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Stunning opening 4 holes…
Ardglass Golf Club has been around for more than 100 years and is definitely a gem. With views of the rugged and beautiful coastline from every hole and the majesty of the Mountains of Mourne providing the perfect backdrop, Ardglass has a claim to be rated amongst the greatest links courses in Ireland.
The clubhouse is from the 13th century and the oldest in the world – magnificent.
The course is a true test and in particular the holes along the rugged coast line: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th and 13th.
It’s a very intimidating first tee shot with the tee box right on the edge of the clubhouse and ocean. A good 200 yards carry is needed to get pass the rocks. A short second shot uphill to a small green, which is a challenge in the wind.
That’s the opening hole. This is followed by three more stunning holes along the rugged coastline:
Hole 2 – 167 yards par 3 – Howd’s Hole
A daunting par 3, which needs carry all the way to green. Don’t be short, you’ll end up in the big hole of rocks and the ball is gone. Don’t be left, you’ll be in the ocean. Be right of the pin. Challenging par 3 in the wind.
Hole 3 – 334 yards par 4
Short par 4, but don’t relax. Right off tee is safe and left is in the ocean. Short pitch for a par, but the wind will make it more difficult then you think.
Hole 4 – 375 yards par 4
Stunning scenery with the ocean and rocks to the left and right by your feet on the tee box. Left is the best line off tee, it opens the green but watch the rocks!
Two other beauties are:
Hole 11 – 488 yards par 5
You’ll have the ocean on the entire right hand side. The landing zone seems to be very small from tee and you’ll also have a stonewall covering the right hand side between the fairway and the ocean. There’s also water crossing the fairway about midway through the hole. It’s not a long hole, but play this hole with the same ball and be happy.
Hole 12 – 198 yards par 3
From an elevated tee you be hitting right towards the ocean and the wind will determine your club selection. Challenging par 3.
My friends Brian Cunningham and Joey Grey had joined from Dublin to play this day. Gareth McMullan from Ardglass Golf Club did also join. It was a very enjoyable game with the right tone in the comments – brilliant. It’s much appreciated that they all took the time to play with me.
Brian is playing Miura irons – very interesting golf club. Check them out on: www.miuragolf.com
We had a rather late tee time and we barely made it back to the clubhouse in daylight. Seeing Brian hit a 300+ yards monster drive from the 18th tee with the clubhouse in the background at dusk was magic – the lights on the clubhouse made it shine in a pink color.
A very delightful round of golf and Ardglass Golf Club was a very pleasant surprise.
My game is not much to talk about. Did not play well at all, but managed to shot an 82. Result not that bad, but the way it happened was not good. We had a match play going on, so puts were given and if not, my result could have been worse.
GREAT THINGS ABOUT GOLF
Out-driving your playing partners
“What, that’s your ball? So, that must be mine up there? Goodness I didn’t think I’d struck it that well!”
Ardglass Golf Club
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