Castletown Golf Links ****

Golf Office, Derbyhaven, IM9 1 UA

Nearest main town: Castletown

 

Step outside the front of the Links Hotel and you are straight on the 1st tee at Castletown - but just pray the wind is not blowing too hard.

The Castletown Links is set on a rocky peninsula on the south of the Isle of Man and, as such, is completely exposed. When squalls race in off the Irish Sea, players rush in all directions for shelter as the course is just too difficult to play - as you hit, you feel as if the ball is going to come bock over your head. It is an extremely elemental golf experience - rocks jut out from the fairways as natural hazards and you must drive over the Irish Sea itself (at the 17th), certainly the highlight of any round.

There are other high points too, particularly the challenging 5th that the hotel manager is always happy to have a bet with you about. The wager is straightforward: a bottle of champagne for anyone who pars the hole, and if you fail, you buy the champagne for the manager. He says he has rarely lost his money over this hole, which has a habit of enticing a push or a slice. When Greg Norman played here he managed a par, but not many do, especially when the wind is up. Tug your tee shot left and you hit a rugged bank.

As befits a links, the wind will always playa pivotal role on a layout that offers an intriguing mix of long and short holes. The course can look deceptively easy, as it is not a monster in length, but be prepared to be surprised. The course is undoubtedly the best on the island and there is no shortage of competition. Those in the know always make sure to visit during a quiet period when Castletown is at its toughest and most satisfying.

 

Secretary: Ms D. Barron

Tel: 01624 822220 Fox: 01624 829661

Professional: Mr M. Crowe                            

Tel: 01624 822211

Playing: Midweek: round £35.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £40.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 10am-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 12pm-2pm. Dinner from 7pm-10pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: A very tricky course on the Langness Peninsula...Plenty of Manx charm here...Sea covers the course on three sides...So tough, so beautiful, so wild...Hard to master even in calm conditions.

 

Mount Murray Golf & Country Club **

Santon, IM4 2HT

Nearest main town: Douglas

 

Secretary: Mr A. Dyson

Tel: 01624 661111 Fax: 01624 611116

Professional: Mr A. Dyson                

Tel: 01624 661111

Playing: Midweek: round £18.00; day £18.00. Weekend: round £24.00; day £24.00.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8am-11 pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Really underrated...Views out of this world...Lovely outlook over the Isle of Man...Moorland beauty...Very exposed on moorland outcrop...Massive par-5s ... A real behemoth of a course at 6600+ yards.