Set on the Barrow peninsular on the Atlantic coast of South West Ireland, the stunning empty shoreline gives out a feeling of remoteness that is often so attractive to the golfing fraternity.

The course demands your full attention the whole way round and when playing the second shot to the 12th green, it’s easy to see why it's rated the most difficult on the course. A fairway wood or long iron is required to a green guarded by a huge depression from which there is no escape.There is literally nowhere to land your ball other than on the green.

The second nine in particular winds up and down the large sand dunes. You don’t always need your longest club for each shot, as Arnold Palmer’s design calls for lay-up approaches on several of the holes.

As the round comes to a close the coast-hugging holes induce the wind to play an even bigger part in the flight of the ball and seemingly good shots end up in the long tangly grass that constitutes the thick rough.

Make no mistake this is a quality course and a great links with a difference, but it’s not cheap.