Ballybunion

Ballybunion

March 11, 2019 Off By BBF

Western Ireland: Ballybunion: The Old Course
Ballybunion is a golf course about an hour away from Killarney on the coast of the Atlantic. It consists of 2 courses. The old course (125 years old) and the The Cashen course.

The old course is a tale of 2 9’s. Actually a tale of the first 7 holes and the rest of the golf course. The first few holes are decent golf holes, with a bit of a funky layout. Be careful not to slice your drive on 1 into the graveyard, and mind the oncoming traffic when you tee off on the first par 5 literally over the green for the par 3 you just finished playing.

By the time you make it to the 7th hole you are along the water for what is basically the rest of the golf course. The holes offer a lot of variety for links style play and seemingly easy and short holes are protected by genuinely sinister green complexes. Although they may seem almost unfair at times, the greens at Ballybunion are among the best played in Ireland. 

To perform well on this course requires shot making as well as creativity. The caddies are good player partners and know the course well… you would be advised to listen to their advice. Ballybunion is a must make golf course on any Western Irish Golf Trip. 

– Spectacle/ visual: 9 
– History: 9
– New/ancient: Ancient
– Playability : 8
– Memorability : 8
– Buddy-a-bility : NA
– Service/etc: 7
– Value: ?
– Shopping: Very nice golf shop with very fine merchandise at reasonable prices (for a golf shop)
– Warm up facilities/Range- decent driving range although you have to hit off of matts

CategoryEurope: Ireland Four Buckets
TagsGolf Course Reviews

About The Author

BBF or “Big Ball First” comes from a golf saying for hitting a shot fat. Or hitting the “big ball first” in that you hit the ground (the big ball) before hitting the golf ball. In the BBF blog, it’s a metaphor for traveling the planet, soaking in exclusive experiences, and pointing people to the Awesome, the Great, the Good, and the not so good out there. We’re hitting the big ball running with tales from international golf courses, with fine wine, fine food, did I mention golf…well, especially the ‘buddies bucket list golf trips’. The hope is that like minded people will enjoy the stories, and hopefully use it as a reference point. If this blog helps people prioritize the experiences they want to have on our planet then we will have succeeded on our mission. We only have so many go’s at “bucket list” travel experiences. Especially the bucket list buddies golf experiences. My hope is you can refine your experience based upon my learning, and take your “big ball first” experiences to the next level.