Sandhill Road,
Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
Office
+353 (0)68 27 146Pro shop
+353 (0)68 27 146Fax
+353 (0)68 27 387Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Brian O'Callaghan (Head Golf Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Above distances are for the Cashen course. Also at Ballybunion is the 18-hole Old Course (par-71, 6,802 yds from the back tees).
52.494663
-9.674727
65 km N of Killarney
From centre of Listowel follow the R553 direction Ballybunion. After approx 15 km go through the main street in Ballybunion and bear left after the shopping centre into Sandhill Road. After 2 km turn right into Golf Club.
Ballybunion (Cashen)
Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course): Also known as the New or Trent Jones course, the Cashen is much the younger of the two courses at Ballybunion. Laid out in an area of "himalayan" sandhills south of the clubhouse, the Cashen is not as revered as the world-renowned Old course, which occupies the duneland north of the clubhouse. However, many see the Cashen as the more daunting challenge, and like its older sibling, not a course to be missed.
Although not overly long, the Cashen is certainly no pushover, especially if the wind is blowing. Threading your way between huge sand dunes (some 150 feet high), and hitting small slivers of fairway is the biggest challenge. Trent Jones has been sparing in his deployment of bunkers, but on some holes equally sparing with the width of the fairways. Don't expect to play to your handicap on a first outing. Be thankful when you do on subsequent visits.
As on the Old course, the closing holes hug the Atlantic shoreline giving fabulous sea views, which complement views onto the River Cashen estuary enjoyed on the front-nine. Housing development and busy roads might feature alongside many golf courses, but not here. The wonderful naturalness of the course and sheer size of the dunes is what's most breathtaking.
The sea, the wind, swishing fescues and a few twittering skylarks are the sounds that will accompany you around the Cashen. Allowing for some "intentionally" rustic maintenance, the Cashen really should feature on your itinerary if you come to tee it up at one of the best known golf clubs in Ireland.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; the Old and Cashen course are very restricted on weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be required. Visitors generally play in fourball flights.
Contact club for full details, discounts, combination tickets, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Non-metal spike facility. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts (buggies) available for hire. Caddies available (book in advance).
Good
The Old Course has hosted many top-level championships including the Irish Open, the North West of Ireland Open and many others (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Ballybunion).
Old course:
Ireland's 3rd best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 12th best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 24th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 21st best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Cashen course:
Ireland's 41st best course (Golf World, 2023).
Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
+353 (0)68 27 777
Visit websiteThe Cliff House Hotel commands a scenic vantage point above Ballybunion beach. A golfers home away from home, with the world ranked Ballybunion Links only minutes away.
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Ballybunion
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Golf Links, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
+353 (0)68 27 351
Visit websiteA luxury 12 bedroom guesthouse overlooking Ballybunion's famous links course and offering the best of Irish hospitality.
Ballybunion (Old and Cashen courses)
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Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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