Ballyliffin Old Golf Course
Ballyliffin, County Donegal
The Old Course at Ballyliffin is a traditional links course where the undulating fairways rise and fall, and the 'luck of the bounce' plays as important a part as well struck golf shots. Nick Faldo was so impressed by the course and surrounding property that he wanted to buy it - an so the genie was released and Ballyliffin began its journey to the very top of Ireland's leading golf destinations. There is no better 36 hole facility anywhere, Ballyliffin offering as it does two top quality links courses of contrasting design. The Old Links epitomises traditional links golf at its very very best.
Ballyliffin Old Course Description
The first epitomises the Old Course, a dog-leg right where the approach shot will bring Nick Faldo's comment 'Do I bump and run, or just run and bump?' to mind. An early test of your up-and-down skills is most likely. After the equally testing second (422 yards), the par-4 3rd turns into the prevailing westerly wind, and though just 354 yards, it can play very long as a well struck drive is required to carry the crest of the fairway. An idyllic links approach into a green protected on all sides by unforgiving dunes.
Make good use of the chance presented by the par-5 4th before being presented to 'The Tank'. Possibly the most celebrated hole on the Old Course this par-3 5th is 176 yards to a stage-like green set between two sand hills. Those who have played it will realise that the green is generous, but from the tee for the first time it is quite intimidating.
The next eight holes are all classic par-4 links holes except for the 211 yard 7th and the 206 yard 12th. The 12th is a lovely hole, a generous green guarded on the front right by a large sand hill that appears to have a magnetic attraction for tee-shots.
The 14th, 15th and 16th run in the same direction along the ocean perimeter of the course where the name of the game is to keep the ball on the fairway. The 14th is a 535 yard par-5 that requires two well struck shots followed by a precise short iron approach to a green protected by bunkers short and right and a fall-off to the left. The tee-shot on 15 is all-important, requiring accurate judgment of line to carry the right hand rough onto the fairway. At 435 yards this can leave a longish approach to a large green that slopes away to the back. A good drive on the 16th leaves a mid or short iron approach to a green that is sunk below the fairway and protected by grass bunkers and hollows. No bump and run here - just comittment to club selection and ball striking.
The par-3 17th rivals the earlier 5th for celebration or notoriety - depending on your score. The tee-shot needs to be carried to the green which is what makes this hole unique. It is large and severely undulating, not too difficult if you are on the correct level. Any ball on a different level (and there are several) to the flag will require top-class putting skills (and lots of luck) to finish close.
A traditional links, but lacking anything in the way of blind shots, The Old Course at Ballyliffin is truly classic links golf at its very best.
