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2009-2010 Play & Stay Specials
2 Nights B&B and 2 rounds of Championship Golf at Ballyliffin from £150 pp.
Choose from six local hotels and play Glashedy Links and The Old Links in this unbeatable offer.
Subject to advance booking & availability.
Click here to book
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Ballyliffin (Glashedy), Ireland |
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Ballyliffin Golf Club
Ballyliffin
Inishowen
Co. Donegal
Ireland |  | Pat Ruddy, Tom Craddock |
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 | +353 (0)7493 76119 |  | 15 miles N of Londonderry |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance |  | John Farren |
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Ballyliffin is Ireland’s most northerly golf club, located off Tullagh Point on the Atlantic edge of the Inishowen Peninsula. It’s difficult to pin a date on the earliest origins of the game of golf at Ballyliffin, but it is clear that the Ballyliffin Golf Club was founded in 1947. The Glashedy links is, however, much, much younger.
In 1991, the Captain of Ballyliffin, Cormac McDonough, put a proposal to the committee to alleviate pressure on the overplayed Old course. The result was that Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock were commissioned to design a new course on the finest links land they had ever seen. Work started in spring 1993, and after significant earth-moving, the Glashedy links (pronounced Glasheedy) – named after the Glashedy Rock, Ballyliffin’s equivalent of Turnberry’s Ailsa Craig – opened for play in the summer of 1995, to much acclaim.
Ballyliffin is often described as “the Ballybunion of the North” or “the Dornoch of Ireland” and the reason is simple; all the aforementioned are set amidst towering natural sand dunes. This youngster is no exception, except that the Glashedy links has been flattened out, ensuring that the fairways are relatively even and capable of hosting a championship... there's a parallel here to the fairways of Royal Birkdale.
 The Glashedy layout is intertwined with the Old course, the holes weaving their way through the wild dunes. It’s a supremely challenging golf course which stretches out more than 7,200 yards, with nine brutal par fours in excess of 400 yards. You really do need to be on top of your game to play to handicap. The huge greens, with some frightening undulations, are well protected by bunkers; three putting can be alarmingly frequent.
The Glashedy links is certainly good enough and long enough to hold important championships and already it has hosted the North West of Ireland Open. It would be fascinating on a windy day to watch the very best professionals stretched to their absolute limit on this wild and challenging links course. Surely the Glashedy links must be a contender for a future Irish Open Championship.
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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In the section below, headed “Your Reviews”, are golf course reviews posted by visitors to the Top 100 website. There are no specific rules for reviewing a golf course except you MUST have played the golf course first. Merits of each course are left entirely to your discretion. Important factors, such as course location, condition (or presentation), course difficulty and historical importance are all left for you to judge and we have developed a simple rating system where you can allocate one score to each course. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | Five and a half years after writing the first review for the Glashedy on this website, I returned to play the course again as I’m a big fan of the two returning loops that head into the dunes then return back to the clubhouse like two big wave formations. A good 15 minute chat with head green keeper Andy Robertson - now there’s an enthusiast for his work if ever I met one on a golf course - put me in the picture about current course developments before setting out on my round. The front nine were much as I remembered them, rising into the dunes from the clubhouse then plunging back home from the 7th (with two all-time favourite bunkers fronting the 2nd and left of the 5th) but the changes on the back nine came as a bit of a shock to the system, despite the advance notice given. For whatever reason, a decision has been made to dramatically beef up the bunkering with large revetted bunkers sited along the fairways. Although most of them work well as target points off the tee, some appear penal in their placement. Perhaps when the front nine are given a similar treatment this winter, the severity of the sand challenge will even itself out, giving the hazards a more balanced feel – I sincerely hope so because the fantastic 36-hole links complex here deserves all the acclaim it has received in recent times. One thing’s for sure; the Ballyliffin club committee is not resting on its laurels as it continues to develop both courses for members and visitors alike. Jim McCann  | | Friday, April 09, 2010
