Ballybunion, Ireland

I played here in 2001, the same year I played St. Andrew's in Scotland.

We rented a house for a week in the town of Ballybunion which had this view of the old castle wall.

The castle was built by the Fitzmaurices in the 14th century and served as the abode of the heir apparent of that family until the middle of the 16th century. It stands on the Castle Green site of an old promontory coastal fort of the "Clann Conaire." In 1582 the castle had been acquired from the Geraldines by the Bonyon (Bunnion) family. In 1583 William Og Bonyon lost the castle and lands due to his part in the Desmond Rebellion. In 1612 the castle and lands were granted to Thomas Fitzmaurice 16th Lord of Kerry and Lixnaw by the English King James 6th. By 1783 Richard Hare was in possession of the castle. From 1923 onwards the castle has gone under the care of the Office of Public Works. It was destroyed in the Desmond Wars. All that remains today is this East Wall. It stands as a memorial to the Bonyons, a proud and powerful family from whom today's beautiful coastal town of Ballybunion takes its name. The course is built between these large sand dunes which are covered with fescue.

Ballybunion Golf Course (Irish: Baile an Bhuinneánaigh) has a spectacular location off the west coast of Ireland. Located on the north west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, there are two challenging and unique links golf courses at Ballybunion - the Old Course and the Cashen Course. n Go
Did not get to take many pictures as it was raning quite hard and extremely windy.f Course (Irish: Baile an Bhuinneánaigh) has a spectacular location off the west coast of Ireland. Located on the north west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, there are two challenging and unique links golf courses at Ballybunion - the Old Course and the Cashen Course.

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Statue of Bill Clinton swinging a golf club in from of the police station

Hole #1 Tombstones. A tee shot slightly right of the bunkers is best here, in particular to avoid the graveyard on the right which is out of bounds. Par 4, 380 yards. 9 (Hole handicap#11)

The day I played, the weather was cold and miserable. I had the pleasure of teeing off with 3 Irish lads from Dublin, who were now working in San Francisco and came home to play some golf. The wind was swirling at about 40 clicks per hour. This was my first game of the season after taking playing lessons back home. On this great day I shot 106 and was pleased because of the weather. I decided to play the same course 2 days later and the weather was sunny and mild. On this day, I shot a 96 and was exceptionally pleased.

Hole #7 Castle Green, Par 4, 410 yards (Hole handicap #5).You should aim your drive to the left of the middle hump as it will give you a better view of the green. As the green here is long and thin, your best shot will be to hit your second straight at the middle of the green. As with most of the holes at Ballybunion, the wind plays and big factor here.

Hole # 8 Lartigue, Par 3, 136 yards (Hole handicap # 13

The prevailing wind generally makes for a shorter tee shot here.
You want to favour the right half of the green off the tee to keep out of the pot bunkers, but beware of going too far right as the ground slopes sharply away from the green on that side.The day we played we were hitting into a 40-50 km wind. we all hit drivers and no one reached the green.

Hole #9 Sailors Grave, Par 4, 437 yards (Hole Handicap # 3).
You need a good drive straight down the middle here as traditionally it takes two good hits to reach the putting surface.
For your second check your yardage then make sure you have enough club to get over the slope on the front of the green. You must hit this one straight, otherwise you will be left a difficult chip.

Hole #18, Sahara, Par 4, 376 yards (Hole handicap # 12).
Often played with a following wind off the sea, aim you drive on the right side of the fairway bunker. This will give you a shot right down the line of the green.
The green is quite long and your second shot is uphill, so check your yardage to the pin and then take enough club to reach.