Royal County Down Golf Club is situated in one of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes, nestled within the Murlough Nature Reserve. With the majestic Mountains of Mourne as its backdrop and Dundrum Bay lining the course, Royal County Down is widely regarded as one of the finest links courses on the planet.
The championship links zigzags through towering sand dunes, offering ever-changing vistas and breathtaking views from every hole. The combination of narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and undulating greens makes this one of the toughest yet most rewarding challenges in golf.
Founded in 1889, Royal County Down Golf Club is one of the world’s oldest and most revered links courses. Set along the rugged shoreline of Dundrum Bay and framed by the majestic Mourne Mountains, it offers an unforgettable golfing experience where history, natural beauty, and championship pedigree converge. The course presents a formidable challenge from the Championship Tees—ideal for elite players—while the Stableford Tees offer an exhilarating yet accessible round for golfers of all skill levels.
Royal County Down is famed for its “bearded” bunkers—uniquely rugged creations edged with overhanging marram grass, red fescue, and heather. Beautiful to look at but punishing to escape, they define the character and challenge of this classic links. Among its many iconic holes, the 9th stands out as one of the most photographed in golf: a stunning 486-yard par 4 that begins with a dramatic downhill drive from the top of a towering dune and finishes with a demanding uphill approach to a raised green.
The course is also known for its fast, domed greens that reject anything less than a perfectly judged approach. Mastering the bump-and-run—one of links golf’s hallmark shots—is essential here. These fast, sloping greens, combined with narrow, gorse-lined fairways and strategic bunkering, ensure that every round is a true test of precision, creativity, and nerve.
A place of deep tradition, Royal County Down has long stood at the forefront of championship golf. It holds a proud history of hosting major amateur and professional tournaments and continues to draw the world’s best. The course record, a remarkable 66, was set in 1939 by Jimmy Bruen, one of Ireland’s earliest golfing stars. Regularly ranked among the top courses in the world, Royal County Down remains a bucket-list destination for golfers from across the globe.
Every hole offers a stunning view, whether it’s the vast sweep of the bay, the distant peaks of the Mournes, or the golden flashes of gorse in bloom. It is a place where challenge meets charm, where tradition lives on, and where every round is a story worth telling.
With its unparalleled natural beauty, legendary design, and formidable challenge, Royal County Down is an absolute must-play for any golfer. Whether you’re testing your skills against one of the toughest links in the world or simply soaking in the breathtaking views of the Mourne Mountains and Irish coastline, Royal County Down delivers a golfing experience like no other.
