• kenburns6
    Golf
    The Most Breathtaking Yards in Golf

Course Overview

Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. The links and practice area occupy 180 acres and the remaining 40 acres of unspoilt cliff frame the course. It is a piece of golf real estate like no other, that causes many a golfer and visitor to pinch themselves as they drive through the ancient gateway with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean some 300 feet below.

The sensory overload does not stop there with the journey along the fragrant Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa lining the Old Head driveway providing stunning vistas across the superbly manicured golf course, with the powerful ocean on both sides and beyond the famous lighthouse that lies in front.

Old Head, par 72, comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s - stretches from the ladies' tees at 5,413 yards to over 7,100 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole making it suitable for golfers of all handicap abilities. Nine holes play along the cliff tops with all eighteen holes providing unsurpassed ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern but fair test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike.

The course is set up on a daily basis depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Facilities include a warm up range, a putting green and a short game practice area. From the incredible Clubhouse, Old Head has a team of exceptional and friendly service staff to cater for the golfers and residents every need. With superbly furnished and attended, Oak lined locker rooms complete with spa showers, the attention to detail is as exemplary as our welcome is warm.

Tee Time Reservations

Telephone Enquiries (+353) (0)21 4778 444

Design Team

With the planet having provided the most visually stunning and truly individual landscape that one could ever wish to build a golf course upon, the O'Connor brothers were the catalyst to a series of events that could only ever happen once in many lifetimes to make the Old Head dream a reality.

Fittingly the course was designed and constructed by a unique team, Ron Kirby - former designer at Jack Nicklaus's Golf Design Services, the late Eddie Hackett - former Irish golf professional and golf course designer, the late Dr. Joe Carr - Ireland's most successful international amateur golfer, Paddy Merrigan - Australian course architect and agronomist, Liam Higgins - one of Ireland's best known golf professionals currently on the Seniors Tour and finally, Haulie O'Shea - building contractor.

Incredible as individuals, what has been achieved is even greater than the sum of their parts with the creation of a magnificent golf course in a magical environment that will only ever climb upwards in the annals of golfing history.

Hole by Hole

Hole 1 : Par 4

The opening hole calls for a drive down the left side to provide the best angle for the second shot. Allow enough club for your approach shot to this elevated green.

Yardage: 446
Handicap: 14

Yardage: 418
Handicap: 14

Yardage: 390
Handicap: 14

Yardage: 378
Handicap: 14

Yardage: 360
Handicap: 6

Flyover
Hole 1 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 1 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 2 : Par 4

An unforgiving fairway that requires an accurate tee shot down the right side. The safe second shot is to the right side of the green, as the ball will automatically feed left.

Yardage: 402
Handicap: 10

Yardage: 388
Handicap: 10

Yardage: 376
Handicap: 10

Yardage: 329
Handicap: 10

Yardage: 297
Handicap: 14

Flyover
Hole 2 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 2 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 3 : Par 3

Plenty of room to bail out on the right. Only a brave player would attack a pin on the left side of this green.

Yardage: 178
Handicap: 18

Yardage: 176
Handicap: 18

Yardage: 163
Handicap: 18

Yardage: 152
Handicap: 18

Yardage: 134
Handicap: 16

Flyover
Hole 3 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 3 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 4 : Par 4

Use the natural contours on the right side, which will feed the ball towards the centre of the fairway. Add at least one more club to your approach shot to this elevated green.

Yardage: 427
Handicap: 2

Yardage: 423
Handicap: 2

Yardage: 415
Handicap: 2

Yardage: 388
Handicap: 2

Yardage: 357
Handicap: 2

Flyover
Hole 4 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 4 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 5 : Par 4

Out-of-Bounds wall runs along the left. There is more to this green than meets the eye and the target should be the centre of the green regardless of the pin position.

Yardage: 430
Handicap: 8

Yardage: 409
Handicap: 8

Yardage: 385
Handicap: 8

Yardage: 365
Handicap: 8

Yardage: 330
Handicap: 8

Flyover
Hole 5 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 5 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 6 : Par 5

The shortest of our five par 5s. Reachable in two but beware of the Out-of-Bounds wall running all the way up the left side. Several well-placed bunkers guard this two-tier green.

Yardage: 554
Handicap: 4

Yardage: 546
Handicap: 4

Yardage: 536
Handicap: 4

Yardage: 475
Handicap: 4

Yardage: 441
Handicap: 10

Flyover
Hole 6 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 6 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 7 : Par 3

An intimidating par 3 with little room for error. Any ball landing in the bail-out area left of the green will leave a tricky chip with the green running away from you.

Yardage: 192
Handicap: 16

Yardage: 179
Handicap: 16

Yardage: 158
Handicap: 16

Yardage: 150
Handicap: 16

Yardage: 112
Handicap: 18

Flyover
Hole 7 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 7 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 8 : Par 5

Don't underestimate this straightforward looking par five. Strategically placed bunkers, coupled with heavy rough only yards away from the green, will test even most confident of golfers.

