Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)

Ballybunion Golf Club

Sandhill Road,

Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

  • Office

    +353 (0)68 27 146
  • Pro shop

    +353 (0)68 27 146
  • Fax

    +353 (0)68 27 387
  • Golf pro

    Brian O'Callaghan (Head Golf Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6306
5680
5031
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
73
69
71

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Cashen course. Also at Ballybunion is the 18-hole Old Course (par-71, 6,802 yds from the back tees).

Location

Latitude:

52.494663

Longitude:

-9.674727

How to get there:

65 km N of Killarney

From centre of Listowel follow the R553 direction Ballybunion. After approx 15 km go through the main street in Ballybunion and bear left after the shopping centre into Sandhill Road. After 2 km turn right into Golf Club.

Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1984

Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course): Also known as the New or Trent Jones course, the Cashen is much the younger of the two courses at Ballybunion. Laid out in an area of "himalayan" sandhills south of the clubhouse, the Cashen is not as revered as the world-renowned Old course, which occupies the duneland north of the clubhouse. However, many see the Cashen as the more daunting challenge, and like its older sibling, not a course to be missed.

Although not overly long, the Cashen is certainly no pushover, especially if the wind is blowing. Threading your way between huge sand dunes (some 150 feet high), and hitting small slivers of fairway is the biggest challenge. Trent Jones has been sparing in his deployment of bunkers, but on some holes equally sparing with the width of the fairways. Don't expect to play to your handicap on a first outing. Be thankful when you do on subsequent visits.

As on the Old course, the closing holes hug the Atlantic shoreline giving fabulous sea views, which complement views onto the River Cashen estuary enjoyed on the front-nine. Housing development and busy roads might feature alongside many golf courses, but not here. The wonderful naturalness of the course and sheer size of the dunes is what's most breathtaking.

The sea, the wind, swishing fescues and a few twittering skylarks are the sounds that will accompany you around the Cashen. Allowing for some "intentionally" rustic maintenance, the Cashen really should feature on your itinerary if you come to tee it up at one of the best known golf clubs in Ireland.

List of courses: Ireland - West
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)
  • Photo of Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course)

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays; the Old and Cashen course are very restricted on weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be required. Visitors generally play in fourball flights.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (mid-April thru' early-Oct): €125 (all days).

Contact club for full details, discounts, combination tickets, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts (buggies) available for hire. Caddies available (book in advance).

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

The Old Course has hosted many top-level championships including the Irish Open, the North West of Ireland Open and many others (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Ballybunion).

Published ranking

Old course:
Ireland's 3rd best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 12th best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 24th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 21st best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Cashen course:
Ireland's 41st best course (Golf World, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Cliff House Hotel3-star

    Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

    +353 (0)68 27 777

    Visit website

    The Cliff House Hotel commands a scenic vantage point above Ballybunion beach. A golfers home away from home, with the world ranked Ballybunion Links only minutes away.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Ballybunion

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

  • Cashen Course House4-star

    Golf Links, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

    +353 (0)68 27 351

    Visit website

    A luxury 12 bedroom guesthouse overlooking Ballybunion's famous links course and offering the best of Irish hospitality.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Ballybunion (Old and Cashen courses)

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

Find a course

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