Ballybunion Golf Club
Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Founded in 1893, Ballybunion Golf Club has become one of the world’s most treasured golf experiences. The highly regarded Old Course is the crown jewel of South West Ireland golf, and a favorite among many Open champions, such as five-time holder of the Claret Jug, Tom Watson.
Ranking 9th in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Great Britain and Ireland (2022) and number 18 in Golf Digest’s Best 100 Golf Courses in the World (2022-23), Ballybunion Golf Course can be enjoyed on its own, or as part of the breathtaking South West Ireland Golf Tour which showcases the very best coastline golf courses in the region.
Course Details
Beyond the Old Course at Ballybunion
The Old isn’t the only Ballybunion Golf Course that deserves recognition. Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed a second course, The Cashen, which opened for play in 1984. Considered by many to be more difficult than the Old in challenging conditions, it features even higher dunes, steeper valleys and more undulating greens than its sister course. With many top courses in the Shannon golf region more than an hour apart, it can combine for a wonderful 36-hole day of Ireland links golf.
The distinctive ruined castle logo of the Club is a nod to the Bunion family’s 15th century home and the area’s name origin. Bally in Irish means town – so Ballybunion comes from the town of the Bunion’s.
Unfortunately, due to being in the Republic of Ireland the Ballybunion Golf Club is ineligible to host an Open Championship (a course must be in the United Kingdom) it is still the favorite course of many Open champions. None more so than five-time holder of the Claret Jug – Tom Watson.
Ballybunion Golf Club is private, but, in the grand tradition of private clubs in the British Isles, they graciously allow limited visitor play. With not only Tom Watson but other popular professionals, the golf media and friends spreading the good word on the exhilaration of playing one of the world’s top links courses, those limited visitor tee times tend to be booked well in advance. And once they are all reserved the diary is closed to visitors, unlike the Old Course at St Andrews that holds out most times for a daily ballot. If Ballybunion’s Old Course is on your bucket list, it is suggested to plan your visit at least a year or more in advance to not be disappointed.
Location
The Old Course
Ballybunion Golf Club’s Old Course, famed for its challenging links layout and stunning coastal setting, is a must-play for serious golfers. With its natural dunes, strategic bunkers, and undulating greens, it offers a pure test of golf amid breathtaking scenery.
The course’s rich history and dynamic Atlantic winds enhance the playing experience, making it a revered destination in the golfing world.
Opened: 1893
Par: 71
Length: 6,739 yards
Designers include: Tom Simpson, Graeme Webster, Tom Watson, Caspar Grauballe
The Cashen Course
The Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., presents a wild and natural links challenge, set amidst towering dunes and undisturbed land. Its unpredictable layout, with large greens, deep bunkers, and twisting fairways, demands creativity and skill from golfers.
Offering stunning vistas and a raw golfing experience, the Cashen Course is a thrilling complement to Ballybunion’s famed Old Course, showcasing the rugged beauty of Irish links golf.
Opened: 1984
Par: 72
Length: 6,290 yards
Designers include: Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Graeme Webster, Caspar Grauballe, Martin Hawtree
What makes Ballybunion special?
Ballybunion’s two exceptional courses, the Old Course and the Cashen Course, each offer a distinct, challenging links play amidst spectacular natural landscapes. Its revered status in the golf world comes from the perfect blend of historical significance, natural beauty, and golfing challenge.
The towering dunes, undulating fairways, and unpredictable Atlantic winds create a unique and unforgettable golfing experience. This legendary club, with its rich history and dramatic coastal setting, is a pilgrimage site for golf enthusiasts.
The 7th, one of the most picturesque holes in Ireland, is not a hole for you if you have a slice. The tee box is on a cliff and anything too far right is…..gone.
The 11th called “Watsons”, named after Tom Watson for being his favorite hole on the course, is another signature Par-3, the very brave will aim for the beach and let the breeze bring the ball back into the green.”
Best accommodation for golf at Ballybunion
Allan O’Connor
The Killarney Park, one of the best hotels in Ireland, no more needs to be said.
Great Southern, Killarney is Killarney’s oldest hotel, dating back to Victorian times, it exudes old-world charm, but with modern bedrooms.
Aghadoe Heights, Killarney, located just outside town overlooking the world-famous Lakes of Killarney & the McGillicuddy Reeks offers spectacular views and is a great pick for groups with non-golfers as it has a wonderful Spa.
For those not playing some of the other SW courses Teach de Broc, located right behind the driving range at Ballybunion is a solid choice, especially if you get the dreaded 7am tee-time.
Take a South West Ireland Golf Tour
Play Ballybunion Golf Course as part of a South West Ireland golf tour. In addition to Ballybunion, play Tralee, Waterville, Old Head, Doonbeg and Lahinch, on a golf package filled with the best coastline golf courses that South West Ireland has to offer.
