 hole links course. If you have the time, you can play there from only 25 euros. With 80 bedrooms, the hotel can cater for small and large golf groups and there were a few golfers staying there when we were there.
Our room
We had a large well equipped room overlooking the golf course, Lisfannon Beach, Lough Swilly and Buncrana Harbour. The bed was really comfortable and as we were on the golf course side, really quiet which made for a good night’s sleep. We had dinner and breakfast in the hotel and we have to say both were excellent as were the staff, who were very friendly and helpful.
My Cajun Chicken with Champ potatoes, vegetable and a pepper sauce
We had a three course dinner of vegetable soup, Cajun Chicken with champ potatoes and Apple pie and ice cream. All washed down with a couple of pints of Guinness. Lovely.
The Full Irish Fry
The hotel also has a wellbeing centre, fitness centre and swimming pool. Ideal to work of the food on offer. We didn’t partake of any of these facilities due to time constraints but the fact that they are available will appeal to families as well as golfers.
The 20 metre pool Photo courtesy of the hotel
The hotel offers a special over 50’s rate for a two night stay which includes a four course dinner each night, breakfast each morning, a complimentary round at Buncrana Golf Course and use of the leisure facilities for around £300, for two. We think that’s great value.
Useful Links
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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