Apr19 World’s most remotecourse

Published:

Is this the most remote golf course in the world? As far as we’re concerned it is!

It’s the only course on the Ascension Islands, about 4000 miles away from the UK in the South Atlantic.

Member Stan Buchan sent us these amazing pics, and said: “As you can see, the course is all sand and rock with the greens, or browns if you like, brushed an rolled to smooth them out a bit.

“When it rains, this firms up the sand so the greens are actually faster in the wet!

One local rule is that before you take your putt, you can smooth out any footprints, sheep tracks, or donkey hoof marks that may be in your line!

“Driving is very much of a lottery if you don’t hit the ball straight. Off line and you’re in trouble generally, but you might get a lucky bounce out of the rocks.

“If you happen to be very unlucky the ball can strike a rock and land behind you!

“Another sneaky little local rule is that if by some chance you land on the fairway you are allowed to make a small tee-up in the sand and put your ball on it, which is helpful in the loose stuff.

“Off the fairway, you hit it as it lies or take a penalty, or a “pick out” as we call it, as you would on a normal golf course.

Most of the golf is played on a Sunday morning or early evenings as it’s too hot in the afternoons.

“We have about 70 members at the club, which is not too bad considering that the population of the island is only around 1000.

“There’s a good international mix, with Americans, Brits and St Helenians. The “Saints” as they are known, make up the majority of the membership and are a lovely group of people; good golfers too.” (Their home island of St Helena lies 700 miles Southeast of Ascension and, on an historical note, was the place of exile for Napoleon back in 1815 or thereabouts).

If you want to play it (visitors are mainly military passing through) a game costs just £5 for 18 holes!

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