7 nights accommodation and 6 rounds of golf
From $5,945 per golfer
From $2,673 per non-golfer
Ballybunion Reviews
Excellent all around
We just returned from the Ireland trip, which was amazing. Old Head Golf Links and Ballybunion were awesome. We plan to go back there in July next year for a month and are looking forward to it. Having Connor from Premier Golf waiting at the airport us was a major plus!!
Exceeded My Expectations
I was with Mark Osborne, so had much of the same experiences. The 7 courses we played would be hard to beat: Old Head, Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion (Cashen)/(Old), Lahinch, and Doonbeg. We ended up eating at all of the recommended restaurants and we pleased with all. We had 8 golfers, so making reservations as early as possible is highly recommended. We often had chowder for lunch after our rounds. The chowder at Lahinch is not to be missed.
Mike Taylor was our driver and was perfect. Helpful, prompt, informative, funny, and professional are some of the adjectives to describe him. The coach was large and accommodating with everyone having more than enough room. Most importantly, Mike got us to our destinations on time and safely.
We experienced every type of weather imaginable. One day was a shorts day with plenty of sunshine and only moderate wind (2 extra clubs). The other days had winds which required shots with 4+ extra clubs. We did get the remnants of two hurricanes which added to the rain and wind.
Five of the caddies we had were off the charts good (clubbing, finding balls. humorous and reading putts). The other younger caddies were better than average but compared to the older caddies, were not as proficient. One day we rode in carts and our fore caddy was awesome. Caddies made a huge difference and I do not see how we could have played decent golf without them.
They’re those who will bypass Doonbeg because of the Trump name. They will have deprived themselves from a great experience. The course conditions were the best of the 7 courses we played. The clubhouse was easily the best.
We had researched a number of companies, before choosing Premier. We obviously made the right choice.
The seven day test.
The golf on Old Head was scary good. Waterville was a tough beauty even without the wind gusting over 40. I want another shot at Tralee without the rain and 35 mph winds (we wimped out after nine holes). Ballybunion Cashen was extremely demanding and unique. Ballybunion Old exceeded expectations and had a couple of crazy holes that were even more fun. Lahinch was spectacular. No matter what you think of Trump, he runs a hell of a course at Doonbeg.
If you’re game isn’t sharp or you’re advancing in years, don’t be afraid to move to more forward tees. The caddies will love you for it. BTW, if given the choice, always take a caddie….worth ever penny as entertainment and as a stroke saver.
Our coach driver, Mike was THE BEST. You need not worry about anything with him in charge.
Our hotels were top notch. No cookie cutter facilities were they. It was sometimes difficult to get a full breakfast if we had an early tee time.
All in all Premier puts together a spectacular package to Ireland.
A wonderful trip
Thank you for such a wonderful trip! I had an absolute blast and a vacation of a lifetime. Although the trip was no rest for the weary I wouldn’t have it any other way. Got absolutely drenched at Tralee as goretex can only hold on for so long but that course just might be my favorite along with Ballybunnion. Battled 30-40 mph winds at Waterville and ended the golf trip with back to back birdies! Really enjoyed my time at Lahinch and Doonbeg as well.
Can’t believe I never got in a wreck with the car considering the hairpin turns and the locals racing like F1 drivers and it is true…the Guinness is definitely much better!
Better than advertised!
We worked with your company and Bill Hogan set up the trip. When we got to Ireland Allan had everything perfect, and we wish we could have stayed longer. Kinsale was a nice town to start, and Killarney was our base for five nights to play the courses around that area. Loved Ballybunion and Waterville, they are spectacular. Our last round was at Lahinch and that might have been he best course of the bunch. Thank you to the team at Premier for the great time. We’ll be back!
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Ballybunion Golf Course FAQs
Ballybunion Golf Course has two courses; the Old Course and the Cashen Course. The Old Course is a classic links course that dates back to 1893 and is widely known as one of the best in the world. The Cashen Course is a modern links course opened in 1984.
It was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is known for being challenging and spectacular, with its views of the Clare coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. Both courses have a par of 72 and measure 6,000 yards from the white tees. The Old Course has a rating of 72.9 and a slope of 131, while the Cashen Course has a rating of 71.8 and a slope of 126.
To book a tee time at Ballybunion Golf Course, you can conveniently arrange it through Premier Golf as part of a Southwest Ireland golf package.
The green fees for golfers at Ballybunion Golf Course vary depending on the day of the week and season. In 2023’s high season (April to October), the green fees in the high season are €300 per person on the Old Course, with a two-round offer (one on the Old Course and one on Cashen) at €400 per person. On the Cashen Course, the fees are €125.
In the low season (November to March), you pay €150 per round on either course and €200 per round on both courses.
You can also get discounts for groups of 12 or more players, special offers for winter golf, and twilight rates after 3 pm.
Yes, you can rent golf clubs and equipment at Ballybunion Golf Course. You can also hire a caddy, buggy, a set of clubs, and trolley hire. You must book a caddy, buggy, or set of clubs in advance. The trolleys do not require booking but are subject to availability. There is also a pro shop to buy gloves, tees, balls, and other playing equipment.