Ballybunion Cashen Golf Course
Ballybunion, County Kerry
The newer Cashen Course at Ballybunion was designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened for play in 1984. On the same stretch of links land as the Old Course, the Cashen Course is a roller-coaster ride through towering dunes stretched between the Cashen River and the ocean.
As a golf course it is probably more spectacular than the Old Course, probably a tougher test of golf that the Old Course and that's the rub. The only answer to which course is "better" is to play both and decide for yourself. Some will relish the challenge, others will say it's unfair! Nobody can be right, nobody can be wrong.
Ballybunion Cashen Course Description
The caddies at Ballybunion always rate the Old Course higher when speaking to visitors, but this is because the Cashen Course is a tough walk! The elevation changes are severe lending to the spectacularness of the golf course and enhancing the thrill of the round.
The first and second play away from the clubhouse towards the River Cashen. The approach to the 1st is the first climb, an elevated green that falls away from the front and left. The 2nd tee is elevated and the green is surrounded by dunes. A beautiful tee-shot that is the first "bump" on this golfing ride.
The course then tumbles and flows through the dunes with a succession of terrific golf holes. The 8th and 9th holes, both par-5s in the same direction towards the clubhouse, have the feeling of free falling down a mountain whacking a golf ball as you go!
The second nine play more through the dunes and there are several awe-insipring holes. The par-5 fifteenth vies with the 13th on the Glashedy course at Ballyliffin and the first at Doonbeg as our best par-5 in Ireland. The tee-shot is blind, played towards the mass of dunes in the distance. Once you reach the landing area the scene is just awesome. The green perched away in the distance, nestled in the dunes. Immediately before you is a steep plunge to a valley that contains the intervening terrain in the form of a cascading series of large humps and hollows. The hole just smacks of temptation to take it all on and try and find the green - a very risky strategy!
Both courses at Ballybunion deserve to be high on the list of the worlds great courses. Play them both and let us know what you think!
