Ballyliffin Golf Club

Translated by AI

Ballyliffin Golf Club has perhaps the best 36 holes in Ireland.

Ballyliffin Golf Club was founded right after World War II and has since grown to boast two 18-hole courses since 1995. In addition to the Old Links, mostly designed by the legendary Eddie Hackett, there is the Glashedy Links. The Old Links was modernized in the early 2000s with the help of Nick Faldo (who actually tried to buy the whole facility before the turn of the millennium). The Glashedy Links is a championship course of modern design, with Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock as conductors. The name Glashedy comes from the rocky island out in the sea that can be seen from many of the holes on both courses.

Many Swedes have found their way up to Ballyliffin in the north. Many were so taken with Ballyliffin that they became life members and return year after year, some even several times a year.

Ballyliffin has all the amenities you need nearby. The clubhouse facilities are top class when it comes to food, drink and other refreshments. With no fewer than three hotels and a B & B within a drive of the clubhouse, only curiosity could make golfers play other courses in the area.

There are several different offers in the form of golf packages and discounts of various kinds. These vary over the year, so it is safest to check the various websites to see what is on offer at any given time.

When we talk about the courses at Ballyliffin, we should be aware that both are typical links courses with all the qualities that define links. The Old Links rolls over hills and between sand dunes. There are several spectacular holes where you have to choose your route already on the tee. The Glashedy has even more spectacular views, with the par 3 (hole no. 7), where the sweeping view and breathtaking beauty almost make you forget to tee off.

It is quite a drive up to Ballyliffin from Dublin, even though you now take the highway toward Belfast and Derry. Most of the road network is well developed, and it takes about 3 hours to get there. It is definitely worth the trouble, because once you are up in the north there are several treats to sink your teeth into. I am thinking of the fact that along what is called the North Atlantic Way nearby you also find Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock and the Rosapenna resort. And don’t forget the other high-quality courses

This page by Bo Sjosten was originally published in Swedish on our sister site Golfjournalen.se. It has been translated by AI.