Quick Answer
Ballyliffin deserves two full rounds. Play the Old Links for the club’s traditional links experience, then Glashedy for the larger championship test. The courses share one property but do not feel like variations of the same round.
Two nights works well when Ballyliffin is one stop on a longer Northwest Ireland golf trip. A third night creates room for the nine-hole Pollan short course, a weather adjustment or an easier arrival day.
If time allows only one round, choose by the golf you want. The Old Links suits golfers who enjoy firm turf, natural contours and using the ground. Glashedy has greater scale, more demanding bunkering and the tournament pedigree of the 2018 Irish Open.
Why Go
Ballyliffin Golf Club gives a group two distinct championship links from the same clubhouse on the Inishowen Peninsula. You can play both, keep the same room and avoid losing another morning to repacking and transferring.
The Old Links opened in 1947 and was later refined by Eddie Hackett and Nick Faldo. Glashedy followed in 1995 as a modern championship course. Pollan, a nine-hole par-3 course designed by Pat Ruddy, adds a shorter third option.
The links sit below Glashedy Rock with views across Pollan Strand and the Atlantic. Conditions can change quickly, so the same holes may ask different questions from one day to the next.
The Golf
Old Links
The Old Links is the more traditional of Ballyliffin’s two full courses. Its fairways move over naturally rumpled ground, and the best route is not always a straight line from tee to flag. Slopes can feed a drive into position, turn a shot away from the target or help run an approach onto a green.
A low shot that lands short and releases can be more useful than a high approach when the wind is up. Position matters because the next shot is affected by the angle, lie and contours. The views toward Pollan Strand are a bonus; the course stands out because the land remains involved in the golf.
Glashedy Links
Glashedy is the bigger and more severe championship test. Pat Ruddy’s design opened in 1995 and hosted the Irish Open in 2018. Deep bunkers, large greens and exposed wind make careless misses expensive, and the course generally asks for more carry than the Old Links.
The elevated par-3 seventh captures its character. The green sits against the surrounding links and coastline, but club selection can change considerably with the wind and the bunkering puts a premium on distance control. Glashedy has the scale of a tournament venue while still offering sensible tee choices for visitors.
Playing both courses reveals Ballyliffin properly: one round shaped by older, rolling linksland and another by the hazards and scale of a modern championship design.
Pollan Links
Pollan is a nine-hole par-3 course, not a putting course. Also designed by Pat Ruddy, it uses contoured greens and real bunkering to create a proper short-course round. It works on arrival day, after one of the championship courses or whenever the group wants more golf without another long walk.
Ballyliffin also has a driving range, short-game area and putting greens within walking distance of the clubhouse. Leave time to use them, particularly before Glashedy.
Where to Stay
Ballyliffin is a golf club rather than a resort with an on-property hotel. For a two-course visit, staying in or close to Ballyliffin keeps both tee times simple and leaves time for the clubhouse after golf.
Choose lodging around the group: twin rooms for a buddies trip, single rooms when privacy matters, and shared gathering space if everyone wants to stay together. JEL can match the lodging and transportation to the tee-time plan.
The Links Bar & Restaurant serves food and drinks with panoramic views across the courses and coastline. It is an easy place for lunch or a post-round drink, so there is no need to leave immediately after the final putt.
Shaping Your Trip
A one-night stop normally means losing one course or compressing two rounds. Two nights is the better starting point. Course order can follow availability, although Old Links followed by Glashedy creates a natural progression in scale.
Choose three nights for Pollan, extra clubhouse time and more protection against travel or weather delays. It also works when Ballyliffin opens the itinerary and the group wants an easier first day after an overnight flight.
For a longer route, Ballyliffin pairs naturally with the courses in our guide to the best golf courses in Northwest Ireland. Rosapenna is the logical next base, but it should be a separate stay rather than an add-on from the same hotel.
Best Time to Go
Late spring through early fall offers useful daylight and visitor access. Summer evenings make Pollan or an unhurried clubhouse stop easier to add, but desired tee times and caddies can be more competitive.
Shoulder-season trips can feel quieter, although shorter days reduce flexibility. Coastal weather varies in any month. Bring waterproofs, layers and extra gloves even when the forecast looks favorable.
Planning Considerations
Request caddies early. Ballyliffin notes that they are subject to availability and a forecaddie may be offered depending on demand. Buggies, rental clubs and trolleys also should be arranged ahead.
Choose tees for the group’s real distances. Glashedy can become unnecessarily long from tees requiring repeated carries, while the Old Links is more enjoyable when players can reach approaches that allow use of the ground.
Avoid 36 holes in one day unless the entire group wants that pace and is prepared for two walking rounds. Pollan is the better way to add golf without rushing either championship course.
FAQ
How many nights should you stay at Ballyliffin?
Two nights is the practical minimum for one round on the Old Links and one on Glashedy. Choose three for Pollan, an easier arrival or more scheduling flexibility.
Which Ballyliffin course should I play?
Play both if possible. Choose the Old Links for natural contours, firm ground and traditional links shots. Choose Glashedy for a larger championship test with deeper bunkering and more demanding carries.
Is Pollan a putting course?
No. Pollan is a nine-hole par-3 short course designed by Pat Ruddy, with full golf holes, bunkers and contoured greens.
Does Ballyliffin have lodging on the property?
No. The club does not operate an on-property resort hotel. Golf groups stay locally and use planned transportation to the clubhouse.
Should I take a caddie at Ballyliffin?
A caddie helps with wind, lines and slopes. Availability is limited, so request one when the golf is booked.
Can Ballyliffin be combined with Rosapenna?
Yes. They form a strong northern Donegal pairing, but work better as separate lodging stages. Our Northwest Ireland planning guide explains the wider route.
Plan Your Trip with JEL
The choice is two championship rounds over two nights, or a third night with room for Pollan and a more relaxed pace. JEL coordinates the tee times, lodging and transportation within the complete Ireland itinerary.
Tell us your group size, travel window, room setup and the other courses you want to play. Start planning your Ballyliffin golf trip, and we will build the route around your group.
