Royal County Down Golf Course
Newcastle, County Down
Royal County Down is a links course that is renowned worldwide as one of the best links test in the world. The first nine are ranked by many as the finest opening nine anywhere although this does not imply that there is anything second rate about the inward half.
Royal County Down lies to the north of the seaside town of Newcastle on the east coast of Ireland. Washed by the waters of the Irish Sea at Dundrum Bay, the course lies in the shadow of the impressive Mourne Mountains.
Royal County Down Course Description
There is little time to enjoy the scenery here, although it can provide a soothing distraction from the testing examination posed by the golf course. Accuracy from the tee is critical, there is little room for error and those errors are severely punished, whether by the infamous Royal County Down rough, the many hundreds of bunkers that litter the course or the impossible seaside shrubbery, especially the magnifcent yellow gorse, that line the fairways.
These fairways are the narrowest of ribbons and thread their way through as impressive a set of sand dunes as could be imagined. The fairways are surrounded by purple heather and golden gorse, so beautiful to look at but so punishing for any who may stray from the prescribed path.
The �bearded� bunkers are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and heather. The greens are fast and many are domed, rejecting any shot lacking conviction. This is a true test of any player�s command of the traditional bump and run, the preferred way to play any links.
The ninth hole is one of the most photographed holes in world golf. A 486 yard par 4, it is played from one side of a huge mound down to a fairway some 60 ft below and 260 yards from the tee. From the bottom of the slope the second shot is played over two bunkers to a raised green.
A caddy is almost essential, there are several blind tee-shots and caddies are expert at knowing exactly where a stray ball will be. It is also highly recommended to follow the course marshal's advice on the tees to be played - enjoyment of your game will be rewarded.
Without question in the top 3 golf courses in Ireland, Royal County Down should not be missed by the proficient golfer and can provide a memorable and rewarding experience for higher handicap golfers who bring patience and persistence to the course.
