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 - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original layout by club professional James McKenna. After 8 yrs of closure, a new 9-hole layout was designed by Lionel Hewson (1906), and extended to 18-holes in 1926. Additional modifications made by Tom Simpson (1937) and Tom Watson (1995).
Above distances are for the Old course. Also at Ballybunion is the 18-hole Cashen Course (par-72, 6,306 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 (Old)
Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course): Revered by many of the world's greatest players, seasoned golf writers and some notable American Presidents too, Ballybunion's Old course is a dazzling star in the firmament of great links golf courses. With its towering dunes, sublime layout and fabulous ocean views, the course will challenge and test your game to the full, especially if the wind blows. The immensely natural, oceanside back-nine is without equal in the world of links golf.
After the opening par-4 1st, played down past a cemetery, then a few holes alongside Sandhill Road, the layout turns towards the sea at the par-4 6th, and golfing nirvana ensues. Towering sand dunes combine with magnificent sea views to create one of the most natural golfing environments you will encounter.
Tucked into the dunes is a succession of wonderfully memorable holes, like the shore-hugging par-4 11th, downhill par-4 17th and returning uphill par-4 18th. Back-to-back par-3s feature at 14 and 15; one is played into the wind, one downwind, one is mischievously short, the other testingly long.
On the Old course you enter a timeless, thankfully never changing world. Here the ballyhoo of modern life fades into the distance, as the charms of Ballybunion take over. For good reason, this is the most popular visitor course in Ireland, so book well in advance ... and prey for some kind weather.
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) are not available on the Old Course. 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 other. For more details see Top Golf Tournaments at Ballybunion GC.
Old course:
Ireland's 3rd best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 11th best course (Golf World, 2024).
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).
Glin, Co. Limerick
+353 (0)68 34112
Visit websiteGlin Castle, home of the Knight of Glin, his wife Madam FitzGerald, stands on the banks of the River Shannon in county Limerick amidst a 500 acre demense. Visitors are welcomed to stay between March and November, and at other times by special arrangement.
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Ballybunion
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Opposite Golf Links, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry
+353 (0)68 27 592
Visit websiteThe 19th Lodge Ballybunion has its origins dating back to 1986 when it first welcomed guests from all over the world to Ballybunion. No stone has been left unturned to ensure that the 19th Golf Lodge is one of the most relaxing and accommodating guesthouses in Kerry.
Ballybunion (Old and Cashen courses)
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The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
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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