| Hole 1 |
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Contemplate life and death and as you drive adjacent to Kilahenny graveyard and right of the fairway bunkers at this 392 yard (358 metre) par 4 - remember Jack Nicklaus reloaded twice at this tee during his 1989 visit. If you reach this commanding position with your tee shot, four greenside bunkers are visible as you hit in a short iron - your work is done.
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| Hole 2 |
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This long 445 yard (407 meter) par 4 is stroke index one for Ballybunion members. The tee shot is bunkered menacingly right and left, the green slopes tantalisingly from the middle to the front; a tough hole in any weather conditions. This hole is said to have inspired world-renowned course designer, Tom Fassio, when designing other courses around the world. Having played it on his visit to Ballybunion, Lee Trevino quipped 'I see Tom Fassio has been here!'
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| Hole 3 |
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Your tee shot at this 220 yard (201 metre) par 3 slopes down to the green, with out of bounds six feet from back right. A ball landing just short tends to jump on generously. Payne Stewart (RIP) aced this one on his visit in July 1998; his playing partners had differing fortunes. Just to emphasise how tricky it can be - Mark O'Meara got his par but Tiger Woods took two to get out of bunker and carded a bogey.
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| Hole 4 |
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A birdie opportunity exists at this 520 yard (475 metre) par 5, although Tom Watson's reshaped bunkers are designed to catch a long draw or an errant fade. The tee shot, therefore, is very important. After that, it is plain sailing to the bunkered elevated green.
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| Hole 5 |
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This par 5 hole has recently been lengthened to 524 yards (479 meters) and is no longer an easy birdie opportunity. As you tee off over a corner of the fourth green (opposite a plaque commemorating the early 20th century Marconi wireless station which stood in the vicinity), the out of bounds is situated all the way on the right. A hidden bunker lies 90 yards out from the green, also on the right. It will be hard to find a straight putt on this, the largest green on the course.
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| Hole 6 |
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Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the absence of sand bunkers at this 364 yard (333 metre) par 4. Known locally as 'The Kiln' (from the time when, reputedly, fires were lit at this point to make lime), care is needed here to make sure that you 'set your round on fire!' Your favourite long iron is advised, as the out of bounds ditch on the right is closer than it seems. The normally short second shot to the table-top green is deceptively difficult - one of the finest second shots anywhere, according to Tom Watson. Chipping on to the green from the right or left is also tricky.
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| Hole 7 |
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Another sand bunker-free challenge! Out of bounds on the right should not be a problem on this 432 yard (395 meter) par 4. With advice from Tom Watson, the club painstakingly restored the seaside green here to its original splendour after damage from coastal erosion in the 1970s, helped by old film footage and members' memories. However, hitting and holding this green will pose severe difficulties with your relatively short second shot - practice your pitching!
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| Hole 8 |
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Affectionately known as 'The Lartigue' in memory of the quaint railway line that ran beside this spot over a century ago. Three bunkers guard this beautiful par 3, which so impressed Jack Nicklaus that he got aerial photographs taken to record its magnificent features for future course design inspiration. Tom Watson summed up the challenge here when describing the tee shot, in windy conditions, as one of the most demanding he ever faced. 'The 3rd is only 153 yards (140 metres) and plays almost straight downhill, yet you must hit your shot within a 10-12 yard area or face a bogey…… double bogey'. Any shot going in on the left half will get a big kick and be unlikely to stay on the green. When chipping from the right hand side, the locals use the bank on the left to bring the ball back. All the trouble is on the front. There are some great, varied pin positions on this green.
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| Hole 9 |
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454 yards of majestic beauty, with no sand bunker in sight. This par 4 is known locally as 'The Crow's Nest' due to a depression in the middle of the fairway. Power your drive towards the centre of Sandhill Cottage (the only house on the course) - this should leave you in perfect position on this stepped and undulating fairway. This green is like an inverted saucer - very difficult to retrieve from the right or left in the event of missing the target. In windy weather, many locals lay up. Putting on this very fast green requires all the concentration and finesse one can muster.
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| Hole 10 |
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A driver may not be necessary at this 359 yard (328 metre) par 4. Most tee shots filter into an area on the right end fairway or semi-rough. Your favourite long iron to the left fairway gives a commanding view of the green. Locals check the wind on the tee. If it's out to sea, be careful with a lob shot to the green - the out of bounds is very close. Good birdie opportunity!
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| Hole 11 |
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Perched right on the seaside cliffs and sand bunker-free, this 453 yard (414 metre), par 4 hole was described by Tom Watson as 'one of the toughest in the world' - a view obviously shared by Nick Faldo who once included it in his 'Best 18 Holes in the World' selection. A demanding drive courts the out of bounds along the right. With the wind up, Watson relished the challenge here on one of his visits by hitting a drive and 3 iron to the green. A long left shot usually kicks into a good position to attack the green with a mid-iron, but this hole has some hidden dangers. For example, a long drive over the plateau does not always give a playable lie, and missing the green to the right is treacherous. There are very few straight putts on this green.
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| Hole 12 |
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This 192 yard (176 metre) elevated par 3 has a very long green. Being short of the green is the most difficult position from which to retrieve. Locals will advise to take enough club from the tee.
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| Hole 13 |
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A drive straight out the middle of the plateau will put you on the right side of the fairway at this 484 yard (433 metre) par 4. A stream, known locally as Kitty's River, lies 95 yards back from the front of the green. Although it is invisible as you play, it should not be a factor.
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| Hole 14 |
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Unless it is windy, there should be no real problems at this 131 yard (120 metre) par 3. Cross-green putts require careful lining up, and the back right pin position can pose particular challenges.
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| Hole 15 |
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One of the game's most memorable golf holes where both Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus have performed with distinction. Tom played a wonderful one-iron at this 216 yard (198 metre) par 3 on his first visit in 1981 and, not to be outdone, Jack used the same club to get within seven feet of the hole when he came in July 1989. This hole enhanced by the flow and beauty of the land, is an absolute gem and fraught with danger. Three bunkers guard this large, two-tiered green (which tends to be very fast), while a fourth bunker at the back left is not visible.
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| Hole 16 |
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At this 499 yard (456 metre) dogleg par 5, during his visit in July 1998, Tiger Woods hit a majestic 350 - 360 yard drive, which carried the 'gap' and positioned him for a handy wedge to the green for his second! The tee shot here is everything… for the less adventurous, the key is to find the line for the fairway bunkers and stay to the right of it. Landing on or just short of the green should produce a birdie. However, be warned - this green slopes to the front dramatically!
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| Hole 17 |
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A club member once donated a teak bench to be placed on this tee box. It was inscribed with the letters CTH - 'Close to Heaven'. It is easy to see why! The elements and terrain come together here and provide one of the most attractive golf propositions imaginable. A driver may be too much at this 385 yard (352 metre) par 4 - check the wind, you could run out of fairway. The second shot to home is short so a birdie is on here.
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| Hole 18 |
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The clever play on this 379 yard (347 metre) par 4 hole is up the right hand side, short of the notorious fairway bunker, known locally as 'The Sahara'. Located some 250 yards from the tee, this bunker consists of a curious mixture of sand, shell, ashes, stones and bones - the origins of which date back to the late Iron Age. Tom Watson advised on some slight modification here in 1995, which gave sight of pin for the second shot. Beware, though, of a bunker hidden on the front right, green high. Relatively easy front, middle and back positions, so a birdie opportunity here.
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