This course is in our GSPro library — pull it up in any bay and play it wall to wall.

"Wind off the Atlantic and blind cross-dune shots make local caddies a near-universal recommendation."

Founded 1893 on County Kerry's Atlantic coast, saved by Colonel Bartholomew's investment in 1906, expanded to 18 holes by 1927, and refined into its mature form in the 1930s under Tom Simpson (with Molly Gourlay often credited). The Old Course runs through some of the finest duneland in Ireland — holes tumble along cliff edges and through massive sandhills with almost no flat lies. Tom Watson fell for it in 1981, advised on changes, served as millennium captain, and famously said nobody can call himself a golfer until he has played Ballybunion. Perennial world top-20 material.

Every serious golfer, once, per Watson's decree. Bucket-listers, links purists, and anyone who wants to feel what natural duneland golf was before bulldozers.

The stretch from 7 through 11 is the sermon: the 11th, running along the cliff edge above the Atlantic with dunes crowding the fairway, is one of the most celebrated par 4s in golf — no bunkers, none needed. The graveyard beside the 1st tee is the most famous opening hazard anywhere.

Championship links with blind shots, cliff-edge carries, wild wind, and punishing rough — beginners will get beaten up, but the walk itself is unforgettable if you keep expectations loose.

In GSPro via community recreation, and it's excellent — one of the great links experiences in a bay. Crank the wind at Clubhouse and it plays every bit the championship test; better players should try it at 2-club wind for the honest Kerry experience.

Private club that welcomes visitors in the Irish tradition — but 2026 green fees run 400-450 euros on the Old, and limited visitor slots book many months (often a year) ahead. Plan early or go with a tour operator.