Old Head Dress Code and Etiquette
A clifftop links on a headland that juts two miles into the Atlantic off Kinsale, Old Head is one of the most spectacular and exclusive rounds in Ireland. It asks for proper golf attire, golf shoes only, and a respect for a walking course best enjoyed with one of its caddies. Here is exactly what to wear and how to play it well.
Photo: Old Head Golf Links via Google, by Shane McDonagh.
The short answer
Old Head expects recognized golf attire on the course and is clear about what is not welcome. Jeans and denim, athletic shorts, hoodies, tee shirts, tank tops and sporting jerseys are all out. Caps are worn peak forward in the traditional way, and only golf shoes are allowed, with metal or steel spikes banned to protect the cliff edge turf. The clubhouse is a touch more relaxed: smart denim is acceptable there so long as it is in good repair, with no rips, tears, fraying or holes.
The other defining features are the walking and the caddies. Old Head is laid out to be walked, and the club runs one of the largest caddie programs in Ireland, with around 160 caddies through the season. Walking with a caddie is strongly encouraged and is by far the best way to take in a course where several holes play right along the cliff tops. Buggies exist but are very limited, and a forecaddie must accompany any group that takes one. All policies below were checked in June 2026 and are indicative, so always confirm the current rules and fees directly with the club before you travel.
Old Head dress code and course rules
The clothing rules are firm on the course and a little softer in the clubhouse. The bigger planning points are the walking format, the caddie program and the very limited buggy access. Here is the full picture.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| On course attire | Recognized golf wear; no denim, athletic shorts, hoodies, tee shirts, tank tops or sporting jerseys |
| Caps and footwear | Caps worn peak forward; golf shoes only; no metal or steel spikes |
| Clubhouse | Smart denim allowed if in good repair, with no rips, tears or fraying |
| Walking and caddies | Walking course; around 160 caddies through the season, booked ahead but not guaranteed |
| Buggies | Very limited electric buggies; a forecaddie must accompany any group that uses one |
Policies verified in June 2026 from Old Head golf guidance and are indicative. The points to plan around are golf shoes only, the walking format and limited buggy access. Always confirm current rules and fees directly before booking. Check Old Head tee time availability.
The course and what a round costs
Old Head is a par 72 of roughly 7,100 yards from the tips, designed by a team that included Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Joe Carr and the late Eddie Hackett, who tried dozens of routings across the headland before settling on this one. Nine of the holes flirt with the Atlantic cliffs, so it is as much a spectacle as a test. The green fee is firmly in the premium bracket, with recent high season rates indicatively around 475 EUR per round before the caddie fee, which is paid separately on top. Rates vary by season and the club asks golfers to contact them directly for live pricing, so treat these figures as a guide and always confirm the current green fee and caddie cost directly before booking.
Etiquette: how to play the headland well
Old Head etiquette starts with respect for an extraordinary and exposed piece of ground. The course sits on a narrow headland ringed by sheer cliffs, so the first rule is simply safety: stay on the paths and away from the cliff edges when you are looking for a ball, and let one go rather than scramble after it near the drop. The wind here is constant and can be fierce, so expect the round to test your patience as much as your swing and play the percentages your caddie suggests.
A caddie is the heart of the Old Head experience, and the etiquette around them matters. Book ahead, because while the club fields around 160 caddies they are independent contractors and cannot be guaranteed on the day. Listen to their lines, since the blind shots and the angles along the cliffs are almost impossible to judge first time. Tip them properly in cash at the end. On the course itself, keep up with the group ahead, repair pitch marks, rake the bunkers and keep phones silent and away. Treat the staff and the setting with the courtesy they deserve and you will be welcomed back.
Packing list and final checks
Pack a collared golf shirt, tailored trousers or proper golf shorts, and serious wind and waterproof layers, because the Atlantic weather on the headland changes fast and the exposure is total. Bring soft spike golf shoes, a cap that will stay on in a gale, and a smart pair of trousers or smart denim for the clubhouse. Add cash for the caddie and a flexible attitude to the wind. Get those right and Old Head delivers a round you will remember for life.
Old Head sits just outside Kinsale on the south coast of County Cork, an easy drive from the city and a natural anchor for a southwest Ireland trip. Read our full Old Head course profile for the hole by hole detail, explore more golf in County Cork, and see where it ranks among the best golf courses in Ireland. For how rules vary across the great clubs, see our guide to dress codes at the world's top golf courses.
Plan an Old Head golf trip
Old Head is a bucket list round that works best as the centerpiece of a southwest Ireland links trip. We know the booking windows, the caddie program and how to pair it with the great courses of Cork and Kerry. Tell us roughly when and how many are travelling and we will build the itinerary, with no obligation.
Old Head dress code and etiquette questions
What is the dress code at Old Head Golf Links?
Old Head asks for recognized golf attire on the course. Jeans and denim, athletic shorts, hoodies, tee shirts, tank tops and sporting jerseys are not allowed. Caps are worn peak forward in the traditional way. Only golf shoes are permitted and metal or steel spikes are banned. In the clubhouse smart denim is acceptable if it is in good repair with no rips, tears or fraying. Always confirm the current dress code directly with the club before you play.
Do you need a caddie at Old Head?
Old Head is a walking course and walking with a caddie is strongly encouraged as the best way to enjoy the clifftop setting. The club has one of the largest caddie programs in Ireland, with around 160 caddies working through the season, though caddies are independent contractors so availability cannot be guaranteed. Book a caddie in advance through the club. Always confirm current caddie arrangements directly before travelling.
Can you use a buggy at Old Head?
Buggy access is very limited. Old Head is designed as a walking course and only a small number of electric buggies are available, so they cannot be guaranteed. Club policy also requires a forecaddie to accompany any group using a cart. If you need a buggy for medical reasons, arrange it with the club well in advance. Always confirm the current buggy policy directly before booking.
How much does it cost to play Old Head in 2026?
Old Head is a premium green fee, with recent high season rates indicatively around 475 EUR per round before the caddie fee, which is paid separately on top. Rates vary by season and the club asks golfers to contact them directly for current pricing and availability. Always confirm the current green fee and caddie cost directly with Old Head before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Dress code, caddie and buggy policy and indicative 2026 green fees verified from Old Head golf guidance in June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.