Ardglass Golf Club, Ireland

Ardglass Golf Club is a short, tricky links that is well woth playing, if only for the thrilling cliff-top holes that characterise this small and wonderful golf club. Don’t bring a hook and decide whether to play Ardglass before or after Royal County Down.

All 18 holes at Ardglass have a view of the Irish Sea. The first six provide a really good view – they all play with the coast ever present on the left hand side. The second is the first spectacular challenge, a par-3 of 167 yards across a deep creice cutting into the cliffs. All along the left hand side is slopes towards the cliffs. A picture postcard hole – the green is there, just try and imagine there is nothing else around it!

Another awe-inspiring tee-shot awaits at the fourth with the fairway gently running downhill and away towards the cliffs. As with the other holes there is no real penalty for missing way right – it may be considered smart course management but it’s against the spirit of Ardglass!

The next few holes are plain and traditional links holes and provide a chance to survey the beauty of the area.

The par-3 10th is a 205 yard par-3 that is always affected by the wind. The course then returns along the seashore with spectacular 11th and 12th holes.

The 11th will penalise the slice you perfected on the outward journey, this par-5 runs along the shore. There is a steep bak to the left covered in thick growth. The 12th hole is a par-3 of 198 yards and is probably the most memorable hole on the course. The tee provides magnificent views to the Mountains of Mourne and across the Irish Sea. The green is set below on a rocky headland and the tee-shot is played across a craggy inlet.

The final run of holes also punish a hook. The 18th is a fine finishing hole playing towards the clubhouse that is a restored castle, once the holiday home of the Earls of Kildare.

Ardglass is a pleasant and memorable holiday golf course. Much debate is given to whether it should be played as a warm-up to Royal County Down or after. Our own opinion is that Royal County Down is going to leave most golfers hankering for a less formidable challenge and Ardglass is an ideal course to provide the tonic required. You will certainly enjoy it.