Ballybunion Golf Club — Local services in Listowel Municipal District

For my first meaningful golf course experience here in Ireland Ballybunion has gone and set the standard for hospitality, experience, attention to detail, and overall enjoyment at an incredible height. One that is going to be incredibly hard for another to come close to, both here and state side. Two names here get a massive shout out Lyndsey (Pro Shop) and Padraig (Caddie) or Pod when he first introduced himself. (Please note, that everyone here is wonderful, kind, and eager to partake in molding your experience. So many people are being left out here because I was overwhelmed with the amount of names and new ones I learned in one round of golf). First, not only was my visit to Ballybunion wonderful but so was my wife’s. She does not golf but didn’t want to miss seeing or experiencing the sleepy town of Ballybunion, so she came along. I was rather nervous about her having enough to do while I played golf and so she planned to go into town during. As I got through check-in with Lyndsey, who was very kind and cordial; my wife started to discuss our parting of ways. I went do to the range and began my pre round routine. During my routine I got the unlikeliest of text from my wife that a very kind individual had offered to take her into town to a B&B for a great breakfast. Which the individual spoke highly of cause her daughter worked there. I was so pleasantly surprised, I texted my wife back on who was this individual so I could thank them after. I went about finishing up at the range and got back up to the Pro Shop with about 15 minutes left before my round, to then run into Lyndsey. She said “Hi, again - Blake.” I looked at her with surprise to say “that is so very kind you remembered my name.” Lyndsey smiled and said “Of course, and your wife is just lovely.” The moment passed very quickly that her and Katie didn’t meet while I was checking in. Then switch quickly to the fact that Lyndsey was the wonderful person to help out Katie. I thanked Lyndsey repeatedly to express my overall gratitude, and as any good person would, she said “You’re welcome, but honestly she’s just lovely and I enjoyed meeting her very much.” This level of courtesy is never to be expected any where we travel, and because of that this spoke volumes to me of the overall care The Ballybunion Golf Club takes of its guest. Thoughtful, rich in kindness, and honest. The job of a Pro Shop member is never easy, dealing with the madness of so many people demanding so much. So for Lyndsey to open up to a complete stranger is in the full sense of the word ‘Heart-Warming.” So again Lyndsey, thank you for being so kind to both me, and my Wife.

Padraig, again who goes by Pod-Pauid, who is a local lad. Was an incredible kind and knowledgeable caddie. To be frank all of the caddies are of this nature. Thank you for bearing through all of the extra up and downs of my golf round. Matching through fescue endlessly, and doing so with a smile. I feel as though this is your natural disposition day to day, but it made playing such a challenging course so much more enjoyable. I hope this upcoming school year is as much fun as our last round of golf.

Now for the overall opinion on the course. The people really make everything about the experience top notice. I can see why it’s rated so high, the course is easily to-date the most challenging course I’ve ever played. If you’re not in the fairway, whelp you are in the shit/fescue. The way this course is tucked between the ocean and the edge of town is beyond beautiful. The course plays extremely tight and can quickly begin to claw its way into your confidence. The pot bunkers are almost always going to take two shots to get out of. The sand is beach like, and the height is daunting. I can see why course in the states like Erin Hills and Arcadia Bluffs - two of the best link style course if not the best in the Midwest pride them self of the Irish style of golf. Courses like Ballybunion are clearly inspirational. The greens are wildly different than those in the states. This course should be on everyone’s...

Mixed bag unfortunately for me and our group of 8 mid to low handicap golfers from Dublin..

Food on both occasions was average at best when we had lunch and dinner in the clubhouse.. not one person in the group was overly happy with their food.. found a couple of waitresses were rude and the other staff were lovely and very friendly... Overall the clubhouse was lovely and a very well stocked pro shop was great to pick up a few treats..

Now to the golf..

Cashen course on the first day was enjoyable.. extremely short but great fun to play.. very quirky set up with some crazy tee shots.. no use for driver apart from maybe 1 or 2 holes... we were blessed with the weather.. zero wind and very warm.. couldn’t ask for more.. the cashen is good fun to get you ready for the old course.. only issue with the cashen was the greens running very slow.. other than that it’s hard not to enjoy it.. quirky,short, and fun

Old course was the reason put Ballybunion on our rotary in the first place... again the weather conditions were stunning... started of great with the friendly Starter on the first tee.. lovely man.. first few holes are along the road adjacent to the course which were good but nothing special.. then after you walk by the tuck shop roughly about the 6th or 7th that’s when you get the experience the hype about the old course.. which in no other terms was stunning.. some cracking holes.. the scenery was out of this world.. the old course is in a different league compared to the cashen and is a must if your ever in Kerry..

To sum up our trip.. we stayed in Teach De Broc across the road from Ballybunion and we’re treated first class.. beautiful couple run the place and the food there was streets ahead of Ballybunion clubhouse.. the golf was very enjoyable especially on the old course back 9 which was stunning... the cashen course is great fun and well worth given it a go.. only minor issues with the overall rating but worth noting and taken...

Was it almost ridiculously hard? Yes. Was it windy as hell? Yes. Did I lose a few golf balls? Yes. Would I do it again tomorrow? Absolutely.

Greeted by Chris with a warm smile and a course guide, he led me inside and showed me around. He then arranged a quick ride for me to the driving range where they have Trackman technology and a golf ball roomba vacuum thing that was entertaining to watch. My only criticism would be that they didn't tell me the putting green was down there too, so I had left my putter in my bag up near the check-in.

My seasoned caddy Tim was good fun and patient with my mediocre play. The scenery was nothing short of amazing and I got to see it all from the top of several crazy hills trying to hit errant and wind-steered shots out of shin-high fescue - and LIKING it. The breakfast sandwich on the course was a thing of beauty, though! A perfectly soft (but not runny) egg and sausage on a slightly sweet, soft, warm roll. True breakfast bliss in the blustery wind and my only decent on-course food experience my entire trip.

From tip to toe, the entire team were kind, welcoming and fun. The clubhouse was a little older but well-maintained. I wish there had been instructions on how to turn on the steam room in the ladies' locker room. Would have loved a good steam after 4 hours in the wind, but I was too lazy to go ask someone and it probably would have taken too long to warm up so I sadly had to pass. The showers were great though. Lockers were a good size and readily available and decent hair dryers, etc. I wish I had time to stay for lunch, so can't vouch for the restaurant, but hopefully will be able...