Ballinrobe Golf Club - Par 73 - 6,857 Yards

Ballinrobe Golf Club is a true parkland course that has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the best parkland courses in the west of Ireland.

Set in the old Clooncastle estate that dates back to 1238, Ballinrobe golf club opened in 1992 on well-drained land that was once part of an agricultural college. Although new in golf terms, the listed clubhouse, mature trees, lime kiln, old castle ruin and abundant stone walls give Ballinrobe an old world charm so often absent from newer courses. Ballinrobe also provides full driving range facilities.

On the course, water hazards, mature and newly planted trees as well as very fine greens give the course it predominant character. Five par-5's complimented by four wonderful par-3's give the course instant appeal to those looking for variety in a round.

After a gentle opening hole the second is a dog-leg to the left that provides a more testing challenge. Locals will tell you to take aim over the stake on the wall if you are feeling confident with your driver, leaving a mid or short iron to a green that is cut into a small mound - a really lovely golf hole.

The front nine offers the golfer three par-5's on which to make a score. Watch out for the drive on the 6th . Take aim at the gorse island in the water hazard (unseen from the tee) and you could well end up wet! The 7th is a delightful par three, at 165 yards it is not long and usually into the prevailing wind, trouble surrounds the green on all sides so anyone walking to the next tee having made par should be happy. The 9th is a lovely par 4 that takes you back to the clubhouse. Don't go too far right off the tee as a water-hazard and an old stone wall could impede progress to the green.

The 10th tee is in the shadow of the old ruin of Clooncastle. Probably the tightest driving hole on the course with OOB all the way down the left. The green is protected by a moat that will gather any shot that is under-hit or allowed drift to the right, a flavour of the many challenges you will meet on the back nine.

The 13th is probably the signature hole of the course, a par 3 that says ‘come play me' when you step on the tee. The green is set into a hill side that gives it great definition, the hole is futher enhanced by the old lime kiln that overlooks the green from the top of the hill and the deep water-hazard that will catch anything short and left. A wonderful golf hole at just 165 yards. The 16th is another terrific par 3. The green is set against the backdrop of an old fort that is now overgrown with mature trees. The green is surrounded on all sides by sand so there is very margin for error from the tee.

The 17th is a strong par 4 up a gentle incline and plays all of it's 410 yards into the prevailing wind. The 18th is the final and fifth par 5. Locals will tell you to stay up along the left flank as a 60 foot weeping willow stands proud into the fairway on the right hand side about 50 yards before the green. This makes it virtually impossible to hit the green from anywhere right of centre. A fine closing hole that also boasts the oldest sycamore in the county of Mayo.

Ballinrobe provides a memorable days golf on a truly terrific course. The clubhouse and changing rooms are housed in the converted farmhouse and outbuildings providing a most enjoyable clubhouse atmosphere.

Quotes and Comments

I have played your course and my husband and i really enjoyed it. I grew up in Ballinrobe. I did'nt take up golf until my children were grown and left home,never knew what i had missed all those year's,but now i send you greeting's from West Texas where we can play just about all year round we plan to come back and play clooncastle again. How are thing's in Ballinrobe.Take care hit them long and straight.
Anne (McDonagh) Hall - Texas (25 April 2005)

Excellent course. Beware easy start. Valley of death at holes 7 and 8. Greens very good.
Joe Gibbons (from GolfEurope.com)

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Notable Notes

Ballinrobe Golf Club are the 2004 Pierce Purcell All-Ireland champions.

The town of Ballinrobe is the centre of Ireland's lake district. The lakes provide some of the best fishing in Ireland and the scenery of the lakes area is unrivalled.

Ballirobe golf course is a personal favourite of Padraig Harrington. The members claim he won his first 'tournament' as a golf professional here when he and his father-in-law beat two local members in a fourball match.

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