Golfing Short Breaks in the Isle of Man

 

 

The Isle of Man is a golfers paradise which is located centrally in the middle of the Irish Sea half way between England and Ireland and therefore ideal for golfers who wish to take a short break not too far away from home.

 

It can easily be reached by car carrying fast ferries which operate from Liverpool and also from Dublin and Belfast in Ireland. A conventional ferry operates to/from Heysham on the northwest coast of England. Journey times are as little as 2 hours 30 minutes and because you can take your car, there is no back breaking carrying of suitcases and clubs.

 

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operates all of the ferry services to/from the Isle of Man and they have an in-house tour operator called Steam Packet Holidays who are ideally placed to package short breaks which include ferry, accommodation and in some cases green fees at a number of the golf courses on the Isle of Man.

 

The Isle of Man may only be 33 miles in length and some 13 miles wide but this compactness makes it ideal for golfers who wish to sample a number of courses in a short period of time. On a short break in the Isle of Man it is easy to play at least one different course each day and as none of the courses are more than 30 minutes drive from each other , taking your car makes real sense.

 

There are seven 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course, all of which are affiliated to the Isle of Man Golf Union.

The Isle of Man Amateur Championship of the IOMGU was founded in 1926 and is played in turn on each of the 18 hole courses described below, with the exception of King Edward Bay. Many well known names from Island golf have involved themselves voluntarily with the work of the Union since that time, none more so than the late Willie Kirkpatrick who generously created a Trust Fund upon his death for the Union to manage to the benefit of Island golf and the advancement of junior golfers particularly.

 In 1971 the Isle of Man joined the Northern Counties league and the Island team competes annually in their Championship. Affiliated to the English Golf Union the IOMGU adhere to the Rules and Codes of the EGU.

Castletown Golf Links – is an 18 hole course which is situated on the Langness Peninsular in the south of the Isle of Man. Originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1892 with a redesign by Mackenzie Ross in the late 1920’s and officially rated within the top 100 courses in Britain. At over 6.700 yards this course has many challenges, not least of which is the famous ‘Road Hole’ and the tee shot from the 17^th which has to carry a gulley which cuts into the course and is filled with the rugged rocks that keep the Irish Sea at bay.

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: 253 yards par 4 with an uphill drive to an elevated green, reachable from the tee but the green is probably the fastest on the course with slight undulations.

 

Hole 2: 393 yards par 4, after a drive to a generous fairway, all of the trouble lies to the left of a long narrow undulating green.

 

Hole 3: 558 yard par 5, reachable in two but the ‘punch bowl’ type green is surrounded by trouble on three sides.

 

Hole 4: 376 yard par 4 dog leg left, the tee shot has a carry over gorse and rough, the green slopes towards you but any over hit shots will be punished by the bunkers behind.

 

Hole 5: 423 yard par 4, the famous ‘Road Hole’, the tee is elevated and the fairway tight as it has out of bounds towards the sea on the right and the left has very thick gorse. The green slopes from front to back and towards the sea.

 

Hole 6: 386 yard par 4, another tee shot which has a carry over rough before reaching the generous fairway. The fairly flat green has a gentle slope left to right and is well bunkered to the right.

 

Hole 7: 572 yard par 5, second shot demands accuracy as there are a number of bunkers down the right, a two tiered green ensures a tricky finish to a great hole.

 

Hole 8: 166 yard par 3 with trouble down both sides , the green is two tiered but otherwise straightforward.

 

Hole 9: 369 yard par 4, an accurate drive is required down the left side in order to open up the second shot to the green, full of undulations this is the most difficult putting surface on the course.

 

That’s the first nine wrapped up and hopefully with a decent score on your card it is worth taking a short break to enjoy the view across the bay towards Castletown.

 

Hole 10: 355 yard par 4, driving away from the sea onto an undulating fairway your second shot needs to clear the bunkers short of the green but not too long as there is gorse behind.

 

Hole 11: 446 yard par 4, stay left of the bunker with your drive this hole has a large flat green which is surrounded by bunkers.

 

Hole 12: 499 yard par 5, accuracy is the key word here as a straight drive is required whilst the green is surrounded by trouble in the form of bunkers and rough.

 

Hole 13: 133 yard par 3, arguably the trickiest hole on the course especially playing down wind, deep bunkers guard the front of the green.

 

Hole 14: 387 yard par 4, drive onto a generous fairway but stay left to take advantage of your second shot to the very undulating green which slope towards the front.

 

Hole 15: 372 yard par 4, requires an accurate drive as there is out of bounds along the right side and bunkers to the left, second shot is deceptive and longer than it looks. Once reached, the green widens at the back but slopes considerably from left to right.

 

Hole 16: 185 yard par 3 and the longest of the short holes. The green is surrounded by trouble and putting is made difficult by a ridge which runs through the middle of the green.

 

Hole 17: 421 yard par 4, elevated tee with the sea on your right and a ravine to carry with your drive. Second shot is more straightforward to a green which slopes gently towards the sea.

 

Hole 18: 413 yard par 4, use the clock tower on the hotel as a guide for a blind tee shot which must stay left in order to open up the hole. Your second shot needs to clear a ravine short and right of the green which, once reached, is long and fairly flat.

 

This course has its own hotel offering short breaks for both golfers and non golfers alike, ferry inclusive packages can be arranged through Steam Packet Holidays.