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| Response: | | | Pat Ruddy | Tuesday, May 11, 2010 | | Hello Jim I share your enthusiasm for golf in Donegal. It has been my privilege to work at Ballyliffin, Donegal, Portsalon and Rosapenna and I feel sure that the county is now the strongest golf county in Ireland one of the strongest golf destinations in the world. And definitely the greatest value as the Donegal men do not believe in charging modern prices for the golf! I mean, where else will you get to play four great links for less than €250 in total and with the US$ and the £-sterling both buying so many € today! Regarding Ballyliffin. What a miracle of a golfing town! Two great links for a population of less than 1,000! You are right regarding the present surprise element of the bunkering on the back-nine at Glashedy.... "when the front nine are given a simlar treatment this winter , the severity of the sand challenge will even itself out, giving the hazards a more balanced feel...." Obviously so! We rebunkered the back-nine last Winter and the plan is to rework the front-nine this coming winter. We worked on visibility and definition. Clearly achieved. We worked on positioning of the fairway bunkers to engage with the modern elite player while ensuring that 85%-plus of the average club golfers would not be attacked by the new hazards while enjoying their guidance around the links. I am happy that those objectives have been met .....so, while they look penal they are not so. Of course, when one approaches a green the hazards there are in play for all. But a majority of the most modest golfers have the hearts of lions and enjoy when they overcome a challenge. Of course, the challenge of links bunkers can be varied easily as they are sitting on sand with no artificial drainage beneath. The floors can be raised or lowered to meet the season (e.g. to avoid sand blow in Winter you may remove some sand to drop below the wind) or raised for Summer holiday play; and they can be deepened for championship play. A links such as Ballyliffin is similar to the most glorious musical instrument which can be played in many ways golfwise and architecturally and golfwise .... a grand piano with many chords and keys available ... a king in the orchestra! I hope to live to see Donegal take its rightful place in world golf. Meantime, let us enjoy it while it is unspoiled and undiscovered .... SSSSHHHH, tell no one. Pat Ruddy | | | marcus | Tuesday, May 11, 2010 | | How reassuring to know that Pat Ruddy is a contributor to this wonderful website - we all think we know what to look for in a golf course - this man really knows. Thank you for your golf courses Pat. Extra kudos to the top 100 team!!! |
| | Played the Glashedy Course at Ballyliffin in the spring with my father and truly enjoyed the experience. The clubhouse was more modern and had a staff that was very cordial and friendly. We played the course on a very nice late morning with not a lot of wind. This is not a course that allows for errant drives. The fairways are very tight and extremely fast. I/We hit a couple of Drivers early and realized that this is not the way to play the course. Low hooded 3 irons are more than enough off the tees and keep a lot of trouble out of play. It has a number of nice elevation changes in the middle of the round that provide some excellent views. Be wary of golfers that are on the other course. Thereare some holes where the two courses play side by side (especially holes 7-10) and some errant shots can cause some damage. The course was in excellent condition, having just hosted a senior tournament. We truly enjoyed playing Ballyliffin (Glashedy). | | Saturday, January 23, 2010
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| | | Totaly awsome golf course with spectacular views. I Last played the new course on the 16th of october in splended sunshine the greens were fast with an superb playing surface to have a golf course this good at this time of year is a true credit to andy and his staff (not to forget milly)and to finish of the day having a superb meal in one of the finest club houses i have had the pleasure of visiting.Dont miss the chance to play a real golf course. | | Monday, November 02, 2009
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| | | Played the Glashedy mid oct, the weather was very kind and the course was exceptional.All staff to be applauded for their efforts both on and off the course , memorable experience. Not to forget the top fescue turf! | | Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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| | | What a joy the whole Ballyliffin experience was. Both courses are fabulous and very well presented. Wonderful greens. Great club house, excellent food, friendly staff. It was all such a contrast to Rosapenna and shows just how it can and should be done. | | Tuesday, July 07, 2009
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| | | The whole Ballyliffin experience is superb, from the remote position of the majestic clubhouse and its excellent facilities positioned amongst a rare strectch of dunes to the excellent courses. We played during 'Open week' and had the strong winds the pro's were moaning about at Birkdale and thoroughly enjoyed it. Glashedy is a fantastic test of golf and if we were to return on a golf tour we would spend a couple of days here and play each course twice. Ineresting the Seniors had their open here this year on the old course 'nuff said'! | | Tuesday, August 05, 2008
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| | | I have played this course twice now and I have to say it is up there with my favourites. The last time I played the scene was exhilarating. It was early morning, our four ball had the course to ourselves, the sun was shining and the the wind was blowing across the huge expanse of dunes. It was just how I imagined links golf should be, almost surreal.
