Ballybunion Golf Club is more than just one of the world’s great links—it’s an experience that stirs the soul.
Perched on the edge of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the storied Old Course inspires awe, joy, and something deeper. Words can only take you so far. To truly understand Ballybunion, you have to walk it.
This is a place that matters—to Irish golf, to links golf, and to the game itself. Ranked consistently among the top 20 golf courses in the world, Ballybunion Old Course is celebrated for its raw beauty, natural terrain, and emotional pull. It is golf in its purest, wildest form.
What sets it apart isn’t just the design or setting—though both are extraordinary—but the way it makes you feel. Ballybunion doesn’t just test your game; it lifts your spirit.
Ballybunion Golf Club: A Bucket List Experience
Herbert Warren Wind, the doyen of American golf writers, once wrote of Ballybunion Golf Club: “It is nothing less than the finest seaside course I have ever seen.” Five-time Open champion Tom Watson added: “After playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think that the game of golf originated there.”
These aren’t throwaway lines. Ballybunion Old Course is a true pilgrimage site for golfers. Winding your way from the town of Ballybunion to the course, you feel the anticipation building with every bend. The land opens up into a wild, tumbling tapestry of dunes, cliffs, and crashing waves. Ireland’s west coast doesn’t just set the stage—it steals it.
The Old Course at Ballybunion: A Natural Wonder
From the very first hole, you’re in nature’s hands. Towering dunes dominate the landscape in front of you, carved by wind and time into something almost otherworldly. Greens appear and disappear behind dune ridges. Fairways twist through sandy valleys. The Atlantic Ocean provides the soundtrack. It’s a course that feels discovered, not designed. Raw, rugged, and real.
Ballybunion Old Course is a truly extraordinary layout. A place where Mother Nature, with all her mercurial magic, has conjured up as ruggedly beautiful a course as exists anywhere in the world. And in our view it should always be in the conversation when the discussion turns to the world’s greatest golf course. It sits at the top table. While a professional, James McKenna, laid out the original Ballybunion course and Tom Simpson supervised the extension of it, there is a sense that with this golf course Mother Nature herself did the hard work. And could not be surpassed. That’s the essence of this place. Golf beside the ocean, among the dunes and battling the elements. Pure. Simple. Life changing.
Teeing Off at Ballybunion Golf Club
Our visit to Ballybunion Golf Club began under a cobalt sky and with the kind of welcome Ireland is famous for. The starter, all warmth and wit, set the tone perfectly. First tee nerves melted away with the crack of a solid drive down the fairway.
Some say Ballybunion doesn’t really begin until the 7th tee, but that does a disservice to the journey that gets you there. Still, it’s true that the 7th is where the drama deepens. A sweeping par 4 which hugs the ocean, it asks for nerve off the tee and precision on approach. The green is a natural amphitheatre surrounded by dunes, with the Atlantic a wedge away.
The Best Holes at Ballybunion Golf Club
The 11th is another showstopper. A downhill par-4 that dances through dunes to a sunken green, it offers a shot at glory—if you can thread the needle. The 14th and 15th are standout par-3s, with the 15th in particular deserving a postcard of its own: 209 yards, downhill, and aimed straight at the sea.
And then there’s the 18th. A fine closing hole, yes, but more than that—a reluctant farewell. You won’t want this round to end. Fortunately, Ballybunion Golf Club knows this. Head to the clubhouse terrace, pint in hand, and watch the sun melt into the Atlantic. There are few better ways to finish a round.
Why Ballybunion Golf Club Stays With You
Long after the scorecard is lost and the spikes are cleaned, Ballybunion Golf Club lingers in the mind.
It’s not just the holes or the views—though those are unforgettable. It’s the feeling. The joy. The sense that for one afternoon, you were part of something pure. This isn’t just a round of golf. It’s a memory. A story. A place that stays with you.
BALLYBUNION GOLF CLUB: KEY FACTS
Address:
Ballybunion Golf Club,
Sandhill Road,
Ballybunion,
Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Website: BallybunionGolfClub.com
Phone: +353 (0) 68 27146
Email: reservations@ballybuniongolfclub.ie
BALLYBUNION GOLF CLUB SCORECARD
BALLYBUNION SCORECARD: CASHEN COURSE
Ballybunion Golf Club: Course Map
Ballybunion: Course Map, Cashen Course
Ballybunion Golf Club: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Where is Ballybunion?
Ballybunion Golf Club is situated in Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland. It sits on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and is within reach of other excellent Irish golf courses such as Lahinch, Waterville, Tralee and Killarney.
How can I book a tee time at Ballybunion Golf Club?
Tee times at Ballybunion Golf Club can be booked online by clicking here. With the club in demand, it is advisable to book well in advance, especially during peak seasons.
What about Ballybunion Golf Club green fees?
