Ardglass Golf Club

Ardglass Golf Club is one of Northern Ireland’s most memorable coastal links experiences. Set on the County Down coast, the course hugs the edge of the Irish Sea, with cliff-top holes, firm fairways, small greens, changing winds, and sea views that shape the character of the round from start to finish.

Founded in 1896 under the leadership of Rev. Thomas MacAfee, Ardglass began as a modest seven-hole layout before gradually expanding into the 18-hole links enjoyed today. The course has evolved over generations, but it has kept the natural feel, local character, and sense of place that make it such a rewarding stop on a Northern Ireland golf journey.

Ardglass is not a course to play by yardage alone. The wind is nearly always part of the test, and the Irish Sea influences the strategy, visuals, and atmosphere throughout the round. Players are asked to control trajectory, use the ground, trust their lines, and embrace the unpredictability that defines true links golf.

The clubhouse is part of the experience. Housed in a historic building with origins dating back to the early 1400s, it is one of the oldest buildings used as a golf clubhouse anywhere in the world. That combination of ancient stone, warm hospitality, and dramatic coastal golf gives Ardglass a personality all its own.

For travelers playing Northern Ireland’s famous championship links, Ardglass adds something different and essential. It is intimate, scenic, welcoming, and full of character, the kind of course that often becomes one of the most talked-about rounds of the trip.