Overview
Ballyliffin Golf Club sits on the rugged Inishowen Peninsula, the most northerly point of the Irish island. Spread over 365 acres of sand-based dunes, rolling hills and the Atlantic Ocean, the complex comprises two 18-hole championship links – the classic Old Links and the newer Glashedy Links – plus the nine-hole Pollan Links par-3 course. The modern clubhouse, opened in 2000, offers panoramic views over Pollan Bay, Glashedy Island and the distant Donegal mountains. It houses a full-service restaurant, pro shop, locker rooms and practice facilities, making it a self-contained destination for golfers and visitors alike.
The Championship Courses
Ballyliffin is consistently ranked among the top links in Ireland, praised by specialists like Tom Doak for its natural, terrain-driven design. Both 18-hole courses feature multiple tee-set configurations, allowing players of any ability to choose a length that suits the day’s conditions.
Old Links
Designed originally by Eddie Hackett, Charles Lawrie and Frank Pennink, the Old Links was later refined by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo in 2004/2006. The refurbishment sharpened the course’s natural character, adding new bunkering and tee-boxes while preserving the classic blind shots and deep pot bunkers that define true links golf.
- 15th “Ardascanian” – A 480-yard par 4 that climbs to a perched green.
- 18th “Callaghans Straid” – A 586-yard par 5 running alongside the Atlantic, offering a dramatic finish to the round.
Glashedy Links
Opened in 1995, this Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock design is named after the offshore Glashedy Rock. It features towering dunes and dramatic elevation changes that have made it a favourite for professional tournaments.
- 7th par 3 – Drops 100 feet to a cliff-side green, widely considered one of the most photographed holes in Ireland.
- 13th “Bun a’Chnoic” – A 571-yard par 5 hailed as one of the island’s finest long holes.
- 4th “Glas Eide” – A 594-yard par 5 that threads a narrow fairway between towering dunes.
Pollan Links
For a relaxed warm-up or a quick round, the nine-hole Pollan Links par-3 course sits amid the same sand-based soil that ensures excellent drainage year-round.
History & Tournament Legacy
Founded on 2 April 1947 as a modest 9-hole layout at Pollan Green, the club moved to its present dunes in 1973. The Glashedy Links opened in 1995, followed by the new clubhouse in 2000. The venue has since become a fixture on the Irish golf calendar, hosting the Ladies Irish Open (1998), Irish Seniors Open (2008), and the R&A Amateur Championship (2024).
The 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open brought the European Tour to the Glashedy Links, won by Russell Knox, with Erik van Rooyen, Andy Sullivan and Jorge Campillo all matching a course record of 65 that week.
Facilities & Dining
The clubhouse is built for comfort after a round in the Atlantic breeze. The restaurant serves locally sourced seafood and Irish cuisine with panoramic sea views, while the pro shop stocks Irish and international clubs, balls and apparel. Visitors often note the club’s hospitality touches, including a personalised bottle of Irish whiskey on arrival.
Practice facilities include a driving range, bunker and putting greens. Caddies, buggies and trolleys can be hired – book ahead, as the caddie pool is finite in high season – and new underground cart storage is under construction. The club runs a golf school with teaching professionals for all levels. Function rooms are available for weddings and events, and the clubhouse and practice areas are wheelchair-friendly.
Planning Your Round
Tee-times can be booked through the club’s website (ballyliffingolfclub.com) or by phone on +353 74 937 6119; green fees vary by season and course, so check current rates before you travel. The club encourages visitors to play both championship links on a trip, and if you’re making the journey this far north, it’s worth doing. Specialist operators can also bundle guaranteed tee-times with green fees and accommodation.
Dress code: Collared shirt, no metal spikes, appropriate footwear. Smart-casual attire is required in the clubhouse. Weather & gear: The Atlantic winds are strongest in spring and autumn. Late summer (July–August) usually offers the most settled conditions. Bring waterproof layers and wind-proof outerwear, and use the four tee-set options on the Glashedy Links to match the day’s wind strength. Getting there: Free on-site parking is available near the clubhouse. The club is reached via the Wild Atlantic Way road network, about 5 km from the village of Ballyliffin. Donegal Airport (CDN) is roughly 30 km away, while Dublin Airport is a 3-hour drive. Public transport options are limited, so most visitors arrive by car.
Exploring the Area
Beyond the fairways, Inishowen rewards a bit of extra time. The dunes run down to the sandy shore of Pollan Bay, right beside the course, and the peninsula’s road north reaches Banba’s Crown at Malin Head, the most northerly point on the island of Ireland. Glashedy Island, the rock the second course is named for, sits offshore in view of several holes and holds breeding seabirds through the summer.
For a stay, Ballyliffin Lodge is the nearest base, with Rosapenna’s hotel and courses over on the Fanad Peninsula if you’re touring Donegal’s links more widely. One last practical note: this is exposed Atlantic golf, and the wind decides your round more than the card does – check the forecast, take the extra club, and don’t be shy about playing forward tees on the Glashedy when it’s blowing.