Ballyliffin Golf Club
Co. Donegal, Ireland
If you’re planning to play golf in Ireland, Ballyliffin Golf Club contains two of The Republic of Ireland’s best championship layouts – Glashedy Links and The Old Links. These North West courses are the most northerly courses in beautiful Ballyliffin. The club’s location on The Wild Atlantic Way at Tullagh Point also makes these courses a sight to behold. With some of the most breathtaking views and a long stretch of sandy beach, Ireland golf trips really come into their own here.
The club started life as a nondescript 9-hole course on leased fairly flat farmland. In 1973 it was expanded to 18 holes by Eddie Hackett with input from the firm of Lawrie and Pennick. In 1992, it was decided that there needed to be an additional 18-hole championship course, taking the playing pressure off the Old Links.
Ballyliffin Golf Club was first established in 1947, but in 1993, Sir Nick Faldo visited and fell in love with it. He later left his mark by undertaking renovations to the Old Links course in 2004, including covering some of the bunkers and adding tees. Faldo also helped establish the course as a venue for future championships – including the 2018 Irish Open.
Today, the Old Links course is a prominent and highly regarded course for both Irish golfers and professionals from all over the world. Playing here is a popular and much-loved feature of our North West Ireland Golf Tour.
Course Details
Ballyliffin Golf Courses
Glashedy Links
Often referred to as “The Ballybunion of The North” or “The Dornoch of Ireland,” Glashedy Links is regarded as one of the best courses in Ireland. Sitting high above the sea and Old Links course, it offers exceptional 360 views and fun play for any skill level.
Designed to test some of the world’s greatest golfers, it’s also challenging, with large and undulated green complexes heavily protected by bunkers.
Ireland’s own Pat Ruddy designed the Glashedy Links course in the 1990s. It’s a big course, set amongst towering dunes and measuring over 7,200 yards from the back tees, with nine par 4s over 400 yards. For those planning an Ireland golf trip, it’s a must-play course if you’re looking for a full day of exceptional play. With irrigation throughout, players here can expect great conditioning and well-running fairways.
The 7th tee of the signature 175-yard par 3 at 120 feet above sea level is the highest point of the course, with magnificent views of its namesake, Glashedy Rock. It’s easy to see why so many make this course part of their Ireland golf vacations.
Pollan Links
Ruddy was rewarded for his efforts here with the design of the Pollan Links short course that opened in 2020, offering a great addition to a day at Ballyliffin. The 14-acre site takes full advantage of the natural terrain with holes varying from 90 to 146 yards
It’s a great emergency nine but also a perfect place to practice the finesse shots required around the greens of links courses, and escapes from the deep and revetted bunkers.
Whether as an addition to a Northern Ireland golf trip or the highlight of a North West Ireland golf tour, make plans to spend a day or two at Ballyliffin Golf Club.
Location
Take a North West Ireland Golf Tour
North West Ireland is a hidden gem of a golfing destination. In comparison to better know tours of Northern Ireland or the South West, unearth some of the finest links on the emerald Isle, including Enniscrone, Rosapenna, Donegal and Carne.
6 nights accommodation and 5 rounds of golf
Prices starting from $3,968
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Ballyliffin Golf Course FAQs
Determining the better course at Ballyliffin is subjective, as Glashedy Links and Old Links have their own merits. Glashedy Links offers a modern, challenging layout with expansive greens and rolling fairways, while Old Links showcases the classic charm and follows the natural contours of the dunes and coastline.
Both courses are highly regarded and among the best in Ireland. To truly experience Ballyliffin’s golfing excellence, we recommend playing both courses for a contrasting and unforgettable golfing adventure.
To book a tee time at Ballyliffin Golf Club, you can conveniently arrange it through Premier Golf as part of a Southwest Ireland golf package.
The green fees at Ballyliffin vary depending on the season and day of the week. The rates for 2023 in the high season (April to October) are €220 per round on either course and €430 per round on both courses. In the low season (November to March), it costs €60 to play a round on either course and €120 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.
Ballyliffin Golf Course features two stunning 18-hole links courses: Glashedy Links and Old Links. Glashedy Links, a challenging par 72 course, offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The signature holes include the ravine-crossing par 4 2nd hole and the beachside par 5 4th hole.
Old Links, also a par 72 course, follows the natural contours of the dunes and coastline, showcasing holes like the blind tee shot on the par 4 7th hole.
Glashedy Links range from 5,558 yards from the reds to 7,542 off the blacks. The Old links range from 5,443 off the reds to 6,937 off the blues.
Yes, there are driving ranges on the course. The official website says the driving range and practice area are open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.