Ballyliffin (Glashedy) Golf Club
Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal, Ireland
COURSE REVIEW:
Founded: 1995
Designer: Tom Craddock, Pat Ruddy
Championship Length: 7,217 yards
PAR: 72
Type: Links
Adjoining the Old Course at Ballyliffin, the newer Glashedy Links provides a roller coaster tour of this remarkable lunar like landscape. At 7217 yards is unsurpassed as a challenge to every aspect of the golf game and has hosted the Ladies Irish Open in September 1998 and the European Tour Event –The North West of Ireland Open in August 2002. At many 36 hole complexes, the newer golf course is often perceived as inferior. Nothing could be further from the truth at Ballyliffin as Glashedy Links is recognized as the championship course and probably the better of the two though this is purely a matter of personal choice.
Given the incredible piece of golfing land on hand at Ballyliffin, the Glashedy Links was always destined for greatness. The end result however surpassed all expectation and Glashedy Links stands today as a supremely testing and stunningly beautiful links course. Glashedy is destined for recognition as one of the world’s finest links.
From the championship tees, the Glashedy Links is over 7,000 yards in length and the golfer should be assured that there is no gentle introduction. Opening with 3 mighty par 4′s, the golfer is led away from the clubhouse and deep into the dunes into a world populated by a plethora of revetted (turf stacked) bunkers. The greens are generally large and full of subtle undulation, while many are two tiered, putting an emphasis on accurate approach shots.
It is difficult to pick any signature hole at Glashedy as each has its own charms but the par 3, 7th playing from a height to a green sited 100 feet below, does catch the eye. On the back nine, a tremendous sequence of holes commences with the fiercely doglegging 12th. The long 13th is already being heralded as one of the best par 5′s in Ireland, while the 14th is certainly one of the most seductive short holes in Irish golf. As with all great courses, the 18th is an apt closing hole. The shot to the last must be threaded along a corridor of dunes and between two revetted bunkers. Miss the green left or right and you may have to display your shot making artistry in front of the overlooking clubhouse. A great end to a wonderful experience!
This Craddock & Ruddy design has recently been upgraded by Pat Ruddy.
Nearby Courses:
Catlerock (1 hr); Royal Portrush (1hr 50 min); Portstewart (1hr 50min); Enniscrone (3 hrs, 45 min); Portsalon (1 hr, 50 min); Rosapenna (2 hrs, 15 min)
RECOMMENDED NEARBY ACCOMMODATION
Ballyliffin Lodge (2 min); Beech Hill Country House (70 min); Bushmills Inn (2 hrs, 10 min); Harvey’s Point Country Hotel (2 hours); Rathmullan House (2 hours)
LOCATION:
Situated just outside Ballyliffin village on the R238 route, approximately 6 miles northwest of Carndonagh, close to the northernmost tip of Ireland.
