Ballyliffin Golf Club, Old and Glashedy Links, Ballyliffin, Ireland

Near the tip of the Inishowen Peninsula, in the Republic of Ireland yet north of Northern Ireland, lies the remote Ballyliffin Golf Club, the “Dornoch of Ireland,” and its two amazing courses, located in the town of Ballyliffin (or “Ballyliffen”, depending on which way you approach it). The original course, The Old Links, was christened as the “most natural golf course in the world” when discovered by Nick Faldo on his first club visit. Although somewhat flattish, the reason you play it is to challenge the fairways, surely the most rippling, even crumpled, in all of golf. There is nary a flat lie to be found, in fact, it can be difficult to find your ball if you’re more than a few feet away! But the real attraction at Ballyliffin is the Glashedy Links, named after the Glashedy Rock just off the coast, a miniature Ailsa Craig not unlike Turnberry’s. Running high above the sea and the club’s Old Links, the views are spectacular, especially the 360° from the par-3 7th tee. Designed by Pat Ruddy, one of our favorite course architects, this is one of the finest courses in all of Ireland. Ballyliffin is easily included on a Northern Ireland or Northwest Ireland trip, either as a day visit from the Antrim Coast, or better yet spend a few days and really get to know the people! Once you’ve played the courses, enjoyed the welcome, and decided you never want to leave, you’ll know you’ve been “Ballyliffined!”