Yardage: 542
Handicap: 12

Yardage: 542
Handicap: 12

Yardage: 531
Handicap: 12

Yardage: 497
Handicap: 12

Yardage: 432
Handicap: 12

Hole 8 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 8 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 9 : Par 4

The longest par 4 on the course. Three cleverly placed bunkers on the left side will catch an overly aggressive drive. Take enough club for your second shot.

Yardage: 455
Handicap: 6

Yardage: 450
Handicap: 6

Yardage: 431
Handicap: 6

Yardage: 410
Handicap: 6

Yardage: 379
Handicap: 4

Flyover
Hole 9 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 9 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 10 : Par 5

A risk and reward par 5, pay extra attention to your approach shot as there is a lot of trouble protecting this green.

Yardage: 548
Handicap: 11

Yardage: 524
Handicap: 11

Yardage: 515
Handicap: 11

Yardage: 487
Handicap: 11

Yardage: 433
Handicap: 9

Flyover
Hole 10 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 10 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 11 : Par 3

Club selection is vital, a missed green here will test the best of short games.

Yardage: 207
Handicap: 15

Yardage: 198
Handicap: 15

Yardage: 184
Handicap: 15

Yardage: 164
Handicap: 15

Yardage: 146
Handicap: 15

Flyover
Hole 11 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 11 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 12 : Par 5

One of the most intimidating holes in golf. Keep your drive down the right side of the fairway. Proceed with caution as the fairway narrows on the approach to the green.

Yardage: 564
Handicap: 1

Yardage: 554
Handicap: 1

Yardage: 537
Handicap: 1

Yardage: 508
Handicap: 1

Yardage: 425
Handicap: 3

Flyover
Hole 12 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 12 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 13 : Par 3

Hitting the correct area of the green is the key to this par 3 as the green is the most undulated on the course.

Yardage: 168
Handicap: 13

Yardage: 160
Handicap: 13

Yardage: 145
Handicap: 13

Yardage: 121
Handicap: 13

Yardage: 121
Handicap: 11

Flyover
Hole 13 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 13 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 14 : Par 4

Three cleverly placed bunkers await your drive. A good drive will leave a demanding approach shot. The percentage play is to the left side of the green.

Yardage: 452
Handicap: 3

Yardage: 428
Handicap: 3

Yardage: 411
Handicap: 3

Yardage: 383
Handicap: 3

Yardage: 370
Handicap: 1

Flyover
Hole 14 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 14 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 15 : Par 4

The shortest par 4 on the course is drivable in one for the longer hitters. The safe play is down the left side as wayward shot to the right will find trouble.

Yardage: 342
Handicap: 17

Yardage: 328
Handicap: 17

Yardage: 284
Handicap: 17

Yardage: 264
Handicap: 17

Yardage: 264
Handicap: 17

Flyover
Hole 15 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 15 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 16 : Par 3

A tight par 3 where the left side is popular but not always rewarding. The wind will play a big part in this tee shot.

Yardage: 186
Handicap: 9

Yardage: 178
Handicap: 9

Yardage: 163
Handicap: 9

Yardage: 160
Handicap: 9

Yardage: 120
Handicap: 13

Flyover
Hole 16 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 16 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 17 : Par 5

A long par 5 where finding the fairway is a must on your drive and second shot. Par is always a good score on this hole.

Yardage: 623
Handicap: 5

Yardage: 600
Handicap: 5

Yardage: 575
Handicap: 5

Yardage: 464
Handicap: 5

Yardage: 464
Handicap: 7

Flyover
Hole 17 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 17 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 18 : Par 4

A demanding finishing hole with Out-of-Bounds on the right. Finding the fairway with your drive is key. Allow plenty of club for your approach shot as the ball must carry onto the front of the green.

Yardage: 434
Handicap: 7

Yardage: 411
Handicap: 7

Yardage: 399
Handicap: 7

Yardage: 350
Handicap: 7

Yardage: 309
Handicap: 5

Flyover
Hole 18 - Old Head Golf Links
Hole 18 - Old Head Golf Links

Scorecard & Rating

Course Par Length SSS Slope Rating
Black 72 7150 75.3 142
Blue 72 6912 74.3 139
White 72 6588 72.8 136
Yellow 72 6045 70.3 131
Red 72 5494 72.8 129
Download Scorecard

Heli-Golf

With executive heli-charter for the discerning golfer becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport for travelling throughout Ireland, Old Head is well catered for this by providing a helipad that is able to host up to four helicopters at a time.

Cutting out on significant time lost on road travel, Heli-Golf alleviates time pressures and brings the benefit of seeing the beauty of Ireland from the air. The service will transport you between golf courses, hotels and airports or whatever route you may choose.

Information

Caddie Programme

Old Head Golf Links is designed as a walking course where Members and Guests are encouraged to walk the incredible links with a Caddie. Old Head boasts one of the largest group of professional Caddies in the country, with approximately 160 working at the Club throughout the season.

The Old Head Caddie Programme is among one of the most extensive and professional worldwide with their knowledge of the course, the sport and the local area and history adding to the most memorable rounds of a lifetime.

Request Caddy