|
If you've only ever associated golf with Scotland, the USA or golf breaks in Portugal or Spain, then you've been missing out. Whoever said golf is good walk spoiled, obviously never visited the Isle of Man.
To a golfer, you don't need to be told just what an all-absorbing game it can be...on a good day! What you might need to know, though, is what a truly memorable experience golfing in the Isle of Man can be. Although just 33 miles long by 13 wide, the Island has nine golf courses (eight 18-hole ones and a nine-holes) and a population of 80,000, there's a good chance that you won't be facing long queues, whichever course you choose.
Even if you're staying only a few days you'll have the opportunity to visit a number of different golf clubs - no one course is much more than 45 minutes by car from any other.
And like the courses, the roads are uncrowded so you'll arrive fresh and ready to take on any challenge the fairways and greens might present.
And challenging it will be, for the Island's courses can tax even the 'Nick Faldos' of this world, and there is one additional and major distraction when golfing in the Isle of Man...the breathtaking views. Whichever course you play, you'll be surrounded by sensational scenery - stunning coastal views and heather moorlands - it's enough to make even the grimmest score seem bearable.
'Rabbit', 'tiger' or otherwise, golfing in the Isle of Man is unique. Thanks to our favourable climate, golfing is virtually a year-round activity with few days' play lost to snow or fog. What's more, that special warm Manx welcome extends equally to the club houses where the visiting golfer will seldom be a stranger for long.
From championship golf courses to the one nine hole golf course, golfing in the Isle of Man is a very special experience...Just imagine a golfing break in the Isle of Man, with the UK less than an hour away by air, two and a half hours by Seacat, or a leisurely ferry crossing lasting a little under four hours...No passport control, no jet lag, no need to rise at the crack of dawn to avoid the queues, just the vexing question of which one of our nine magnificent courses to try today.
-
Nigel Mansell was the ex club champion at Ramsey Golf Club - an immensely enjoyable course which, although demanding, is not too hilly and so makes a superb day's golfing of two rounds in the north of the Island. The first six and last two holes are over undulating grounds divided by a brook, while the remaining 10 are set in wooded parkland - against a magnificent backdrop of hills. The first hole, a par five, presents a real challenge, playing into the prevailing wind with a stream on your left, across the fairway and on your right. And the third green looks deceptively easy...but is really very tricky. All in all an interesting course, established over 100 years ago, with some spectacular views and a superb range of amenities.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 70 Men's 5982 yards.
Par 72 Ladies' 5064 yards.
Green Fees - Weekdays: £28 (£14 after 5pm)
Green Fees - Weekends: £38 (£19 after 5pm, includes Bank Holidays)
The clubhouse has a superb bar and dining room, snooker room and television lounge. In addition there is a well stocked pro shop, golf equipment and trollies are available for hire, and lessons can be booked with the professional.
-
A round of golf at King Edward Bay is bound to be memorable. The course is superbly maintained and affords some of the most superb views in the Island, situated in an elevated position in Onchan, on the outskirts of the Island's capital, Douglas. The springy mountain turf is quite exceptional and there are some most impressive holes, including the short 14th, a par three with a carry over the heather and a magnificent view of Douglas Bay in the background. Indeed, everywhere on the course the golfer is treated to breathtaking landscapes and coastal views.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 67 Men's 5221 yards.
Par 69 Ladies' 4685 yards.
Equipment and golf cart hire is available. There is a pro shop, (lessons available from professional Donald Jones) and quite the most exceptional bar and catering facilities, ranging from bar snacks to superbly prepared and presented meals in the elegant dining room, known as The Max, which has some outstanding views.
-
Laid out on undulating heathland Peel golf course lies just to the east of Peel. The course is extremely varied, with many holes having been cut through pine tree plantations, and offers a complete range of natural hazards: stream, turf banks and gorse. The longest hole is the par 5 seventh but perhaps the most daunting is the par four drop-legged 11th, demanding a long and accurate tee shot over a long carry of gorse bushes, to set up a mid-iron second to the green.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 69 Men's 5874 yards off the white competition tees.
5680 yards from the yellow tees.
Green Fees - Weekdays: £22
Green Fees - Weekends: £30
Peel Golf club Head Professional Paul O'Reilly is a fully qualified class A teaching professional and maintains a fully stocked stocked shop adjacent to the 1st tee. Peel Golf Club has superb practice facilities including a large grass practice ground (Inc. targets), a practice bunker, chipping area and a large putting green. These provide a perfect learning environment.
