Ok, so I’ve got some good news and some bad news today. I always like to start with the bad, accept it, and move onto the happy. What about you?

So, the bad news is Ty is currently in surgery for a torn Achilles (ouch). Such a freak accident while playing church league basketball last week, and it’s such terrible timing with weddings, and upcoming trips, not to mention golf season kicking off this week with the Masters Tournament!

The good news? Since Ty has had some downtime during the past week, we thought it would be fun to write about our experiences traveling to different golf courses in Ireland this Summer.

Where to Travel for Great Golf

By: Ty Tolleson

I grew up playing golf but never needed a professional lesson because my grandfather is an excellent golfer and teacher (he shot his age at 62!). Earlier in his life, he had plans to start going to qualifiers to try and get on the PGA tour, but God had different plans for him and my grandmother, and I guess I’m glad he did. Instead, my sweet mother was born! I fell in love with golf at a very young age, and it has become a true passion of mine.

Old Head Golf Course

Best Golf Courses in Ireland

Meredith and I decided early on that Ireland would be one of our first international trips together because that’s where the game of golf originated!

We purchased our trip through a charity gala, and the location was already set to a small port town in Southern Ireland called Kinsale. We were excited to learn that Kinsale, Ireland houses one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, The Old Head Golf Links. If you are thinking about traveling to Ireland and plan to golf, I highly suggest booking a tee time at Old Head. Just thinking about it and looking back at pictures gives me chills.

The Old Head golf course sits on a headland of the southern tip of Ireland which was once a fortress. Located just 10 miles off the greens is the spot where the RMS Lusitania sank in the Atlantic ocean, which is said to have been one of the events that onset World War I. There is so much rich history in this small port city, and a great deal is held on this piece of land which was turned into a private golf course in 1997.

Old Head Golf Links

Old Head Golf Cost and Highlights

• We booked 5 months in advance and they had very limited tee times available
• Old Head cost 300 euros, not including caddy
• Old head founded 1997 breathtakingly beautiful but hasn’t been around long enough to gain the
  respect it deserves
• The wind on top of this peninsula can be brutal to one’s golf game. Do not expect to play your normal game, as the courses are much more difficult and the weather conditions can definitely take a toll on performance
• Get there early and grab lunch and a pilsner on the patio. The views are so relaxing!
• If you’re not staying in Kinsale, carve out some time to stay for the afternoon or overnight. The town is amazing! Tons of restaurants and pubs, and of course meeting the locals is the best part!

Ballybunion Old Course

Ballybunion Golf Course in Ireland

We also traveled 2.5 hours one day to play at Ballybunion Golf Links. This golf course is located on the north-west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. County Kerry doesn’t have much else in the town other than the golf course, so the girls didn’t have much to do, unfortunately. Also note, no spa at this golf club.

Tip from Meredith: Grab a bottle or two of champagne and enjoy the views!

• Ballybunion has two courses (Old vs New). We played the Old Course.
• Ballybunion Old course founded 1893
• Golf.com ranks Ballybunion at #17 on their Top 100 courses in the world
• Ballybunion Old Course costs 242 euros and includes a caddy at this price

I hope you all enjoyed this little takeover, and learned something you may not have known about golfing in Ireland!

Ballybunion Golf Course

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