The British Isles have long been famous for their wealth of golf courses; after all, this is where the game of golf was born all those centuries ago and pound for pound, these comparatively tiny patches of land comprise to boast the finest collection of golf courses in the world.
Situated at the heart of the British Isles of course is the Isle Of Man. Sat between the coastlines of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, in the middle of the Irish Sea, this tiny patch of land – the island is roughly one third the size of Hertfordshire – may not immediately spring to mind when you think “golf holiday” but with a broad range of golfing options and a unique local culture, it is in fact a fantastic place for a weekend away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Castletown owes much to its spectacular location. Surely there are few courses in world golf that can boast as much beachfront real estate as this Manx cracker?!
With so many golfing options on offer on the Isle Of Man, choosing an itinerary can be tricky but there is one Manx golf course that simply must be included on any tour of the island and to give you an idea of its status on the island, it is commonly referred to as the Manx Turnberry; the common denominator here is the last man to cast his creative eye over the course.
Originally laid down by the legendary Old Tom Morris and then reworked by Mackenzie Ross, who of course was the man who brought us the world famous Ailsa Course at Turnberry; Castletown Golf Club offers an unrivalled test of golf along the rugged Isle if Man coastline.
Nestled on an amazing peninsula in the South Eastern corner of the island, Castletown is simply stunning, so beautiful in fact that concentrating on your game is easier said than done! The promontory on which the golf courses sits is bordered on three sides by water so there is drama from start to finish with a number of holes skirting the cliffs that fall away into the crashing surf.
Castletown is a thrill ride from start to finish with particular highlights being the daunting forced carry from the 17th tee.
Since Mackenzie Ross made his refinements at Castletown, little has changed so expect a thoroughly traditional, old school test of golf; Punch shots, putts from 50 yards and old fashioned bump and runs are the order of the day here. Natural obstacles and hazards including rocky beaches, yellow gorse and wild rough act as the course’s defences and thanks to its cliff top location and lack of sand dunes, the wind can change the nature of the challenge in a heartbeat.
This exposure to the elements can mean you’re in for a rough ride of the weather takes a turn for the worse but on the other side of the coin, the views are breathtaking. On a clear day, you might even spot the Cumbrian Mountains across the Irish Sea!
No matter where you are based in the UK, the Isle of Man is never too far away so should you be on the lookout for a weekend of great golf, good food and locals ales, the Isle of Man and Castletown are calling!
