Old Head Golf Links

The spectacular Old Head Golf Links is one of the world’s most recognized and highly rated courses. Overlooked by a distinctive black and white striped lighthouse, and perched on a diamond-shaped headland with steep cliffs on all sides, it is one of the most dramatic settings in which to play golf.

Opened in 1997, Old Head Golf Club was created by a world-class design team assembled by John and Patrick O’Connor, who purchased the land in 1989.

Built in the modern era, but designed as a walking course, the Old Head golf course of Ireland features nine holes played along the cliffs, with the entire course enjoying views of the sea. It can also be enjoyed as part of the South West Ireland Golf Tour, allowing you to explore more of the region’s best courses.

If coming from Dublin airport, Old Head Golf Links, Kinsale, makes a perfect first stop on your Southwest Ireland golf adventure.

It is a true collaboration of a talented design team and to the club’s credit, they are all recognized for their efforts in doing justice to this ancient land. The group included Ron Kirby, who was a Jack Nicklaus design associate; Joe Carr, Ireland’s favorite son and storied amateur golfer; Eddie Hackett, a former pro and passionate golf course architect from down under, Paddy Merrigan, an Australian golf architect; and Liam Higgins, a southwest Ireland golf legend as Waterville’s first and only golf professional and successful Senior Golf Tour professional.

Built in the modern era, but designed as a walking course, the Old Head links course features a memorable collection of five par 5s, five par 3s and eight par 4s – nine holes play along the cliffs and all feature views of the sea.

While the neighboring town of Kinsale is a charming seaport and recognized as “the gourmet capital of Ireland” the five-star dining, spa and suite accommodations on property at Old Head rival the best food and lodging in Ireland. Be sure and have a pint of Guinness in the Lusitania Bar, named after the passenger steamship, that was infamously sunk off the head by a German U-boat in 1915. The bar also features artifacts from that fateful event whose loss of over 1,900 souls led to the United States’ entry into The Great War.

With an active membership hailing from both Europe and the United States and events for those members throughout the summer, 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 the Old Head golf course is on your bucket list, it is suggested to plan your visit at least a year or more in advance not to be disappointed.