![]() Though superior to the other site mooted, Doonbeg was considered too far from the railway station - and so they built their golf course at Lahinch and founded Lahinch Golf Club instead. The site at Doonbeg was originally proposed as a golf links in the late 19th century by Scottish Guardsmen stationed in Ireland. A par on this hole is a noteworthy achievement! The approach is again uphill to another dune well protected by sand dunes and almost blind from the fairway. The 18th hole is one of the most discussed holes after a round on the Old Course. ![]() The 2nd shot must be played uphill through a funnel of dunes leaving a short pitch to one of the larger greens on the course. The temptation to take an agressive line often does not pay dividends and the more consevative line, while difficult to understand from the tee, does not make the hole impossibly long. The par-5 16th possibly typifies Ballybunion, it is intimidating with a tee-shot played to a dog-leg. The 12th is possibly tougher for the amateur, a long par-3 to an elevated green across an entire expanse of wild duneland. The 11th is possibly the most famous and rated by Tom Watson as one of the toughest holes in the world. Visitors to Ballybunion will undergo a stiff test from start to finish and the homeward nine on the Old Course are simply spectacular. Due to the threat of coastal erosion - it is set in sandhills alongside the Atlantic Ocean - the order of the holes was changed in the early 1970s and you now actually start at the old 14th. American visitors in particular just love the course and five-times Open champion Tom Watson is a self-confessed fan of Ballybunion.Įstablished in 1893, the course was extended to 18 holes in 1926. The Old Course at Ballybunion is one of the most popular courses in the whole of Ireland.
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