Tucked alongside the world-famous Championship Links at Royal County Down, the Annesley Course is often described as one of golf’s best-kept secrets. Compact, charming, and spectacularly scenic, it weaves through the same towering dunes and coastal landscapes that have made Royal County Down legendary. With sweeping views of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains, the Annesley offers a links golf experience that is every bit as dramatic—yet more accessible and delightfully different.
While the Championship Links garners global acclaim, the Annesley has quietly grown into a star in its own right. Measuring just 4,548 yards (par 66), it is shorter than most modern layouts, but its narrow fairways, small undulating greens, and clever routing demand accuracy and finesse over raw power.
The course was significantly redesigned in 2015 by Mackenzie & Ebert, adding three stunning new holes routed through the towering dunes. These holes brought the layout closer to the sea than anywhere else at Royal County Down, delivering unforgettable views and a thrilling new rhythm to the round.
The Annesley has been described as “a model for a shorter and more enjoyable form of the game,” allowing golfers of all abilities to enjoy links golf without the demands of championship length. Whether as a warm-up to the Championship Links or a stand-alone round, it provides a captivating journey through some of the most spectacular golfing terrain in Ireland.
For golfers seeking variety at Royal County Down, the Annesley offers the perfect complement to the Championship Links. It’s scenic, strategic, and accessible—yet still a true test of skill. Play both courses in a single day for one of the most memorable 36-hole experiences in world golf.
Tucked alongside the world-famous Championship Links at Royal County Down, the Annesley Course is often described as one of golf’s best-kept secrets. Compact, charming, and spectacularly scenic, it weaves through the same towering dunes and coastal landscapes that have made Royal County Down legendary. With sweeping views of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains, the Annesley offers a links golf experience that is every bit as dramatic—yet more accessible and delightfully different.