Ballybunion Old Course Review
Course review · Southwest Ireland · 2 rounds played
Played & written by Marcus Santana
By Marcus Santana · Published March 13, 2026
9.2/ 10
The short version
Ballybunion is the round I still think about. Dunes twice my height, holes running along the cliff edge, and a wind that made a 320-yard par 4 a genuine three-shotter.
How it played
Ground game or nothing. Chasing a 6-iron 30 yards short of the green was the correct play more than once. The 11th along the Atlantic is one of the great holes anywhere.
How it looks
Enormous dunes, tight fairway corridors and greens perched where they have no business being.
What won me over
- the 11th is worth the trip to Ireland
- dunes scale you never get in the States
- caddies are hilarious and genuinely helpful
Good to know before you buy
- a hard walk with real climbs
- weather can make it borderline unplayable
My verdict
9.2/10. The best links round in Ireland for me.
Marcus Santana
Founder & Lead Tester, Homie Golf
Every product on this site is played, walked or worn before it gets a score. No paid placements, no press-release numbers.
Course reviewed
Ballybunion Old Course
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