Ardglass Golf Club

If golf courses are judged by first impressions alone, then the Ardglass Golf Club in County Down is most certainly worthy of top drawer status. After all, how often is one welcomed by a 14th century castle turned clubhouse? Once the home of the Fitzgeralds, Earls of Kildare, the castle is now recognized as the oldest golf clubhouse in the world - a distinction that even the R&A has never bothered to dispute.

The clubhouse is a source of pride for the staff and membership, both of which are friendly and eager to share the history of their little club. If these walls could talk, oh the stories they would tell - and some claim the walls actually do talk. From the 13th century shield bearing the City of London crest, to numerous other artifacts found throughout the clubhouse, the history at Ardglass is so rich that one might forget it was golf that brought us here.

The incredible first impression at Ardglass carries over onto the course, where arguably the best opening pair of holes on the Emerald Isle awaits. Set at the foot of the castle with a view of the Irish Sea that is nothing short of spellbinding, the tee shot on the first hole is dramatic to say the least. The hole then climbs to a green that offers the best panorama on the course, with the possible exception of the very next tee box. The daunting par-3 2nd is a truly spectacular hole set on the edge of the cliffs, where a deep and watery grave known as “Howd’s Hole” awaits most shots that flirt with the left side.