Ballybunion Old Golf Course
Ballybunion, County Kerry
The Old Course at Ballybunion deserves its reputation as one of the finest golf courses in the world. Since Herbert Warren Wind wrote in the early 1970's that it was among the ten best courses in the world, visitors have flocked to Ballybunion to see for themselves this original layout that had been 'undiscovered' for nearly a century. Among them was Tom Watson, who added fuel to the fire by suggesting that the Old Course is "a true test of golf".
Ballybunion is a small town located in the northwest of County Kerry where the Shannon Estuary meets the Atlantic. It is 40 miles north of Killarney and 65 miles from Shanon Airport.
Ballybunion Old Course Description
Approach play is critical at Ballybunion, the greens are generally small with little room for error on either side. The wind, as on all links courses, is always a factor.
The second, seventh and eighth are the outstanding holes on the outward nine. The second is a classic par-4 that requires a precise tee-shot to the mouth of a funnel of dunes. The approach to an elevated green is a challenge and the green itself is treacherous - it is quite easy to putt back off the green and down the slope to the middle of the fairway.
The 7th is a gorgeous par-4, played from the very edge of the ocean to a green nestled between the towering dunes. From here is the challenge at Ballybunion. The following 8th is a testing little par-3, requiring just a short-iron but requiring a very accurate shot as the green falls off in all directions and getting up and down is a rarity.
The homeward nine on the Old Course are simply spectacular. The 11th is possibly the most famous and rated by Tom Watson as one of the toughest holes in the world. The 12th is possibly tougher for the amateur, a long par-3 to an elevated green across an entire expanse of wild dunesland.
The par-5 16th possibly typifies Ballybunion, it is intimidating with a tee-shot played to a dog-leg. The temptation to take an aggressive line often does not pay dividends and the more conservative line, while difficult to understand from the tee, does not make the hole impossibly long. The 2nd shot must be played uphill through a funnel of dunes leaving a short pitch to one of the larger greens on the course.
The 18th hole is one of the most discussed holes after a round on the Old Course. The approach is again uphill to another dune well protected by sand dunes and almost blind from the fairway. Avoid the bunker in the middle-left of the fairway at all costs, although this side of the fairway is the most direct line (and gives the best view) there is usually little option but to chip out and struggle for a bogey. A par on this hole is a noteworthy achievement!
