| Club Name | Ballybunion – Old Course |
| Designer | Jo McKenna, Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson, Molly Gourlay |
| Par | 70 |
| Type | Links |
| Length | 6,162 Metres / 6,739 Yards |
| Website | |
| Club Address | Sandhill Rd, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland |
Located on the north-west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find two wonderfully challenging and unique world-class links golf courses at Ballybunion, the Old Course and the Trent Jones-designed Cashen Course. Whatever your choice, every hole, every hazard and every shot is defined by nature’s infinite presence. Elsewhere along the Wild Atlantic Way in south-west Ireland, you will find Tralee Golf Club, Dooks Golf Club, Adare Manor and Dromoland Castle Hotel. We recommend starting in Cork or Limerick when visiting the south-west of Ireland and renting a vehicle to take in the stunning scenery. If coming from Cork, be sure to stop off at Old Head, Dingle Golf Links and Waterville Links before you reach Ballybunion.
The Old Course exudes a majestic feel that simply cannot be compared to any other course on earth. With beautifully contoured fairways that tumble down through a blanket of grassy dunes, it’s no wonder these challenging holes have been consistently rated among the top ten courses in the world. The course has some of the largest sand dunes in Ireland, and that’s saying a lot!
The wind affects everything there, so your score will be determined by the gods depending on whether or not they decide to make it howl. But as you drive from the historic town of Ballybunion, your eyes feast upon some of the most spectacular links-land imaginable, right by the sea. It is the very definition of classic links. The Old Course is fickle, unrelenting and exhilarating all at the same time. Tom Watson wrote that ‘after playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think that the game of golf originated here. There is a wild look to the place, the long grass covering the dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course making it very intimidating.’ – We certainly agree with everything Watson said; Ballybunion, situated on the south-west coast of Ireland, is exposed to the full force of the arctic Atlantic ferocity, and you can tell through the local dwellings lush vegetation is out of the question.
The Old Course at Ballybunion is a true seaside links, virtually treeless, with a distinct lack of manmade influences. The contours on the fairways and greens are what gives Ballybunion the icing on the cake. The golfer is required to play accurate approach shots to the greens, usually to a small target with not a lot of space to miss left or right. This becomes evident on the second hole named ‘Kennells:’ a long par-4 at 407-metres, the line off the tee is directly straight through two towering sand dunes, leaving golfers with a long approach shot(s) to a raised plateaued green. It’s an unforgettable course and a reminder that although Ireland is not technically the home of golf, the sport of golf has a permanent holiday home in Ireland.
The clubhouse at Ballybunion features a golf shop, a restaurant and lounge, Spike’s Bar, locker rooms with a steam room & a tuck shop that’s available from mid-March until October that serves a selection of hot and cold snacks for your round. In terms of rentals, they offer caddies, clubs, carts, pull-trolleys & complimentary use of the practice facilities before your round.
BOOK YOUR GOLF TRIP WITH VOYAGES.GOLF
Planning a golf trip shouldn’t be harder than playing the course itself. Voyages.golf is an International specialist golf travel agency, built by golfers for golfers who want access to the world’s best courses without the booking headaches. Our services go well beyond golf, with curated travel services creating the best package to suit your needs as described by our thousands of travellers.
Our Approach
We handle the details so you can focus on your game. Every itinerary is custom-built around the courses you want to play, with accommodation, transfers, and logistics coordinated to maximise your time on the greens. No budget stay-and-play, no minimum group sizes, no automated responses – just personalised service from golf travel specialists who understand what makes a great golf trip.
Our Services
Every Voyages.golf package starts with a minimum of two nights’ accommodation paired with your golf rounds, then builds from there based on your needs. Our comprehensive services include:
Tee Time Access
Championship courses – worldwide. We’ve built relationships over 10+ years that secure tee times many can’t access.
Hand-Picked Accommodation
Every hotel, resort, and lodge is selected based on three criteria: location near your courses, genuine comfort after 18 holes, and whether we’d stay there ourselves. No endless scrolling through reviews – we’ve done the research and know what works for golfers.
Complete Logistics Management
Golf clubs on flights. Vehicles with proper storage. Multi-course routing that doesn’t waste your day driving. Caddie requests. Optional additions like wine tours, golf lessons, or non-golfer programs. We coordinate everything so your trip flows seamlessly from arrival to departure.
No Minimum Numbers
Solo traveler? Foursome? Corporate group of 20? We welcome bookings of any size. Every golfer deserves exceptional service regardless of party size.
Real People, Real Expertise
Contact Voyages.golf and you’ll speak with experienced golf travel specialists – not call centers or chatbots. We’re golfers who’ve played these courses, understand seasonal conditions, and genuinely care about creating trips you’ll remember. We’re available to answer questions, refine itineraries, and provide support before, during, and after your journey.
Ready to Play?
Whether you’re targeting Australia’s championship courses, planning an international golf pilgrimage, or organizing a weekend escape with friends, Voyages.golf transforms your golf travel plans into reality. Contact our specialist team today to start designing your perfect golf experience.
How to Book Your Golf Trip
Every Voyages.golf experience is custom-made to your specifications—no two itineraries are identical. To ensure we secure the best tee times and accommodation, especially at high-demand courses and destinations, we recommend starting the booking process well in advance. We will advise you on the best booking windows for in-demand locations.
Before reaching out, it helps to have clarity on your preferred travel dates and confirmed group members (who’s definitely in, who’s still deciding). This allows us to move quickly when availability opens at sought-after courses.
Our 5-Step Booking Process
1. Enquire
Contact our team with your ideal travel window, preferred courses or destinations, group size, and any special requirements. The more detail you provide, the better we can tailor your itinerary. Keep in mind that popular courses and travel periods book out months in advance; early enquiries give you the best selection.
2. Book
Once we’ve designed your perfect itinerary and you’re ready to proceed, we’ll send a detailed invoice. We accept multi-currency payments via credit card or direct bank transfer, making both domestic and international bookings straightforward and secure.
3. Travel
Experience the golf trip we’ve meticulously planned for you. Our team remains available throughout your journey for any support, adjustments, or assistance you might need with the latest digital travel app to support your group throughout.
4. Share Your Experience
We’d love to hear how your trip went. Share your experience on social media (tag us @voyagesgolf), leave a review, or send us photos from your trip to be featured. Your feedback helps us continually improve and helps fellow golfers discover their next great adventure.
5. Stay in Touch
Once you’ve traveled with Voyages.golf, you’re part of our community. We’ll keep you informed about new course partnerships, exclusive travel opportunities, and seasonal recommendations for your next golf getaway.
Ready to Start Planning?
Contact Voyages.golf today. Let us know when you’re thinking of traveling and which courses are on your bucket list—we’ll take care of the rest.
Rated Excellent on the world’s leading independent review platform.
Sign up to receive our Monthly Newsletter, Tour & Cruise Releases and take advantage of our Earlybird Deals.
Data used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We never sell your data as a fully independent company.
Ask questions and request more information about this tour by filling out enquiry form below & one of our experts will reach out to you.
