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The Global Golfer Top 100
Ballybunion Golf Club — Old Course
Ballybunion, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland · #6 in the World
Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland | Ranking: #6 — The Global Golfer Top 100
Type: Clifftop Links | Partner Stay: Adare Manor; The Cliff House Hotel
Editor’s Note: “A course on which many golf architects should commit suicide with their niblicks.” That was Tom Simpson’s savage assessment of Ballybunion’s Old Course in 1937. Tom Watson was kinder — calling it the finest natural course in the world. Both were right in their way. The Old Course is a miracle of natural golf: massive sand dunes, clifftop holes above the Shannon Estuary, a cemetery occupying the 5th fairway. It is completely wild and completely magnificent.
1. Travel & Logistics
- How to Get There: Ballybunion is 90km north of Killarney via the N21 and N69. From Limerick, approximately 60km south via the N69.
- Nearest Airport: Kerry Airport (KIR) — 55 mins. Shannon Airport (SNN) — 50 mins. Cork Airport (ORK) — 1h 45m.
- Car Hire: Essential — Ballybunion has no public transport connections.
2. Contact & Booking
- Tel: +353 (0)68 27146 | Email: bbgolf@iol.ie
- Website: ballybuniongolfclub.ie
- How to Book: Visitors welcome 7 days a week — advance online booking recommended, particularly July–August. The Cashen Course (Tom Watson design, 1984) is also excellent.
- Course Rating / Slope: Old Course: 74.0 / 140 | Championship: 74.8 / 143
- Green Fees: Old Course from €155; Combined Old + Cashen from €225
3. Championship Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 34 |
| Yards | 393 | 445 | 220 | 498 | 508 | 165 | 423 | 487 | 173 | 3,312 |
Par 4
Par 3
Par 5
Total
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 71 |
| Yards | 359 | 453 | 192 | 379 | 131 | 216 | 376 | 362 | 471 | 2,939 | 6,851 |
4. Hole-by-Hole Strategy
Hole 3 — Par 3, 220 Yards
- Strategy: An elevated par 3 with the Shannon Estuary and Atlantic Ocean stretching to the horizon. The green below is deceptively small; the drop from the tee makes distance judgement treacherous. When the wind comes off the water, this can play to a 3-wood.
Hole 5 — Par 5, 508 Yards
- Strategy: The most uniquely situated hole in world golf — the fairway passes through a graveyard. The old cemetery occupies the left side from 200–280 yards; a drive that fades will ricochet off headstones. This is not metaphorical.
Holes 11–15 — The Clifftop Sequence
- Strategy: Five holes along the highest section of the course — perched above the Atlantic at 40 metres. The wind here is relentless and directionally unpredictable. Accurate, low iron play is essential; this sequence determines your scorecard.
Hole 18 — Par 5, 471 Yards
- Strategy: A reachable par 5 finishing back toward the town — a rare birdie opportunity at the end of an exhausting, glorious round. The drive must find the correct side of the fairway to open a second-shot line.
5. The 19th Hole — Where to Stay & Dine
- Adare Manor (5★ Grand Resort): Ireland’s finest hotel — 45 minutes from Ballybunion. Gothic Revival manor house, Michelin dining, spa and its own Tom Fazio course. Book via Expedia →
- The Listowel Arms Hotel: 25 minutes from Ballybunion — charming Irish market town hotel with excellent food and superb Kerry beef.
- Ballybunion Golf Club Bar: The post-round ritual. Overlooking the 18th green with Atlantic views. Simple bar food, local seafood and Guinness poured correctly.