Ardglass Golf Club is built directly into the cliff faces of the Down coast, and its opening holes — running along the edge above the Irish Sea — are among the most dramatic in Irish golf. The clubhouse occupies part of Jordan's Castle, a 15th-century tower house and one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Northern Ireland, giving the place an atmosphere that no modern resort can manufacture. The course becomes more conventional inland after the clifftop opening, but those first few holes stay with you. At £80 it is exceptional value, and a natural companion to Royal County Down twenty minutes north — the contrast between the two is part of what makes a Down coast day work.
Highlights
- Cliff-top setting
- Spectacular opening holes
- Exceptional value
Visitor Information
Getting There
Common questions
What makes the opening holes at Ardglass so famous?
Ardglass opens with what many consider the finest sequence of opening holes in Irish golf. The first tee shot is played with the sea directly below and a medieval castle at your back — converted from 15th-century fortified warehouses by the FitzGerald family and now believed to be one of the oldest golf clubhouses in the world. The second hole, named Howd's Hole, is a par three across a rocky coastal inlet to a small green perched above the sea. The first five holes run along the clifftops with the Irish Sea on one side throughout.
Is Ardglass just for the opening holes or is the full course worth it?
The full course is worth it. The inland holes on the back nine are less dramatic than the clifftop sequence but the routing is sound and the views return on several holes. At the price Ardglass charges, the combination of the spectacular opening and the solid back nine makes it one of the best-value rounds on the Down coast.
How do I get to Ardglass from Belfast?
Ardglass is about forty-five minutes south of Belfast on the Down coast road through Downpatrick. It is a natural stopping point on the way to Newcastle and Royal County Down. The combination of Ardglass in the morning and Royal County Down in the afternoon is ambitious but achievable for golfers with energy, though Royal County Down alone is a full day's experience.
How do I book Ardglass Golf Club?
Ardglass books through GolfNow with consistent online availability. It is one of the more accessible quality links courses on the Down coast and does not require the advance planning that Royal County Down demands.
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