Ballyneal Course
Holyoke, CO, USA
Ballyneal is proof that world-class golf can thrive in the most unexpected places. Carved from the windswept sand hills of eastern Colorado, this modern links masterpiece is a testament to understated brilliance. Designed by Jim Engh, Ballyneal embraces the rugged, minimalist spirit of the game. The course plays firm and fast, rewarding creative shot-making and a ground game often foreign to American golfers. Expansive fairways encourage bold drives, while devilish bunkers and subtle undulations around the greens demand a deft touch. Ballyneal favors the strategic player, where imagination trumps brute strength. Beyond the golf, Ballyneal fosters a unique sense of camaraderie. The club intentionally forgoes tee times, encouraging members and their guests to embrace spontaneity and the rhythm of the land. It's a place where conversations flow as freely as the prairie wind, often culminating around the fire pit, sharing stories under an immense starlit sky. The essence of Ballyneal lies in its pure devotion to the game and the fellowship it inspires, a refreshing escape from the formalities of many established clubs.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
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Best in USA
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Best in CO
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Golfers say Ballyneal delivers an exceptional destination experience centered on Tom Doak's masterful links-style course set among dramatic sand dunes in remote Colorado. Most praise the wide playing corridors, wild but never gimmicky greens, and standout holes like the short par-4 7th and par-5 8th, noting the routing encourages creative ground game and rewards repeat play. Reviewers consistently highlight the complete package—comfortable lodging, quality food and drink, and outstanding service from caddies to bar staff—that makes the isolated location ideal for immersive golf trips. Some find certain holes blend together, though the overall consensus describes Ballyneal as a near-spiritual retreat where the weight of the world melts away.
9.3
65 players
How golf was meant to be experienced. It’s spiritual. Feels like you’re in legend of bagger Vance. Do your self a favor and splurge on the caddy, Tom Doak is a wild man with these greens.
I’m fortunate to know a handful of members at Ballyneal and normally manage to get one 3 or 4 day trip in a year. To me, Ballyneal is the model for destination clubs. It boasts an excellent golf course than is unlike anything you’d expect to find in Colorado, comfortable lodging, quality food and beverage and exceptional service from reception to the caddies and the bar staff. Once you make it to Ballyneal, there’s nothing to do but golf, eat, drink and repeat which is exactly what you should do. The Tom Doak course is a masterpiece that you will want to play again and again. Playing corridors are wide and routed through huge sand dunes. There are times that you’ll round a corner and expect to see the sea. Despite being in the center of the continent, Ballyneal looks, feels and plays like a links. The ball can and should be played on the ground as much as it is in the air. The greens are in some cases wild and heavily contoured yet never feel gimmicky. The par 3s show immense variety from the flip wedge 3rd to the 15th which can stretch to 240 yards playing into a bowl with a huge kicker on the right. The short par 4 7th followed by the wonderful par 5 8th are as good back to back holes as anyone could dream up. Whenever I reach the nondescript wooden “Ballyneal” sign at the end of the dirt road in the middle of nowhere the weight of the world melts away and I know the next few days will be everything I could ever hope for.
The best hang in golf. It can get hot, but what a great place to spend a day or two. The whole experience is great. Feels like some of the holes somewhat flow together / aren’t indistinguishable from eachother.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ballyneal has a Course Vaults score of 9.3 out of 10 based on 42 explicit golfer ratings.
Ballyneal was designed by Tom Doak.
Ballyneal is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Ballyneal is 71.
Ballyneal plays 7,147 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ballyneal is 126.