 

The clubhouse is housed within the hotel and provides bar and restaurant facilities at the end of a very satisfying round of golf.

 

Douglas Golf Club – situated at Pulrose and only five minutes away from many of the Isle of Man’s hotels which are on the promenade in Douglas. This municipal course is owned and operated by Douglas Corporation and is a ‘pay and play’ course which offers a challenge to all standards of golfer. The course suffered for a number of years with flooding on the low lying fairways on the first and second holes but has recently benefited from considerable redevelopment in that area. Its signature hole is the par 4 second which is 322 yards long with a second shot to an elevated green , the course then gradually rises to its highest point on the sixth fairway from where you can enjoy views down the valley over Douglas Bay and to the north towards Snaefell which is the highest peak on the Isle of Man.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1:   166 yard par 3, reasonable starting hole with a large bunker 20 yards short of the split level green and out of bounds left.  

 

Hole 2:   331 yard par 4, either a long iron or a short wood will get you in position at the bottom of the hill for a short second to the elevated green. Keep right with your second as most of the trouble is below and to the left of the split level green.

 

Hole 3:   328 yard par 4, generous wide fairway for your tee shot before a second to a large flat green with bunkers to the left and short right.

 

Hole 4:   151 yard par 3, uphill tee shot to a green with a hill behind so you are better being longer rather than short, green slopes from back to front.

 

Hole 5:   287 yard par 4, another wide fairway but stay left if you want an easier approach to the green which is surrounded by bunkers and hillocks on three sides.

 

Hole 6:   351 yard par 4, out of bounds on both sides so an accurate drive is required, second shot needs to be left of the green as everything slopes towards the bunker on the right. Once reached the green is reasonably flat and straightforward.

 

Hole 7:   399 yard par 4, uphill drive again with out of bounds both sides, once over the hill the fairway is wide and your second shot is downhill to the green which has a narrow entrance with a bunker either side.

 

Hole 8:   132 yard par 3, tee shot over the valley to a large green which is guarded at the front with bunkers each side.

 

Hole 9: 471 yard par 5, longest hole and the only par 5, however the tee shot over the valley is to a generous fairway which narrows as you get closer to the green which should be approached down the left side as anything short and right will end up in the bunker.

 

Hole 10: 297 yard par 4, you can see all of this hole in front of you and providing your drive stays out of the hedges either side of the fairway you will be left with a very short iron to the green which slopes from front to back and right to left.

 

Hole 11: 180 yard par 3, keep your tee shot left as anything to the right will be punished either by the bunker or the rough below. Once reached, the green is straightforward but it does slope from back to front.

 

Hole 12: 383 yard par 4, downhill tee shot over the stream with a fairway that slopes left to right. Second shot to the green has to be accurate as the entrance has bunkers left and right.

 

Hole 13: 395 yard par 4, the fairway is wide but your tee shot needs to carry the dip if you want to reach the green in two. There is an uphill approach for your second shot. Not too much trouble around the green apart from a small bunker to the right.

 

Hole 14: 442 yard par 4, downhill tee shot which needs to carry the trouble left and right, second shot narrows towards the green and should be approached from the right as everything slopes in towards the green.

 

Hole 15: 374 yard par 4, the tee shot here needs to be to the right and of a good length as most of the trouble is directly in front of the tee. Stay right with your second as the slope will take the ball towards the flag, anything too far left will end up in the bunker.

 

Hole 16:   426 yard par 4, longest hole on the back nine, stay left off the tee as the fairway slopes away towards rough on the right. Second shot again needs to be left of the large narrow green which slopes in from that side and has a bunker to the right.

 

Hole 17: 190 yard par 3, looks easy but never is, you have to decide whether to attack the green or to play short and left and hope that the contours will help you out. This one has ruined many cards over the years.

 

Hole 18: 250 yard par 4, avoid the trees on the left with your tee shot and you should have an easy short iron second to the green which should be approached from the left side in order to avoid the bunker which is short and right.

 

The single story clubhouse has a bar and an extensive menu which caters for most tastes, the first tee and eighteenth green can be viewed whilst relaxing after your round.

 

If you do not wish to bring your car Steam Packet Holidays can arrange short break holidays which include transportation to/from all courses on the Isle of Man.

 

King Edward Bay Golf Club – the only course on the Isle of Man with no sand bunkers, perches high on the headland at Onchan which again is only minutes from the promenade in Douglas. At only 5,284 yards it is shorter than most of the courses on the Isle of Man, however each of the 18 holes provide their own challenges, the short 14^th has a carry across heather and provides wonderful views southeast across Douglas Bay.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1:   348 yard par 4, a blind tee shot over the brow of a hill to a right to left sloped fairway. Your second shot needs to be right as the split level green sits flat on a very steep right to left bank with deep rough below.

 

Hole 2:   172 yard par 3, uphill to a green protected on both sides by mounds. The tee shot needs to be accurate as this hole has no fairway and heavy rough left of the green. Trouble also lies right of the green with a brook and heavy rough.

 

 Hole 3:   399 yard par 4, another blind tee shot over the brow of a hill which leaves you a downhill mid iron second shot to a undulating green protected by mounds and grass bunkers on either side.

 

Hole 4:   442 yard par 5, not much trouble off the tee but if you want to reach the green for two, you need to be straight. Your second shot overlooks Douglas Bay with the green not visible due to a downhill slope from approximately 100 yards short of the green. Difficult to judge the speed as your ball will often run through the split level green.

