Ballyliffin Golf Club (Glashedy Course)

Ballyliffin Golf Club features two courses, both of which are among the best in Ireland.

Ballyliffin Golf Club was established in 1947 and the Old course was its first course, moving to its current home and opening in 1973.

The Glashedy followed in 1995 after the forward-thinking club met Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock three years previously and the architects told members “the land was probably the finest piece of links golfing terrain they had ever seen and the possibilities for developing it as a golf links were mind-boggling”.

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Both are wonderful seaside links and there is very little to choose between them; we have the Glashedy ranked slightly ahead of the Old, but in reality, 50% of visitors may well prefer the other.

The Glashedy hosted the European Tour’s 2018 Irish Open, the 2016 Irish Close Championship and Boys Home Internationals, as befits a course that can stretch to 7,486 yards off the very tips.

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The 6,364-yard white tees are plenty for most of us although the 6,777 yards off the gold tees will appeal to strong players eager for a challenge.

Remember though, this is a Pat Ruddy design, and no quarter is given.

The Glashedy is a big, bold modern links that requires a strong long game to prosper.

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It will, without question, be in sensational condition whenever you visit – just one of the reasons we rate it so highly.

The setting is completely tranquil, and Sir Nick Faldo for one absolutely loves it here.

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