There’s something about the ultra-remote golf club.
You know the ones: Bandon Dunes. Silvies Valley Ranch. Barnbougle.
When you go to these places, you really go. They’re not “on the way” to anywhere. Every single person made the trek on purpose, which means one thing: they’re just as golf-crazy as you are.
There’s an unspoken bond you get at spots like this. Strangers become fast friends. Everyone’s chasing the same thing: pure golf, in a special place, with nothing else pulling at you.
But then there’s a level above even that: the private remote golf club.
These are places you might only visit once or twice a year, but they stay with you. The remoteness, the intimacy, the way the whole thing slows you down.
After flying two hours and driving another three and a half to what feels like the middle of nowhere in Eastern Colorado, I recently found myself at Ballyneal for the first time in a decade.
After this trip, I can confidently say it’s one of the best destination clubs in the world.
What It’s Like to Show Up at Ballyneal
I was there for an Eighty Club trip. Sixteen guys. Two nights. And a whole lot of golf.
Ballyneal is remote in the best way. Cell service is spotty, the prairie stretches in every direction, and there’s this peaceful silence that you rarely get in modern life.
It’s just you, your clubs, and the dunes.
The sign greets you when you arrive, and your first thought (assuming you didn’t miss the sign to begin with), is this can’t be it.
There is literally nothing out here.
But as you make the drive towards the club, you begin to see it. Not much of the course, mind you, but the cabins and clubhouse.
There isn’t a bad room at Ballyneal. They have some more hotel-style options right near the clubhouse, but they also have a handful of cabins perched over the 18th green which are beautifully outfitted and all have 4 ensuite rooms.
There’s also the larger Meadowlark cabin which has its own putting green and can sleep 8.
For our trip, we had a mix of all of the above for our 16 guys.
The food and drink is all excellent. Delicious steaks, hearty sandwiches, and a steady flow of solid cocktails. Despite being in the middle of nowhere, you have absolutely zero worries about going hungry.
But the best part? A cigar, whiskey, and a fire pit with millions of stars overhead while sharing stories from the day.
Golf That Just Gets Better the More You Play It
The course is all fescue, and it plays like a links course—but instead of coastal dunes, it’s nestled in the rugged, rolling hills of Colorado. The land moves in all directions, and Doak let it speak for itself.
There’s a ton of variety. A bunch of half-par holes. Par 3s that feel like 4s, par 5s that make you think about pulling driver off the deck.
And maybe the coolest feature of all?
There are no set tee boxes.
Seriously. None. The player who wins the previous hole picks the next tee spot. Some holes we played at 150 yards difference from round to round—it completely changes how they play. It keeps things fresh and forces you to think. It’s match play heaven.
And the 4th tee box reveal? One of the coolest visual reveals I’ve seen on a golf course. Ever.
My Favorite Holes
My favorite hole is easy: the par-4 7th is everything I want in a short par 4.
It’s drivable, but the green is blind. Once you get up there, you realize the green is insane—in a good way. Big slopes, ridges, and funnels that reward creativity like few greens I’ve experienced.
During one round, I hit it to two feet and made eagle. It’s a hole that begs you to take a risk, and if you pull it off, the payoff is massive.
It’s moments like this why I contiunue to be such a big fan of Arccos Golf.
The aforementioned 4th is one of the most fun tee shots you’ll ever have, and if hole is playing downwind, it’s somehow actually reachable for many golfers.
The 16th is a wonderful par 5, that rewards a delicate drive up the ridge on the left side.
And out of my 4 rounds there, every single round there was something at stake come the 18th hole. And every time? There was something memorable.
You can be timid or aggressive on this hole.
Aim further left for a better approach, just don’t go short and don’t hit it too long through the fairway.
The further right you are, the more you’ll take the imposing greenside bunker out of play.
It’s a wonderful finish to a wonderful course.
I could tell interesting stories about every other hole on the course, but there’s other people out there who have done a better job than I could.
If nothing else, just watch this:
Memorable Moments from the Trip
We had a few:
- Sam aced the short par-3 3rd. We heard the cheer from a green ahead and knew something big had happened.
- The 7th hole produced multiple tap-in eagles.
- Jonathan had nine birdies in one round.
- I broke 80 for the first time in two years. The guy I was playing against completely stopped caring about the match—he just wanted to see me finish it out. That kind of support sums up the whole vibe.
A Few Tips If You’re Lucky Enough to Go
A few things to keep in mind should you get invited to Ballyneal:
- Say yes. If you get the invite, don’t overthink it—go.
- Bring extra shoes, socks, and shirts. Change between rounds. You’ll thank me.
- Use a caddie. Trust them. They know every bump and break.
- Try to disconnect. Seriously. Turn the phone off. You’re at Ballyneal—so be at Ballyneal.
Would I go back? Absolutely. In a second.
It’s right there with Pacific Dunes as my favorite Tom Doak course. It has that same sense of wonder and replayability, but with a more intimate, personal twist.
Ballyneal is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with golf all over again.
Remote. Peaceful. Pure.
It’s one of the most unique experiences in golf, and I just feel fortunate I had the chance to experience it.