 

Hole 5:   315 yard par 4, quite an easy hole providing your ball misses the ridge at about 210 yards. The sloped green faces back towards you and is protected by mounds.

 

Hole 6:   334 yard par 4, a downhill tee shot with trouble both sides of a narrow fairway. A short chip downhill to a 3 tiered green overlooking Douglas Promenade.

 

Hole 7:   126 yard par 3, a short uphill hole with a raised bank around the back of the sloping green.

 

 Hole 8:   380 yard par 4, another downhill tee shot with spectacular views over Douglas Bay. A downhill second shot to an undulating green with a small raised mound at the back and trouble right.

 

Hole 9:   178 yard par 3, one of those holes you can use every club in the bag for! No fairway except for 30 yards in front of the green. Too big and you will be down the bank at the back and in the rough.

 

Hole 10: 230 yard par 4, a difficult hole to drive as it is all uphill with small brooks at 100 and 200 yards. A small chip is all that is left to a small sloping green.

 

Hole 11: 412 yard par 4, a blind tee shot over the brow of a hill. The second shot is down a very steep drop looking towards the Groudle Glen Railway. A flat green makes life easy at the end of a difficult hole.

 

Hole 12: 131 yard par 3, a difficult hole with trouble just about everywhere. You need to hit the green or come in slightly from the right. Too far right and your ball will roll down the bank and straight through the split level green.

 

Hole 13: 216 yard par 4, with a huge mound protecting front and right of the green and trouble left, you need to play an iron off the tee to leave a short chip on to a flat green.

 

Hole 14: 125 yard par 3, take a short break on the tee to enjoy the sea view which on clear days will include the English coastline. This small hole requires an accurate tee shot in order to keep the ball in play. An undulating green means a par on this hole feels more like a birdie!

 

Hole 15: 349 yard par 4, another breath taking view of Douglas Bay from the tee box. The tee shot needs to be right on this hole which slopes severely from right to left. Your second shot will be downhill to a sloping green with the Isle of Man Electric Railway running alongside.

 

Hole 16: 287 yard par 4, slightly uphill with the tee shot will leave you a short second shot into a green which slopes away at the front and is flat at the back.

 

Hole 17: 363 yard par 4, a slight dog leg from left to right with trouble on the left. The second shot needs to be accurate as trouble can be found right with heavy rough left and through the back of the green.

 

Hole 18: 158 yard par 3, a straight hole with quite a large green. Trouble lies left with two large grass bunkers and out of bounds. A flat green makes a one putt finish possible.

The purpose built clubhouse provides bar and restaurant facilities for you to enjoy after what is sure to be an eventful but enjoyable day on the course.

 

Why not take a short break that combines a round of golf at two or more of the courses on the Isle of Man?

 

Mount Murray Golf and Country Club – is located in Santon which is only ten minutes drive from Douglas. The hotel complex overlooks the 9^th hole which is a short par 3 with a lake between tee and green. The designers have carefully used the natural features of the Manx countryside, incorporating hedging, streams and lakes into many of the holes.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: 522 yard par 5, a challenging opening hole with trees right and out of bounds left. The second shot needs to be accurate to avoid a pond on the left and trees on the right of the fairway. The third shot needs to carry the brook to reach the large flat green for an easy two putt finish.

 

Hole 2: 435 yard par 4, a long straight hole with out of bounds to the right. Your tee shot needs to carry the brook on the left and the bunker in the centre to reach open fairway. The second shot needs to come in from the left as water lies at the bottom of the bank next to the sloped left to right green.

 

Hole 3: 490 yard par 5, a wide open fairway with a brook at approximately 270 yards and hedges either side. Your second shot requires accuracy to avoid the bunkers left, right and centre of the approach to the green. The third shot can they be played on to the large split level green. Not an easy two putt if you ball is on the wrong level.

 

Hole 4: 159 yard par 3, an uphill tee shot to a green guarded by bunkers left and right. Putting is the key to a par on this hole as the green slopes severely back towards the bunker.

 

Hole 5: 367 yard par 4, the tee shot on this dog leg left must be accurate to keep your ball in play. Teeing off from an elevated position over a hedge, your tee shot needs to be right to avoid trouble. The second shot requires accuracy as trouble lies all around the ‘upside down bowl’ shaped green.

 

Hole 6: 205 yard par 3, a long par 3 with a built up green on the side of a hill. The safest way in is from the right. Your tee shot needs to be long enough to avoid a large bunker in front of the split level green.

 

Hole 7: 394 yard par 4, aim between the two hedges with your drive to reach the brow of the hill. Your second shot is open with a small bunker on the front left of the large bowl shaped green.

 

Hole 8: 155 yard par 3, the best way in is from the right as the front left is protected by a large bunker with the sloping green opening up behind it.

 

Hole 9: 180 yard par 3, spectacular looking hole with an uphill tee shot over a lake to a large flat green which sits in front of the hotel restaurant. 

 

Across the road and on your way to the tenth tee why not take a short break for some refreshments in the pro shop.

 

Hole 10: 433 yard par 4, a long open fairway with a hedge on the right. The second shot is open to a large flat green protected by a small bunker left and right.

