Although it may lack the notoriety of The Open rota courses or the bucket-list stature of places like Royal County Down and Old Head Golf Links, Ballybunion Golf Club is rightfully among the best links golf courses in Ireland. Some even say that it belongs on the top of that list.
For this reason, Ballybunion is a mainstay of Ireland golf packages, even if those embarking on the journey aren’t sure what to expect once they arrive.
If you’re counting down the days to a golf trip to Southwest Ireland, here are 7 things to see during your round at Ballybunion Golf Club.
Ballybunion also features prominently in par-2 of our podcast featuring the great golf courses and stunning sites of Southwest Ireland. Tune-in below or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Graveyard
There are a number of clubs across the pond where the opening shot is sure to draw a case of the 1st tee jitters. At Ardglass and Machrihanish, there’s the crashing ocean waves. At Prestwick, there’s a railway. At The Old Course at St. Andrews, there’s the looming R&A clubhouse and sometimes a small gallery.
At Ballybunion, there’s a graveyard.
Although losing your first shot in a cemetery may seem like a bad omen for the rest of the round, all is not always lost. Occasionally the ball will strike a tombstone and bounce back into the fairway. Something the caddies at Ballybunion cleverly call a “Lazarus.”
The 7th Hole
The 7th at Ballybunion is one of the most picturesque golf holes in Ireland. If you’re battling a slice, however, this beauty may turn into a bit of a nightmare. The tee box is pressed hard against the clifftop, which remains in play for the entire length of the hole. But with a confident swing, a tee shot up the right side of the fairway should provide the best angle to the green.
Unless the wind is up, in which case… All bets are off.
The 11th Hole
Tom Watson once said that “Ballybunion is the course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build golf courses.” The 11th was his favorite hole at Ballybunion, and for good reason: it happens to be one of the best par-4s in golf.
While the tee shot is intimidating – and, thanks to the wind, usually requires aiming toward the beach – it’s the approach shot that will put your skill to the test. Regardless of what the scorecard reads at the end, the 11th is the kind of hole that leaves you thankful for the opportunity to play it.
Tom Watson certainly knows the feeling. So much so that they eventually renamed the hole in his honor.
The Plaques
Throughout your round at Ballybunion, you’ll find the long and rich history of the club displayed on various plaques around the course.
Tom Watson’s affiliation with Ballybunion as both an Honorary Life Member and past Captain of the club is commemorated by the Starter’s Hut. Another plaque tells the interesting story of two Irish Olympians who used the 5th fairway as their training grounds and went on to win gold medals at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles.
Finally, at the 3rd hole there is a wonderful tribute to the late Payne Stewart, who carded a hole-in-one there during a round with Tiger Woods in 1998.
The 15th Hole
Ireland is home to an abundance of spectacular par-3s. The 15th at Ballybunion is one of the finest of them all.
With the ocean standing as backdrop, the view from the tee is sublime. But when it comes to the task at hand, there is a good chance that you’ll need something more than a driver to reach the green. Anything less than a four on the card should be celebrated in the clubhouse bar after the round.
Photo courtesy of Ballybunion Golf Club / Evan Schiller.
The 42nd President
In 1998, President Bill Clinton visited Ballybunion and played a round on its historic links.
The visit was a big deal in this sleepy corner of Ireland. The town square was given a fresh coat of paint, American flags waved from countless windows, locals lined the streets as the President passed through, and many gazed from afar as he attempted to find the fairways on their golf links.
Although Ballybunion’s brief moment of fame has long passed, there remains a lasting tribute to that day standing in bronze at the entrance to town.
The 17th Tee
As your round at Ballybunion draws to a close, the course serves up one last dramatic moment at the 17th tee.
From the top of a towering dune, the panorama of the entire course is both spellbinding and unforgettable. It’s the kind of place that begs you to linger for just a bit longer to soak it all in. For those with a few minutes to spare, the club has placed a bench at the tee with the letters CTH carved into it…
Close to Heaven.
When the day is done, you may think Ballybunion is exactly that.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Ireland.
For more insight on planning your overseas golf trip, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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