Green fees at Ballybunion Golf Club vary depending on factors such as the time of day, day of the week, and which the year you are planning to play. As a guide, Ballybunion Golf Club green fees for The Old Course will be around €350.
Is Ballybunion Golf Club open to non-members?
A4: Yes, Ballybunion Golf Club welcomes non-members. Visitors are encouraged to book tee times in advance and adhere to the club’s dress code and etiquette.
What is the dress code at Ballybunion Golf Club?
Ballybunion Golf Club has a smart-casual dress code. Proper golf attire, including collared shirts and appropriate golf shoes are required on the course. Denim, beachwear, and football jerseys are not permitted.
Are caddies available at Ballybunion Golf Club?
At Ballybunion Golf Club, they encourage golfers to walk the courses and take a caddie if possible. Fees for bag services and gratuities are directly paid to the caddie. The decision on the amount of gratuity is entirely at the discretion of the player. It’s important to note that caddies at Ballybunion Golf Club operate as independent contractors and are not employed by the club. Consequently, their availability cannot be guaranteed.
Can I rent golf clubs at Ballybunion Golf Club?
Yes, Ballybunion Golf Club offers rental clubs for visitors. Reserving rental clubs in advance is recommended to ensure availability.
Does Ballybunion Golf Club have practice facilities?
Yes, Ballybunion Golf Club provides practice facilities, including putting greens, and chipping areas. These areas are ideal for warming up before your round.
Is there a driving range at Ballybunion Golf Club?
Yes, Ballybunion Golf Club has a modern driving range and practice facility. It’s ideal for warming up before your round or sharpening your game with a lesson from the club’s PGA professionals.
Do you need a handicap to play Ballybunion Golf Club?
The handicap limit for men is 24, for women it is 36. Handicap certificates may be required.
What’s the difference between Ballybunion Golf Course and Ballybunion Golf Club?
“Ballybunion Golf Club” refers to the organisation and members’ club, while “Ballybunion Golf Course” often refers to the Old Course, the club’s world-famous championship layout. Ballybunion also has a second 18-hole layout called the Cashen Course, offering a more dramatic and modern challenge.
What are Ballybunion Golf Club membership fees?
Membership at Ballybunion Golf Club is exclusive and by invitation, often requiring sponsorship from existing members. While exact membership fees are not publicly listed, annual dues and joining fees are in line with other top Irish links clubs and can vary depending on category (local, overseas, etc.). For details, it’s best to contact the club directly.
Does Ballybunion Golf Club have open days?
Yes, Ballybunion occasionally hosts Open Days and open competitions, particularly during the summer months. These events offer non-members the rare chance to play the course at a reduced rate. Keep an eye on the club’s website or contact the pro shop for upcoming dates.
Is there a golf shop at Ballybunion?
Yes, the Ballybunion Golf Shop is located in the clubhouse and is well stocked with premium apparel, accessories, and gifts—including the coveted Ballybunion golf logo gear. Whether it’s a crested sweater, a headcover, or a signed scorecard, this is the place to pick up a memento from one of the world’s greatest links.
Are there Ballybunion Golf Club photos available?
Yes, the official website and social media channels are full of stunning Ballybunion Golf Club photos—showcasing dramatic dunes, ocean views, and the course in all seasons. You’ll also find great imagery within this article and on our social media channels of Ballybunion Golf Club.
Does Ballybunion Golf Club have a restaurant?
Yes, the clubhouse restaurant at Ballybunion offers freshly prepared Irish cuisine with sweeping views of the links and the Atlantic. Whether it’s a hearty post-round meal or a quiet coffee before your tee time, it’s a welcoming and relaxed spot that reflects the spirit of the club. There is also a great terrace which overlooks the 18th green of the Old Course and is an unbeatable spot to have a post-round drink and watch the sun go down.
Can members log in to Ballybunion Golf Club online?
Yes, members can use the Ballybunion Golf Club members login on the club’s official website to book tee times, access event details, and manage their accounts securely.
Are there any reviews of Ballybunion Golf Club?
Absolutely—Ballybunion Golf Club reviews, which you can find on the likes of Google and beyond, are overwhelmingly positive. The Old Course is consistently ranked among the top 10 courses in the world, praised for its dramatic setting, challenge, and authenticity. Visitors often go as far as to call it the highlight of their golfing lives.
What are the best hotels near Ballybunion Golf Club?
The best hotels near Ballybunion Golf Club would include Teach de Broc (which sits right beside the course), the Cliff House Hotel and the Marine Boutique Hotel. For more luxurious stays, nearby towns like Listowel and Tralee offer further options. Many accommodations cater specifically to golfers and can help arrange tee times.
Can I even find crazy golf in Ballybunion?
Ballybunion Old Course is pretty crazy at times, playing in among those towering dunes, but yes, Ballybunion also has a fun crazy golf course in the town, perfect for families. Ballybunion Crazy Golf is actually a shrunken down version of the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club itself. Great as part of a golf trip to the real thing.
