The Royal County Down Golf Club was founded in 1889 by a group of influential Belfast businessmen and professionals. There is some evidence to suggest that even before this, a rudimentary form of golf was played by the city’s inhabitants on the rabbit warren at Newcastle. However, it was the development of a railway line from Belfast to Newcastle and the emergence of Newcastle as a seaside resort that provided the first formal golf course in this location.
The Royal County Down has been challenging from the outset. And part of that great difficulty lies in the ever-changing wind, as severe as any Open Championship venue.
Voted number one among the top one hundred golf courses in the world, in Golf Digest (2017, 2018, 2019), and having come second in the same ranking in 2020, the Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful settings: the Murlough National Nature Reserve, in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretch along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different view from virtually every hole.The narrower fairways are surrounded by purple heather and golden gorse, so beautiful to look at, but so punishing to anyone who strays from the set route. The bunkers are world famous. The greens are fast and many are vaulted, rejecting any half-hearted shot. This is a real test. In fact, the ninth hole is one of the most photographed in the world (PAR 4). And this is just one of its 18 mysterious holes that all players guarantee are perfectly constructed.
And because the experience is so much more than just the game itself, players can enjoy a drink in the Murlough Room afterwards, which overlooks the 18th green, the 10th tee and the Mountains of Mourne. The bar and dining room offer players and visitors the opportunity to relax in comfort after their round of golf. Throughout the day, guests can choose from a menu which includes light snacks and more substantial meals, all freshly prepared. Just looking at the images makes you want to visit this course, don’t you think?
The Royal County Down has been challenging from the outset. And part of that great difficulty lies in the ever-changing wind, as severe as any Open Championship venue.
Voted number one among the top one hundred golf courses in the world, in Golf Digest (2017, 2018, 2019), and having come second in the same ranking in 2020, the Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful settings: the Murlough National Nature Reserve, in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretch along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different view from virtually every hole.The narrower fairways are surrounded by purple heather and golden gorse, so beautiful to look at, but so punishing to anyone who strays from the set route. The bunkers are world famous. The greens are fast and many are vaulted, rejecting any half-hearted shot. This is a real test. In fact, the ninth hole is one of the most photographed in the world (PAR 4). And this is just one of its 18 mysterious holes that all players guarantee are perfectly constructed.
And because the experience is so much more than just the game itself, players can enjoy a drink in the Murlough Room afterwards, which overlooks the 18th green, the 10th tee and the Mountains of Mourne. The bar and dining room offer players and visitors the opportunity to relax in comfort after their round of golf. Throughout the day, guests can choose from a menu which includes light snacks and more substantial meals, all freshly prepared. Just looking at the images makes you want to visit this course, don’t you think?