 

Hole 11: 496 yard par 5, trouble lies on both sides of a large fairway with one small bunker on the right. The second shot has no real danger as the fairway remains wide. The third shot needs to come slightly from the right or carry the bunker and bushes front left to the large fast green.

 

Hole 12: 214 yard par 3, another long par 3 slightly uphill to a 3 tiered green protected by a network of small bunkers.                                  

 

Hole 13: 298 yard par 4, this uphill tee shot requires accuracy to avoid a hedge on the left and bunker on the right of the fairway. The second shot is uphill again to an ‘upside down bowl’ shaped green.

 

Hole 14: 278 yard par 4, reachable in one if you cut the corner. The safest shot is a mid iron straight down the fairway to leave you a short chip to this large green protected by bunkers left and right.

 

Hole 15: 170 yard par 3, uphill again to a flat green with a deep bunker front right. Trouble lie’s both left and right of the fairway.

 

That’s the uphill climb finished. Why not take a short break on the highest part of the course to enjoy the view which stretches from Port St Mary to Onchan and in to Snaefell with a fantastic sea view that stretches to the UK coast line on a clear day.

 

Hole 16: 595 yard par 5, back down the hill now and this tee shot to a huge fairway has a hedge at approximately 300 yards. The small gap in the hedge is protected by a bunker. The second shot needs to carry the bunker in the centre of the fairway and avoid the bunker on the left. The third shot is downhill to the raised large flat green. 

 

Hole 17: 572 yard par 5, hedges either side of the fairway mean your drive needs to be accurate. The second shot is played down towards a further set of hedges with a bunker in the fairway. The third shot is slightly downhill to a split level green protected by a deep bunker front left.

 

Hole 18: 398 yard par 4, another set of hedges either side of an open fairway. The second shot needs to be accurate to avoid the large deep bunker on the right and small shallow bunker on the left. This large green slopes from left to right

 

As you would expect of a 4 star hotel the Mount Murray has excellent facilities including a number of bars and restaurants, a pro shop which not only stocks golfing gear but also sports and aerobic wear, a driving range with chipping and putting greens. In the Health and Fitness Club there are 4 squash courts with a viewing gallery and for relaxation, the hydrotherapy unit, complete with steam room, saunas, plunge pool and solarium awaits your visit.

 

In fact this complex probably has every need covered for anyone wanting to enjoy a short break on the Isle of Man.

Peel Golf Club – situated in Peel on the west coast of the Isle of Man this 18 hole course is laid out on heath land, many of the holes have been cut through pine tree plantations. The par four 11th is arguably the signature hole and demands a long and accurate tee shot over a long carry of gorse bushes, to set up a mid-iron second to the green.

History - Peel Golf Club was founded in 1895 in the area known as the Congary in Peel. Like the rest of the Isle of Man in the 1890s, Peel was a place humming with activity. The golf links was needed to help establish Peel's reputation as a superb holiday centre.

Throughout the course of the War Years the officials struggled hard to keep the Club going. Immediately after the Second World War Frank Dalgleish recognised that a lot of money needed to be spent on the club. He acquired the lease of the course, built an imposing clubhouse and helped to develop a vibrant social membership. His initiatives can be seen as a turning point in the Club's fortunes.

In a different but equally valuable way the efforts of Frank Sloane served the club well. As part-time green keeper he kept the course in fine condition by working on the greens and fairways at 5 a.m. before going to regular employment. Eddie Lancaster was also the Club Secretary for some 10 years at a crucial time in the Club's history. His infectious enthusiasm and infinite capacity for working in the Club's interest helped make Peel Golf Club what it is today.

As the club embarks upon its second century it does so with a course and clubhouse dramatically different from that prevailing even 40 years ago, let alone 100. Today the club and its course are priceless assets for Peel and indeed the Island as a whole. The acquisition of the land guarantees golf here for many years to come. No doubt fresh challenges and anxieties will arise in future years, however the spirit of Peel Golf Club and its members will keep it moving forward.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: 311 yard par 4, an easy opening hole providing you don’t put your drive in the trees on the right. The second shot is a chip on to a small green sloping slightly from front to back.

 

Hole 2: 152 yard par 3, an almost blind tee shot as you can only see the flag. This hole is slightly uphill to an undulating green.

 

Hole 3: 437 yard par 4, the hedge on the right means your tee shot needs to be slightly left, not too far as you could catch the rough or the brook. The second shot usually ends up being a long iron to the small green sloping from right to left.

 

Hole 4: 365 yard par 4, an accurate tee shot is required down this undulating fairway to avoid the trees on the left and the bushes and hedge on the right. The second shot is played to a green facing back towards you with a brook at the front. Too big and you will be over the hedge.

 

Hole 5: 343 yard par 4, trees lie left of this undulating fairway with an open area to the right. The approach to this fairly small green has bunkers either side.

 

Hole 6: 179 yard par 3, this deceptively small looking hole requires a good tee shot to hit the target. A good two putt is required on this undulating green to make par.

 

Hole 7: 465 yard par 5, keep your tee shot left to avoid running into deep rough and to avoid blocking the path for your second behind the trees on the right. The second shot over the hedge requires accuracy to avoid rough on the left and out of bounds right. The third shot needs to be right or carry the bunker left of the green. The large flat green leaves an easy two putt for par.

 

Hole 8: 430 yard par 4, your tee shot is to a narrow fairway, over a hedge with rough either side. The second shot is uphill on an angle to reach a heavily sloped left to right green with a bunker front right.