-
For a good day's golfing, right on the edge of the Island's capital, Douglas Golf Club at Pulrose Park is ideal. A 'pay and play' golf course, founded in 1891 and maintained in first class condition, Douglas Golf Club offers exceptional value for money. The course offers a variety of challenging holes, notably the par three 17th, from an elevated tee to a green some 70 feet below where you'll need anything from a 7-iron to a wood depending on conditions, and the superb 322-yard par four second hole which requires a well-placed drive to set up a very difficult mid-iron second shot into a high and closely guarded green.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 69 Men's 5922 yards.
Par 72 Ladies' 5572 yards.
The clubhouse provides anything from bar snacks to a full meal.
-
The Mount Murray course skillfully incorporates the natural features of Manx hedging, streams and lakes to provide an enjoyable round for golfers of all standards. The course is a real challenge, measuring 6361 yards with six par 3s, five par 5s and the rest being par 4s. However, variable teeing allows the par 71 course to play to a shorter length, offering a fairer challenge to the middle and high handicap golfer. For ladies the course is par 71, 5242 yards.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 71 Men's 6361 yards.
Par 71 Ladies' 5242 yards.
Catering and private events may be arranged in the beautifully appointed Mount Murray Hotel and the Sports Bar and Charlotte;s Bistro are open to all for drinks and meals or light snacks. The well stocked pro-shop offers an extensive range of ladies and men's golf wear and equipment.
-
Golf has been played at Castletown since 1892. The course in its present form was laid out by golfing legend Mackenzie Ross in the late 20s and early 30s and provides some of the purest golf links anywhere in the British Isles.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 72 Men's 6707 off the Championship blue tees, 6544 off the medal tees.
Par 73 Ladies' 5635 yards.
Green Fees - Monday - Thursday: £47.50
Green Fees - Friday - Sunday: £52.50
Twilight Fee - Any Day after 3pm: £27.00
Further tariffs can be found here
A championship course presenting some real challenges at over 6700 yards off the championship tees, there are some carries to frighen the best, yet off the yellow society tees there is scope for the club golfer to perform as well. The club has held a number of classic championships, the most notable being the PGA cup matches against the USA in 1979.
-
Founded in 1895 Rowany golf club is a superbly maintained course with a newly installed irrigation system. There are some excellent views over the Irish Sea and with its location in the delightful town of Port Erin, for a change of pace, the course can be reached by vintage steam train from Douglas. This 18-hole heathland course has six testing par fours, two par threes and an uphill par five fifth hole on the front nine. The 10th is a par five, these last holes cutting through gorse and rough making the comfortable clubhouse a welcome sight at the end of the round. (Those in the know maintain that the seventh and 12th holes, both par fours, are the most challenging of all.)
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 70 Men's 5774 yards.
Par 71 Ladies' 5181 yards.
Green Fees - Monday to Friday: Adult £19, Junior £7. Playing with a Rowany member: Adult £14, Junior £5
Green Fees - Saturday & Sunday: Adult £25, Junior £9. Playing with a Rowany member: Adult £17, Junior £7
If the clubhouse is closed, fees should be place in an envelope (with the players names clearly written on it) and placed in the honesty box located in the door to the left of the lobby entrance to the gents locker room.
-
Formed in 1903 as a private company, the golf club has occupied its present location since 1936 when the nine-hole course, designed by 1920 British Open Champion George Duncan, came into play. This is the only nine-hole course in the Island but whatever your handicap, its design presents a number of interesting challenges, with the tremendous bonus of some truly spectacular views of the two bays of Port St Mary and its bustling harbour. The course, owned by Port St Mary Commissioners, has what is considered by many to be the finest view in the Island from the sixth tee. Competitions are held every Saturday and Sunday and the first tee is reserved for members from 8am to 10.30am.
COURSE INFORMATION
Par 68 Men's 5702 from competition tees, (5314 yards for municipal round).
Par 70 Ladies' 5274 yards.
Green Fees: 18 holes £15
Green Fees: 9 holes/evening £10
Facilities include an 18 hole putting green (open in summer) and two tennis courts. Club hire and full bar/catering facilities of an exceptionally high standard are available from the Pavilion Restaurant, noted for its superb meals.
|