The course itself is excellent and for a new links design it is very fair played of the visitors tees. After playing the course twice I honestly feel there are no week holes and for me one of the stand out holes is the par 5 13th with its alley like fairway and well protected elevated green. This course is a real gem and a must play for anyone visiting Noth West
Ireland and Donegal. Oh and the food and drink in the fantastic clubhouse are great. | | Thursday, January 03, 2008
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| | | I`ve already rated the place in general in my review of the old course, so what to say about this course? Its long- don`t try and play off the blacks! Its a modern bashers links of massive proportions, which winds its way to the top of the hill, offering dramatic views and excellent individual challenges, before dropping off dramatically back onto lower ground. Some great holes, but for me it doesn`t have the same subtelty as the Old course. Brilliant though- god i wish I was a local member! If the greenkeepers job ever comes up I`m going to camp outside their door til they give me it. Unfortunately I can`t see the mad Scotsman and his Jack Russell leaving though, what with him having a local wife and doing such a good job and all! | | Sunday, August 19, 2007
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| | | The Glashedy course is majestic. Tough but fair, good greens, lovely scenery, it’s exactly what a golf course should be – go and play it!
My favourite hole is 13 (see photo 1 above) – an uphill par 5 framed (like so many of the holes) between sand dunes. I don’t agree that the 7th is the weakest hole – we played it off the back which made it 180+ yards long and there is water immediately to the right of the green. The hole didn’t feel so weak as I stood over my rescue club on the tee!
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| | | One of the top 3 courses in Ireland without a shadow of a doubt. The par 3 7th was spectacular and although it didn't fit in well with the course the views were outstanding, probably the best par 3 in Ireland. The par 5 13th was also equally amazing and the sand dunes carved out a spectacular hole looking down at the Glashedy rock. The course is well worth a visit and it is a bargain to play especially looking at the quality of it. | | Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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| | | One of the most enjoyable courses I have played. In great condition, well designed, very true greens in top shape (09.10.06). Well worth the green fee. I will definitely be back again. Don't forget to play the Old Course also, well worth it also. | | Thursday, October 12, 2006
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| | | Probably my favourite of the area. 18 great holes with a special mention for the par 3 6th. Fantastic clubhouse….Again, as Enniscrone, world class links golf at a bargain. | | Tuesday, September 05, 2006
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| Response: | | | Chris Jones | Thursday, October 12, 2006 | | I love the Glashedy but the par 3 you mention is actually the 7th and IMO is the weakest hole of the 18... |
| | | Very impressive. A close third place behind Sandy Hills and Carne in my books. The course is let down by the final three holes (some serious earth moving could perhaps overcome this), and the out of character 7th, which although achieves stunning views, is nevertheless not a good golf hole here. This aside, everything you would want modern golf links to have is here; bunkers that seem to gather nearly good shots and punish you heavily, towering dunes lining the holes. Certainly sharpens your short game. The clubhouse was the best I visited of all the West Ireland courses, top marks for this. | | Thursday, June 08, 2006
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| | | A Great course - which with the Old Links has as good a 36 holes as you are likely to play - and if you can get better value than this, then let me know about it! Although I prefered the Old Links, Glashedy is a great test - and when the wind blows - playing to your handicap is a mean achievement. Not overly long off the white tees - but like all great courses, you have to think your way round. Agree that the only weak hole was no.7 - which didn't fit with rest of course. Condition of fairways and greens was immaculate - and rough was tougher than the Old Links. Cannot speak highly enough about the warmth of the welcome and enjoyment of both courses. A superb clubhouse - wonderful scenery and excellent value for money. You must play this and the Old Links - you will not be disappointed. | | Monday, March 27, 2006
