Golf breaks and golfing holidays are often associated with Scotland, USA, Portugal or Spain, but if you’ve only considered these destinations, then you have been missing out. The Isle of Man is a fantastic golfing destination and despite the islands compact size, it manages to offer nine golf courses, eight of which are 18-hole.
With the small population of around 80,000 on the island, you’re bound to escape the long queues or delays you normally find at other golfing destinations. The compact size of the Isle of Man means that no one golf course is much more than 45 minutes by car from any other, meaning you can play a number of courses in a short visit or break. The roads are small and un-crowded meaning stress-free journeys, and there are many hotels to choose from located near the nine golf courses.
With courses than can challenge even the best golfers, from championship golf courses, there are courses to suit all abilities and standards, and when a game is not going to plan, the breath-taking scenery such as the stunning coastal views and heather moorlands that surround you, will make losing a little more enjoyable! The Isle of Mans climate means that golf is virtually a year-round activity and the UK is less than an hour away by plane, two and a half hours by Seacat, or a leisurely ferry journey lasting a little under four hours.
With the plus point of no passport control, minimal queues at the courses plus the great weather, visit the Isle of Man for an afternoon’s game, or even better enjoy a mini golf break to try out the nine magnificent courses. Eight of these golf courses are: Castletown Golf Links, Ramsey Golf Club, King Edward Bay Golf Course, Mount Murray Golf Club, Peel Golf Course, Ronway Golf Club, Douglas Golf Club and Port Saint Mary Golf Club. Golfing in the Isle of Man really is a unique and memorable experience.
Castletown Golf Links, Castletown
Established in 1892, the championship course in its present form was laid out by golfing legend Mackenzie Ross in the late 20s and early 30s. Presenting some real challenges at 6707 yards, par 72, the club has held a number of classic championships, such as the PGA cup matches against the USA in 1979.
The course provides some of the purest golf links anywhere in the British Isles, with many outstanding holes and excellent facilities such as resident PGA pro, golf buggy and trolley hire, 19th hole and pro shop, it’s not surprising it has two prestigious and highly acclaimed awards to its name.
These awards are: voted 81st in the Top 100 by the Golf World Magazine 2004 for a second time in four years but now also voted 79th out of 120 by Golf Monthly.
The near-by Sefton Express Hotel is an ideal hotel to stay if you plan to visit Castletown Golf Links as it is only 3 miles away.
Ramsey Golf Club, Ramsey
Founded in 1891, Ramsey Golf Club is situated in front of a stunning background of the northern hills in the north of the Island and is an immensely enjoyable and demanding course. Essentially a challenging parkland course, it is 5982 yards and par 70, and the 1st and 18th holes are particularly demanding. This interesting course was established over 100 years ago, has spectacular views and a superb range of facilities, and Nigel Mansell was the ex club champion!
The course was laid out by Old Tom Morris, modified by George Lowe, and then in 1926 it was redesigned by James Braide, five times Open Champion. Most recently the course has been further modified by Steve Marnoch, the International golf course architect. The course is not too hilly and so makes a superb day’s golfing of two rounds and a really good golfing challenge.
King Edward Bay Golf Course, Onchan
The superbly maintained 18 hole course at King Edward Bay Golf Course is situated in an elevated position in Onchan, on the outskirts of Douglas, the Island’s capital. Offering many superb views of the Island, there is a magnificent view of Douglas Bay from the short 14th par three hole. A round of golf at King Edward Bay is bound to be memorable with the many impressive holes, and excellent facilities such as golf cart and equipment hire, pro shop, lessons available from professional Donald Jones and an exceptional bar and catering facilities.
- Par 67 Men’s 5221 yards
- Par 69 Ladies’ 4685 yards
Mount Murray Golf Club, Santon
Just 5miles from Douglas, The Mount Murray Golf and Country Club has a superb 18-hole championship course suitable for golfers of all standards. The course skilfully incorporates the natural features of Manx hedging, streams and lakes and is surrounded by magnificent scenery. Measures 6361 yards with six par 3s, five par 5s and the rest being par 4s, the course is a real challenge. 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.
The golf club has a wide range of facilities such as the island’s biggest pro shop with an extensive range of ladies and men’s golf wear and equipment and the new in 2007 the Mount Murray Golf Club House with a large open plan bar, a 100 seated restaurant, a snooker room, two conference rooms and a spacious function room.
- Par 71 Men’s 6361 yards
- Par 71 Ladies’ 5242 yards
Peel Golf Course, Peel
Peel Golf Club is a picturesque golf course sitting on heath land just to the east of Peel, on the west coast of the Isle of Man. Located in Congary, an area in Peel, the club was established in 1895 and the extremely varied course continues to provide a challenging test to all golfers who play it.
This 18-hole course measures 5874 yards, Par 69, and offers a complete range of natural hazards including a stream, turf banks and gorse and many of the holes having been cut through pine tree plantations. The longest hole is the par 5 seventh and the fourth hole is a favourite with the members, as the stream comes into play with the approach shot to this tricky green.
Featuring stunning views from the course and the facilities, a round of golf at Peel Golf Club is a pleasure.
- Par 69 Men’s 5874 yards off the white competition tees
- 5680 yards from the yellow tees
Ronway Golf Club, Port Erin
The superbly maintained course at Ronway Golf Club is located in the quiet and delightful town of Port Erin. Founded in 1895, this 18-hole course has six testing par fours, two par threes and an uphill par five fifth hole on the front nine. For men the course is Par 70 and 5774 yards and the course has excellent views over the Irish Sea.
- Par 70 Men’s 5774 yards
- Par 71 Ladies’ 5181 yards
Douglas Golf Club, Douglas
Located to the south of Douglas, the Island’s capital, Douglas Golf Club is a ‘pay and play’ golf course in Pulrose Park that was founded in 1891. Open daily and with 18 excellent holes the course is maintained in first class condition and offers exceptional value for money. With a variety of challenging holes, one of these is the par three 17th, from an elevated tee to a green some 70 feet below.
- Par 69 Men’s 5922 yards
- Par 72 Ladies’ 5572 yards
Port Saint Mary Golf Club, Port Saint Mary
Port Saint Mary Golf Club is a nine-hole course golf course in Port Saint Mary that was designed by 1920 British Open Champion George Duncan. The only nine-hole golf course on the Island, it still manages to presents a number of interesting challenges whatever your handicap. The views of the two bays of Port St Mary and its harbour from Port Saint Mary Golf Club are truly spectacular and is considered by many to have 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. Facilities include two tennis courts, full bar and Ladies’ Day Saturday Mornings.
- Par 68 Men’s 5702 from competition tees, (5314 yards for municipal round)
- Par 70 Ladies’ 5274 yards
