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#18
Ballybunion Golf Club
Sandhill Rd
Ballybunion, 11, Ireland
Ballybunion, 11, Ireland
+353.68.27146
The location of the two links courses here may be remote (Ireland's west coast), but its fame and respect are not.
The Old Course here is the most famous, opened in 1893 pretty much as God left the terrain, although the English architect Tom Simpson did some "finishing work" to the course in 1936. Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s Cashen Course (ca. 1982) is, according to the club, more spectacular, brutal, and unforgiving. During the winter of 2015-16, all 18 greens here will be mapped, then rebuilt using locally-grown fescue as the putting surface. The course is expected to reopen for play in the spring of 2016. Ballybunion is on most serious golfers' proverbial bucket lists; Herbert Warren Wind wrote in 1969 that Ballybunion Old Course was the finest links he had played in the U.K. and Eire.
Visitors are welcome; the peak-season rate on the Old Course is €180, while the Cashen Course is available at €65 (carts are €35).
The Old Course here is the most famous, opened in 1893 pretty much as God left the terrain, although the English architect Tom Simpson did some "finishing work" to the course in 1936. Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s Cashen Course (ca. 1982) is, according to the club, more spectacular, brutal, and unforgiving. During the winter of 2015-16, all 18 greens here will be mapped, then rebuilt using locally-grown fescue as the putting surface. The course is expected to reopen for play in the spring of 2016. Ballybunion is on most serious golfers' proverbial bucket lists; Herbert Warren Wind wrote in 1969 that Ballybunion Old Course was the finest links he had played in the U.K. and Eire.
Visitors are welcome; the peak-season rate on the Old Course is €180, while the Cashen Course is available at €65 (carts are €35).
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Course Details
| Type: | Semi-Private |
| Greens Fees (including cart): | |
| Weekday: | $200 - $299 |
| Weekend: | $200 - $299 |
| General Manager: | Vari McGreevy |
| Superintendent: | John Bambury |
| Guest Policy: | open |
| Dress Code: | Collared Shirt (No Denim) |
| Season Start: | April |
| Season End: | October |
| Pro Shop : | yes |
| Driving Range: | Grass hitting surface |
| Short Game Practice: | yes with sand bunker |
| Water Hazards: | Moderate |
| Sand Bunkers: | Heavy |
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Recent Reviews
Gonzalo H - 5/12/14
great and difficult link course. The main problem I found is that speed of greens was almost diferent in each hole. A must to play with a caddie as fairways are quite narrow and rough imposible
great and difficult link course. The main problem I found is that speed of greens was almost diferent in each hole. A must to play with a caddie as fairways are quite narrow and rough imposible
Nada - 5/8/14
It is an expensive course. With caddy you can expect to pay $300. The course is fine and a good experience. I REALLY liked the Cashen course.
It is an expensive course. With caddy you can expect to pay $300. The course is fine and a good experience. I REALLY liked the Cashen course.
GFClyne - 7/30/13
A great test of golf prepared to the highest standards. Suprisingly undulating for a links course.
Some fantastic scenic views.
Friendly staff in clubhouse although food could have been prepared to a higher standard (less greasy Cod)
A great test of golf prepared to the highest standards. Suprisingly undulating for a links course.
Some fantastic scenic views.
Friendly staff in clubhouse although food could have been prepared to a higher standard (less greasy Cod)
WoodyFitz - 6/6/12
What Course
What Course
Hairdaddy - 11/7/11
Beautiful course. I recommend a caddie. Playing the wind is tough and having clues where to aim on blind shots paid dividends in my score.
Beautiful course. I recommend a caddie. Playing the wind is tough and having clues where to aim on blind shots paid dividends in my score.
aglazier - 7/1/11
Old Course: On the #2 hole I hit a drive of only about 220 yards (not good considering how much roll you get on the links style courses.
The second shot on #2 is considered the toughest shot on the golf course. I had an approach shot of 180 yards straight UP, UP, UP the hill through two gigantic dunes to a green surrounded by bunkers. I stiffed a hybrid to a back right pin location to about 8 feet. Almost had a birdie on the #1 handicap hole except that the putt never broke left.
I was playing great until about 7th hole where the course switched direction and headed straight back into a heavy wind (25-35 mph?) for what seemed like the rest of the round.
This was the most dramatic of all the links courses I played in terms of the size of the dunes and the influence the wind has on the shots. #7 and number #11 in particular with the ocean on the right were insane with a stiff wind in the face.
For both courses, I was disappointed in the quality of the greens. They were only in average condition. When I play courses with green fees this expensive in the States, the greens are perfect.
Cashen Course: Despite what the critics and locals say, the Cashen Course is every bit as good as the Old Course, it just doesn't have its history. The shots are even more dramatic since there is more elevation change.
It is unbelievable that I hit every fairway but one on this tight, narrow course. The course was a lot like Lost Canyons but with tall fescue grass paralleling each hole.
Great course, but I can see how some people would call it unfair and contrived. Had a birdie on the toughest par 5 and made par on the second toughest par 5. Sweet birdie on the signature 16th too.
Greens were fairly slow, but tons of unjulation. Conditions weren't as good as I would have expected them to be considering the green fee.
Old Course: On the #2 hole I hit a drive of only about 220 yards (not good considering how much roll you get on the links style courses.
The second shot on #2 is considered the toughest shot on the golf course. I had an approach shot of 180 yards straight UP, UP, UP the hill through two gigantic dunes to a green surrounded by bunkers. I stiffed a hybrid to a back right pin location to about 8 feet. Almost had a birdie on the #1 handicap hole except that the putt never broke left.
I was playing great until about 7th hole where the course switched direction and headed straight back into a heavy wind (25-35 mph?) for what seemed like the rest of the round.
This was the most dramatic of all the links courses I played in terms of the size of the dunes and the influence the wind has on the shots. #7 and number #11 in particular with the ocean on the right were insane with a stiff wind in the face.
For both courses, I was disappointed in the quality of the greens. They were only in average condition. When I play courses with green fees this expensive in the States, the greens are perfect.
Cashen Course: Despite what the critics and locals say, the Cashen Course is every bit as good as the Old Course, it just doesn't have its history. The shots are even more dramatic since there is more elevation change.
It is unbelievable that I hit every fairway but one on this tight, narrow course. The course was a lot like Lost Canyons but with tall fescue grass paralleling each hole.
Great course, but I can see how some people would call it unfair and contrived. Had a birdie on the toughest par 5 and made par on the second toughest par 5. Sweet birdie on the signature 16th too.
Greens were fairly slow, but tons of unjulation. Conditions weren't as good as I would have expected them to be considering the green fee.
jimimeade - 7/30/15
JLAPERA - 7/16/15
Limerickman007 - 3/6/15
Liam1 - 10/15/13
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