Royal County Down

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Reasons to Visit Royal County Down

Ranked Number 4 in The World by Top 100 Golf Courses and Number 1 by Golf Digest
Past host of European Tour (Irish Open), Walker Cup and Senior Open Championship
Course is over 100 years old, originally opened in 1899

In a history spanning over a century, Royal County Down Golf Club has established a mighty reputation and is now widely regarded as the world's second-best course.

As one of the capstones in Northern Ireland links golf, Royal County Down assumes a stunning location in the Murlough Nature Reserve with the Mountains of Mourne providing a dramatic backdrop that adds yet further to the experience.

As a past host of The Walker Cup, The Amateur Championship, The Curtis Cup and The Senior Open, Royal County Down has been at the forefront of both amateur and professional golf.

2015 saw The Championship Links welcome The Irish Open, hosted by Rory McIlroy, with Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen triumph in a playoff against Bernd Wiesberger and Eddie Pepperell after being tied on -2 after 4 rounds of golf.

Bed and Breakfast at Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa
1 round at Ardglass Golf Club
1 round at Annesley Links, Royal County Down (Royal County Down)
1 round at Warrenpoint Golf Club
1 round at Spa Golf Club

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Golf Courses at Royal County Down

Championship Course

Set against the backdrop of the spellbinding Mountains of Mourne, the links land at Royal County Down seems heaven sent for golf, and there are few more incredible places to enjoy a game. The layout was devised by Old Tom Morris, whose name will forever be inextricably linked to St Andrews, and is a pure test of links golf.

Most recently used for the Irish Open in 2015, Royal County Down is etched in the list of the most desirable courses anywhere in the world, and has garnered praise from the loftiest of golf's stars; Open Championship legend and links golf master, Tom Watson, said: "It is a tremendous test of golf and the outward half especially is as fine a nine holes as I have ever played."

Course Information
Par	71
Designed by	George L. Ballie, Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Harry Colt
Opened for play	1890
Previously hosted	Walker Cup (2007), Curtis Cup (1968), The Home Internationals (1933, 1957, 1999), Senior Open Championship (2000, 2001, 2002), Irish Open Amateur Championship (1921), British Seniors' Open Amateur Championship (1985)

Tees
Championship	7,186 yards	SSS 75
Medal	6,878 yards	SSS 74
Stableford	6,675 yards	SSS 73
Ladies	6,249 yards	SSS 77

Did you know? Peter Alliss said of the course- 'The best prepared links that I have ever seen'.

Signature hole-No. 9 (Championship): Par 4, 485 yards, SI 5

The 9th hole on the Championship course is one of the most photographed holes in golf. From the tee, you are greeted with spectacular panoramic views and beyond the line of the hole lies the magnificent Slieve Donard Peak. However, while beautiful, the 9th also stands the test as a challenging and thought provoking golf hole. The long par 4 starts with a blind tee shot to a fairway guarded by densely covered dunes either side. From there, it is important to hit the small green on the approach, since bunkers front, right and left mean that any miss could lead to trouble. The undulating green provides a great finish to a hole which will satisfy even the most demanding of golfers, both through its beauty and the challenge it presents!

Royal County Down is ranked as one of the best courses in Ireland

Annesley Links Course

Spanning the same turf as the hallowed championship course is the Annesley Links. Royal County Down's second layout is just as spectacular, but is not as challenging - the Annesley is very much a course to be enjoyed by everyone. Packed full of character, the Annesley is the perfect complement to the main event.