 

Hole 9: 326 yard par 4, an enjoyable hole for the big hitters as the downhill tee shot can reach the green. For the not so big hitters, a bunker lies left of the fairway and tress to the right. A short chip for the second shot to a sloped left to right green.

 

Why not take a short break to enjoy the view from the top of the 10^th tee which looks back towards the St Johns area of the Isle of Man.

 

Hole 10: 141 yard par 3, the green needs to be hit on this small downhill hole which is protected around the green by trees and small bunker front left.

 

Hole 11: 440 yard par 4 This hole demands a long and accurate tee shot over a long carry of gorse bushes, to set up a mid-iron second to the severely sloping right to left green.

 

Hole 12: 304 yard par 4, another reachable driving hole, the tee is perched at the top of a hill. The drive needs to be left of the fairway as the hill slopes severely to the right. A short chip for the second shot must carry the small bunkers left and right. An easy two putt will give you par.

 

Hole 13: 414 yard par 4, back up the sloping hill with the tee shot. From the top you can see the trees left and right of the sloping right to left green. The second shot needs to come from the right to the top side of the green.

 

Hole 14: 356 yard par 4, a straight hole with rough either side. The second shot needs to avoid the small bunker front right of the small flat green.

 

Hole 15: 316 yard par 4, another reachable short par 4 slightly downhill. The second shot needs to hit the right hand side of this slightly sloping green, not too far or you will get caught in the bunker.

 

Hole 16: 324 yard par 4, this tee shot is played up to a wide open area. The second shot needs to come in from the right or carry the bunker left to land on the flat green.

 

Hole 17: 161 yard par 3, this tricky downhill tee shot has danger almost everywhere with trees to the right, a hedge and bushes to the left, a brook behind the green and a bunker protecting the front. The small green is slightly undulating and can leave a tricky putt.

 

Hole 18: 410 yard par 4, this dogleg right has out of bounds on the right. The drive is safe up the left side of the fairway which opens up the large green for your second shot.

 

The clubhouse provides bar snacks and full restaurant meals whilst the pro shop has an extensive range of clothing and golf equipment for all abilities.

 

Whilst there is very little accommodation in Peel, this course is only 25 minutes drive from Douglas to where you can return after your game to enjoy the rest of your short break on the Isle of Man.

 

Ramsey Golf Club – this 18 hole parkland course, in the north of the Isle of Man,

was established in 1891 and has as its backdrop Skye Hill which towers over the town of Ramsey.

History - The credit for establishing the first formal golf club on the Isle of Man goes to a retired British army officer Major General James Brereton. Brereton had retired to Ramsey after a distinguished career (as so many others were to do over the course of the next 110 years or so!) and had laid out several holes for the use of his friends and himself at his home Riversdale, Jurby Road, Ramsey. It was clear that the game of golf appealed to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, one of whom was Alexander Bruce, a banker. Bruce happened to be a Trustee of the Milntown Estate and an agreement was made between Bruce and Brereton that the land at Milntown be made available under a short term lease to a golf club, yet to be established.

A meeting was held on 21 September 1891 at the Freemasons Hall in Water Street, Ramsey, now the offices of Dickinson Cruickshank & Co, where it was agreed to establish the Ramsey Golf Club and to formalise the lease already agreed in principal.

Matters then proceeded rapidly under an enthusiastic committee. Old Tom Morris was engaged to design a course layout and under his guidance a 12 hole course was planned and prepared and was ready for the grand opening on 5 January 1892. Crowds flocked by train from all over the island, arriving at the Milntown halt in time to see the newly appointed club president Major General Brereton drive the first ball. The course occupied the land that now forms holes 11 to 15 on the present layout.

The initial 12 hole layout was shortened to 9 holes shortly afterwards and the club prospered.

The ownership of the land passed into the hands of the Phoenix Assurance Company shortly after, as did the adjoining land of the Brookfield Estate. In 1905 the club was able to secure a lease on a further parcel of those lands giving sufficient area to enlarge the course to 18 holes. The new layout was ready for play and opened by the Governor Lord Raglan in 1906 and the clubhouse, which had stood to the right of what is now 15^th hole was removed and rebuilt on the site of the present clubhouse, where it remained until its demolition in 1988. In his opening remarks Governor Raglan congratulated the club for its endeavour but not being a golfer he said that he personally regretted the loss of the wetlands which now formed the first hole. Those wetlands were to be the source of further major works on the course some 90 years later when nature tried to reclaim them.

The club continued to prosper, providing a popular facility for locals and some of the thousands of visitors that Ramsey used to welcome in the first half of the 20^th century.

A major opportunity arose in 1928 when the landlords offered the sale of the course plus further adjoining land for the sum of £8,000. It was agreed that the purchase would proceed, funded by members subscriptions to a new company which raised  £4,000 and a mortgage from the vendor for the remainder. This enabled the club to carry out a further course redesign and the three major figures of British golf, James Braide, Harry Vardon and J.H.Taylor where each approached with a view to their tendering for the work involved. All three expressed their interest and it was decided to appoint 5 times Open champion James Braide to carry out the redesign work at a fee of twenty guineas.