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| | | A number of par four's to test any low handicapped golfer. Played off the back tees this course (on a calm day) is a delight both visually and in golfing terms. Well worth a visit! | | Thursday, October 27, 2005
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| | | We played on a day with a vicious wind from the Atlantic which made it enough of a challenge from the gold tees, let alone the black. Miss the fairway and you have your work cut out here. A great course, very well kept with a number of memorable signature holes. You’ll finish your round in the smart, modern clubhouse, which offers great views of the course from the bar. As you’d expect from the Irish, we received a very warm welcome. A must play if you’re in the North. | | Tuesday, October 18, 2005
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| | | Played this course in Sept 2005 and was very impressed with it. Unfortunately we played it when it was being hollow - tinned (see my comments on Portrush) so didn't play it at its best. The location is fantastic and just what every links course should be. The layout is great with lots of elevation either off the tees or on the greens. It's a hike to get here because of its remoteness but for pure golf fans like me who travel far and wide to play the best courses it's worth it. I'll give it 9/10 - there aren't many courses that i give this to (Portrush, Ballybunion, Carnoustie, Royal St Georges). Thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality aswell so go play it !! | | Thursday, September 22, 2005
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| | | First off, a couple of words about the location, it's arresting, wild, charming and stunningly beautiful. And the course is not bad either. You can certainly tell that it's a new course, but that really doesn't matter. The holes are laid out intelligently, making good use of the natural lie of the land (although I'm sure the earth moved here). We played on a calm day (two club wind) from the gold markers (6,897 yards) and we found the Glashedy a manageable test...play off the black tees only if you're feeling masochistic! I think there's 17 excellent/good holes here and one (the 7th) which seems out if place. Fantastic clubhouse and a genuine warm Irish welcome. Ballyliffin is not to be missed. | | Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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| | | The comparisons with other great names; Ballybunion and Dornoch must be seen as compliments but Ballyliffin is a name to remember in it's own right. What a tough start; three par 4’s over 400 yards and uphill directly away from the wonderful new clubhouse. A little rest at the 4th (Par 5 under 500 yards) – but you are now well into a golf course that is right up there. There is no doubt this is a wonderful experience. Holes 13th and 14th stand out as my favourites on the back nine and to be honest only one hole on the Glashedy, may be a tad weak – I’ll keep quiet about which one though so not to cloud any new views. I really loved this course and this is a real credit to golf in Ireland – Managed to play better than handicap by a few shots and the current winter deals for golf and accommodation (as seen on the left of this page) – are as good as they seem – I can vouch for that. Highly rated golf course and a brilliant welcome in and around the clubhouse and proshop. | | Tuesday, February 01, 2005
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| | | Played the Glashedy twice in the last twelve months and both times it has been blowing a gale from the Atlantic (next stop N.America). A good number of the holes on the course have been carved into the towering dunes; you play away from the clubhouse into the dunes (where the view from the 7th tee box is used for that photo used in full page adverts for the Irish Tourist Board extolling you to play golf in Ireland) then return to the clubhouse to play the back nine, which again rise into the dunes before returning a second time to home - it really is a roller coaster of a links (and long too; if played off the black tees it measures 7226 yards). The two par threes at the top of the dunes are wonderfully exhilarating to play and a favourite of mine is the long par 5 13th, uphill all the way to a wickedly contoured green guarded by a bunker that gobbles up imprecise third shots! The welcome in the clubhouse is exceptional, its very informal and the craic will flow over a pint or two of Guinness. The old course is not too bad either... Jim McCann | | Tuesday, December 21, 2004
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