Ballyliffin Golf Club
Donegal, Ireland
Ballyliffin Golf Club overview
Ballyliffin is Ireland’s most northerly golf club, located on the Atlantic edge of the Inishowen Peninsula. Established in 1947 as a 9-hole course and expanded to 18 in 1973, forming the Old Links, Ballyliffin added a second championship course in 1995 (the Glashedy Links) with a new clubhouse in 2000.
The setting is spectacular and with two championship links courses ranked amongst the top 20 in Ireland, Ballyliffin Golf Club is widely regarded as the finest links complex in the country.
Rory McIlroy summed it up pretty well when he said ‘Anyone planning a trip to the north of Ireland, the two courses at Ballyliffin are must-play championship links’.
Golf courses overview
There are two spectacular links golf courses at Ballyliffin with the newer (and longer) Glashedy links host of the European Tour’s 2018 Irish Open. Both courses are equally as good as each other and make for a memorable 36-hole links extravaganza.
Stuck way up on the northern tip of Ireland they are not easy to get to, but well worth the effort.
Golf courses at Ballyliffin Golf Club
Old Links
An Eddie Hackett design that opened in 1973 and was later upgraded by Faldo in 2004, the Old Links at Ballyliffin is as pure and traditional as links golf gets. When Faldo first visited here in 1993 when at the peak of his playing powers, he commented ‘this is one of the most natural links courses I have ever played’. Located on the very northern tip of Ireland overlooking Pollan Beach and the North Atlantic beyond, Ballyliffin is not easy to get to…but that’s why it’s so special.
Glashedy Links
The Glashedy Links is the newer of the two courses at Ballyliffin, which is the northernmost golf club in Ireland. A Pat Ruddy masterpiece that opened in 1995 to accompany the existing Old Links and quickly turned Ballyliffin into one of the finest 36-hole links complexes in the country. The Glashedy is a supremely challenging test of golf, carved through massive sand dunes and over 7,400 yards off the tips. Although a tough place to get to, it is well worth the effort, and be sure to play both
Accommodation near Ballyliffin Golf Club
Ballyliffin Lodge, Hotel & Spa
Set in its own two-and-a-half acre piece of land within Ballyliffin village, this fantastic hotel has stunning panoramic views. The 40 rooms are elegant, and the gourmet Holly Tree restaurant is a must.
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort
The four-star Rosapenna hotel creates a warm and friendly atmosphere for visitors to relax and enjoy themselves in comfort. Seafood is a speciality at the hotel.
