Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale in County Cork, the course opened in 1977 with four designers involved in its conception, owing to its intricateness.
It enjoys a unique location on an elaborate terrain, it is built on a 220-acre rocky outcrop, that extends out more than two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running below you as you play the course. The links and practice area cover 180 acres and the residual 40 acres of unspoilt cliff frame the course. It is an 18 hole par 72 course, measuring 6,680 yards from the blue tees.Having such a unique and breath-taking setting it necessitated a wonderful course to complement it and this has certainly been achieved.
This majestic course has expertly been designed to merge and work with the complicated terrain of the area, and the result is an unique and spectacular course. The peninsula is roughly shaped like a diamond and the course winds its way around and across. There is not a disappointing hole on this course, they are all excellent, challenging, interesting and above all picturesque.
The course immediately gets down to the nitty gritty, there is no easing in gently. Nine of the holes are played long the 300-feet rugged cliff-face, providing the most amazing panoramic views of the ocean on all sides. Old Head comprises of five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s, with a minimum of six tees per hole. Being a links course it is completely at the mercy of the elements, the wind being a major factor, it can range from a gentle breeze to a heavy gale and provides a stern test to your game.
- It is a tough course,
- challenging but fair, you will be rewarded for good shots
- .The condition of the course is superb,
- the greens are immaculate and pure,
- they run true and fair,
- the undulating fairways are wide starting off but do narrow,
- you will find them to be firm and fast,
- there are a number of well placed bunkers,
- as well as blind shots and the rough is dense and harsh.
There are long walks between the tees but Old Head Golf Links is designed as a walking course where players are encouraged to walk the links with a caddie due to the nature of the course, it is the best way to appreciate the full beauty here. Old Head’s Caddie Programme is among one of the biggest and most proficient and professional worldwide.