Located at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia is known as the southernmost city in the world. This unique and charming destination has become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting adventurers, nature lovers, curious travelers, and even golfers from around the globe.
Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia offers an incredible range of outdoor activities and breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can explore the surrounding forests and mountains, hike along the glaciers and lakes, or take a boat tour to see the local wildlife, including penguins, sea lions, and whales. Ushuaia is the gateway to Antarctica, making it a popular departure point for cruises to the frozen continent. However, you can see plenty of ice at the Martial Glacier just outside the city. You can take a chairlift to the top of the glacier and enjoy panoramic views of the Beagle Channel and the surrounding mountains.
A Paradise for Hikers, Adventures, and Photographers
The city itself has a rich history and culture shaped by its location at the southern end of the world. Founded in the late 19th century as a penal colony, Ushuaia has evolved into a thriving city with a unique blend of European and indigenous cultures. One of the most popular attractions in Ushuaia is the End of the World Train, located fourteen kilometers from town which takes visitors on a historic steam-powered journey through the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park. The train was originally built to transport prisoners and supplies to the penal colony but now offers a scenic tour of the region’s natural wonders.
Instead of the train, my friend Scott Jordan (The Pocket Man) and I took one of the most popular hiking trails in the park, the Coastal Trail. It follows the shoreline of the Beagle Channel and offers stunning views of the sea and the snowcapped mountains of Chile as you walk 5 km through an enchanted forest. It was so beautiful it was almost like a movie set, and I half expected a Hobbit to step out from behind a tree at any moment and offer me a cup of tea. But it was on the drive back from this epic hike we made our most exciting discovery. Suddenly Scott yelled, “Look, a golf course!” It was fifty feet below the dirt road in and out of the park, and I stopped to take a few pictures.
I returned the next day at 10 am, where I met Guillermo Godoy, the pro, secretary, and manager all rolled into one. Together with a single greenskeeper, they run the Ushuaia golf club. The nine-hole course, located in pristine meadow land, split by a meandering, fast-flowing river, and surrounded by lofty peaks, was founded in 1994. It was opened for play in 1996 by none other than Argentinian golf legend and former Open Champion Roberto de Vincenzo. Today boosts 140 members and welcomes guest play from around the world.
The Course
The course is short, tight, windy, bunker-less, and with tiny firm greens. Green that are surprisingly good to putt on when you finally get there. No one pro or amateur broke par in its first year. The first few holes are straightforward, with little to remember save the amazing views of the snowcapped mountain surrounding the course in late March, the end of their summer in the Southern hemisphere. The 6th is a fine hole, a medium length par four with the river running down the right and cutting in front of the green, thus demanding a straight tee shot and solid approach.
The 8th a lengthy par five that played directly into the wind features a tight tee shot with out-of-bounds on the left and the river running down the right of the entire hole. From a good drive, a safe mid-iron layup to the corner of the dogleg right still leaves a 150-yard approach to a tiny green guarded short and right by the river. The 9th is a straightforward par three playing around 150 yards with the green located in the horseshoe bend of the river for the perfect finishing photo.
Bragging Rights
You do not come here because of the famous architect, the pristine playing conditions, or the five-star service. You come here to check the box. To get one up on every other player in your foursome, heck, your entire club. When you have played Ushuaia, you have just played the southernmost club in the world, and they will provide you with a certificate to prove it, which is nice. The club’s future plans include the addition of another nine holes on land they recently were granted by the city.
Plenty of Hotels and Fine Restaurants
We stayed in the Arakur Hotel a five-star luxury at its best. Situated high on a mountain looking down on the city of 56,000 people, the Beagle channel, and the snowcapped peaks. Ushuaia is also home to a thriving culinary scene, with a range of restaurants offering local specialties, such as fresh seafood, Argentine beef, and Patagonian lamb. In addition, visitors can sample traditional dishes like king crab, sea urchin, and centolla, a type of crab found only in the southern waters of Patagonia. The Kaupe and Marina Lola restaurants were both excellent, and the Sea Bass I had at Kaupe was the best ever.
The End of the Earth Has a Lot to Offer
Ushuaia offers a variety of artisanal crafts and souvenirs, including traditional woolen goods, leather goods, and handmade chocolates. Despite its remote location, Ushuaia is easily accessible by air, with daily flights from Buenos Aires and other major cities in Argentina. Visitors can also arrive by boat, with cruise ships and ferries departing from various ports along the coast. Whether you’re looking for adventure, natural beauty, or a taste of Argentine culture, Ushuaia is a destination unlike any other. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder that this southernmost city in the world has become a must-see destination for travelers from around the globe. If you arrive on a cruise, make sure you sneak off to the golf club, they have plenty of new rental clubs, a warm welcome, and bucket list bragging rights waiting for you.
Here I am sporting my SCOTTeVEST lightweight vest, bamboo polo shirt, and cargo shorts. In addition, a woolen Pringle sweater I’ve owned since I was nineteen and some HOKA hiking sneakers. Sweaters don’t get much use in my home state of Florida, but the SCOTTeVEST kit is a must for any traveling golfer. It’s not rocket science. It’s pocket science.
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