Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course Key Information

Sandy Hills at Rosapenna is one of the great modern links in our Top 100 golf courses UK&I.

It’s hard to believe the Sandy Hills Links is just more than 20 years old, the Pat Ruddy design opened in just 2003. Carved through the dunes, this superb layout has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best golf courses in Ireland.

From the outset, the challenge of this tricky course is evident – you must find the fairways. Dunes wait right from the tee on 1, with a fall-away to the left. Although it’s a short par-5 on paper, precision from the tee, on approach and, likely, on the third shot are key.

The slopes and speed of the greens on the Sandy Hills Links are quite a feature. I have found them both hight satisfying and highly frustrating at times. A deft short game and touch is essential if you’re to negotiate the testing green complexes.

There are some very difficult shots to be faced on the Sandy Hills. On the par-3 7th, the tee shot is played downhill to a firm green with dramatic run offs right and long. On the par-5 8th, the approach is to a raised green where anything short will roll back some 40 yards.

But that’s not to say it’s unfair, carefully thought out and well played shots will be rewarded. This is a real thinkers’ links course and definitely one that’s fun to play, trying to master its nuances and subtleties.

On the run in there are some really excellent holes with standouts for me including the bunker-less par-4 15th and par-5 17th. The former dips and turns to the right before climbing again to a sheltered green.

The latter offers a birdie chance in prevailing winds but with significant slopes to a collection area right of the green, it’s a daunting approach and one that must be played with surety.

I think Sandy Hills is one of the great examples of course design from the last 25 years. It makes the very most of this dramatic coastal landscape, delivering a superb variety of unique, memorable and challenging golf holes.

It’s tough, there’s no question about that, but it’s fair and it’s hugely enjoyable.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said…

Tim Browne

Sandy Hills has matured nicely over the years. The fairways have lovely fine grasses and you rarely have a poor lie.. Some may not like this course but I love it. It is very different from St Patrick’s next door and from older traditional links but it is a good test of golf, good fun and fair.

Peter Hurst

The towering dunes, carries, deep valleys and uphill green complexes mean you need to know your uphill and downhill yardages (with or against wind) like the back of your hand. It’s a great course in a great setting and is underrated in my opinion.

Sheila Diamond

An extremely demanding links course more suitable for low handicap golfers. Although we played in beautiful weather with very little wind, and although the par 3s for women are really quite short, between 100 and 130 yards, accuracy is essential as there is little or no room between the greens and the long dune grass.

Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course

Rosapenna Sandy Hills Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near To Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course

ROSAPENNA ST PATRICK'S LINKS

Laid out on terrain occupied by two former courses, St Patrick’s is entirely reimagined. The design by one of the modern greats – Tom Doak and his team – shows just how big imagination can be. This is a vast rollercoaster adventure charging through deep dune valleys and soaring over more open, tumbling terrain.

BALLYLIFFIN GLASHEDY

One of two brilliant courses at Ballyliffin, this was designed by the great Pat Ruddy in the mid-1990s and hosted the 2018 Irish Open. Cleverly, it manages to combine the best of traditional links with a look and feel that is somehow modern. It’s a thrill from start to finish and features punishing bunkers and fast-running fairways.

For more Irish golfing gems, check out our guide to the very best golf courses in Ireland.

Best Places to Stay Near Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course

Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort - Book Now
Staying at the resort, you're right there on site to hit the fairways. There are also packages available for hotel guests playing the golf courses. The views are superb and the accommodation and facilities are excellent. The food is of a very high standard.

Downings Bay Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
Situated in Sheephaven Bay on the picturesque Atlantic Drive, this is a comfortable hotel serving locally sourced food in the restaurant and there's always a good atmosphere in the bar. Guests can also enjoy free access to the nearby local leisure centre. The leisure centre has a modern, fully equipped gym and a swimming pool

Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course Gallery

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Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort Sandy Hills Course Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

• 2025/26 - 50
• 2023/24 - 44
• 2021/22 - 46
• 2019/20 - 44
• 2017/18 - 45
• 2015/16 - 45
• 2013/14 - 42
• 2011/12 - 39
• 2009/10 - 43

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