Old Links
The Old Links is where Ballyliffin's story began, and it remains one of the most enjoyable links layouts you'll play anywhere. This is traditional links golf at its finest, with sandy fairways winding through natural dunes, dramatic undulations and a quirky, unpredictable character that keeps you thinking from the first tee to the 18th green.
The course isn't particularly long by modern standards, but the terrain more than makes up for it. The fairways rise and fall, often leaving you with uneven lies and awkward stances, and the greens are tucked into natural hollows or perched on plateaus that demand precise approach play. Local knowledge helps, but even on your first visit, you'll appreciate the variety and the way the routing uses the land.
The standout hole is the par-3 5th, a 190-yard shot to an elevated green surrounded by towering dunes. It's a stunning hole, both visually and strategically, and it's the kind of moment that sticks with you long after the round is over. Nick Faldo certainly thought so. When he first played the Old Links in 1993, he was so impressed that his design company was later commissioned to carry out renovation work, deepening bunkers and adding tees in 2005 to bring out the best in the layout.
The Old Links may not grab the headlines like the Glashedy, but it's every bit a championship links experience. It's pure, it's fun and it's a reminder of why links golf in Ireland is so special. Rory McIlroy summed it up perfectly when he said a day playing both courses at Ballyliffin was a must for anyone visiting Ireland.
Course Information
| Par |
71 |
| Designed by |
Eddie Hackett, Charles Lawrie, Frank Pennink, Tom Craddock, Pat Ruddy, Nick Faldo |
| Opened in |
1947 |
Tees
| Blue |
6,937 yards |
Slope 125 |
| White |
6,450 yards |
Slope 120 |
| Yellow |
6,257 yards |
Slope 119 |
| Red |
5,443 yards |
Slope 125 |
Glashedy Links Course
The Glashedy Links is Ballyliffin's showpiece, a modern championship layout that opened in 1995 and quickly established itself as one of Ireland's finest tests. Named after the Glashedy Rock that looms offshore like Turnberry's Ailsa Craig, this Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock design stretches to 7,200 yards and demands precision, power and patience.
The first thing you notice is scale: big corridors between dunes, big targets and greens that can leave you 40 feet away even after a 'good' approach. The greens are enormous, often multi-tiered and feature slopes that can turn a two-putt into a four-putt if you're on the wrong level. On a calm day, you can score well here. When the wind picks up, which it does regularly, the Glashedy becomes a brutal proposition. Approach shots need to be spot-on, not just in terms of distance but also trajectory and spin, because landing on the wrong tier leaves you with a putt that feels more like a recovery shot.
The routing takes you through classic duneland, with fairways that tumble and rise, forcing you to shape shots and think your way around. The course hosted the Irish Open in 2018, proving it's built for tournament golf. This is a layout that tests the best players in the world while still being playable for club golfers who can manage their expectations and enjoy the scenery.
If you're planning a round here, bring your A-game and expect to be tested. The Glashedy Links is ranked among the best courses in Ireland, and it earns that status every time the wind blows.
Course Information
| Par |
72 |
| Designed by |
Pat Ruddy, Tom Craddock |
| Opened in |
1995 |
Tees
| Black |
7,542 yards |
Slope 135 |
| Gold |
6,796 yards |
Slope 125 |
| White |
6,395 yards |
Slope 118 |
| Red |
5,603 yards |
Slope 132 |
Pollan Links
Pollan Links is Ballyliffin's nine-hole par-3 course, and it's far more than just a warm-up or a bit of fun after your main round. Designed by Pat Ruddy, this is a serious short-game test that mirrors the fast-running conditions and sharp drop-offs you'll encounter on the Old Links and Glashedy Links.
The holes measure between 90 and 146 yards, which puts them right in the range of approach shots you'll face on the championship courses. The greens are quick, the surrounds are unforgiving and if you miss the putting surface, you're often left with a tricky chip or pitch to save par. Ruddy himself said that getting around Pollan in 27 strokes means you're on fire, and he's not wrong. This is a layout that rewards accuracy and punishes anything loose.
For golfers looking to sharpen their iron play or work on their short game in a links environment, Pollan Links is perfect. It's also a great option for mixed-ability groups or anyone who wants to squeeze in an extra nine holes without committing to a full round. It's ideal on arrival day if your group is splitting flights or ferry times, because you can get nine holes in without committing to a full round. The course has attracted rave reviews since it opened, and it's become an essential part of the Ballyliffin experience.