Under Braides guidance the new course was laid out by the Glasgow firm of J.R.Stutt and in 1929 the layout as we now know it was ready for play. Since that time the course has remained essentially unaltered, although in recent years the bunker configuration has been amended, under professional guidance, to protect Braides original design from the advances made in golf technology. The course remains however a good example of the work of one of golfs greatest architects.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: Braaid - Unusually the course opens with a really tricky par 5 which requires both thought and care. The drive is from an elevated tee and you must avoid the water hazard to the right and out of bounds over the hedge on the left. The big hitter will no doubt try to drive over the ditch which crosses the fairway at 220 yards most players however will lay up! The second shot needs to avoid 2 well placed fairway bunkers to enable the approach to the green across the stream that runs parallel to the fairway for much of the hole. The sensible play for most is to lay up with the third shot to ensure you start your round with a nett par!

Hole 2: Claughbane - This is a deceptive short par 4. A carefully positioned drive is needed to land on the fairway right of centre avoiding the well positioned bunker on the left. Long hitters need to be mindful of the bunker on the right at 250 yards. The approach is a  testing one to a well contoured green that slopes away from the player. Drag your second shot and you will find the bunker, take too much club and you will run away over the back!

Hole 3: Elfin - Even from the front mens tee, at just 129 yards, this can be a very demanding hole. The difficulty comes chiefly from the sharply sloping two level green which is guarded by 3 bunkers, one right and two left. It is rightly considered the most difficult green on the course and, especially if you are on the wrong level, your putting will be severely tested. It is certainly better to be short than long with your tee shot since if you overshoot the land falls away quite steeply from the back of the green.

Hole 4: Bahama - This is the shortest of our par 4 holes and at 262 yards from the white tee it is within range for the low handicap golfer provided the pond and bunker directly in front of the green can be avoided. Most players will choose to lay up short of the pond. The errant drive is faced with trees on the right or an out-of-bounds hedge to the left. Be careful not to overshoot the green since there is out-of-bounds to the left and long over the wall at the back of the green into Crossags Lane.

Hole 5: Claddagh - This hole carries the risk of out of bounds down the right hand side in or over the stream which separates it from the first .The drive must be straight as there are well placed bunkers at 235 yards (right) and 275 yards (left) to catch the longer hitters whilst those with a tendency to hook could find lots of trouble in the trees on the left. The shot into the green is best kept to the right to avoid the left hand bunker which readily gathers balls just a little off line. The green is generous in size and without the undulations that several of the Ramsey greens possess.

Hole 6: Lane - The long hitters can drive the green at this short par 4 providing they can avoid the bunkers in front of the green at 250 yards. A water hazard runs across the fairway at 170 yards and when the wind is against this can pose a challenge for the higher handicapper. Trees can pose problems right and left whilst a good hook could find the pond by the practice ground! Don't overclub your approach as the lane close to the back of the green is out of bounds.

Hole 7: Crossags - This is a long par 4 often played into the prevailing wind. The Crossags Lane hedge and out of bounds runs all along the left whilst on the right trees, a lateral hedge and a cross hedge at 230 yards from the competition tee can catch the pushed shot. So favour the left hand side of the fairway if you can. If you are going to lay up for your second shot the left side again should be preferred as the well protected green is set at an angle. A gross four at this hole is very satisfying.

Hole 8: Beaconsfield - An accurate drive is essential here since cross hedges at about 200 yards present a narrow gap. In addition there is a deep bunker just by this hedge on the right. Push your second shot and you will flirt with the lateral hedge and trees on the right. The approach to the long green is a demanding one as the putting surface is guarded by 3 bunkers, one short one left, and one right.

Hole 9: Crovan - For the gentlemen this is a long and testing par 3 usually played into the prevailing wind. Deep bunkers left and right of the green narrow the opening to the green whilst the approach on the left is further protected by a grassy mound which recently replaced a much visited bunker. Overhit your shot to the green and you could find your ball in the hedge at the back.

Hole 10: Barrule - The first hole of the back nine requires a good drive towards the magnificent hills. A ball offline left or right finds clinging rough whilst a hook could put you into or over the gorse hedge which runs all along the left side. The entrance to the green is narrow with tricky bunkers cut in left and right. A further bunker some 50 yards from the green will grab a weak second shot.

Hole 11: Wall - This is a really testing par 5 doglegging right and over the wall at some 280 yards from the competition tee. An accurate drive just right of the marker post is ideal - offline to the right and you could be blocked out by trees or even be out of bounds whilst thick rough and more trees await the hook. The second shot over the wall is demanding too since there are trees and out of bounds on the right and well placed bunkers on the left. The green is large but a bunker cut in on the left catches many an approach shot.

Hole 12: Glen - This is a tricky long short hole as its stroke index of 2 testifies. The hole is invariably played directly into the prevailing wind and from the competition tee most mid and high handicap golfers will require a wood if they are to reach the green. Young trees line the fairway on both sides whilst the green is well protected by deep bunkers both on the right and left. An accurate shot is required to find the generously sized green avoiding the well placed approach bunker on the right and the grassy mound on the left.

Hole 13: Milntown - Although this is the 13th, don't be discouraged - it's not an unlucky hole just a testing par 4! It's not a hole for the hooker as there is out of bounds all down the tree lined left bordering the lovely Milntown estate. Trees on the right and a bunker some 200 yards from the tee can catch the faded drive. Big hitters should take notice of the bunker some 290 yards from the tee. The long sloping-away green is very well guarded by 3 bunkers, one on the left and two on the right. In the month of May you can admire the recent planting of rhododendrons to the left of the green.

