Old Head Golf Links
Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
18 Holes · Par 72 · EUR 395–445 · Coastal
— About
About Old Head Golf Links
Old Head Golf Links occupies one of the most extraordinary pieces of golfing land on the planet. Built on the Old Head of Kinsale, a diamond-shaped promontory that juts approximately two miles into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Cork, the course sits atop cliffs that plunge three hundred feet to the sea below. The headland is barely four hundred metres wide at its narrowest point, meaning that virtually every hole on the course plays within sight of the ocean. No other course in the world offers quite the same combination of elemental coastal drama and pure golf challenge. The course was designed by Ron Kirby and the late Joe Carr, Ireland's greatest amateur golfer, and opened in 1997. The design philosophy was to impose as little as possible on the extraordinary natural setting, letting the headland's dramatic contours determine the routing. The result is a layout where the golf itself — challenging, varied, and technically demanding — is matched in equal measure by the spectacle of the surroundings. Tees and greens perch on clifftops, fairways run along the edge of sheer drops, and the lighthouse at the tip of the headland serves as a landmark visible from multiple points on the course. The course measures over 7,200 yards from the championship tees and plays to a course rating of 75.1 with a slope of 148. Wind off the Atlantic is the defining playing condition, and the routing ensures that golfers must deal with crosswinds, headwinds, and downwinds in roughly equal measure across the round. On calm days Old Head is magnificent and demanding; in a fresh Atlantic breeze it becomes a severe test that humbles even skilled players. Access to Old Head is by helicopter or the club's dedicated transfer service from Kinsale town, about eight kilometres away. The exclusivity of the experience is reflected in the green fee, which is among the highest in Ireland, but regular visitors and first-timers alike consistently report that the setting makes every cent worthwhile. The clubhouse is positioned to maximise the ocean panorama, and lunch overlooking three hundred feet of cliffs with the Atlantic stretching to the horizon is a memorable experience in itself. Old Head of Kinsale has a long and storied history beyond golf. The headland was once the site of a Celtic fortification, a signal tower, and a lighthouse, and the ruins of a medieval de Courcy castle still stand on the promontory. The RMS Lusitania was sunk off the Old Head in 1915, and a memorial to the victims stands near the lighthouse. This layering of history beneath the golf gives the place an added dimension that lingers long after the round is finished.
- Built on a 220-acre headland jutting two miles into the Atlantic, with three-hundred-foot cliffs on all sides.
- The Old Head lighthouse stands on the tip of the promontory and serves as a landmark throughout the round.
- No other golf course in the world offers the same degree of complete ocean immersion from tee to green.
- Course rating of 75.1 and slope of 148 confirm the severity of the challenge when Atlantic winds arrive.
- The headland's Celtic and medieval history — including a de Courcy castle ruin — adds depth to the experience.
History
The Old Head of Kinsale has been a site of human significance for millennia. Celtic tribes built fortifications here, and the promontory's dramatic position made it a natural watchtower and signal point. A lighthouse was established on the tip of the headland in the eighteenth century and remains operational today. The headland gained worldwide notoriety in May 1915 when the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat approximately eighteen kilometres to the south-west, with the loss of nearly 1,200 lives. A memorial to the victims stands near the lighthouse. The idea of building a golf course on the headland was conceived in the early 1990s by the O'Connor family, who had acquired the property. They commissioned the experienced golf course architect Ron Kirby and enlisted the legendary Irish amateur golfer Joe Carr as co-designer. Construction was a formidable undertaking given the cliff-edge terrain and the need to preserve the natural landscape. The course opened in 1997 to immediate international acclaim and was quickly recognised as one of the most visually spectacular golf destinations in the world. It has appeared in virtually every list of the world's greatest courses since its opening and continues to attract golfers from across the globe willing to make the journey to this remote corner of County Cork.
Signature Holes
The par-four seventeenth is the signature hole and arguably the most photographed in Ireland. The tee is positioned on the very edge of the headland's southwestern tip, and the drive must carry a deep chasm in the cliffs to a fairway that runs along the cliff edge toward a green perched at the precipice. On a calm day it is thrilling; in a fresh Atlantic wind it is one of the most demanding driving holes in golf. The par-three twelfth, known as the Rocks, plays from an elevated tee to a green set against a backdrop of raw cliff face and crashing sea below. Club selection here is a perpetual puzzle as the wind swirls off the ocean face. The par-four second gives an early indication of what lies ahead, with the drive played along the clifftop from a tee that offers a panoramic first view of the full extent of the headland and the surrounding sea.
Best Time to Visit
Old Head is at its finest from May through September. June and July offer the longest daylight hours and the greatest chance of settled Atlantic conditions, allowing the course to be played in the spectacular sunshine that transforms the cliffs and sea. Early morning tee times in summer, when the light is low and golden and the wind has yet to build, produce some of the finest golf experiences available anywhere. September is excellent, with warm evenings and the course in peak season condition. The course remains open into October but Atlantic storms become more frequent from mid-autumn onward. Spring visits in April and May can be rewarding with fewer visitors and vibrant green conditions.
Playing Tips
Caddies are essential at Old Head and should be booked well in advance — local knowledge of wind direction and the cliff-edge hazards is invaluable. The course is walking-only and the terrain is undulating, so a good level of fitness is advisable. Transfers from Kinsale town are arranged by the club. The green fee is among Ireland's highest, so check the club's website for the current schedule. The clubhouse serves excellent food and the post-round experience of lunch or dinner overlooking the Atlantic cliffs is not to be rushed. Kinsale itself is one of Ireland's finest gourmet towns with exceptional restaurants and accommodation, and a stay of at least two nights is recommended to do the area justice.
— Current Weather at Old Head Golf Links
Approximate conditions · Updated every 30 min · Open-Meteo
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Head Golf Links
How do visitors get to Old Head Golf Links?
The club operates a dedicated transfer service from Kinsale town, approximately eight kilometres away, as access to the headland is controlled. Helicopter transfers are also available. Private cars may access the course but transfers are the standard arrangement for most visitors.
Why is Old Head Golf Links so expensive?
The combination of its exclusive clifftop location, strictly controlled visitor numbers, high maintenance costs on exposed cliff-edge terrain, and world-class facilities justifies the premium green fee. Most visitors regard it as among the most memorable golf experiences of their lives.
Is the course suitable for high-handicap golfers?
Old Head is genuinely challenging, particularly in wind, but players of all abilities can enjoy the experience. The scenery and setting are the primary draw, and the club is welcoming to visitors who play at a respectful pace regardless of handicap.
What is the connection between Old Head and the Lusitania?
The RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German torpedo on 7 May 1915 approximately eighteen kilometres south-west of the Old Head of Kinsale, with the loss of 1,198 lives. A memorial to the victims stands on the headland, and the wreck remains a significant historical site.
Are there accommodation options at Old Head Golf Links?
The course does not have on-site accommodation. Most visitors stay in Kinsale, which offers a wide range of excellent hotels, boutique guesthouses, and self-catering options. Kinsale is renowned as one of Ireland's finest food destinations.
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