Ballyliffin,
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Office
+353 (0)74 9376 119Pro shop
+353 (0)74 9378 100Fax
+353 (0)74 9376 672Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Gareth McCauslandThe Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original layout dates back to 1947, which was significantly remodelled by Eddie Hackett (early 1970s), with inputs from Frank Pennink, Charles Lawrie and Martin Hopkins. Recent modifications by Nick Faldo.
Above distances are for the Old Links. Also at Ballyliffin is the 18-hole Glashedy Links (par-72; 7,217 yds from back tees).
55.289282
-7.381611
40 km N of Derry (Londonderry)
From Derry (Londonderry) take the A2 direction Newtown Cunningham / Letterkenny and then the R238 direction Burnfoot / Buncrana. From Buncrana (still on the R238) follow direction Drumfree / Cardonagh. After 8 km in Drumfree, follow the R238 direction Clonmany. After 8.4 km (at pink church) turn right direction Ballyliffin GC. After 4 km turn left into entrance to Ballyliffin GC.
Ballyliffin (Old)
Ballyliffin Golf Club (Old Links): Ballyliffin! A very Irish sounding name, which (in golfers' parlance) stands for a wonderland of links golf, where the game is played through sand dunes of every imaginable size.
Like its sister course (Glashedy), with which it is closely entwined, Ballyliffin's Old Links is another standard bearer for Irish links golf. Although a tad shorter than the Glashedy, the family resemblances and hallmarks of quality are clear to see. "Identical twins" might be an apt description for the pair.
Undulating fairways, excellent revetted bunkering and fast true greens are found in abundance on the Old Links. On the back-nine, especially at the 14th, 15th and 16th, the course gets right alongside the beach. From here you'll enjoy wonderful views out across Pollan Bay from the elevated tee-boxes. If "working the ball" is your forte, there's plenty of opportunity for shaping shots into the many doglegging holes. You'll also need to cope with the vagaries of the weather, which ensures your all-round game is given a thorough workout.
Like the Glashedy, the Old Course provides undiluted links golf in a superbly natural "big dunes" environment. If you are coming to Ballyliffin, and links golf is what you thrive on, ensure you give yourself time to play both courses.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, combination tickets, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2019].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies available if pre-booked.
Good
Ballyliffin is just a few miles from the most northerly tip of Ireland - Malin Head (well-known from shipping weather forecasts).
Old Links:
GB&I: 72nd best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2020/21).
Ireland: 21st best course in Ireland (Golf World, 2019).
Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
+353 (0)74 937 6107
Visit websiteThe Strand Hotel is situated amid an Irish paradise of golden sandy beaches, beautiful hillsides, world class golf courses, a plethora of cheerful watering holes and a warm friendly face at every turn.
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Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links and Old Links)
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Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co. Donegal
+353 (0)74 937 6106
Visit websiteThe Ballyliffin Hotel is situated in the north west peninsula of Donegal, one of the most beautiful areas in Ireland. Ballyliffin nestles between towering mountains and beautiful small hillsides, overlooking the golden sands of Pollan Bay and a stones throw from the famous Ballyliffin Golf Club.
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Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links and Old Links)
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Tournaments:
Women’s major championships: the month of June sees two women’s majors: the US Women’s Open (June 3-6), with A Lim Kim defending, and the Women’s PGA Championship (June 24-27), with Sei Young Kim defending.
Senior PGA Championship: the revered Southern Hills in Oklahoma hosts the 81st staging of this event (May 27-30); Ken Tanigawa holds the title from its last playing in 2019.
Who's Who:
Phil Mickelson: in winning the 2021 PGA Championship, the world’s most famous “leftie” became the oldest winner of a golf major championship.
Hideki Matsuyama: became the first Japanese professional to win a men’s major championship, when he triumphed in this year’s Masters Tournament.
New 27-hole golf complex to be built in southern Belgium
A new golf complex in southern Belgium, close to the border with Luxembourg, will start construction in June 2021.
American Dunes opens for play following Nicklaus transformation
Nicklaus Design has transformed the former Grand Haven Golf Club in Michigan into the American Dunes Golf Club, a new public course that is now open for play
New course opens for play at Barnbougle
Bill Coore designs 14-hole layout with “sporty” holes on dune ridge above Lost Farm (golf carts allowed).
Gamble Sands opens short course:
David McLay Kidd’s 14-hole QuickSands short course has opened for play at Gamble Sands in Brewster, Washington.
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