Hole 14: Auldyn - The last and shortest of Ramsey's three par fives this hole surprisingly carries a stroke index of 18 for the men (8 for the ladies). Normally played into the prevailing wind it can seem extremely long. Tall trees along the right with an out-of-bounds starting some 210 yards from the tee tend to dictate the shape of the drive. A very recent addition to the hole is a deep bunker cutting in from the left at some 190 yards from the white tee. If you successfully negotiate the tee shot your second is relatively straight forward, albeit with continued out-of-bounds to the right and a cross hedge to the left. A large landing area sets you up nicely to attack the well protected and deceptively level green.

Hole 15: Brereton- The longest of the par 4 holes at 438 yards this is a testing hole for players of all abilities. The good news is that this is usually a downwind hole. However the fairway is lined with trees, heavy rough and a cross hedge at 230 yards on the left, and it slopes away to a well-positioned bunker on the right. The medium handicap player will be pleased to find the fairway and will need a long iron or wood to reach the green. The single figure golfer should drive past the initial hazards into more friendly territory. The small tricky green is narrowed by deep bunkers left and right.

Hole 16: School - This last par 4 hole has been radically altered recently with the aim of steering players away from the out-of-bounds school playing fields on the left. Three bunkers have been placed diagonally across the fairway at 215, 245, and 275 yards from the white tee. Many players will therefore lay up with an iron leaving a shot of some 130-140 yards to the sloping green which is protected by four bunkers, one to the left and three to the right. A pushed tee shot will find a turfed cross wall some 190 yards from the tee or beyond a number of mature trees.

Hole 17: The penultimate hole is an innocuous looking one of 184 yards. The men's stroke index of 8 suggests it is not as easy as it looks! There are problems both left and right. All along the left are the out-of-bounds playing fields of Ramsey Grammar School (East) and nearer the green there is a small copse of trees. To the right there are a gorse hedge and a ditch. There is also a pond some 5 yards past the green. The hole is well bunkered left and right and a pot bunker in front of the green leaves a narrow entrance for those unable to carry with their tee shot.

Hole 18: Spion Kop- Ramsey's 18th hole measures only 146 yards from the white tees yet it has probably put paid to more potentially winning cards than any other hole on the course! The difficulty comes mainly from it being a blind plateau green. The land falls away steeply to the front and both sides, there are inviting gorse bushes to the left, and two bunkers, one right and the other long right. Aim a mid or short iron at the clubhouse clock - it is better to be long rather than short. Miss the ample green and it's trouble down the side leaving a shot to the often invisible pin. The dramas of the hole can be readily viewed from the comfort of a clubhouse armchair!

The club house has a bar, dining room, snooker room and television lounge. The pro shop is well stocked and equipment and trolleys can be hired from here.

 

If you wish to get away from it all then The Grand Island Hotel is just 5 minutes drive from the course and Steam Packet Holidays can offer you great value short breaks in the Isle of Man.

 

Rowany Golf Club – founded in 1895 this 18 hole heath land course nestles between the town of Port Erin and Bradda Head and enjoys some excellent views out over the Irish Sea. The par 4 seventh and twelfth holes are probably the most challenging on this 5,803 yard course. No short break on the Isle of Man is complete with out a trip on the Steam Railway that runs from Douglas to Port Erin and this mode of transport has to be the most unique way of travelling to a golf course as the station is only a 5 minute walk away.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: 272 yard par 4, a slight uphill short par 4 with the green sat behind two bunkers left of the fairway. The second shot to this flat green must carry the bunker in front.

 

Hole 2: 187 yard par 3, with out of bounds on the right and rough on the left, the tee shot needs to be accurate and carry the two small bunkers on the approach to the large green which is flat at the front and banked towards the back.

 

Hole 3: 296 yard par 4, a straight fairway with a dip at about 210 yards. The second shot is uphill to a large sloping forward green protected by a large bunker at the front.

 

Hole 4: 322 yard par 4, a slight dogleg to the left, your drive needs to be right to open up the green for the second shot. This green rolls away from you so try and put your second shot at front. Too big and your ball will roll over the bank into the rough.

 

Hole 5: 478 yard par 5, another fairway with a dip at approximately 210 yards. The second shot is played up and over the ridge to flat fairway. The third shot has to carry the hill in front of the green, too big and you could lose your ball in the gorse. The large flat green makes a two putt easy for par.

 

Why not take a short break to enjoy the sea view of Gansey Bay and Port St Mary.

 

Hole 6: 402 yard par 4, your drive needs to be accurate as heavy rough on the left and trees and bunkers right do not leave room for error. The second shot is played towards the front of the green as the approach is sloped. Out of bounds lies behind the slightly sloped green.

 

Hole 7: 387 yard par 4, out of bounds on the left and heavy rough right means your tee shot needs to be accurate to reach the green in two. The second shot is up hill from the sloping left to right fairway. The flat green is raised from the side of the hill with a bunker on the right and gorse behind.

 

Hole 8: 149 yard par 3, teeing off from the top of the hill, the tee shot does not necessarily need to be accurate but must be long enough to carry the gorse. The large flat green allows for an easy two putt.

