Ballyneal Golf Club

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Venue Overview

Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club is a private, members-only destination golf club in Holyoke, Colorado, set on a remarkable formation of sand dunes the locals call the "chop hills," out on the high plains of Eastern Colorado near the Nebraska border. Designed by acclaimed architect Tom Doak and opened in 2006, Ballyneal is one of the purest inland links experiences in North America, a walking-only, caddie-driven course that ranks number one in Colorado and among the top 100 in the world. With firm fescue turf, no tee markers, ever-present wind, and a laid-back, unpretentious village of lodges and dining, Ballyneal offers members and their guests a golf experience that feels transported straight from Scotland or Ireland.

About the Course

Ballyneal's 18-hole championship course is a Tom Doak design that opened in 2006, the celebrated architect's answer to Nebraska's famous Sand Hills. Doak and his Renaissance Golf team spent two years studying and routing the land before construction, letting the dunes dictate the flow rather than forcing a design onto them. The result is a minimalist masterpiece of roughly 7,130 yards, par 71, with a quirk that defines the place: there are no tee markers, no yardage markers, and no slope or rating. Players and caddies simply choose where to play from. As a private destination club, access is reserved for members and their guests. Course features: 18-hole, par-71 championship links course designed by Tom Doak Roughly 7,130 yards, played from runway tees with no fixed markers Opened in 2006, built on the natural "chop hills" sand dunes Firm, fast fescue turf and gusty winds that demand a ground game Topsy-turvy greens, half-par holes, and limitless shot options Walking-only golf supported by one of Colorado's top caddie programs Ranked number one in Colorado and among the top 100 courses in the world Part of a 30-hole experience that includes the Mulligan Course and the Commons

The Playing Experience

Ballyneal is golf in its purest, most imaginative form. Doak's minimalist routing lets the land lead, so the course rewards creativity over calculation, there are no tee markers to tell you where to stand, no yardages to dictate your club, just the wind, the firm fescue, and the contours to read. Many greens sit perched on hilltops where the breeze tugs at every putt, and the half-par holes and runway tees mean no two rounds, or even two shots, are ever quite the same. The fairways are generous, but finding the right angle is everything. It is austere, spartan, and utterly absorbing, a course that golf-architecture devotees compare to Ballybunion and Pacific Dunes, played in a spirit best described as cowboy golf: serious about the game, unstuffy about everything else, right down to the club tradition that the loser of a match carries the winner's bag back to the village.

The Mulligan Course & The Commons

Ballyneal is far more than its championship eighteen. At the heart of the village sits the Commons, a sprawling one-acre putting course where members gather to putt, wager, and swap stories. A short walk away is the Mulligan Course, a 12-hole par-3 short course designed by Tom Doak in 2017, with holes ranging from 85 to 190 yards, wild and humorous greens, and wrought-iron drink holders for tee markers. Named for the club's legendary caddie Charlie Mulligan, it can be played in flexible loops and is pure, unhurried fun. Together with the main course, they make Ballyneal a 30-hole walking paradise.

Caddies & The Ballyneal Experience

Walking and caddies are central to Ballyneal. The club maintains one of Colorado's top caddie programs, hiring from reputable clubs nationwide along with returning local high school and college students who grow within the program, and members come to know them as part of the Ballyneal family. The whole experience is built to be savored, not rushed: a few days on the property with friends, rounds measured in camaraderie rather than the clock, and a village laid out so chance encounters at the Turtle Bar are part of the fun. It is, as many members put it, one of golf's greatest escapes.

Facilities & Lodging

As a destination club, Ballyneal is built for the multi-day stay: On-site lodging, with four lodges and additional cottages forming the village The Turtle Bar & Restaurant, the social heart of the club A full pro shop The Commons putting course at the center of the village Year-round sporting clays, with a 10-station course and 5-stand, honoring the club's hunting roots

Membership

Ballyneal is a private destination club, often a treasured second club where members escape to play golf the way it was meant to be played. Membership has been at or near capacity with a wait list to join. Membership information is available directly from the club.

Planning Your Event Here

Ballyneal is a private, members-only destination club in a genuinely remote setting, reached by dirt road a few miles south of Holyoke, roughly three hours northeast of Denver. Member buddy trips and small gatherings are the heart of golf here, arranged by members directly with the club. Golf is seasonal with the Eastern Colorado climate. Reach out to the club at (970) 854-5900 to plan a member visit.

Lessons & Instruction

Golf at Ballyneal is led by PGA Head Golf Professional Elliott Oscar. Instruction at this ultra-private Holyoke club is offered to members and their guests through the golf staff. (Instructor as of 2026.)

Hosting an Event at Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club? Launch It on Colorado Under Par

If you're a member hosting a golf gathering or buddy trip at Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club, you can launch your event for free on Colorado Under Par — Colorado's dedicated platform for discovering and promoting golf, pickleball, and sporting events. Getting your event in front of Colorado's active golf community takes less than five minutes. Launch your event here: coloradounderpar.com/submit-event