 

Hole 9: 383 yard par 4, the tee shot is to a sloped fairway from right to left. Aim for the marker post to avoid rough on the right and tress on the left. The second shot is played downhill to the green with out of bounds behind.

   

Hole 10: 506 yard par 5, with out of bounds left and right, the drive requires accuracy to hit the fairway for the next shot. The second shot is played straight towards the green without too much trouble. The approach to this undulating green must avoid the bunker front left.

 

Hole 11: 357 yard par 4, your tee shot to the undulating fairway, needs to avoid out of bounds on the right. The second shot needs to come slightly from the left or carry the bunker front right. The 3 tiered green can be a challenging two putt if your ball is on the wrong level.

 

Hole 12: 336 yard par 4, an almost blind tee shot needs to be accurate to avoid the gorse bushes right and the heavy rough left. The second shot is uphill to a very small split level green banked on both sides. Too far and you will be in heavy rough, too short and your ball will roll back down the bank.

 

Hole 13: 158 yard par 3, the green is built up and sits on the side of a bank. The tee shot needs to come from the left as anything right will roll away. The green is slightly sloped and usually has a pin position on the right hand side.

 

Hole 14: 249 yard par 4, a lay up shot is required on this hole as the approach to the green is narrow with gorse both sides. A chip up the hill to this large flat green should leave you an easy two putt for par.

 

Hole 15: 287 yard par 4, reachable in one, this par 4 has out of bounds on the right. The approach to the heavily sloping left to right green is over a bunker and downhill.

 

Hole 16: 149 yard par 3, bunkers left and right of the green mean this hole requires accuracy. The split level green can leave a challenging two putt.

 

Hole 17: 287 yard par 4, avoid the left as heavy rough runs the length of the fairway. A bunker at approximately 220 yards means the ideal tee shot is right. A large green with a slight slope awaits your second shot.

 

Hole 18: 314 yard par 4, The tee shot is over the brow of a hill looking out over Port Erin Bay and the Calf of Man. Bunkers on the left and right of the fairway are reachable with your drive. The second shot needs to carry the fairway bunker in front of this large split level green. Too big and your ball will end up in the car park.

 

Facilities include a pro shop, a clubhouse that provides a bar and catering facilities.

 

A visit to Port Erin is a must for anyone taking a short break in the Isle of Man and Steam Packet Holidays can provide a range of accommodation in the area.

 

Port St Mary Golf Course – the Isle of Man’s only 9 hole course has occupied its present location since 1936 and was designed by George Duncan who won the British Open Championship in 1920.The course is owned by Port St Mary Commissioners and whilst it is a short course, it is hilly. The benefit of this is that the views over Port St Mary are spectacular.

 

Course Guide:

 

Hole 1: 278 yard par 4, a reachable green providing your tee shot misses the bunker right and tennis courts left of the fairway. A chip shot for you second to a flat green leaves an easy two putt for par.

 

Hole 2: 317 yard par 4, a severe uphill, blind tee shot needs to avoid the out of bounds on the left. The green slopes towards you with bunkers left and right.

 

Hole 3: 367 yard par 4, another uphill tee shot. Try to avoid the path half way up the fairway. The second shot is also uphill to a fairly small, slightly sloped green.

 

It is worth taking a short break at the top of the hill to admire the spectacular sea view and coastal view of the south of the Isle of Man. The view will stretch to the English coast on clear days.

 

Hole 4: 369 yard par 4, avoid the left on this hole as it is covered with gorse. The second shot is downhill to quite a small green making it easy to run through.

 

Hole 5: 299 yard par 4, a sloped fairway from left to right. This slight uphill hole has rough approximately 200 yards from the tee. You must choose to try and carry the rough or play the tee shot to the right. The second shot is played to a slightly sloping green sitting on the side of a bank.

 

Hole 6: 193 yard par 3, fantastic views from the tee looking over Port St Mary Bay and Gansey. This hole is all downhill to a level green sitting on a bank. Too big and your ball will keep on rolling.

 

Hole 7: 351 yard par 4, an almost blind tee shot with heavy rough left and right. The second shot needs to avoid out of bounds left and the bunker front left of the large green.

 

Hole 8: 215 yard par 3, a long and straight tee shot is required to hit this slightly sloping forward green. If the tee shot is too big, it could catch the rough or roll down the bank.

 

Hole 9: 278 yard par 4, another reachable green from the tee shot. Avoid the left hand side which is out of bounds. The second shot is to a small split level green which sits in front of the clubhouse.

 

Time for a short break in the clubhouse before continuing with a second circuit.

 

Facilities include an 18 hole putting green plus 2 tennis courts, club hire can be arranged in the Pavilion Restaurant which also houses the bar and catering facilities.

 

Glen Truan Golf Links – is not yet affiliated to the Golf Union but has been developed by the Radcliffe family who are dedicated to the growing development of the course and its facilities. The layout of the course makes for an interesting 18 holes. With gorse and heather playing a major role throughout you will also need to consider water on several holes.

Situated on the most Northerly tip of the Isle of Man it has spectacular scenery and looks out across the Irish Sea towards Scotland. The Ayres National Nature Reserve is at one end, the Point of Ayre Lighthouse at the other and the rolling hills of Bride behind it's easy to understand why people don't just enjoy their golf.

 

Situated only 10 minutes from Ramsey and 35 minutes from Douglas it would be a great advantage to bring your car on your short break in the Isle of Man.